Middle Grade

Slugfest

Gordon Korman has demonstrated a penchant for championing misfits. Slugfest introduces a new group of lovable underdogs in a summer gym class. Yash is his middle school’s most talented jock, which has actually kept him from properly earning his PE credits, so he’s stuck with a bunch of fellow “slugs” in Physical Education Equivalency (PEE) class. Knowing Korman, there’s much more to this mishmash of personalities than what’s apparent on the surface.

Gordon Korman has demonstrated a penchant for championing misfits. Slugfest introduces a new group of lovable underdogs in a summer gym class. Yash is his middle school’s most talented jock, which has actually kept him from properly earning his PE credits, so he’s stuck with a bunch of fellow “slugs” in Physical Education Equivalency (PEE) […]

Tree. Table. Book

By Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry’s Tree. Table. Book. will captivate readers as they reflect on the vagaries of history and the beauty of friendship, which are so poignantly conveyed in this timeless tale.

Lois Lowry’s Tree. Table. Book. will captivate readers as they reflect on the vagaries of history and the beauty of friendship, which are so poignantly conveyed in this timeless tale.

The Curse of Eelgrass Bog

By Mary Averling

Mary Averling bewitches with her debut middle grade novel, The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, which straddles the line between slimy and sweet, concocting a fantasy world that balances snarky demons, magical bogs, concerned witches and awe-inspiring serpents.

Mary Averling bewitches with her debut middle grade novel, The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, which straddles the line between slimy and sweet, concocting a fantasy world that balances snarky demons, magical bogs, concerned witches and awe-inspiring serpents.

The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum

By Dan Santat, By Lisa Yee

From mind-bending technology to sometimes hilarious hijinks, A Royal Conundrum has everything a young reader—especially one who feels invisible—could want.

From mind-bending technology to sometimes hilarious hijinks, A Royal Conundrum has everything a young reader—especially one who feels invisible—could want.

Ink Girls

By Marieke Nijkamp, Illustrated by Sylvia Bi

Ink Girls will resonate with readers facing censorship in their own communities, while also delighting those just looking for a historical adventure.

Ink Girls will resonate with readers facing censorship in their own communities, while also delighting those just looking for a historical adventure.

The Magicians

By Blexbolex, Translated by Karin Snelson

Elevated word choice and spirited phrasing give a timeless quality to Blexbolex’s fantastic graphic novel, which muses upon mercy, change and possibility.

Nowhere Special

By Matt Wallace

Author Matt Wallace excels at depicting realistic family scenarios, complex moral dilemmas, and good-hearted, but flawed, adults.

Ways to Build Dreams

By Nina Mata, By Renée Watson

Renée Watson makes it easy for fans and newcomers alike to plunge into the story of Ryan and her family, expertly weaving many plot strands together and balancing action with quiet, touching moments of reflection.

The Sky Over Rebecca

By Matthew Fox

The Sky Over Rebecca’s stylistic restraint and vividly drawn characters will intrigue young readers and help them easily follow narrative shifts between horrifying, wartorn 1944 and the less deadly present.

The Sky Over Rebecca’s stylistic restraint and vividly drawn characters will intrigue young readers and help them easily follow narrative shifts between horrifying, wartorn 1944 and the less deadly present.

Jawbreaker

By Christina Wyman

Christina Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and the delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy.

Just Jerry

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Just Jerry is a moving and vivid reminder that young people can have successful lives in the arts if they receive the tools and support they need.

Just Jerry is a moving and vivid reminder that young people can have successful lives in the arts if they receive the tools and support they need.

Hands

By Torrey Maldonado

This fast-paced novel uses staccato sentences like feinted boxing jabs to draw readers in, then rocks them with explosive uppercuts of words and emotions.