Category: MG Novels

middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)

Cover of Each and Every Spark - shows a diagonally split page with a girl in Paris with WW2 planes flying and a girl in modern Paris
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Each and Every Spark

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Each and Every Spark (Quill Tree Books, 2026) by Claire Swinarski is a duel timeline story set in Paris, where the past intersects with the present. (Isn’t that a beautiful cover?!)

Penny Marks is unhappy her family has moved to Paris for Mom’s new job and has no difficulty in sharing her displeasure. But her interest in Paris of 1943 is sparked by finding a letter from a girl in the past.

Marie Bonnet lives with her sister Heloise under the fear of the German occupation. Will their father ever return? When she discovers her sister is part of the Resistance, Marie wants to join.

Both girls are keeping secrets. Both girls must change. Plus there’s a mysterious painting that connects both girls.

Read about the author here and check out her other middle grade books here.

cover of Adventures in the City of Stories shows three kids in front of one of the lions at the NY Public Library
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Adventure in the City of Stories

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Adventure in the City of Stories (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Poly Bernatene is a fun novel of time travel that just came out in July.

Seventh grader and honor roll student Camilla is crying because she got in trouble with the school principal for bringing inappropriate books* to her Miami school, and now a letter has been sent to all the parents talking about how they were confiscated. Cami thinks she can’t ever go back to school. To cheer her up, Jorge shows her their aunt’s old folktale book and puppets. But when an eighth grade bully threatens to throw the book in the dumpster, the two jump into a magic tinajón (large pot) to escape and get transported in time and place. Back to 1930s New York. Where more trouble awaits.

I loved the mix of contemporary and historical in this story. It was a pleasure to “meet” some people from the past, including Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. I learned some Spanish as well as history. And who doesn’t love magic?

The book is a companion to Cousins in the Time of Magic, which I hadn’t read, but now want to. This story definitely stands alone. (I was given a copy of the book from the publisher for review.)

Read about the author here and see Emma’s other books here.

Read about the illustrator here–there are spot illustrations throughout the book. See Poly’s books here (he’s an author as well) and check out his his kid friendly illustrations here.

*The books were in Spanish about Latino students.

cover of Growing Home - goldfish in a hat above an ivy plant in a pot. The pot has eyes and a smile. The fish is frowning.
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Growing Home

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

I found Growing Home (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025) by Beth Ferry and illustrated by The Fan Brothers a delightful read.

Meet the Tupper family, and more importantly, Ivy the plant, who will tell you she’s Jillian’s favorite, and a grumpy goldfish named Toasty, who live at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive. From his eight-sided antique fish tank, Toasty can see everything on the first floor–Mrs. Tupper using the adding machine, Mr. Tupper sneaking downstairs for ice cream, and Jillian singing, dancing and kissing Ivy. Their lives are all about to be disrupted. Prepare for rescues, magic, a villain, new friends, and lots of cheese puffs.

This story will definitely appeal to the younger middle grade readers. It sure left a smile on my face.

This is the author’s first novel–she usually writes picture books. I hope she writes more long fiction. Read about Beth here and see all her books here.

Read about the illustrators here and see their books here.

cover of Sherlock Society Art Attack features an illustration with four kids looking for clues with flashlights in a building
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Sherlock Society Art Attack

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

I got a sneak peek* at the upcoming The Sherlock Society Art Attack (Simon & Schuster/Aladdin, September 2026) by James Ponti and it was a fun romp. It may be the third book in a series, but the story sands alone just fine. (I have not read the others, but now I want to.)

Twelve-year-old Alex Sherlock, best friend Yadi, sister Zoe, new friend Lina, and former journalist grandpa make up the Sherlock Society in Miami, Florida. They agree to take on the case of finding who the graffiti artist Funky Monkey is for a developer who wants to hire the artist to do a mural. The team of five divide their search up into the five Ws: who, what, when where, and why. Along the way they meet a number of people in the tagging scene via Grandpa’s girlfriend, plus get involved with a podcaster who features Funky Monkey, and get involved in a some city arson cases.

The inside look at graffiti artists was interesting, although a bit too detailed in a few places. But I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and their solving of multiple mysteries. It’s also fun how fluent the kids are with technology, and how they manage when that isn’t available. Can you say, “grounded”?

Check out this page for more about the series including a fun book trailer for the second book.

Read about the bestselling author of four series here and see all his awards here–it’s impressive! James will be doing a number of events for this book, which you can find here.

*I received access from the publisher to a digital advanced reader copy.

cover of The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup - stairs going down the left side of the cover with someone in black running away with a gold trophy
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy (Henry Holt and Co., 2026) by Angela Cervantes is a fun and timely story with secret tunnels! And was released in both English and Spanish.

Sixth grader Diez Espada is named after the number from the jersey of his father’s favorite futbol (soccer) player. His dad has high hopes for Diez’s futbol career, but Diez would rather be a detective. He notices things. Sees clues. And right now he’s on the case of the missing school mascot, Louis the Lobster. He has to leave the futbol game before it is done for the big reveal of “who done it,” which makes his father unhappy. But all this is just the prequel for the big important mystery of the stolen World Cup Trophy.

Along the way, we meet Diez’s first crush Rio, a famous detective, and plenty of bad guys. Plus, a parrot named Soledad.

Read about the award-winning author here. See her books here. And here’s an interview with her about this book.