MMGM – Susan Uhlig

Cover has words Little then Women scratched out followed by Monsters and shows silhouettes of 4 sisters in a spooky night setting

Little Monsters

Posted on October 12, 2026October 7, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Little Monsters* (Aladdin, 2026) by Máire Roche has a fantastic cover. This story is perfect for the spooky season. Or for anytime really.

It starts out very similar to the classic book, Little Women, but it’s Halloween and no costumes that Jo is grumbling about. Meg at almost 14 wants to make it special for her younger sisters–just if she can earn enough money. But she has deeper problems. Like not upsetting their current foster mother, Marmee, so the March sisters don’t have to move yet again. Speaking of upset, that’s when Meg’s monstrous magical abilities appear. Plus there are rumors of a strange creature roaming around the town at night. Then there’s the new boy, Laurie’s cousin, and she must keep everything monstrous hidden from him. So many secrets!

Readers familiar with the classic will be amused by this twist, but the story is more than a twist. Meg’s struggles feel real in this fantasy world. I had so much sympathy for her as she tries to protect her family. I loved watching her grow.

Read about the author here and check out her other books here.

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review. Opinions my own.

Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Posted on September 28, 2026September 17, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024) by Gennifer Choldenko is a heart-wrenching story. Of course, her middle grade novels often are.

Hank, almost 12, and his sister Boo, 3, haven’t seen their mom in a week. The food has run out, so have the scrounged coins. The landlord is threatening eviction through the closed door. With Grandma Mae gone, what can they do? A name and address written on an unsigned permission slip is their only hope.

You’ll love both kids–such sympathetic characters.

The book has too many awards to list, but you can see them here. Read fun facts about Newbery honor author Gennifer here. I love her Alcatraz books, but I think Notes from a Liar and Her Dog is still my favorite. Check out all her books here.

Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

A Place to Hang the Moon

Posted on September 21, 2026September 14, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

A Place to Hang the Moon (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2021) by Kate Albus is marvelous. I loved it so much.

It’s the beginning of World War II in London, and siblings William, Edmond, and Anna have just lost their sole relative, their grandmother. With no appointed guardian, the solicitor decides the best thing to do is to send the children to the countryside with others their age who are being evacuated. Perhaps there they can find a suitable family to become their guardians. But first they can not tell the secret that they have no one to care for them in London and that they’ll inherit their grandmother’s money.

At twelve, William, is in charge of his siblings, eleven and nine, and it’s his duty to take care of them and keep them together. But, who would want to take in three child evacuees after all? Or keep them. Suffering is ahead for all three. But at least there’s a library.

I read this award-winning book almost in one sitting–the children in the story were so cold I had to stop and make myself some hot chocolate.

This historical novel is an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner, a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, Kids Indie Next List pick, a ALSC Notable Children’s Book, a CCBC Choice, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Read about the author here and check out Kate’s books here.

Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Cuckoo Song

Posted on September 14, 2026September 14, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Cuckoo Song (Amulet Books, 2014) by Frances Hardinge is a creepily good book.

Triss wakes up feeling very strange. Her parents tell her she was in an accident. But she doesn’t remember a thing. Though maybe it has something to do with her younger sister Pen who is often not very nice. The one thing that Triss does know is that she’s ravenously hungry–all the time. And then there’s the dolls that talk to her. And scream. A voice in her head is also giving Triss a countdown from seven. In spite of being told to stay in bed to recover, Triss must find out what’s going on, and sneaks away from her house.

Spoiler alert: The author uses scary dolls and the changeling idea in this story.

Cuckoo Song won the Robert Holdstock Award for Best Novel at the British Fantasy Awards 2015.

Read about Frances here and check out her numerous books here. Previously, I recommended one of her later books, A Face Like Glass.

MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Each and Every Spark

Posted on August 31, 2026August 30, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Each and Every Spark (Quill Tree Books, 2026) by Claire Swinarski is a duel timeline story set in Paris, where the past intersects with the present. (Isn’t that a beautiful cover?!)

Penny Marks is unhappy her family has moved to Paris for Mom’s new job and has no difficulty in sharing her displeasure. But her interest in Paris of 1943 is sparked by finding a letter from a girl in the past.

Marie Bonnet lives with her sister Heloise under the fear of the German occupation. Will their father ever return? When she discovers her sister is part of the Resistance, Marie wants to join.

Both girls are keeping secrets. Both girls must change. Plus there’s a mysterious painting that connects both girls.

Read about the author here and check out her other middle grade books here.