Tag: family

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 Holding on for Dear Life
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Holding on for Dear Life

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Holding on for Dear Life (Bloomsbury, 2025) by Dusti Bowling was super good and, as an adult, scary for what the kids go through.

Thirteen-year-old Canyon has to win the Junior Bull Riding Championship. It’s the only thing that might make his father get his act back together. Winning the buckle will make Dad pay attention to him and his little sister, Josie, quit drinking, and remember they are still a family. When the aches and pains of bull riding get to Canyon, it’s only playing his violin that helps. But now he wonders if he’s holding on to the wrong thing.

Dusti is an award-winning author with numerous books. Read about her here. Previously, I recommended her debut, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

Another book readers might like is Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry.

For older readers I recommend Suzanne Morgan Williams’ book Bull Rider.

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.

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.