Middle grade fiction

Magic books

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Green by Corey Ann Haydu (Quill Tree Books, 336 pages, grades 4-7). Denny is dealing with a lot as her twelfth birthday approaches: her mom has relapsed with the alcoholism that plagued her before Denny was born, and her best friend Runa wants to break into the popular crowd. Runa and Denny have spent many years creating the world of Sorrowfeld, an imaginary land they write about in a special notebook that’s filled with princesses and dragons. After Denny’s disastrous twelfth birthday party, she finds a gift from Runa–a mirror framed by dragons–that seems to show Runa hasn’t forgotten their magical world. When Denny gazes into the mirror, she’s transported into Sorrowfeld, trading places with Princess Auden, who finds herself in Denny’s world. Each girl has to deal with the other’s issues: Princess Auden has to figure out what’s going on with Denny’s parents and Runa, and Denny is tasked with fighting the dragons that the princess has been dealing with. Each girl feels torn between childhood and adulthood, still wanting the simple joys of being younger while facing the responsibilities of growing up. As each girl learns how to be herself and find her voice, both Denny and Auden learn how to deal with the dragons that they’re facing.

This is a very cool premise for a book, and for the most part it’s carried out with grace and skill. Anyone who’s ever created an imaginary world will envy Denny’s chance to visit hers, and the issues that each girl is facing are sympathetically portrayed. It did feel like it got a little preachy toward the end, with both Denny and Auden making one life-changing realization after another, but many middle school readers will find important lessons woven into a compelling and magical story. This has consistently been in the top ten of the Goodreads Newbery list.

When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller (Random House Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, grades 4-7). Long-time friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur found a book many years ago with mysterious verses handwritten on its pages. Over the years, these verses have come to seem like prophecies, predicting events that have come to pass in their lives. Now their Seattle neighborhood is engulfed in wildfire smoke, and Nomi is certain that the end of the world that the book predicted is coming to pass. Told in alternating narrations, the three kids deal with a lot of big issues including sexual harassment and bullying, social media, climate change, toxic masculinity, and class differences. Through it all, their friendship evolves and survives, offering them hope in an uncertain future.

This is an amazing book that explores both the inner and outer worlds of three interesting and engaging middle school characters. The many different threads are expertly woven together, and it would make a great choice for any kind of book discussion. If anything, it felt a bit too ambitious taking on so many different topics, and I think it would be most appreciated by kids who get some expert guidance through it. Tae Keller is a Newbery Medal winner already, and she undoubtedly has another shot at it with this book.

New series for Dog Man fans

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Speed Reader by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Zack Giallongo (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 160 pages, grades 3-7). Despite his late superhero grandfather Felix Fast, Zander Fast isn’t exactly known for speed, as he plods through his day getting mediocre grades and coming in last in gym. But a mysterious package combined with a lightning strike unexpectedly gives him superpowers, and suddenly he can live up to his name, zipping through books, setting new running records, and dodging the villains that start showing up everywhere. With help from a new friend, his mom, and his great uncle Whizzy (Felix’s former sidekick), Zander’s able to defeat those villains, but it’s clear there’s more in store for him as a superhero.

From the author of the beloved Cat Ninja graphic novels comes a new series with the feel of a comic book or Saturday morning cartoon. What could be more relatable than a kid who struggles in school and gym class getting a superpower that specifically addresses those issues? Readers will enjoy reading about Zander and will be eagerly awaiting book 2.

Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems by Rachel Elliott (HarperAlley, 160 pages, grades 3-6). Bel is a cat who is also a detective. Zeb is her sidekick, brother, and a dog. When their human girl, Josephine, goes to see her friend Carlo do his magician act, Bel and Zeb follow and witness a shocking crime as Carlo’s bird and magician’s assistant, Payton, is stolen practically in front of the audience’s eyes. Bel gets on the case immediately, and with the help of Zeb, the two venture far into the city to figure out what happened to Payton. It’s not easy, but they crack the case, with the help (and despite the hindrance) of an engaging cast of animal characters. A cliffhanger ending and a preview page set up book 2, Night of the Bodega Cat. Includes instructions for drawing both Bel and Zeb, as well as a page showing mystery clues that were hidden throughout the story.

I found this graphic novel enchanting and laughed out loud at several scenes, particularly those involving Zeb and some of the other dog characters. It’s a good mystery, too, with an interesting (and funny) solution, and I liked how the author shared some of her visual clues at the end. For fans of both Dog Man and InvestiGators.

Hi-lo chapter books

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The Makeup Cover-Up by Natasha Deen (Stone Arch Books, 72 pages, grades 3-6). Bailey’s trying to fit in at her new school, but she’s torn between friends who are into makeup and clothes, and a mom who has a strict no-makeup policy. When Bailey starts sneaking to a friend’s house before school to put on the forbidden makeup, she feels cool and confident, but she also starts to notice issues with her skin. He big brother, even though he’s off at college studying theater, provides good moral support and serves as a go-between to help Bailey be honest with Mom and negotiate a compromise that works for both of them. Includes a glossary of makeup terms (which are highlighted in the story), a list of skin-care tips, and questions for discussion and writing.

This book is part of the four-book Tween Era series, written at a third-grade level but featuring middle school characters. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, with a short page count, plenty of illustrations, a lower reading level, and relatable issues for both elementary and middle school. I liked that the brother was the makeup expert! A good choice for reluctant readers.

The Clockwork Key (Relic Hunters, book 1) by Vashti Hardy, illustrated by Rebecca Sheerin (Union Square Kids, 104 pages, grades 3-7). Mabel and Will Graystone join their relic-hunting aunt on a journey to look for the lost city of Umber. Mabel is adventurous and impulsive, while Will is more of a thoughtful observer, each one of them bringing unique skills to the archaeological expedition. Aunt Lucy’s talking stuffed cat Grimm brings humor to the adventure, as they discover the secrets that destroyed Umber and outwit rival relic hunter Byron Cogsworth. The final pages hint at the next adventure, The Amulet of Hath.

This series was originally published in Great Britain a couple of years ago, but now the first exciting installment has been picked up by a U.S. publisher. It’s written in a dyslexia-friendly font, with lots of action and illustration and a low page count, making it another great reluctant reader choice.

Imaginary worlds, real-life issues

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The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly (Greenwillow Books, 176 pages, grades 4-7). 12-year-old Zuzu lives in an impoverished camp in the shadow of Lockwood Corporation that controls life in her dystopian Texas town. When her single dad loses his job, instead of severance pay, he’s given an old robot programmed to be a guardian. Zuzu’s not crazy about being watched over by Snap (Secure Network Android Processor), but one of her friends manages to reprogram it, turning Snap into more of a friend than a babysitter. Snap’s charger is broken, though, so Zuzu and her friends know he’ll only last as long as his current battery charge. As Snap takes on a life of his own, Zuzu starts to question the line between human and machine. When a dust storm hits the settlement, Snap proves his devotion, even though he can’t save himself. A final chapter fast forwards six months, offering a note of optimism that Snap has survived in some way and that change may be possible in this dark futuristic world.

Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly creates a future that doesn’t seem too far off, addressing artificial intelligence, as well as corporate greed and the resulting societal inequalities. This would make a great book for an elementary or middle school classroom read-aloud or a book club, with a pretty short page count, a fast-moving plot, and lots of interesting ideas to discuss. The downside of being a quick read is that there’s not a lot of space for world building, and older readers may find it not quite as intriguing as some more fleshed-out dystopian novels. A great choice for fans of The Wild Robot series and A Rover’s Story.

Clock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Sylvia Bi (Greenwillow Books, 288 pages, grades 4-8). In the city of Siennarra, the guilds hold all the power, and the guildless, unable to afford the apprentice fee, scrape by with whatever work they can find. Vale longs to practice a craft, but their guildless status prevents them from pursuing an apprenticeship. When Maestro Giuseppi and his daughter move to the city, he brings unconventional ideas that he’s picked up from living other places, refusing to join a guild and hiring Vale, first as a guide around the city and eventually as an apprentice. The powerful guilds respond violently, and Vale has to decide whether to simply accept their fate or to fight back. They choose the latter path, leading the guildless in a labor strike that proves the value of their work and opens up more fair ways for organizing labor in Siennarra. Includes an author’s note with additional information about the guilds of Middle Ages Italy that inspired this story, as well as information about labor strikes.

I missed 2023’s graphic novel Ink Girls, but this one, by the same team and taking place in the same imagined city, features a host of interesting characters and beautiful artwork depicting the city of Siennarra. Although the strike results in greater changes than most labor actions in the real world, it’s a great introduction to the concept of collective action and how it can be used for justice.

Long, strange trips

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Styx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge (Clarion Books, 240 pages, grades 4-7). Simon has spent centuries in the underworld, but he’s different than the other shades. After refusing to drink from the river Lethe, which wipes away memories, Simon spends his time in Hades’ kingdom plotting to escape. Even though each attempt results in his destruction, he’s brought back to life (sort of) the next day. Finally, his kindness to three-headed dog Cerberus results in success, and Simon finds himself naked in one of the boys’ bathroom stalls of a middle school in St. Paul, Minnesota. He’s rescued by Zeke, who spends too much time being bullied in the bathroom, and who gives Simon not only clothes, but a home, and an introduction to 21st-century American middle school. In return, Simon gives Zeke his undying friendship. The action shifts back and forth from school to the underworld, where Hades vows to retrieve Simon and destroy him. But Persephone and the other shades have been moved by Simon’s kindness, and little by little, changes begin to happen in the underworld. Eventually, the two worlds collide, and even Zeke’s friendship isn’t enough to keep Simon safe. But their few weeks together have changed everything for Zeke, Simon, and even the kingdom of darkness.

Collaborators Schmidt and Koertge have produced another engaging story that brings classical mythology into the modern world in a way that will undoubtedly appeal to Rick Riordan fans. While the world building is a little weak at times (how does Simon know English?), the story has a lot of heart and plenty of both mythological and middle school adventure. To me, it wasn’t quite strong enough for Newbery contention, but clearly there are other opinions, because it’s currently at #10 on the Goodreads list.

Midnight Mayhem by Christina Uss (Holiday House, 164 pages, grades 3-6). When Kaz accidentally eats an odd food combination at a diner, he loses the ability to sleep. At first, his sleepless nights are boring and lonely, especially since he and his family have just moved from Massachusetts to Philadelphia, and he hasn’t started school or made any new friends yet. When his parents put him into a hospital sleep lab to try to figure out a cure, Kaz meets fellow insomniac Floyd, who only requires an hour or two of sleep a night. Floyd loves adventures but has a tendency to inadvertently get himself into trouble, and Kaz finds himself forced to choose between lonely boredom and chaotic friendship. Ultimately, he chooses friendship, and he and Floyd get themselves a gig as late-night radio hosts…where Kaz accidentally discovers a (partial) cure for his sleeplessness.

This quirky novel features two endearing characters and a series of wacky adventures. It’s a pretty short read, and that, combined with plenty of humor, makes it a good choice for elementary kids. I haven’t read Gordon Korman’s latest, Sleepless, but interestingly it also features a group of kids who no longer need sleep, raising some interesting questions, as this book does, about what you would do with an extra 8 hours of activity in your life.

Sporty types

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Offside by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, illustrated by Mari Costa (Graphix, 208 pages, grades 4-8). This year’s middle school soccer team is open to girls for the first time, and just about everyone seems to have an opinion about that. Nicky, who fought for the opportunity to play on a team where she has a better chance of being scouted, is thrilled. Al, whose Brazilian father and grandfather have passed on their ideas about girls and sports, is determined to do whatever it takes to keep the team boys only. Fabiola and Sebastian, newly arrived from Colombia and Peru respectively, speak little English and just want a chance to play the sport they love. Palmer, sidelined with an injury, is bilingual and serves as a translator for the different teammates. As the season progresses, the kids–with some encouragement from their coaches–realize that to win games, they need to put aside their differences and appreciate each other’s strengths. By the end of the story, not only have they become a winning team on the field, but they’ve learned to act together to speak up for equal sports opportunities for everyone.

Those who have followed the World Cup this summer will appreciate this soccer-themed graphic novel with its uplifting message about equal access for all athletes. The different characters are well-drawn (in both senses of the word), showing growth as players and people throughout the story. Spanish and English are cleverly woven together in the dialog bubbles. Includes a glossary of soccer terms and a full-page illustrated explanation of what offsides means. I still don’t get it.

The Long Hike: The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike by Meghan McCarthy (Beach Lane Books, 48 pages, grades 1-5). Before World War II, Earl Shaffer had planned to hike the Appalachian Trail with his best friend Walter. But Walter didn’t survive the war, and Earl decided to go it alone, to “walk the war out of my system.” Following the motto, “carry as little as possible but choose that little with care,” Earl set out from Georgia on April 4, 1948. He suffered through blisters, mosquitoes, heat and cold (New Jersey prohibited campfires at the time), and a trail that was sometimes difficult to follow. But he also met interesting people along the way and was soothed by the natural world. Finally, on August 6, he stood atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin, the first person to have hiked the entire trail. Earl spent the rest of his life advocating for the preservation of the Appalachian Trail, and did two more through-hikes, including on in 1998, in which he set a record for the oldest person (at the time) to hike the trail. Includes several pages of back matter, with additional information on Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail, as well as resources to learn more.

I love Meghan McCarthy’s quirky nonfiction books, and it’s been a few years since I’ve seen a new one. This one is a lot of fun, detailing Earl Shaffer’s adventures on the Appalachian Trail, along with excerpts from the notebook he kept along the way. The illustrations of different parts of the trail and beautiful and may inspire readers to get outside for a hike themselves. This is a timely story, as the record for oldest person hiking the AT is on track to be broken this summer by 91-year-old Dale Sanders.

Sibling rivalry

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The Band of Bigs (League of Littles, book 2) by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Sara Faber (Greenwillow Books, 128 pages, grades 3-7). When an older brother babysitter gets locked out of the house by his younger siblings, the Band of Bigs is on the case. Rushing to the house, the Band discovers that the younger siblings have been joined by three members of the League of Littles who have not only locked the doors but rigged up a series of booby traps to prevent entry. A new recruit to the Band of Bigs proves her worth, some kids from the Middles and Onlys Guild show up to mediate, and everything is resolved just in time for the parents’ return. The mysterious Big Big phones in at the end with an approving message and the promise of further adventures. Includes a Q&A session between the author and illustrator about how the book was created.

I missed last year’s book 1 of this graphic novel series, and I recommend reading it, as I did, before moving on to book 2. The premise is an extremely fun one: there are rival spy organizations for older and younger siblings, and each is called on when someone in their demographic is in trouble. I hope book 3 will explain more about the intriguing but slightly mysterious Middles and Onlys Guild. Each book is 128 pages, making it a quick read and good entry point for beginning graphic novel readers.

The Great Escape by Deborah Marcero (G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 4-8). Evie believes in the power of magic and wants a chance to practice hers, but she has no power over her three siblings, Wolfie, Bunnie, and Teddy, who insist on following her everywhere. When a snowstorm hits, Evie sees her chance for escape, but the kids put on scarves and boots and head outside with her. Desperate, Evie grabs a stick to use as a wand, says some magic words, and dives into the snow. She tumbles into a magical world (turn the book upside down to get the proper perspective), and of course, the three younger kids dive in after her. The unfamiliar surroundings arouse Evie’s protective instincts, and she finds herself looking out for her siblings. When Teddy takes off, the others follow and find him helping a whale whose baby is caught in a net of constellations. They help the whales, then, mission accomplished, head for home where they enjoy hot chocolate on the couch before falling asleep.

This ode to siblings and the power of imagination has beautiful, magical illustrations that distinctively show the ordinary world and the magic one. Not only are the styles different, but the whole book has to be turned upside down to see what the kids find under the snow. This book is currently at #13 on the Goodreads Caldecott list, and I’m looking forward to making it part of my mock Caldecott activities in the fall.

Cats and dogs

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The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga (Balzer + Bray, 240 pages, grades 3-7). Finnegan is an abandoned dog, lost in the woods after a shameful incident with his previous owner that has him convinced that he’s a bad dog. Chase is a young cheetah living in the zoo, trying to figure out life after her mother dies. They tell their stories in alternating chapters. Finnegan is rescued by Ryan, who brings him home to the apartment he shares with his girlfriend Basma. Basma works at the zoo where she is training Chase to be part of a show. They decide that Finnegan might help Chase, and the two animals’ stories converge. As they learn to trust each other, each one is able to show the other that they are worthy of love despite past mistakes. Chase is able to overcome her worries about performing, and Finnegan learns to trust that his new humans will always be there for him. Includes additional information about cheetahs and dogs and the program pairing cheetahs with rescue dogs that inspired this story.

Animal lovers will enjoy this story and may be inspired to learn more about how to help endangered cheetahs. Chase and Finnegan are both loveable animals, but their doubts and worries about their places in the world will resonate with kids. This would be a great choice for an elementary read-aloud or book club.

Licorice by Kara Lareau, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Scholastic, release date October 20, 224 pages, grades 3-7). Kitty’s story begins in an animal shelter, where she’s been brought after a traumatic early life living in the woods. Her neighbor, a rabbit named Bunny Von Hopper, gives her all sorts of advice about how to present herself for adoption, but Kitty is too afraid to follow much of it. She’s surprised when a boy named Max Winters takes an interest in her. A few days later, she’s officially adopted and taken to the Winters’ home at 5 Manderley Lane. There, Kitty’s worst fears come to pass as she feels like she is constantly living in the shadow of her predecessor, a beautiful and amazing cat named Licorice. A gray parrot named Duchess shares the home and delights in taunting Kitty with stories of what an amazing cat Licorice was. Licorice seems to have died under mysterious circumstances, but as Kitty spends more time in the house, getting to know various animals and humans who are part of the family, she begins to piece together what actually happened to Licorice, and to realize that she may not have been exactly the beloved pet Kitty initially believed her to be. A series of plot twists–and a slightly twisted ending–assures readers that Kitty has found herself a happy home.

If some of these story elements sound familiar, you may be recognizing them from Daphne Du Maurier’s novel Rebecca (or the Alfred Hitchcock film version of it) on which this book is based. It’s a fun and well-done take on this classic story, but even those who aren’t familiar with the original will enjoy this slightly creepy tale with plenty of suspense and questions that keep the reader guessing right up until the last page.

Understanding neurodivergence

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Perfect Enough by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Scholastic Press, 352 pages, grades 4-7). In this follow up to Good Different, we meet Seleh as she’s preparing for some big changes in her life. Not only has she recently been diagnosed with autism, but she’s starting a new school in the fall. For the summer, though, she has big plans for her three weeks at Writer’s Camp, including working on her poetry and hanging out with her two new friends Rheya and Brooklyn. Seleh’s mom is nervous about her taking this big step, but Seleh is sure with her new coping mechanisms and tools she’s ready for anything. The first few days are amazing, but before long, Seleh is struggling. Her roommates like to stay up late, and Seleh needs lots of sleep. She takes on two big group projects, even though she doesn’t like working in groups. Some of the counselors don’t understand her need for breaks and using some of her other strategies. By the end of week two, Seleh has completely crashed, and she faces the difficult decision whether to stay and see her commitment through or go home early and take care of herself. Her mom, grandfather, new friends, and a sympathetic counselor help her figure things out and to see that there’s value in trying new things even if they don’t go perfectly. Includes an author’s note and some other resources for readers.

I don’t usually review sequels, but I actually forgot that I had read the first until I was about halfway through this one, and by that point I was too invested to stop! It’s a great look at a girl figuring out how to survive and thrive with her new diagnosis, while developing empathy for her new friends who are dealing with their own issues. I also liked the message at the end of the book (spoiler: Seleh leaves camp early) that it’s okay not to finish things sometimes if it means taking better care of yourself. Note: this is currently at #12 on the Goodreads Newbery 2027 list.

No Brain the Same: Neurodivergent Young Activists Shaping Our Future edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf and Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley (Charlesbridge, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Like their books celebrating kids who are making history and fighting climate change, this collection looks at neurodivergent kids working to make a better world for everyone. Whether it’s Tourette’s, ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, or some other form of neurodivergence, these young people have learned to not only navigate the world, but to thrive in it, creating music, books, videos, and inventions to help others like them. Each spread has an illustration of the subject, a poem, and additional information about the person and their achievements. Includes a glossary, a list of the poetry forms, and additional information about the poets.

This inspiring book serves multiple purposes, introducing both a variety of poetic forms and an inspiring group of young people who have already achieved a lot in their lives despite living with disabilities. This is a great introduction to poetry as well as a good “mirrors and windows” book to learn about neurodivergent kids.

Two series entries to read with Pride

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Sebastian Metzger Solves a Sticky Situation (The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class #11) by Kyle Lukoff (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 128 pages, grades 2-4). Sebastian loves going to the school library with his class, and he’s excited when Mr. Bloom, the librarian, lets him take a new book about octopuses that hasn’t been processed for the library yet. Sebastian promises to be extra careful with it, but when he takes it home, his little sister ends up getting sticky fruit punch all over one of the pages. Sebastian is horrified. He knows his mom can’t afford the $29.95 replacement cost. At first, Sebastian finds ways to avoid going to the library, but the guilt of the situation starts to take over his life. He finally confesses everything, first to Mr. Bloom and then to his mom, and is thrilled and relieved when both adults come up with solutions to help him out, making the library a fun and safe space for Sebastian once again. Includes a preview of the next book in the series.

Although I don’t usually review series books beyond the first one, I was intrigued by this entry by Kyle Lukoff about a transgender boy in Mrs. Z.’s class. For Sebastian, third grade is “the first year that he started as Sebastian and ended as Sebastian, and he was happy that no one seemed to care.” It’s nice to see an elementary trans character handled so matter-of-factly, and Sebastian’s much bigger issue in this book involves the damaged library book. The school librarian is also an excellent role model, as is Sebastian’s single mom, who is clearly working hard and struggling financially but is loving and patient with her kids.

Fruitcake by Rex Ogle, illustrated by Dave Valeza (Graphix, 240 pages, grades 5-8). Rex Ogle continues his graphic novel memoir series with this account of eighth grade. Everyone around him seems to be pairing up, and when he meets the new girl Charlotte, she seems like a good candidate to become Rex’s girlfriend. But Rex can’t ignore his feelings of attraction to his friend Drew, and he starts to wonder if he’s gay. He and Charlotte start dating, but on a camping trip, he and Drew kiss, confirming Rex’s suspicions about his sexuality. Drew can’t admit the truth, saying that he’s straight and just having fun, and Rex gets his heart broken. He starts to notice homophobia in his family and in his grandma’s church, making coming out that much scarier. When he finally gets the courage to tell the truth about himself, he’s happily surprised for the most part. Includes notes from the author and illustrator sharing their own coming out stories.

This funny, honest memoir will ring true for many middle schoolers struggling to figure out who they really are. I love Rex Ogle’s books, and he never shies away from sharing his embarrassing or dark memories of middle school. The content of this book is a bit more mature than the first two books in the series, and I would tend to classify it more for middle school than elementary. It would make a great companion to Ogle’s non-graphic memoir, Free Lunch.