Tag Archives: middle grade
Review: Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai by Debbi Michiko Florence
JUST BE COOL, JENNA SAKAI by Debbi Michiko Florence is a layered, thoughtful, and light exploration of how middle schoolers respond to dramas big (family divorce) and not-so-big (academic competition, friendship changes). This stand-alone follow-up to Keep It Together, Keiko … Continue reading
Review: RICK by Alex Gino
RICK by Alex Gino is not a continuation of the award-winning GEORGE from a several years ago, but the themes and some characters are consistent. This important novel focuses on Rick, whose best friend heckled and harassed Melissa (the focus … Continue reading
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake
“I’m going to die today.” That’s the opening line of the heart-breaking (in the best way) middle grade novel THE MIGHTY HEART OF SUNNY St. JAMES by Ashley Herring Blake. Sunny is a 12-year-old girl going into summer without her … Continue reading
Review: The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag
Molly Ostertag’s THE GIRL FROM THE SEA brings together both fantastical and very real emotions and events in a graphic novel that addresses first love, hiding one’s true self from friends and family, and coming-of-age. The fantastical arrives in the … Continue reading
Review: GEORGE by Alex Gino
Reading Alex Gino’s GEORGE is such a complete and loving gift. George* is a 4th grade girl who struggles with figuring out how to let her family and friends know she’s not the boy they all think she is. From … Continue reading
Meow or Never by Jazz Taylor
MEOW OR NEVER by Jazz Taylor is much more hefty on the issues than the cover makes it seem. What looks like a simple middle grade novel about a secret pet and a secret crush rustles up topics centered on … Continue reading
BRAVER by Suzanne Selfors and Walker Ranson
BRAVER: A Wombat’s Tale by Suzanne Selfors and Walker Ranson is a misfit hero adventure featuring wombats, swamp rats, and a baby penguin named Blue. Even the villainous Tasmanian devils include misfits who work for the side of good. The … Continue reading
Go With the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann
GO WITH THE FLOW by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann is aimed at ages 9-14, but parents and caregivers would do well to read too. This straightfoward and totally-comfortable-with-menstruation graphic novel manages to bundle many high school and societal issues … Continue reading
Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest
NOW THAT I’VE FOUND YOU is Kristina Forest’s second YA novel, and it is a lively and enjoyable read appropriate for ages 12 and up. The novel follows Evie, an 18-year-old budding actor on the verge of stardom when a … Continue reading
Review: Quintessence by Jess Redman
This lovely novel mixes fantasy with science lessons and friendship with quests to create a story that middle grade readers will find both comforting and inspiring. QUINTESSENCE, by Jess Redman, centers on Alma, a recently transplanted 12-year-old, as she navigates … Continue reading
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