Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Joy to the World by Kai Shappley and Lu Bunker

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Joy, to the World by Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker

Joy to the World
Kai Shappley and Lu Bunker (writing at the time as Lisa Bunker)
Publisher
Published May 9, 2023

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About Joy to the World

A young Dumplin’ meets Melissa in this joyful and energetic middle grade novel about a twelve-year-old girl living her life to the fullest, celebrating her love for sports and fighting for her right to cheer.

Joy, a twelve-year-old trans girl, just moved to Texas with her mother and older brother. Her family has accepted Joy as the girl she is early in her transition, with little fuss, leaving Joy to explore her love of sports, competition, teamwork, school spirit, and worship. But when she is told she’s off the cheerleading team, Joy wants to fight for her right to cheer.

As her battle with the school board picks up momentum, Joy attracts support from kids all around the country . . . she even gets the attention of her hero, trans activist Kai Shappley. Inspired by Kai’s own life, Joy, to the World is a timely story of living life to the fullest, celebrating and centering trans joy, courage, and resilience. 

My Review

I picked up this book because I want to read more fiction by and about transgender characters, especially trans girls. What I found here, though, is such a beautiful story about a family and community coming together to celebrate cheerleading and validate a young girl’s existence.

I imagine there are still a lot of places in which people don’t meet transgender kids. It’s not a super common thing, and some, like Joy, choose to live in stealth and not advertise their identities, for very understandable reasons. Books like this one offer readers a chance to read about the experience that a trans girl and her family might have. Joy is a sweet, friendly girl who loves cheerleading and enjoys spending time with her friends.

I really enjoyed the portrayal of Joy’s family unit. Her mom takes time to think things through, but she remains supportive of Joy and cares about her feelings. Joy’s older brother, Will, doesn’t always see eye to eye with her, and sometimes takes the opportunity to tease her in the way older brothers do. But when push comes to shove, he supports her and offers helpful insights into how Joy can speak up for herself.

Though in the story, Joy experiences hate and ignorance, the narrative remains positive and often very gentle. Joy relates a positive experience with her faith. She also loves cheerleading. These things challenge the tendency that we have to reduce people to one part of their identity.

This book is an essential narrative about the experience of growing up transgender. I highly recommend it for readers looking for a positive, uplifting story about living authentically, celebrating your interests, and building community.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Joy is a Christian and attends a LGBTQIA+ affirming church. She references finding comfort in her faith and closes each of her journal entries with a brief prayer asking God to bless others around her.

Violent Content
The book contains some transphobic comments, though these are often summarized or referenced rather than outright stated. Joy is misgendered a few times. She experiences hateful comments from people online. One person uses emojis to suggest that they would shoot a transgender child.

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: Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos by Alex Evanovich

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

Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos
Alex Evanovich
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published October 8, 2024

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About Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos

For graduates of Percy Jackson comes the adventure-filled story of an average boy offered a life of villainy that’s about good vs. evil, mischief vs. mayhem, and making your mark on the world, by acclaimed author Alex Evanovich. 

If you’ve ever lost a sock in the dryer, it might have been the work of the Evil Villains International League, EVIL. And if your feet smell so bad, they keep you from making friends, good news! You might be invited to join.

After growing up in the care of his nagging grandmother and coasting through school with a mediocre GPA, Keeper Chance gets invited to try out for a spot in his local chapter of EVIL. Keeper’s not sure his unremarkable life makes him villain material, but things get more remarkable, and fast, when Keeper and another new recruit, Toby, face the chapter’s first test—and disasters begin to snowball.

As cookies and members of EVIL go missing, a mysterious girl named Y who doesn’t miss anything joins Keeper and Toby’s efforts. Despite the urgency of his mission, Keeper still can’t shake the question of why he was chosen for the league when he’s nothing special.

As Keeper races against the clock to save his new friends, nothing is easy, and nothing is ever as it seems. Can he uncover his true nature in time to ensure the survival of villainy—or does his true destiny follow a different path?

My Review

This is such a silly book. Though main characters Keeper Chance and his new best friends are sixteen, the lighthearted, caricature-ish story feels targeted to upper middle grade readers. The characters behave more independently than younger characters might believably act, too.

The story roams between points of view, taking readers into the minds of the villains and heroes alike. The narrative shows both adult and teen perspectives. Some of the characters, such as Keeper’s grandmother, are pretty cartoonish. However, that feels like the vibe the story is going for, so it works.

I enjoyed how the plot seamlessly leads Keeper and Toby from one problem to the next. A search for cookies leads them to a lost dog and a kidnapping that’s part of a larger plot. This kept the story moving and balanced the danger and mischief elements while adding lots of fun into the mix.

Overall, this one is like The Incredibles, with the silliness dialed way up. I can see fans of superhero stories getting a pretty big kick out of this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to attraction between two characters.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have special superhuman abilities.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

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: Their Just Desserts by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

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Their Just Desserts (The Cookie Crumbles #2)
Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow
Quill Tree Books
Published May 13, 2025

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About Their Just Desserts

Perfect for fans of The Great British Baking Show and Clue, this enchanting and rollicking follow-up to The Cookie Crumbles follows two best friends caught up in a twisty mystery when jewels go missing at a high-stakes baking competition.

Baker extraordinaire Laila Thomas and budding journalist Lucy Flores are living it up at the top of the junior high food chain as eighth graders. But between busy schedules and kinda-boyfriends, these two best friends haven’t gotten to hang out as much. So, when Jaden, an ex-competition rival, begs the duo to step back into the world of cooking competitions and crime—the answer is yes.

Jaden is His father is accused of stealing prized jewels on the set of an amateur kids’ holiday baking show. The plan is for Laila to smash the competition while Lucy investigates behind the scenes—but their half-baked plan gets turned totally upside down when Lucy ends up in front of the cameras instead.

As the investigation and competition heat up, Lucy and Laila’s bond is put to the ultimate test. Can they solve this bakeoff mystery, or will they—and their friendship—crack under pressure?

My Review

Where do I even start?! What a fun book. I love all the references to the holidays. The story takes place near Christmas, and Laila and Lucy reminisce about their own treasured holiday traditions: watching holiday-themed murder mysteries and enjoying delicious baked treats. Can’t beat that! The movie descriptions are fabulous. They have that over-the-top holiday movie vibe. Definitely something I’d watch with a cup of hot cocoa and a holiday cookie.

One of the really sweet, subtle things about the book is the way that it explores loneliness. I remember being Laila’s age and having the loneliest time of my life, even though I was constantly surrounded by people. Laila notices her loneliness and struggles to voice her feelings. As she’s working through this, she notices loneliness in others around her, and that helps her see people in a new way. Some characters she viewed as arrogant or aloof actually turn out to be shy and lonely themselves, and recognizing that helpes Laila connect with them.

I also enjoyed the mystery element to the book. The girls race to find missing diamonds and uncover the identity of the thief before police charge a dear friend’s dad with the crime. Putting the baking show and the mystery together worked really well, as both eliminate suspects within a specific timeline. And the baking show added deadlines and pressure to the quest.

This book was an absolute joy to read. I think middle grade readers interested in mysteries or anyone who loves baking will want to check this one out.

Author Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Don’t miss out on this fabulous Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow that I posted last week. I had so much fun learning about some behind-the-scenes story information and the duo’s collaborative process. Be sure to check it out!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to attraction between characters. One character is excited about the possibility of starting a relationship.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to a thief stealing diamonds.

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: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

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Swim Team
Johnnie Christmas
HarperAlley
Published May 17, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Swim Team

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees–until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.

With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.

Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap–for good?

My Review

I’ve heard so many great things about this book– I’m really glad I finally had a chance to read it. Bree’s relationship with her dad is so sweet. When the story opens, they’re driving to Florida, where a new apartment awaits them. Bree makes new connections, from the neighbor who helps with her care, to a girl living in the apartment complex, and eventually, to a whole team of girls on the swim team.

As Bree explores her fears of the water and braves learning to swim, she learns some of the history behind why many Black Americans don’t feel safe at a public pool or have experience swimming. Her neighbor explains the impact of segregation. She talks about how it prevented people of color from accessing pools or beaches in the past.

I had never really thought about this myself until several years ago when one of the contestants on the show Survivor spoke about it. I just hadn’t put those pieces together, but as soon as the contestant explained, it made (awful) sense.

In light of that history, watching Bree claim ownership of her skills and find joy in the water as a swimmer and member of a competitive team is really moving. I also loved the way the relationships in the book are portrayed. I especially enjoyed those between the girls on the team, Etta and Bree, and Bree and her dad. The ending, which shows Bree sharing her expertise by helping someone else overcome a fear of the water, is absolutely perfect.

This is a fabulous choice for readers interested in swimming as a sport or looking for a graphic novel about friendship.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A few mean comments from one girl to another. References to segregation in America and how it affected Black citizen’s access to public pools. One page shows protests against segregation.

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.

Author Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

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Author Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

It’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, and I’ve got middle grade authors Alechia Dow and Tracy Badua here for a double Q&A.

I’ve read almost everything Alechia Dow has published in middle grade and young adult so far (I missed one short story in an anthology), and I am really excited to read more of Tracy Badua’s books, so getting to chat with both of them about the second book in their middle grade series about baking and solving mysteries was an extra special treat!

I loved the first book in this series, The Cookie Crumbles, which came out last year. The second book, Their Just Desserts, comes out next week and promises to deliver more confectionery surprises and investigations.

About Their Just Desserts (The Cookie Crumbles #2) by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Perfect for fans of The Great British Baking Show and Clue, this enchanting and rollicking follow-up to The Cookie Crumbles follows two best friends caught up in a twisty mystery when jewels go missing at a high-stakes baking competition.

Baker extraordinaire Laila Thomas and budding journalist Lucy Flores are living it up at the top of the junior high food chain as eighth graders. But between busy schedules and kinda-boyfriends, these two best friends haven’t gotten to hang out as much. So, when Jaden, an ex-competition rival, begs the duo to step back into the world of cooking competitions and crime—the answer is yes.

Jaden’s father is accused of stealing prized jewels on the set of an amateur kids’ holiday baking show. The plan is for Laila to smash the competition while Lucy investigates behind the scenes—but their half-baked plan gets turned totally upside down when Lucy ends up in front of the cameras instead.

As the investigation and competition heat up, Lucy and Laila’s bond is put to the ultimate test. Can they solve this bakeoff mystery, or will they—and their friendship—crack under pressure?

Author Q&A with Alechia Dow and Tracy Badua

1. What’s your favorite thing about writing for a middle grade audience?

Alechia: I enjoy exploring themes that I know children can relate to: friendship, compassion, growing up, family, and learning to stand up in a world that sometimes makes you feel small. I want kids to read this and feel empowered!

Tracy: Not only are the readers wonderful, but writing for kids is far more fun than legal writing for adults.

2. I love that this series is about baking and mysteries. As an accomplished baker yourself, is there a relationship between your writing and baking? Do you bake along with Laila as you write?

Alechia: Oh, there’s definitely a relationship! I went to pastry school for four years and have a concentration in food writing, so writing food is relying on the skills I’ve honed for a huge portion of my life, which is a blast. I’m always baking, but especially when I’m trying to figure out if Laila’s ideas are possible. It’s fun experimenting and even better tasting if those experiments worked 🙂

3. What was your favorite scene or moment in Their Just Desserts to write?

Alechia: There are so many funny scenes in the story, though I’m partial to the confessionals, they make me laugh. But my favorite is Laila baking with Raphael. It’s a very soft scene between two characters doing what they love and though they have such different approaches and attitudes, there’s something really lovely about seeing them making scones together. 

Tracy: We made up a fake holiday-themed mystery movie for the book, and it was so fun teasing in tidbits of this zany story within a story. 

4. What’s your favorite thing about writing this series collaboratively?

Alechia: Tracy and I have been friends and critique partners for nine years, so there’s an ease working together. Also, we tend to be ridiculous and I honestly don’t know how we get anything done between the laughter. This has been one of my favorite writing experiences. 

Tracy: Same! Plus, we tend to have different styles of drafting and planning (Alechia knows how I am with my spreadsheets), and it’s nice to have someone come in with a refreshing perspective. 

5. If you can share, can you tell us a little bit about a new project you’re working on?

Tracy: I’m gearing up for the release of my next middle grade book, a ghost story titled Ghoul Summer. It’s out September 2, 2026, and I drew from all my “oh no, this vacation rental DEFINITELY feels haunted” experiences. I’m also endlessly revising a young adult novel with some speculative elements and conjuring up more middle grade ideas. 

Alechia: My young adult cozy romantasy, Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, comes out Feb 3, 2026. Other than that, I’ve been drafting some more cozy romantasies, adult romantic comedies, and science fiction!! 

6. What do you most hope readers take away from your novel?

Tracy: I hope readers leave with some of the courage we infused into Laila and Lucy’s stories. Folks who have read the first book The Cookie Crumbles know Laila is the baker and Lucy is the journalist, and we switched it up in Their Just Desserts. It’s hard to be thrown into situations where you feel inexperienced or disadvantaged, and I’d love if our readers took heart from seeing our girls try their best to thrive. 

7.  What is one question about your novel you are often asked by readers?

Alechia: Have you made any of the recipes you mention in the book? Yes! Most of them—though Raphael’s character in Their Just Desserts does things I’ve never attempted before and I’m inspired to try. 

Tracy: Do you bake? Sadly, the answer is not nearly as well as Alechia. This answer always disappoints students who are hoping I bring tasty treats to my school visits. Sorry, kids, but it’s for the best I don’t inflict my baking on you. 

About Tracy Badua

Facebook | Instagram | Website

Tracy Badua is an award-winning Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family time, and bites of her secret candy stash. She lives in San Diego, California.

About Alechia Dow

Goodreads | Instagram | Website

Alechia Dow is an award-winning author of several acclaimed young adult sci-fi fantasies, short anthology pieces, and magical (sometimes mysterious) middle grade stories. When not writing, you can find her baking, reading, traveling, and exploring her local food scene.

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 Monday at Always in the Middle.

Review: Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , ,

Vanya and the Wild Hunt
Sangu Mandanna
Roaring Brook Press
Published March 11, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures.

Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.

Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.

When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.

Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

From the critically-acclaimed author of the Kiki Kallira series and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed and magical middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.

My Review

The week that Vanya and the Wild Hunt was released, I got to attend a Zoom event with Sangu Mandanna and Stephanie Burgis, which was a lot of fun. At that point, I hadn’t yet read the book, but hearing about the magical world and some of the inspiration behind Vanya’s character was so intriguing. I immediately added this book to the top of my reading list, and I’m so glad I did.

This has a lot of great elements that will appeal to middle grade readers. Vanya attends a magical school and learns about magical creatures. Books talk to her. She is keenly aware of the differences between herself and her peers in how she thinks and behaves, but she finds her people.

I had thought when I picked up the book that it was a standalone, but the way that this one ends definitely leaves room for a follow-up story. I think fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief will love getting to discover this new fantasy world.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Contains elements inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore. Powerful monsters called Old Ones threaten the lives and safety of those who can experience magic. Some magical books talk to Vanya and to each other.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Someone close to Vanya is critically injured. Vanya witnesses a brief battle scene and people running from a sinkhole-like event.

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.