Category: MG Novels

middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)

cover of The Honest Truth
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Honest Truth

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Honest Truth (Scholastic Press, 2015) by Dan Gemeinhart is such a heart-wrenching story and a compelling read. Look at the opening lines, “The mountain was calling me. I had to run away. I had to.”

Mark and his dog, Beau, trained to be quiet in a duffle bag, leave home in Wenatchee without looking back. To throw off anyone looking for him, Mark buys bus tickets to Spokane, but then uses a train ticket to Seattle that he’d already purchased online. His plan? To climb to the top of Mount Rainier to die.

I love that we get his best friend, Jessie’s point of view too.

I’ve already recommended others of Dan’s books; I’m only sad I didn’t read this one earlier. It appears to be his first book published.

Read about the author here–he’s also a librarian–and check out his other books here.

cover of Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign (Fitzroy Books/Regal House, October 2025*) by Sara F. Shacter was so good it was a one-sitting read. Ask your libraries to order it. I mean it!

Georgia and her one friend Izzy are entering 6th grade and thrilled to be in Mr. C’s class. (They both love science which he teaches.) But when Izzy’s former friend, mean Nicole, tries to squeeze Georgia out, Georgia is so mad she does something mean back with unfortunate consequences. Will she lose Izzy now? And what will their other classmates think? Worse yet Mr. C is disappointed in her. What a horrible start to the school year that may mean Georgia doesn’t get her wish for the two of them to go to science camp together next summer.

I love how what they’re learning in class effects Georgia’s actions, and how class assignments help her to see others differently. We all want kids to have teachers like fun and inventive Mr. C. Georgia’s science themed t-shirts are great, too. I also like that this ISN’T the typical “mean girl” story.

This is the author’s first middle grade novel. Read about Sara here and check out her picture books here.

*I got to read an Advanced Reader Copy.

seal of the State of Washington
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Middle Grade Books Set in States Where I’ve Lived

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Inspired by this list “50 States Reading Road Trip (Middle Grade Books Set in the USA)” posted on May 21st, I decided to share some middle grade books I’ve recommended (or read) set in my different states as well. Some may be on the above list–others are not. Some are more recent and others are older, but still good!

These states are in order of when I lived there:

OREGON (born and raised)

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

Roller Girl (a graphic novel) by Victoria Jamieson

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry

WASHINGTON (I’ve moved here three times! It’s the state I’ve lived in the longest.)

The Fences Between Us by Kirby Larson

I Can Make this Promise by Christine Day

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry

COLORADO (lived here less than 3 years)

Alone by Megan E. Freeman

Away by Megan E. Freeman

Linked by Gordon Korman

NEW JERSEY (lived here less than one year!)

The Hike to Home by Jess Rinker

WASHINGTON (again)

KANSAS (lived here just over 8 years)

Airball, My Life in Briefs by L.D. Harkrader

Crossing the Tracks by Barb Stuber

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

Moon Over Manifest by Claire Vanderpool

out of patience by Brian Meehl

Savvy by Ingrid Law

WASHINGTON (again)

cover of Wonderland
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Wonderland

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Mnday

Wonderland (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018) by Barbara O’Connor is a sweet story I’m glad I found. It’s told in three viewpoints, including a dog’s!

It’s the summer between fourth and fifth grade and Mavis Jeeter’s mother is moving them again. Mavis wants to have a best friend. How can she do that if they don’t stay anywhere long enough? She wants this new home in Alabama to be permanent. She’s decided that Mom’s employer’s daughter will be her new best friend and tells her so.

Ten-year-old Rose Tully doesn’t fit in with the others in Magnolia Estates. But then this strange new girl, Mavis, arrives makes her believe she can have a friend, besides Mr. Duffy, the gateguard.

Then there’s Henry, a dog on the run.

See the awards for this book here.

Last year I recommended Barbara’s book Wish. Here’s a link to this bestselling author’s FAQ.

cover of Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood (Disney/Hyperion, 2024) by Robert Beatty is a mysterious story.

Thirteen-year-old Sylvia Doe tries to stay with her foster families. But the only place she feels she belongs is Highland Home for Children, with it’s caretaker, and the horses. Sylvia always finds her way back. “Caught in a nook here, and a cranny there, she was the one little pebble that the river could never seem to push downstream.” Once “home” a powerful storm causes the river to flood and Sylvia finds strange things that don’t belong, and even rescues an odd boy, who doesn’t seem to be from her time.

Watch the book trailer on this page.

Read about the bestselling author here and check out his Serafina and Willow series here.