Category: MG Novels

middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)

paperback cover of Ban This Book
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Ban This Book

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Ban This Book (Starscape, 2017) by Alan Gratz is such a good read. It’s definitely still timely. I wish I’d noticed this book sooner.

When Amy Anne Ollinger tries to check out her “favorite book in the world” from the school library, the librarian tells her the book has been banned. She learns it’s a classmate’s mom who thought the book was inappropriate. After a failed attempt to talk to the school board about the book, Amy Anne starts a secret banned-book library out of her locker. Trouble ensues.

Of course, there’s more involved in the story. Amy Anne has to learn how to speak up in other places as well…like at home. And you’ll probably recognize books from the banned book lists at Amy Anne’s school.

I love the log line on Alan’s website: “PUTTING FICTIONAL KIDS IN DANGER SINCE 2006.” Read about this bestselling author here. See all his novels here. He’s also written a graphic novel, Captain America: The Ghost Army. His short fiction is posted here.

Previously, I recommended Alan’s historical book, Allies.

cover of The Shape of Lost Things
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Shape of Lost Things

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Shape of Lost Things (HarperCollins, 2024) by Sarah Everett is an amazing and powerful book!

Skye Nickson’s father and older brother disappeared four years ago and the twelve-year-old still has questions. Where did the go? Why did the leave? Why didn’t Dad take her too? Each year she has to deal with a birthday party for her missing-in-action brother. But this year after his birthday is different. Finn has been found. Can this fourteen-year-old stranger really be the brother she remembers and loved?

Sarah writes young adult books too–I’m going to have to read them: Everyone We’ve Been and How to Live without You! Read more about the author on her website.

book cover of The Legendary Mo Seto
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Legendary Mo Seto

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Legendary Mo Seto (Aladdin, 2024) by A.Y. Chan is a fun read, especially if you have ever felt too small, or you like martial arts, or you’ve ever had a crush on a movie star, or you like mysteries.

Twelve-year-old Mo (short for Modesty) just lost to the larger Dax (again) by only getting second place in the Mid-year Taekwondo Championship tournament. When her father leaves without an explanation, she wonders if it’s because he’s disappointed she didn’t win. When Mo finds out she can apply to star in a movie with her hero Cody Kwok, she knows winning will please Dad.

But, of course, nothing is going to be simple in her pursuit of this new goal.

I really liked Mo’s relationship with her best friend Nacho (Ignacio). Other bonuses include the Chinese Mo is learning, a secret discovered, and a fake grandfather.

This is the first book in the series. Martial Arts Star will be released in May.

Read about A.Y. Chan here.

cover of The Hotel Balzaar
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Hotel Balzaar

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Hotel Balzaar (Candlewick Press, 2024) by Kate DiCamillo is a sweet story of stories within a story. It’s beautifully illustrated by Júlia Sardà.

Marta and her mother live in a hotel where Marta must be as quiet and invisible as a small mouse while her mother works. Marta obeys until a countess with a parrot arrives and invites her to visit. The stories the countess tells don’t seem connected and Marta is not sure they are even true, but they give her hope.

Part of The Norendy Tales, this book is aimed at ages 7-10, but I think older readers will enjoy as well. The first book in the collection is The Puppets of Spelhorst and coming in September is a third, Lost Evangeline. The books stand alone but share a world.

Kate is a two-time Newbery winner who writes picture books, early chapter books, and middle grade novels. Read more about this award winning author here.

Júlia is an author as well as an illustrator–read about her here and see samples of her work here.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Witching Wind

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Witching Wind (Scholastic Press, 2024) by Natalie Lloyd is a novel full of magic and hope.

Grayson, going to yet another foster home, doesn’t mind because soon her older sister Beanie will come and take her away.

Roxie, was excited about starting sixth grade, until she made everyone laugh at her at the pool. But she’ll go on a singing tour with her gran and can forget about the whole embarrassing event.

Unfortunately, both Beanie and Granny are missing, and the two new friends think the Witching Wind stole them. Together they must find the truth.

The personalities of these girls shine in this dual point-of-view novel. I also love the way Grayson’s disability is dealt with.

Read about this New York Times Bestselling Author here and check out all her books here.

I previously recommended Natalie’s Over the Moon and A Snicker of Magic. I need to catch up on more of her books.