Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

MMGM Review: North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson

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North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson

North of Tomboy
Julie A. Swanson
SparkPress
Published September 2, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About North of Tomboy

For fans of Kacen Callender, Lin Thompson, and Kyle Lukoff, comes a middle grade novel set in 1973 about a child who feels more boy than girl and is frustrated that people act blind to that when—aside for her stupid hair and clothes—it should be obvious!

Shy fourth grader Jess Jezowski turns the tables on her mom when she’s given yet another girly baby doll for Christmas. This time, instead of ignoring or destroying it, she transforms it into the boy she’s always wanted to be—a brave, funny little guy named Mickey. Making him talk, Jess finally lets the boy in her express himself.

But when Mickey evolves to become something more like an alter ego whose voice drowns out her own and the secret of him escapes the safety of her family, Jess realizes Mickey’s too limited and doesn’t allow the boy part of her a big enough presence in the world. She must find a way to blend him into her—so she can be that side of herself anywhere, around anyone.

Jess tries to wean herself from the crutch of Mickey’s loud, comical persona, and to get her family to forget about him, but she struggles to do both. What will it take for her to stop hiding behind Mickey and get people to see her for who she truly is? Based on the author’s experience growing up on Michigan’s rural Leelanau Peninsula in the ’70s, North of Tomboy includes artwork throughout.

My Review

I read a review of North of Tomboy a few weeks ago on Always in the Middle. I think he made a lot of good points about the book. He noted the length being a little bit long for the type of story this is, and I’d agree. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, but makes you think right along with the main character. Some elements of the book feel more like a coming of age story than a middle grade novel, but the voice is solidly middle grade. Jess really feels like a nine-year-old kid. Lots of times her ideas about what’s happening are imperfect, or she accidentally stumbles onto a solution that works. For example, she realizes the family listens to Mickey differently than they listen to her. That kind of thinking reminded me a lot of myself as a kid.

I also appreciated how nuanced the family members are. Jess is one of four kids in a closeknit family. She’s closest to her youngest sister, Lucy, but often wants to do the things her older brothers are doing. Her mom navigates difficult situations with Jess’s dad in a way that Jess struggles to understand. She also constructs a lot of rules about Jess’s appearance, requiring her to dress and act “like a girl.” Though those things are hurtful and make Jess feel unheard and unseen, Jess appreciates her mom’s emotional honesty about family matters.

The 1970s setting is interesting, too. Politics and historical events don’t intrude into the story too much. The references to the Nixon administration and the Vietnam war help anchor the story in the time period.

Throughout the story, Jess expresses her frustration about the expectations she faces as a child assigned female at birth. The story doesn’t center around her labeling herself, but simply her resourcefulness at finding ways to express who she is. Her quest to be comfortable in her own skin really resonates.

Conclusion

Kids who don’t identify with gender conventions, whether they identify as LGBTQIA+ or simply don’t fit gender stereotypes, will find a kindred spirit in Jess. Readers interested in historical fiction set in 20th century America will find the Michigan setting and 1970s timeline engaging.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to attending church and prayer. Jess worries that she’ll go to Hell if she dies before finishing her prayers and asking forgiveness for her sins each night.

Violent Content
Jess takes risks a couple of times. She winds up seriously injured once.

Drug Content
Jess’s dad drinks a beer after work sometimes. His father was an alcoholic, something the family doesn’t talk about.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

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The Tea Dragon Society (The Tea Dragon Society #1)
Kay O’Neill
Oni Press
Published October 31, 2017

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Tea Dragon Society

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

My Review

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book! It’s been on my reading list for years. At first, I didn’t think I would like the size of the book (it’s very tall, about 8.5″ by almost 12″), but the way that the panels are drawn, the book needed to be larger. So, the size makes sense.

The pages are pure K. O’Neill magic. Adorable illustrations and sweet storytelling fill the pages. We follow Greta, a girl learning blacksmithing from her mom, who becomes friends with a couple who keep tea dragons. The tea dragons each grow a different kind of tea on their heads or backs. They’re shy and so cute!

The book is divided into four parts, one for each season of the year. Greta and Minette, another girl learning about tea dragons, become friends, too. The whole vibe is cozy and sweet, which is absolutely perfect if you have a young reader just beginning to journey into middle grade graphic novels or an older reader who just needs a cozy fantasy read.

My daughter and I read this one together and are very much looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple leaning their foreheads against one another. Another image shows one character kissing the other on the cheek.

Spiritual Content
The story contains mythical creatures, such as dragons who grow tea leaves on their bodies.

Violent Content
A few images show a person armed with a sword facing down a foe.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.

Review: Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,

Phantom Academy
Christine Virnig
Aladdin
Published August 26, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Phantom Academy

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery?

My Review

I remember enjoying Virnig’s debut middle grade book, A Bite Above the Rest, so I was excited to read this one. The opening scene surprised me. I feel like I’m not supposed to laugh at the main character’s death, but I did. In the first few lines, we learn Finn is killed by a falling coconut. The ridiculousness of the situation got me, which I can only assume was the point, since otherwise, it’s a tragic beginning.

Finn soon reaches the Phantom Academy, where he’s sentenced to– I mean, directed to spend– the next five years in ghost school. As he’s learning the ropes of Phantom Academy, he meets other young ghosts and makes friends. He discovers a controversial talent but doesn’t understand whether it’s an asset or a liability.

The ghostly landscape is fun and imaginative. Some things are never explained, though. The ghosts eat, but the food is particularly gross. Apparently they also pass the waste as well. The process is revisited several times throughout the story, but we never learn why (beyond the apparent humor).

I tend to enjoy stories about building a community and getting to know someone different rather than leaping to conclusions about them, and those themes shine here. At first, Finn has some adversarial feelings about his teachers and the others at the Phantom Academy. As he actually begins to listen, he learns there’s usually an explanation for why people behave the way they do. And some of the people he mistook for villains turn out to be valuable parts of his team.

If you’re looking for a creepy story for the fall season that’s more goofy than scary, check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Characters are ghosts.

Violent Content
The opening line describes the main character dying after getting hit on the head with a coconut.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone by Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18

Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone (10 Steps to Change Series)
Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock
Illustrated by Lauriane Bohémier
Abrams
Published August 26, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Do Not Disturb

From psychologists Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock, Do Not Disturb is an empowering and practical guide to help teens and kids build a healthier relationships with their phones

In Do Not Disturb, Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock share cutting-edge insights on how young people can unplug from their phones. Readers will discover the effects that their phone has on their brain and body. They’ll find out how to create a relationship with their phone on their terms. They’ll even establish simple, healthy screen time habits that stick. This is a must-have resource that

Ten practical steps to help teens and children unplug from their phones. A toolkit at the end of each step, providing accessible, practical techniques. Advice from trusted psychologists who have spent two decades working with young people. Full-color illustrations by Lauriane Bohémier. Additional resources at the back of the book. Practical, insightful, and never preachy, this book will help readers stop doomscrolling and start unplugging!

My Review

I think this book makes a great conversation-starter on the topic of phone use and setting boundaries for yourself with screen time. I like that the authors acknowledge the benefits of having cell phones in our lives. They do make it easier to connect with others. But they’re also pretty real about the pitfalls of continuous cell phone use.

The chapters start with a brief introduction to a topic, for example, how connecting with friends online via social media impacts relationships. It’s easier to say things we would not say to someone in person in real life. Sometimes this is because we feel braver online and can be more honest, which leads to a sense of closeness. At other times, this leads to people saying awful things, because they aren’t speaking directly to a person.

The chapters conclude with a questionnaire prompting deeper thought about the topic or a list of tips for setting boundaries on phone use. Each chapter is pretty bite-sized. The whole book is less than 100 pages, so it’s an easy, quick read.

I wish that there had been a little more of a breakdown of statistics or facts emphasizing the authors’ points. It’s possible that a younger reader wouldn’t have felt that lack. I’m not sure.

The illustrations in the book are very nicely done. I love how the sections are broken up with quotes offset by illustrations or featured on a page with an illustration. It makes the book feel friendly and accessible.

Conclusion

I think this would be a good read for kids who’ve just gotten a phone or who are looking to make healthier choices about how and when to use their phones. Honestly, I found myself pausing as I read through some of the questionnaires to reflect on the answers and think about some changes to my own habits.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Reference to bullying and why this happens more easily online.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick by Larry Hayes

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,

The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick
Larry Hayes
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published August 5, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick

‘I absolutely loved this book! Genuinely chilling and a little bit gory … such a fun read’ – Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Lake.

By night, Finn has horrible nightmares. By day, they come TRUE! A gripping horror story for readers of 10 and over.

Finnegan Quick is haunted by nightmares. They’re so bad, he’s terrified of going to sleep. Because Finn’s dreams change the waking world too. He’s already lost his mum, his dad, his dog, even his shadow. And now they’re coming for his gran, the only family he’s got left.

Then a mysterious girl starts appearing in his dreams, helping Finn fight back against the creatures in his nightly adventures. On the first day of the new term, she turns up at school, right there in real life, in the lunch queue!

Cass tells Finn that she has come to solve the mystery of Finn’s missing parents. Together with Finn’s geeky best friend Squid, they travel through the nightmare world, battling goblins, ghosts and zombies. Finn, Cass and Squid are a sparky, wise-cracking trio, but even together, can they prove to be a match for the creatures of the night?

If Finnegan Quick is to save the people he cares about most, he has to remember the lesson his gran has been teaching him all his life. He must learn to face his fears – or be destroyed by them!

‘Stuffed full of awesome adventure and superior supernatural chills’ – Keith Gray, author of The Climbers and Creepers

My Review

This book is a little outside my usual reading choices, but I appreciate Bloomsbury sending me a copy, so I wanted to give it a try. I am a recently converted horror fan, but I am drawn more toward books that read more like… is there such a thing as literary horror? The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick is more like goofy horror?

The book opens with a recap of Finn explaining his history with nightmares changing his waking life, including sharing the loss of a pet and the disappearance of his parents. The narrative moves quickly, after all, this is simply a setup for the rest of the story. I struggled to keep up with the story in those early pages as I thought about the depth of those losses.

However, once I got into the pacing and humor of the main part of the story, I connected with the story more easily. Jokes and situational humor abound, taking the edge off the monsters and nightmares-come-to-life.

The book does answer some of the questions readers have about Finn’s nightmarish life, but it leaves plenty unanswered as a setup for the next book in the series. The ARC (advance review copy) includes a sneak peek into the second book in the series. I’m not sure if the finished copy will as well, but it seems likely.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None. A few potty humor jokes.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Finn sees monsters in his dreams which have the power to impact his daily life. If he sees something in a dream, it will be true in real life. One monster attempts to suck the soul out of a character. References to zombies.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Nightmarish monsters. A sinister woman with bandages around her eyes appears in Finn’s dreams. Finn witnesses characters experience terrible injuries. Some description of monster deaths.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

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Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

My littlest is seven, and quite a reader. Keeping up with her reading keeps me on my toes. Lately, her favorite kinds of books to read are graphic novels. We’ve discovered some adorable chapter book-length graphic novels, but she blows through those in a blink. I wanted to try to find some longer graphic novels for her, which meant looking through middle grade titles to find some that are well-suited to her age. The age range for middle grade books is eight to twelve, so this means looking for books geared toward readers at the younger end of that age spread.

A few books in this list are standalone titles, but most of them are part of a series. For the series titles, I list the first book in the series, the total number of books available, and whether the series is ongoing.

It’s also worth noting that the Dog Man series is missing from this list. That’s really only because I haven’t been able to get my daughter excited about them and so haven’t read them myself. I’ve heard good things, though.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

Fabulous Early Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Catstronauts by Drew Brockington

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Cats. In. Spaaace! This silly series follows four cats tasked with various space missions to save the earth. Super cute. Contains some science references, but really the focus is on the cats and their roles in the missions.

Published April 18, 2017 | 7 Books | Ongoing Series

Pablo & Splash: Time-Traveling Penguins

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Full Review

What you need to know: Serious Pablo and Impulsive Splash accidentally enter a time machine and wind up on holiday with the dinosaurs. This series is lots of fun.

Published September 3, 2023 | 2 Books | Ongoing Series

Song of the Court by Katy Farina

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This is one of my daughter’s favorites. It’s a sweet story about friendship with a work-life balance lesson thrown in there as well. The author has gone on to work on a Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series spin-off, so I suspect we’ll be adding those to the reading list.

Published October 6, 2020 | Standalone

Stick and Stone Explore and More by Beth Ferry and Kristen Cella

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: These might be a little closer to the chapter book graphic novel length. This two-book series is pretty gentle and nature-focused.

Published June 7, 2022 | 2 Books | Completed Series

Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia and Brittney Williams

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Full Review

What you need to know: This story centers a girl with dyslexia who’s reading struggle is starting to affect her friendships and school performance. Through the story, readers learn about tools and strategies available for kids with dyslexia. It’s an upbeat story with a positive message.

Published January 21, 2025 | Standalone

InvestiGators by John Patrick Green

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: InvestiGators Mango and Brash go undercover to stop crime and keep their city safe. Packed with pop culture jokes, references, and puns, this is a binge-worthy series. There’s also a spin-off series (Agents of S.U.I.T.) that features stories centering some of the minor characters in this one.

Published February 25, 2020 | 9 Books | Ongoing Series

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: These books are some of O’Neill’s earlier work, but they contain the same cozy vibes and beautiful fantasy landscapes that they’re known for in later work. Also, the tea dragons are just adorable!

Published October 31, 2017 | 3 Books | Completed Series

The Space Cat by Nnedi Okorafor and Tana Ford

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Full Review

What you need to know: This graphic novel is told from a cat’s point-of-view. It’s a clever tribute to cats with a fun sci-fi twist.

Published August 12, 2025 | Standalone

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Full Review

What you need to know: A vampire moves into Garlic’s village, and her friends (also anthropomorphic vegetables) nominate her to find out about him. After all, she should be safe since garlic repels vampires! Sweet, anxious Garlic agrees to the task. This is a charming series, perfect for fall reading.

Published September 28, 2021 | 2 Books | Completed Series

Cupcake Diaries Graphic Novels: Katie and the Cupcake Cure by Coco Simon

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This series is a graphic novel adaptation of the middle grade books by the same name. The illustrations are bright and cheery, and the pages filled with treats and stories about friendship.

Published September 13, 2022 | 8 Books | Ongoing Series

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: After rescuing unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, Phoebe makes a wish to be best friends, and that’s just what the two become. Think Calvin & Hobbs, but with a girl and her unicorn. The tone can be a little bit snarky, but overall, the messaging is positive.

Published September 7, 2014 | 22 Books | Ongoing Series

Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: These short volumes follow two cats who journey to a fantasy world and solve various problems there. It’s cute and easy to read. These are another favorite in our house.

Published September 7, 2021 | 5 Books | Ongoing Series

What Graphic Novels Should I Add to My List?

Help a girl out. What should my seven-year-old add to her reading list? Are there other graphic novels that she might like, based on this list? Leave a comment and let me know about them!