Category: MG Novels

middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)

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.

cover of Mascot, illustration of white bricks with a painted out mascot logo, two feathers and a tomahawk blade are visible
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Mascot

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Mascot (Charlesbridge, 2023) by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell is a fascinating multi-point of view novel in verse that should be in all school libraries.

Six kids, six opinions about the middle school mascot, a tomahawk-wielding brave, and the first pep rally of the year.

For Callie (Cherokee Nation), it’s hate, fear, and disgust. Franklin (Black) loves the team and the fight song, “We are the mighty, mighty Braves!” and gets his face painted in red and yellow stripes. Luis (El Salvador) thinks all this celebrating should be for futbol–the greatest sport in the world. Priya (grandparents from India) believes the rally is racist. Sean’s (white) too shy to get his face painted but thinks the Braves bring people together. Previously home-schooled vegan Tessa (white) is shocked and thinks it should be stopped. All are in the same eighth grade honors English class.

The assignment: “Persuasive Writing and Oration, “Subject: Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.” Each student is matched up with a partner and the pair are told whether to be pro or con on the topic, no matter what they personally believe. No two agree on the issue.

I love how the emotions come through as each express their differences of opinion. Can each student change their partner’s point of view?

The book has received an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor and a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor.

Read about the co-authors here (Charles) and here (Traci). Traci’s books are here and Charles’ here. Previously, I recommended Powwow Day by Traci.

cover of Flying Through Clouds - blue and cloudy sky background with a brown outline of a biplane
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Flying Through Clouds

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Flying Through Clouds (independently published 2017) by Michelle Morgan was a really good historical read. Though technically a YA book, I think many middle graders will enjoy it.

Set in Australia in the 1930s, Joe wants to be an aviator, but his parents are against it. And there’s trouble with the bookkeeping business his father runs, which Joe helps with but doesn’t get paid much. If only he can save up enough money for flying lessons.

I loved the character’s voice. Read the opening lines: “The house is quiet – too quiet. I close the front door carefully, trying not to make any noise. It’s not so much that I’m late, as I shouldn’t have gone out in the first place.” How could one not read on?

In an interview Michelle said, “Flying through Clouds was inspired by two historical events – the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in March 1932, and the landing and take-off of Southern Cross by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith on Seven Mile Beach in January 1933.” Both of these events are mentioned in the story. Read more of the interview here.

This book is a Winner of the 2017 SCBWI Spark Award for Older Readers. 

I’m disappointed the writer hasn’t published any books since, but it looks like she’s too busy with her songwriting and singing with her husband. Read about her here.

cover of novel BUSTED - cartoon style kid with a black eye leaning out a front passenger car window, through the window there's a hairless cat, an old man driving and a red-haired girl in the backseat
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Busted

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Busted (Henry Holt, 2025) by Dan Gemeinhart is a fun romp.

Oscar sounds like an old man in a twelve-year-old body–mostly because he lives at a retirement home and has spent so much time with the residents. (He loves Bridge and Frank Sinatra.) When Pop is threatened with eviction, Oscar agrees to help old man Jimmy Deluca escape Sunny Days, for a promised amount of money. Along for the ride is twelve-year-old Natasha, the daughter of the man who owns the home, and Mr. Buttercup, a hairless cat. A wild adventure ensues.

Previously I recommended these of the author’s books: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, and the sequel Coyote Lost and Found, and The Honest Truth.

You can read about Dan here.