Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Unfinished Business

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Unfinished Business (Fitzroy Books, 2026) by Stephanie Campisi is a beautifully written book about letting go.

Dari can see the ghosts who stick around. It creates awkward moments when her mother only hears Dari’s half of the conversation, but Dari is used to her odd life. A worried school counselor signs her up for orchestra, which might help Dari make friends. When Dari’s neighbor Maude dies, Maude’s ghost asks her for help in “finishing” unfinished business. While dealing with ghosts, Dari realizes she might have some unfinished business of her own.

This book was really fun–the ghosts are not at all creepy–and is the first book in a series, so hopefully we’ll get to meet Dari and her friends again. Note: the language is sophisticated and it may be difficult for younger middle grade readers. You can purchase the book in paperback or special edition hardcover here.

Read about the Author here and you can also see a list of all her published books on the same page. Many book covers are on the home page.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Labors of Hercules Beal

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Labors of Hercules Beal (HarperCollins, 2023) by Gary D. Schmidt is another winning story.

The smallest kid in his class, Herc Beal is named after Hercules. Yep, the mythical hero. His homeroom teacher at Cape Cod Academy for Environmental Sciences assigns him the task of completing the hero’s twelve feats. Like that’s possible. But his new teacher, Lieutenant Colonel Hupner, doesn’t care. On top of that Herc’s parents are dead, his brother Achilles is dating a vampire, and Achilles gets him a rabbit named Honey Bunny instead of the Dog Herc wants. Can life get any worse?

This award-winning author has other great books. I’ve previously recommended Orbiting Jupiter; Pay Attention, Carter Jones; and Okay for Now. Read about all his books here, where you can order signed copies.

Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Greenglass House

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

I love when a book does something unexpected that makes me wonder if I should read the whole thing again to see what hints I missed. Greenglass House (Clarion Books, 2014) by Kate Milford is one of those.

In a fascinating old inn that smugglers use and his parents run, twelve-year-old Milo Pine expects to get to relax for Christmas vacation. But then these people keep showing up (and getting to this inn is not easy in winter) and they all seem to want something connected to the old house. Milo, and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, plan to figure out what is going on.

This Roaming World book is a New York Times Bestseller, National Book Award Nominee, Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, and Nebula/Andre Norton Award Nominee.

There’s a sequel, The Ghosts of Greenglass House, a companion book that Milo is reading in Greenglass House—The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book, and more. Check them all out here. The newest one, Rialto, comes out next month.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Outside

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Outside (Scholastic Press, 2025) by Jennifer L. Holm is a compelling story set in the near future. I found it difficult to put down. The story also has several surprising twists.

Since the Great Poisoning Razzi has never been Outside. Neither have the other six, I mean five, kids in the Refuge. She’s the oldest kid and the others look up to her, so Razzi always follows the rules–especially since Ollie died. But when a sprained knee turns into something else, Razzi has other strange things happen, that get her in trouble.

Scroll down on the main page of Jennifer’s website and you can watch a video teaser for this novel. Also read her bio here. You can see all her book titles by clicking on the 3 stacked lines in the upper right corner and clicking on books.

Previously, I’ve recommended two of Jennifer’s other books: Turtle in Paradise and Penny from Heaven.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Experiment

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Experiment (Feiwel and Friends, 2025) by Rebecca Stead is such an unusual and intriguing story.

Sixth-grader Nathan’s world is ending–or at least his time on earth. He’s always had to keep the secret that his family is from another planet. They are part of ten families in the experiment. But then some of his friends in the group have been disappearing without a word. Today, locked in his room, he’s waiting for the people who are coming to pick him up!

I love that Nathan is a Calvin and Hobbes comic fan.

See the author’s other books here and learn about Rebecca herself here.