Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: The Gray by Chris Baron

The Gray by Chris Baron cover shows a boy's face in the foreground with flat gray smoke or clouds covering part of his face. A few houses and a river fill the background scene.

The Gray
Chris Baron
Feiwel & Friends
Published June 13, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Gray

The Gray is a sensitively told middle grade story from Chris Baron about living with anxiety and finding ways to cope.

It’s been a tough year for Sasha―he’s been bullied at his middle school and his anxiety, which he calls the Gray, is growing. Sasha’s dad tells him to “toughen up”―and he does, but with unfortunate, hurtful results. His parents and therapist agree that a summer in the country with his aunt might be the best medicine, but it’s the last place he wants to be. He’ll be away from his best friend, video games, and stuck in the house that reminds him of his beloved uncle who died two years earlier.

His aunt is supportive, and there are lots of places to explore, and even some potential new friends. When Sasha is introduced at a local ranch to a horse coincidentally–incredibly–nicknamed the Gray, he feels he’s found a kindred spirit.

But his own Gray is ever-present. When one of his new friends disappears, Sasha discovers that the country is wilder and more mysterious than he imagined. He tries to muster enough courage to help in the search . . . but will the Gray hold him back?

My Review

I’m so excited to FINALLY get to read a book by Chris Baron. I’ve heard so many positive things, and I actually think I have his other books, but this is the first I’ve read.

From the beginning, I definitely felt pulled into Sasha’s story and his anxiety symptoms. Some members of his family are super supportive, and he has a friend who has his back. But he has other relationships that are really challenging.

I loved the descriptions of his aunt’s home and property and the surrounding area. It sounded so green and peaceful (except for the ghosts!) and I loved the relationships he formed with other kids.

For Sasha, his anxiety manifests in kind of a physical way– in which his vision goes gray and foggy. Those descriptions made what he experienced so tangible. I liked that it kind of threw a veil between him and what was happening around him and made it clear what happened as he surfaced from that space.

I also loved the connection between him and his uncle. Even though he’d passed away, his memories of his uncle and the stories he shared helped Sasha see himself in a new, more positive way. They helped him feel less alone, too. So cool.

All in all, this is definitely a book I’d recommend not only for kids with anxiety but for anyone who’s felt alone or gone through painful changes in friendships.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Sasha’s dad’s family immigrated to the US. Sasha and his family are Jewish. One minor character’s mom is in a relationship with another woman.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Rumors say that the ghost of a missing girl visits the empty buildings of what used to be a Jewish summer camp. Sasha learns about what his uncle refers to as “worlds within worlds”, something that refers to the unexpected connections that happen in life and to some of the ways he experiences anxiety and the world around him.

Sasha’s aunt shares a story of Rabbi Akiva, who learned about the power of water to carve a stone over a long period of time. She shares this story in part to remind Sasha that change takes time and patience, but it is possible, even when it seems not to be.

Violent Content
Some instances of bullying. More than once, a group of kids surround Sasha. One boy hits him.

Another boy tells Sasha about an encounter he had in which he saw evidence that someone had hurt a little kid. Sasha learns what really happened to a boy who is rumored to be violent.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: The Hunt for the Hollower by Callie C. Miller

The Hunt for the Hollower
Callie C. Miller
Aladdin Books
Published June 13, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Hunt for the Hollower

In this riff on Arthurian legend, a wizardess who is still mastering her powers goes on an epic quest to save her brother from an evil wizard in this middle grade magical adventure perfect for fans of Adam Gidwitz and Amanda Foody!

The great wizard Merlyn prophesied that his seventh descendant would do wonderful, miraculous things—baffling everyone when his great-great-many-times-great grandchild turns out to be twins. Soon enough, however, it becomes clear which sibling is the Septimum Genus. Percy is a natural with magic. Merlynda (to put it simply) is not.

But Merlynda doesn’t mind. Percy has always been by her side to cheer her up (and clean up) after her magical bungles—until the twins attempt a forbidden spell to help her control her magic, and Percy vanishes through a portal and straight into the clutches of the magic-stealing, mythical Hollower.

Aided by her best friend (who longs to be a knight), a wandering musician (who is fleeing from his past), and her brand-new, fierce familiar (who yearns for a taste of funnel cake), Merlynda sets off on a quest to rescue her brother. But to defeat this ancient evil, she must discover and embrace her true powers—or else lose her brother for good.

My Review

I think my favorite thing about this book is all the asides and notes about things and moments in which the characters pause to poke fun at themselves or the story. Like, for example, the wyvern who longs to taste funnel cake. Those were really cute.

I also enjoyed Merlynda’s journey to understand her magic and save her brother. I liked that though she seems like the weaker or less valuable wizard at the story’s beginning, she actually has a critical role to play in the story. That same kind of message is echoed in her quest partners Neci and Batu as well.

As I read the book, I wondered if the various side quests and problems Merlynda and the others stopped to solve would factor into the overall story or whether they’d be distractions or filler. I really liked the way the author pulled together all of the lessons and characters from the side quests in order to resolve the main plot.

On the whole, I absolutely enjoyed reading THE HUNT FOR THE HOLLOWER. I think readers who enjoy a bit of tongue-in-cheek style storytelling (maybe akin to ON THE EDGE OF THE DARK SEA OF DARKNESS by Andrew Peterson) and a fun team fantasy quest will find a lot of love about this one.

Content Notes for The Hunt for the Hollower

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Merlynda is white. Batu is described as having a copper tone to his skin. Neci has brown skin and curly hair.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Merlynda is a wizardess. She encounters other magical creatures and battles someone using magic for evil.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle situations (descriptions are more cartoonish than anything else). A witch has cursed villagers so they cannot stop dancing. She threatens to eat Merlynda and her allies.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THE HUNT FOR THE HOLLOWER in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi

The Kingdom Over the Sea
Zohra Nabi
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published June 6, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Kingdom Over the Sea

Aru Shah meets One Thousand and One Nights in this lavish middle grade adventure following a girl who must travel to a mystical land of sorceresses, alchemists, jinn, and flying carpets to discover her heritage and fulfill her destiny.

My own Yara, if you are reading this, then something terrible has happened, and you are on your own. To return to the city of Zehaira, you must read out the words on the back of this letter… Good luck, my brave girl.

When twelve-year-old Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map—Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be. The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme—and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach.

Yara must summon all her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity…and to find her place in this magical new world.

My Review

Right away, I fell into the magical world of this book. It begins as Yara grieves over her mama’s death and faces a difficult choice. A letter from her mama directs her to go to a strange place and speak a spell. She’s confused because she doesn’t believe magic exists. Why would her mama ask her to do something so bizarre? Ultimately, she figures she believes in the sincerity of her mama’s letter, so she tries it. And is whisked off to a magical world.

Something about the oppressive, dangerous world Yara finds herself in reminded me of THE FIREBIRD SONG. In both books, things have gotten pretty difficult. People tell the main characters they can’t help because they’re too young or don’t have the right skills. But ultimately, of course, the main characters have something no one else has and are positioned to help in ways no one else can.

I liked that the story centers on Yara’s abilities and choices, yet still felt really believable regarding what she does and her age. I loved the relationships between her and the other characters, especially the jinn she rescues her reluctant mentor, and her two new friends.

The pacing was a little different than I expected, and it didn’t feel slow or like it was dragging or anything. It emphasized elements of a quest that other stories might have skipped over. I liked that a lot, actually. It kept the story more centered around the characters. Even though a lot of things were happening to them, it made space for us to understand the impact of the twists and reveals as they emerged. I enjoyed that a lot.

Readers who enjoyed HAMRA AND THE JUNGLE OF MEMORIES by Hanna Alkaf should check this one out.

Content Notes for The Kingdom Over the Sea

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Middle Eastern-coded characters.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Yara frees a jinn who then helps her voluntarily. A couple of sorceress characters have familiars to help them with their magic. Some characters perform magic with words and potions.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A person has been wrongfully imprisoned for years. A poison threatens the lives of anyone affected by it.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THE KINGDOM OVER THE SEA in exchange for my honest review.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays

Check out other blogs posting about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

10 Incredible Graphic Novels to Read This Year

10 Incredible Graphic Novels Coming Out in 2023

Graphic novels are a book form that sneaked up on me. I think the first one I read for review here (which blew me away) was ESTRANGED: THE CHANGELING KING by Ethan Aldridge. Once I feasted my eyes on that incredible story, I knew there was no going back. Since then, I’ve built a list of graphic novel writers and artists whose work is too good to be missed. Here are the ones with books coming out this year.

Notably absent is Tim Probert, whose third book in the Lightfall series I’m eagerly anticipating. I haven’t seen any release news on it yet, but I’m hoping it’ll be out in 2024.

10 Amazing Graphic Novels to Read This Year

Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: Beautiful, fantasy-filled illustrations. A story of friendship, magic, hope, and community. By the author of the Tea Dragon series.

Published: March 7, 2023 | Ages: 10 to 14.


Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty, Michael Moreci, and Braeden Sherrell

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: Missing children, a girl secretly living in a mansion basement, a mysterious man in a black cloak only she can stop. The graphic novel version of the bestselling middle-grade adventure.

Published: April 4, 2023 | Ages: 8 to 12.


Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What You Need to Know: A novel-in-verse/graphic novel about body image, shame, and the power of art and friendship. This one made me cry.

Published: May 2, 2023 | Ages: 8 to 12.


Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What You Need to Know: I think the author said he pitched this as “T.H. White plays Dungeons and Dragons with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.” Which is brilliant and pretty accurate! I loved the characters and attention to detail in the panels.

Published: May 9, 2023 | Ages: 8 to 12.


Constellations by Kate Glasheen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What You Need to Know: When a drunken accident lands Claire in rehab, they reluctantly begin to learn about addiction and recovery. A tender, vulnerable journey of identity and acceptance. This is another one that made me cry!

Published: May 23, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.


Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A Korean-American transracial adoptee uses art and fandom to overcome racist bullying. A memoir graphic novel. A powerful, unforgettable story.

Published: June 27, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.


Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: A moving speculative novel exploring the line between AI and human by the author of TIDESONG and co-creator of MOONCAKES.

Published: August 29, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.


Deephaven by Ethan Aldridge

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: Words I like about this graphic novel description: gothic middle grade, nonbinary main character, boarding school with secrets. By the author of the ESTRANGED duology and LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE, and also my favorite graphic novel author.

Published: September 5, 2023 | Ages: 10 to 14.


Wingborn (Wingbearer #2) by Marjorie Liu and Grace Kum

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: The Wingbearer series continues, delivering new adventures of this gorgeous, emotive fantasy. The first book in the series is a favorite in my house.

Published: November 21, 2023 | Ages: 8 to 12.


Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What You Need to Know: The fifth installment of Nick and Charlie’s love story. With Nick heading to university next year, are things about to change? A sweet story of love and friendship.

Published: December 12, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.


What are your favorite graphic novels?

If you are a graphic novel reader, leave a comment telling me about your favorite author. Have you read any of the books on this list? What graphic novels are you most looking forward to this year? Leave a comment and let me know!

Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays

Check out other blogs posting about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

21 Underhyped Middle Grade Books Worth Reading

21 Underhyped Middle Grade Books Worth Reading

I recently realized it’s been a while since I shared a list of the books that I loved that just didn’t seem to get the hype they deserved. Some of these middle grade books were published during the early days of Covid, when authors canceled book signings, school visits, and other bookish events. A few of these underhyped middle grade titles are from the ancient days before the pandemic changed life as we knew it. Others were published more recently– perhaps a victim of Barnes & Noble’s switch to carrying mostly paperbacks? I’m not sure what the deal is, but I am sure these books deserve more attention than they received thus far.

In any case, all of these books are ones I absolutely loved and have continued to champion in the months and years since they were published. If you haven’t read them, please use the links to add them to your reading list or shopping cart. If you have read them, please take a moment and leave a rating and/or review to help these authors out!

Note: This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost anything for you to use, but which help support my blog. Thank you for shopping with them!

21 Underhyped Middle Grade Books Worth Reading

The Firebird Song by Arnée Flores

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: One of my favorite books of the year. Unforgettable, hopeful, and beautifully told.

Published June 8, 2021 | 190 Goodreads Ratings


Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: A reluctant reader critiques his aunt’s book, testing the stunts, discovering ghosts, and making new friends along the way. Hilarious and heartfelt.

Published September 22, 2020 | 209 Goodreads ratings.


Six Feet Below Zero by Ena Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: OMG. This book is hilarious and so sweet. I can’t say it any better than this clip from Goodreads: A dead body. A missing will. An evil relative. The good news is, Great Grammy has a plan. The bad news is, she’s the dead body.

Published April 20, 2021 | 221 Goodreads ratings.


Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: New friends and heartbreaking grief. New York City. Family relationships. I laughed and cried. So good.

Published May 4, 2021 | 397 Goodreads ratings.


The Other Side of Luck by Ginger Johnson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: Lyrical prose. Friendship, grief, and magic. Gorgeous storytelling. I’m so glad I read this one.

Published August 10, 2021 | 109 Goodreads ratings.


The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe by Tricia Springstubb

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: Quirky, unforgettable characters. Friendship, birds and found family.

Published June 1, 2021 | 86 Goodreads ratings.


Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: A talented violinist with a gorgeous ‘fro she calls “the wooly mammoth” faces discrimination in her music program and finds a way to speak up about it. I loved the music references and relationships in this book.

Published: September 6, 2022 | 119 Goodreads ratings.


The Other Side of the River by Alda P. Dobbs

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: The follow-up to THE BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA. A young Mexican girl building a new life in America in the early 1900s. Beautifully written and engaging.

Release Date: September 6, 2022 | 100 Goodreads ratings.


The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: Inspired by BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and THE WATCHMEN. Vampires were supposed to be vanquished decades ago… but it looks like they’re back. Looks fantastic.

Release Date: September 20, 2022 | 279 Goodreads ratings.


Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: A kidnapped boy is forced to work in a power plant. Then he discovers a ghost who may be able to help him escape. Looks fresh and fun.

Release Date: September 27, 2022 | 162 Goodreads ratings.


Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: A hopeful (and at times heartbreaking) story of a young girl who decides to build a submarine and sail it across the Chesapeake Bay.

Published April 7, 2020 | 282 Goodreads ratings.


Finally, Something Mysterious by Doug Cornett

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: Three friends. Hundreds of rubber duckies. A town enthralled with its upcoming bratwurst competition. I laughed out loud!

Published April 14, 2020 | 269 Goodreads ratings.


Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: The cover copy calls this one “folksy” and “fresh” and it totally is! I loved the southern feel of the town and characters, and the exploration of identity and magic in this book.

Published August 4, 2020 | 399 Goodreads ratings.


The Prince of Nowhere by Rochelle Hassan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: Anonymous letters lead a girl and a shapeshifting boy/crow on a journey to save their world in a mysterious place called Nowhere. This one totally blew me away. I loved Roda and Ignis so much.

Published: May 3, 2022 | 267 Goodreads ratings


Upstander by James Preller

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: Bullying. Secrets. An older brother’s drug use. A girl’s heartfelt quest to find her voice and speak up. A fierce, moving read that deserves way more than 55 ratings.

Published May 11, 2021 | 55 Goodreads ratings.


The Science of Being Angry by Nicole Melleby

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: Identity issues and mental health challenges. A girl’s desperate quest to understand why she’s so angry all the time and how to be herself safely. Powerful storytelling by an incredible author.

Published May 10, 2022 | 329 Goodreads ratings.


Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: Roosevelt cousins uncover family secrets in a world in which ghosts exist and can become deadly. A hauntingly perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction. I devoured this one.

Published September 1, 2020 | 178 Goodreads ratings.


Nowhere Better Than Here by Sarah Guillory

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review to Come

What You Need to Know: A girl desperate to save her small Louisiana town torn apart by coastal flooding. Sweet southern fiction blended with bold activism. One of my favorite recent reads.

Published September 20, 2022 | 109 Goodreads ratings.


Flip Turns by Catherine Arguelles

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: A girl dealing with unwanted attention from a boy, an attack against her family’s business, and the pressure of competition on her swim team. Adventurous, family-oriented, and fun.

Published September 13, 2022 | 86 Goodreads ratings.


The Plentiful Darkness by Heather Kassner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What you need to know: I read this book earlier in the year, and can’t stop thinking about it. It’s got some spooky magic, unforgettable characters, and possibly the best exploration of grief I’ve ever seen in a novel.

Release Date: August 3, 2021 | 237 Goodreads ratings.


Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy Cavanaugh

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Review

What You Need to Know: A vibrant deep south setting in the Okefenokee Swamp. A family business in jeopardy. Brilliant summer friendships. One of my all-time favorite middle grade books.

Published September 5, 2017 | 242 Goodreads ratings.


What are your favorite underhyped middle grade books?

Have you read any of the underhyped middle grade books on my list? Are any of these your favorites, too? What are your favorite middle grade books that deserve a lot more hype than they received? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you’ve read any of the books on this list, please take a moment and leave a rating and/or review on Goodreads or Amazon. This really helps authors, especially authors like these, whose books have been out for a bit.

Review: Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler

Squire & Knight
Scott Chantler
First Second
Published May 9, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Squire & Knight

A young squire tackles mysteries, monsters and magic, but the inept knight he serves takes the credit. Every time.

Squire is brainy, bookish, and terribly under-appreciated by the brawny, inept knight Sir Kelton, who somehow always gets all the glory. So when the two mismatched heroes find themselves in a cursed village plagued by a demonic dragon, Kelton rides off to slay it and Squire stays behind to catch up on some reading. But Squire starts to notice that something isn’t quite right about this town . . . Can he uncover its strange secrets?

My Review

I tend to be really picky about the artwork in graphic novels that I read. The cover of this one really drew me in. There’s so much going on in just that one image. The knight wrapped in the dragon’s tail and held upside down. The squire holding up the lantern and looking thoughtful– I love that the cover conveys this part of his character. He’s a thinker, which is probably harder to draw, since it is an internal process. Then there’s the skeleton dog standing beside the squire and the dragon’s face, behind him as if he’s sniffing a trail of some kind.

I loved the dragon’s character and how he talked. It’s different than the way the other characters talk, and that kind of cracked me up. I like the way the pieces of this story fit together, and the fact that it’s the squire who solves it. Brains over brawn for the win!

I think readers who enjoy fantasy graphic novels like THE LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE will like this one. I always read graphic novels thinking of my nephews and niece, who prefer them, and I think this is one I’ll add to my shelf for them to read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Most human characters are white. One family from the town Squire helps has bronze skin and pointed ears.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used once.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The squire hears rumors of a ghost haunting the town’s well. The town was founded by a wizard, and appears to be under some kind of curse. The townspeople blame a local dragon for their problems.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. The townspeople rally, intending to kill the dragon. The knight intends to kill the dragon. The dragon intends to eat the knight.

Drug Content
None.

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

Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays

Check out other blogs talking about middle grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.