Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

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Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team
Johnnie Christmas
HarperAlley
Published May 17, 2022

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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 … Continue reading →

Author Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

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Author Q&A with Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

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 … Continue reading →

Review: Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna

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Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna

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

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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 … Continue reading →

MMGM Review: Ollie in Betwee by Jess Callans

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Ollie in Between by Jess Callans

Ollie in Between
Jess Callans
Feiwel & Friends
Published April 8, 2025

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About Ollie in Between

As endearing as it is humorous, this debut middle grade novel by Jess Callans is a tender, queer coming of age story about the courage it takes to find your own voice and choosing to just be.

Puberty, AKA the ultimate biological predator, is driving a wedge between soon-to-be 13-year-old Ollie Thompson and their lifelong friends.

Too much of a girl for their neighborhood hockey team, but not girly enough for their boy-crazed BFF, Ollie doesn’t know where they fit. And their usual ability to … Continue reading →

Review: The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz

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The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz

The Underwild: River of Spirits
Shana Targosz
Aladdin
Published March 25, 2025

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About The Underwild: River of Spirits

A stunning debut middle grade fantasy about a girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

Senka lives between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead. As ward to Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, Senka assists in ferrying recently departed souls across the river and into their afterlife. Although Charon has taught her many Rules about … Continue reading →

Review: Wishbone by Justine Pucella Winans

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Wishbone by Justine Pucella Winans

Wishbone
Justine Pucella Winans
Publisher
Published September 17, 2024

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About Wishbone

Coraline meets Ghost Squad in this terrifying story about what happens when you aren’t careful what you wish for.

Ollie wishes things could be different. He wishes his parents would stop fighting. He wishes his sister Mia didn’t have to worry about paying for college. He wishes people would accept him for who he is. Most of all, he wishes he wasn’t so angry about all of this.

When he and Mia find a two-tailed cat they name Wishbone, Ollie takes comfort in telling him everything he wishes would change—then, it … Continue reading →