Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: City Spies: Forbidden City by James Ponti

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City Spies: Forbidden City by James Ponti

City Spies: Forbidden City (City Spies #3)
James Ponti
Aladdin
Published February 1, 2022

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About Forbidden City

In this third “thrilling” (Kirkus Reviews) installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies help a fellow agent in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.

After taking down a mole within their organization, the City Spies are ready for their next mission—once again using their unique skills and ability to infiltrate places adults can’t. The sinister Umbra has their sights set on recruiting a North Korean nuclear physicist by … Continue reading →

Review: Dare You to Dance by Rebecca Mock

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Dare You to Dance by Rebecca Mock

Dare You to Dance
Rebecca Mock
Random House Graphic
Published July 28, 2026

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About Dare You to Dance

From the award-winning illustrator of The Four Points series comes a heartfelt middle grade graphic novel about a small-town ballerina attending a prestigious dance workshop. Determined to push herself, she picks the best dancer in class to compete against—only to discover that what her rival really needs is…friendship.

Gracie is ready to take on the ballet world — starting with the Young Dancer Summer Workshop in New York! It’s a two week summer course, and while she … Continue reading →

Review: Key Player by Kelly Yang

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Key Player by Kelly Yang

Key Player (Front Desk #4)
Kelly Yang
Scholastic Press
Published September 6, 2022

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About Key Player

Mia Tang is going for the goal in the fourth Front Desk novel by New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang! Mia Tang is play to win!

The Women’s World Cup is coming to Southern California, and everyone has soccer fever―especially Mia Tang! The U.S. team is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. But when her P.E. teacher gives her a C, Mia tries to … Continue reading →

Review: Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom by Dave Roman

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Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom by Dave Roman

Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom! (Unicorn Boy #2)
Dave Roman
First Second
Published May 5, 2026

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About Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom!

In the second exciting installment of this magical adventure, our hero Unicorn Boy sets out in search of deep mystical how to fit in at a sleep-over, how to handle everyone seeming cooler than you are, and what’s up with this whole unicorn thing? Perfect for readers of Narwhal and Jelly, Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators.

Brian Reyes always felt a bit different—even before growing a unicorn … Continue reading →

Review: A Wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory

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A Wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory

A Wish with Wings
Sarah Guillory
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 19, 2026

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About A Wish with Wings

A tender tale of courage, hope, and holding onto yourself even when everything around you seems to be falling apart — perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Barbara O’Connor.

Everyone says twelve-year-old Evan Calais is feral. She likes to spend her time outside, fishing and having mud fights in her small town of Little John Island, Louisiana. But when a sinkhole causes the town mine to collapse, trapping all forty-eight miners, everything in her life comes … Continue reading →

Review: City Spies: Golden Gate by James Ponti

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City Spies: Golden Gate by James Ponti

City Spies: Golden Gate (City Spies #2)
James Ponti
Aladdin
Published March 9, 2021

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About City Spies: Golden Gate

After thwarting a notorious villain at an eco-summit in Paris, the City Spies are gearing up for their next mission. Operating out of a base in Scotland, this secret team of young agents working for the British Secret Intelligence Service’s MI6 division have honed their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t.

Fourteen-year-old … Continue reading →