Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Beetle and the Chimera Carnival by Aliza Layne

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Beetle and the Chimera Carnival by Aliza Layne

Beetle and the Chimera Carnival (The Beetle Books #2)
Aliza Layne
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published April 29, 2025

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About Beetle and the Chimera Carnival

Beetle and her friends attend a carnival full of dragons and magic, only to discover something sinister at play behind the scenes, in this delightful sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning Beetle & the Hollowbones middle grade graphic novel.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to … Continue reading →

Review: The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch by Laini Taylor

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Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch by Laini Taylor

The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch
Laini Taylor
Amulet Books
Published September 23, 2025 (Orig. 2007)

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About The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch

From New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor comes a new edition of her first cult favorite series, Guardians of Dreamdark, about a devil-hunting faerie and her quest to save her world
 
For centuries faeries have lived safely in their ancient forests, but now their peace is under threat. Devils are escaping the prisons that have held them since the Dawn Days, and only one faerie stands in their way. Magpie Windwitch is the greatest—the only—devil-hunter of … Continue reading →

Review: The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge and Emily Gravett

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The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances HardingeVersion 1.0.0

The Forest of a Thousand Eyes
Frances Hardinge
Illustrated by Emily Gravett
Amulet Books
Published August 26, 2025

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About The Forest of a Thousand Eyes

Costa Award-winning Frances Hardinge’s gripping story of a young girl’s daring mission through a natural world intent on her destruction.

With stunning two-colour illustrations by superstar illustrator Emily Gravett on every page, this richly atmospheric book is perfect for fans of David Almond and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

The hungry Forest is moving forward like an army, a green and constant threat to the humans … Continue reading →

MMGM Review: Ghoul Summer by Tracy Badua

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Ghoul Summer by Tracy Badua

Ghoul Summer
Tracy Badua
Storytide
Published September 2, 2025

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About Ghoul Summer

In this beachside ghost story that’s perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Wednesday, twelve-year-old Barnaby is forced to spend his summer helping his grandpa move, only to be confronted by Maxwell—a moody ghost boy with some unfinished business. 

Barnaby had grand plans for his summer. He should’ve been spending his days watching movies and gaming with his friends. Instead, his parents drag him to the boring beach town of Sunnyside to help his grandpa move.

Just when he thinks this summer … Continue reading →

Author Q&A with Isabelle Knight

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Author Q&A with Enchantria Series Author Isabelle Knight

Author Q&A with Isabelle Knight

Hosting an author for a Q&A is one of the things I wish I did more on The Story Sanctuary. I love getting to know how an author comes up with ideas and brings their vision to the page. Today, I’ve got prolific young author Isabelle Knight here to talk about not one book but FOUR that make up her “Enchantria” series.

I’ve known Isabelle a bit through a weekly meme called Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays, where bloggers share bookish news and reviews of middle grade books on Always in the Middle. Her reviews are so enthusiastic, and I enjoy the way she relates her … Continue reading →

Review: The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by James Ponti

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The Hurricane Heist by James Ponti

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist (The Sherlock Society #2)
James Ponti
Aladdin
Published September 2, 2025

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About The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist

When a hurricane uncovers new information in a cold case, the Sherlock Society investigates a decades-old heist in this second book in the action-packed and funny New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

When a category three hurricane hits Miami Beach, it uncovers a body buried at the renowned Moroccan Hotel. The body is identified as the man who served as the hotel’s bell captain sixty years ago…and the … Continue reading →