Category: Middle Grade Fiction

Middle Grade Fiction, Netgalley Reviews

More to the Story by Hena Khan

Michelle

Grades 4 – 7

More to the Story

A modern retelling of Little Women, More to the Story follows Jameela Mirza and her three sisters, Muslim American girls living in Georgia. Jam has just been picked as feature editor for the school paper at her middle school. She is very excited to start her assignment, but the editor keeps shooting down her story ideas. When Jam’s father is sent overseas for work for 6 months, she becomes more determined to write the best article possible and make him proud.

Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.

Children, Middle Grade Fiction

All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey

Michelle

Grades 3 – 7

Ruby Byrd, who likes to be called Red, is counting down the days when she can be back under the care of her mother, who is trying to get her life in order. Until then, Red is placed in foster care with Celine and Jackson Groove, an odd couple who run a petting zoo. Just when Red starts to like her new life with the Grooves, her mother comes back into her life like a raging storm. Will the courts allow her mother to gain custody once more?

Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.

 

Middle Grade Fiction, Netgalley Reviews

Shine! by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Michelle

Grades 4 – 6

Shine!

Twelve-year-old Piper’s hero is astronaut Nellie Dumont. The astronaut’s mantra is “shine on,” and Piper tries to follow it, but she thinks she’s not special enough to shine like other kids. On top of everything, Piper has just been enrolled in her new school, Chumley Prep, where she can’t seem to find her niche. This book is perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Holm and Wendy Mass.

Thanks to Netgalley.com for a review copy of this book.

Adventure, Children, Graphic, Middle Grade Fiction

Max & The Midknights by Lincoln Pierce

Michelle

Grades 3 – 5

Image result for max and the midknights

Max and the Midknights is the first book in a new series by the author of Big Nate, Lincoln Peirce. It is about a girl named Max, who lives with her Uncle Budrick during the Middle Ages. Budrick is a troubadour—a traveling entertainer—who has dubbed himself “Sir Budrick.” In the Middle Ages, “sir” is the title for a knight, but Uncle Budrick isn’t actually a knight; he is just using “Sir Budrick” as a stage name. When Uncle Budrick gets kidnapped by King Ghastley, it is up to Max to come to the rescue! Read Max & the Midknights to find out what happens in Lincoln Peirce’s newest adventure.

Adventure, Children, Middle Grade Fiction

The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu

Michelle

Grades 3 – 5

Image result for the lost girl anne ursu

Iris and Lark are twin sisters who look identical on the outside but couldn’t be more different on the inside. For instance, Iris always knew where she left her shoe and when her library books were due. Lark could always tell when her parents fought and which library book she wanted to check out next. In fifth grade, the girls are split in two different classes, and something changes in each of them. The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu is their story.

 

Children, LGBTQ+, Middle Grade Fiction

To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer

Michelle

Grades 3 – 5 

To Night Owl from Dogfish

Avery Bloom and Bett Devlin’s fathers fall in love and send the girls away to sleep-away camp in order for them to bond. However, they can’t be more different: Avery is bookish and shy, and Bett is fearless and outgoing. Despite this, though, they start writing each other letters and refer to themselves as Night Owl and Dogfish. Can they get over their differences and become the family their dads always wanted?

Children, Middle Grade Fiction

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Michelle

Grades 4 – 6

Merci Suárez Changes Gears

Sixth grader Merci Suárez is not like the other kids in her private school because she is on scholarship and doesn’t have a big fancy house or other luxuries. Then her classmate Edna Santos begins to focus on the new boy, who is Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, causing Edna to be jealous of Merci.  On top of everything, Merci’s grandparents are becoming very forgetful, and she is trying to figure out why. Read Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, a coming of age story you’re sure to love!

Children, Middle Grade Fiction

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Michelle

Grades 4 – 6

Front Desk

Ten-year-old Mia Tang lives in a hotel where she manages the front desk, (when she’s not at school), while her immigrant parents clean the rooms. Their boss, Mr. Yao, is not a very nice man and is constantly giving them trouble. Mia is ashamed that she lives in a hotel and not a house like her classmates, and keeps this a secret from them. That’s not the only secret she’s keeping, however: her parents hide immigrants at the hotel, and if Mr. Yao finds out, they could lose their jobs. Mia has a lot on her plate, and thinks that entering a writing contest to win their very own motel would solve all of her problems. Will she be able to save up enough money and pull it off? Read Front Desk by Kelly Yang to find out!

Middle Grade Fiction

Squint by Chad Morris & Shelly Brown

Michelle

Grades 3 – 6

squint.jpg

Squint’s real name is Flint, but he got his nickname because of the fact that he can’t see very well. He doesn’t have many friends, and uses his free time to finish the comic book he’s working on so he can enter it into an upcoming contest.

McKell is the new girl in school and has a hidden talent of her own that she’s shy about sharing. She takes a liking to Squint, and tries to ward off any kids who tease him about his eyesight. The two become great friends and learn a lot about themselves from each other.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.