Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

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The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

The Insiders
Mark Oshiro
HarperCollins
Published September 21, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Insiders

San Francisco and Orangevale may be in the same state, but for Héctor Muñoz, they might as well be a million miles apart. Back home, being gay didn’t mean feeling different. At Héctor’s new school, he couldn’t feel more alone.

Most days, Héctor just wishes he could disappear. And he does. Right into the janitor’s closet. (Yes, he sees the irony.) But one day, when the door closes behind him, Héctor discovers he’s stumbled into a room that shouldn’t be possible. A room that connects him with two new friends from different corners of the country—and opens the door to a life-changing year full of magic, friendship, and adventure.

Three kids who don’t belong. A room that shouldn’t exist. A year that will change everything.

My Review

This book might break your heart. Not permanently. But. It follows Héctor, who’s just beginning at a new school in a new town. He becomes the target of a group of bullies. Though he’s usually pretty outspoken, he’s vulnerable– still trying to figure out how to find his footing in his new space. He has a supportive family, but worries they’ve got enough other things to stress over without needing to take on his troubles. He worries they’d be disappointed in him for not figuring things out for himself. Or for not standing up for himself or letting someone else’s behavior bother him so much.

His experience is so relatable. So raw and real. I love the gentle way the Room comforts and helps him. In some ways, the Room was my favorite character. Héctor is pretty tough to beat, though! I love his sense of humor and bold personality.

THE INSIDERS is one of those books that has a lot of things happening in the background in an understated way. One of Héctor’s teachers reacts to something he says or does in a way that made me think she knew about the Room, and maybe had her own experience with it herself. I love that it kind of stays ambiguous, too, because it hints at the Room being an ongoing force helping lonely kids without letting the story focus on an adult’s experience.

Some moments in the book were so achingly sad, but so many were also full of triumph and joy. This is a story that celebrates friendship, family, identity and food.

THE INSIDERS is the first book by Mark Oshiro that I’ve ever read, but I’m already thinking I need to go out and find all the other books they’ve written. I can’t wait to see more of their work.

I think readers who like HOW TO BECOME A PLANET by Nicole Melleby or FOREVERLAND by Nicole C. Kear will love this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Héctor is gay and Latino. He has several other close friends who are LGBTQ and/or BIPOC.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Reference to a homophobic slur. The word itself is not used.

Romance/Sexual Content
A girl asks another girl to a school dance and is asked not to DJ the event because of it.

Spiritual Content
A room appears to Héctor and a couple other kids when they need it most. It transforms into whatever they need, from a janitor closet to a library to a coffee shop to a nap space. Sometimes it hints at solutions to problems they face.

Violent Content
Some homophobia and bullying. Though Héctor is never in critical physical danger, he bears some pretty deep wounds from the way his antagonists treat him, and even begins to experience some depression.

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 INSIDERS in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy
Emmanuel Acho
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 4, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY is an accessible book for children to learn about systemic racism and racist behavior. For the awkward questions white and non-black parents don’t know how to answer, this book is an essential guide to help support communication on how to dismantle racism in our youngest generation.

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY  creates a safe, judgment-free space for curious children to ask questions they’ve long been afraid to verbalize. How can I have white privilege if I’m not wealthy? Why do Black people protest against the police? If Black people can say the N-word, why can’t I? And many, many more.

Young people have the power to effect sweeping change, and the key to mending the racial divide in America lies in giving them the tools to ask honest questions and take in the difficult answers.  UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY is just one way young readers can begin to short circuit racism within their own lives and communities.

My Review

I read this book in part because of the YouTube series by Emmanuel Acho called “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man”. I think he started posting the series after George Floyd’s murder. One of the things I love is that he creates this space in which people are welcomed to face that they have questions and to ask them.

So the book is more of a brief walkthrough of the history of racism in America and why it’s important to take time to be better educated and how to go about doing that. In more than one place in the book, Acho recommends other great resources for continuing education and conversations about these issues.

He does a great job making points in a really accessible, gentle way. This book is a great welcome to the conversation about racism. This version is specifically for kids, and I think it does a great job introducing ideas and giving an age-appropriate view into the history and the issues. I think I also own the e-book of the adult version. This made me want to check that out for comparison to see if it goes deeper into some of the topics covered.

All in all, I think this book makes a great beginning read for kids in middle or late elementary school. It’s perfect for those who have questions or are looking for more information on racism in America.

If you haven’t seen any of the Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man videos Emmanuel Acho has posted in his YouTube channel, please check them out. That link should take you to the playlist of all the videos in the series.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 12.

Representation
Emmanuel Acho is a Black man.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Brief references to murder and lynching, violence during the Civil Rights Movement, and other historical events.

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 UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY in exchange for my honest review.

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

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Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

Well. 2021 was certainly a mixed year for me. It had a really rough start, not a great middle, and a painful and chaotic end. But, it also had some really great books!

Maybe it feels silly to think that the books were one of the brightest spots in the year, but to be honest, they kinda were? I mean, some other good things happened, too, and I have a lot to be grateful for, but the books… those are one of the best gifts from this past year to me.

2021 was a good year for me particularly for middle grade books. When I first started blogging, I only reviewed young adult books, but once I started reading middle grade, I couldn’t stop. I had to add them to my review list, and I’ve never been sorry I did!

With all that in mind, here’s the list of the best middle grade books I read last year. There are a couple backlist titles on there that I didn’t get to until this year that were too good to leave off the list. Other than that, all of these books came out in 2021. I hope you enjoy!

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

Vasilisa (Old Rus #1) by Julie Mathison

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Based on Russian Folklore. Set in 1919. The story of a brave girl and first love.

Published February 23, 2021 | My Review

These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Intergenerational friendship. An adorable dog. A small town parade. So much fun and so heartfelt!

Published March 2, 2021 | My Review

Amina’s Song by Hena Khan

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Faith-positive. Family. A trip to Pakistan. An anxious but talented singer. The unforgettable companion to AMINA’S VOICE.

Published March 2, 2021 | My Review

Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A younger sister worried about her older sister’s depression. A road trip in an RV. Deeply moving storytelling.

Published March 30, 2021 | My Review

The Great Cookie War by Carolyn Stellings

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: COOKIES! A Mennonite community. A snarky New York Lawyer. A talented artist with big dreams. Based on a true story.

Published April 13, 2021 | My Review

Six Feet Below Zero by Ena Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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 | My Review

Ways to Grow Love (Ryan Hart #2) by Renée Watson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A precocious protagonist. Adjusting to a new baby. Summer camp! A sweet, fun read following WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE.

Published April 27, 2021 | My Review

Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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 | My Review

The Kate In Between by Claire Swinarski

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Explores consequences of bullying and the cost of telling the truth. Broken friendship. Loneliness. Courage.

Published May 18, 2021 | My Review

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: An oboe player in a musical family. A missing brother. Told in beautiful verse.

Published June 1, 2021 | My Review

The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe by Tricia Springstubb

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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

Published June 1, 2021 | My Review

The Firebird Song by Arnée Flores

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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

Published June 8, 2021 | My Review

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Set in India. A girl travels to a magical world to find her missing brother. Fun and adventurous.

Published June 15, 2021 | My Review

The Other Side of Luck by Ginger Johnson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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 | My Review

The Raven Heir (Raven Crown #1) by Stephanie Burgis

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: One of my latest favorite MG titles. Siblings! Magic! A high-stakes quest to find a lost crown! It’s so, so good.

Published September 14, 2021 | My Review

The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Set during the Mexican Revolution in 1913. A small family flees violent soldiers, led by a brave girl.

Published September 14, 2021 | My Review

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Magic and friendship. A boarding school packed with secrets. Girls who are told they’re broken discovering their true strength.

Published October 12, 2021 | My Review

Frankie and Amelia by Cammie McGovern

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Told from a cat’s perspective observing a girl on the Autism spectrum. Sweet and genuine. The companion to CHESTER AND GUS.

Published October 26, 2021 | My Review

Tidesone by Wendy Xu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Graphic novel. Witches and water dragons. Unexpected friendships. Discovering self-worth. A deliciously fun story.

Published November 16, 2021 | My Review

Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Födi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Quirky characters. A fun and fantastic story about the under-appreciated crew who clean up after spellcasters.

Published November 30, 2021 | My Review

Birdie’s Billions by Edith Cohn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Explores ideas about integrity and the snowball effect of lying. A skateboarding girl and a friendly cat named Jackpot.

Published December 14, 2021 | My Review

The Storm Keeper’s Battle (Storm Keeper #3) by Catherine Doyle

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: One of my most-anticipated books of 2021. I adore this series from beginning to end. It’s packed with magic, friendship, courage, and a time pretzel. Last book in the series that began with THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND.

Published December 28, 2021 | My Review

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A brother and sister set out on a desperate attempt to escape North Korea during the Korean War. Beautiful and aching. (This technically came out in 2020, but I read it in January 2021.)

Published July 21, 2020 | My Review

Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

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. (This technically came out in 2020, but I read it in April 2021.)

Published September 22, 2020 | My Review

What were your favorite books from 2021?

What were the best middle grade books from 2021 that you read? Did you read any of the books on my list? If so, did any of them rank among your favorites?

If not, are there any books on my list that you’re thinking of checking out now that you’ve seen them here? Please let me know! There’s nothing better than knowing someone is going to check out one of my favorite books.

Review: How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

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How to Become a Planet
Nicole Melleby
Algonquin Young Readers
Published May 25, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About How to Become a Planet

For Pluto, summer has always started with a trip to the planetarium. It’s the launch to her favorite season, which also includes visits to the boardwalk arcade, working in her mom’s pizzeria, and her best friend Meredith’s birthday party. But this summer, none of that feels possible.

A month before the end of the school year, Pluto’s frightened mom broke down Pluto’s bedroom door. What came next were doctor’s appointments, a diagnosis of depression, and a big black hole that still sits on Pluto’s chest, making it too hard to do anything.

Pluto can’t explain to her mom why she can’t do the things she used to love. And it isn’t until Pluto’s dad threatens to make her move with him to the city—where he believes his money, in particular, could help—that Pluto becomes desperate enough to do whatever it takes to be the old Pluto again.

She develops a plan and a checklist: If she takes her medication, if she goes to the planetarium with her mom for her birthday, if she successfully finishes her summer school work with her tutor, if she goes to Meredith’s birthday party . . . if she does all the things that “normal” Pluto would do, she can stay with her mom in Jersey. But it takes a new therapist, a new tutor, and a new (and cute) friend with a checklist and plan of her own for Pluto to learn that there is no old and new Pluto. There’s just her.

My Review

I feel like Nicole Melleby does an incredible job bringing issues to the middle grade stage with poise and poignance but without softening the truth about how hard some of those challenges can be. Both of the books she’s written that I’ve reviewed (HOW TO BECOME A PLANET and HURRICANE SEASON) have explored mental health and identity issues as well as complex relationships with single parents. This book also included resolving conflicts within a friendship.

All those topics felt handled really well in the context of a middle grade story. I didn’t feel sheltered from Pluto’s anxiety or her depression. I felt like I experienced those things along with her, but in a really accessible way. Like they would still make sense (I think) to someone whether or not they’d shared that experience personally.

I liked that Pluto’s parents both wanted to help her and be present and loving with her, but that the story showed how complicated that was for Pluto, too. I liked that no one in the story is perfect. It was also really cool that the story focused on building Pluto’s support team: friends, parents, mentors, and her therapist, all working together to create a network that Pluto could lean on when she needed them.

HOW TO BECOME A PLANET may not be the book that resonates with every reader, but it’s such a sweet, deep story. It’s about learning to recognize what you need and how to be loved even when you don’t feel lovable. Readers who enjoyed BREATHING UNDERWATER or ASTER’S GOOD RIGHT THINGS will not want to miss this one.

Content Notes for How to Become a Planet

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Several characters, including Pluto, identify as queer.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
A kiss between two girls.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Pluto has a meltdown and lashes out physically.

Drug Content
Pluto takes medication for her anxiety and depression.

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 HOW TO BECOME A PLANET in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Storm Keeper’s Battle by Catherine Doyle

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Storm Keeper’s Battle (Storm Keeper #3)
Catherine Doyle
Bloomsbury
Published December 28, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Storm Keeper’s Battle

Fionn Boyle, Storm Keeper of Arranmore, is facing the fight of his life. The terrifying all- powerful sorceress Morrigan has been raised from the dead and has sealed off the island from all help.

Fionn is the only thing that stands between her and a dark future. He’s got to find a way to defeat her. But there are some terrible choices in store for Fionn as the dark sorcerer begins to take his nearest and dearest for her own. With only two candles left to burn, will Fionn master his powers in time to stop her?

In the thrilling conclusion to the acclaimed Storm Keeper’s Island series, evil sorceress Morrigan rises, and Fionn and his friends must use their wits to save Arranmore Island’s future.

“Fans of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson can add Fionn Boyle as a generous and brave hero from the Emerald Isle.” –SCHOOL LIBRARY CONNECTION on THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND.

My Review

Confession: I learned that THE STORM KEEPER’S BATTLE came out in the UK in March, so I ordered a copy and read it long before the US release date. This is something I’ve never done before, but I seriously could not wait to read this book all the way until October. So technically I read the UK release of the book, but I waited to post my review until close to the release date here in the US.

I have too many favorite things about this book. The friendships between Fionn, Shelby and Sam. The way it again ties together all these moments in the island’s past and Fionn’s role in those events. The memories of and presence of Fionn’s grandfather. I may have sobbed through a couple of scenes.

At the beginning of the book, I’ll admit I was a little nervous that it would be tons of chapters of Fionn and friends stumbling around looking for clues and killing time until the final battle with Morrigan. But as the trail of breadcrumbs began to take shape pretty quickly and the stakes continued to go up higher and higher, I felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I got completely lost in the story and couldn’t stop reading until I reached the very last page.

This is one of my favorite series ever. I want to have ten children so that I can read these books aloud to each one of them. I love the story of courage, family, friendships, and community. And I love the magic and the candles and the way that love speaks across time. It’s so, so good.

If this is the first you’ve heard of the Storm Keeper books, please check out my review of THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND, the first book in the series as you’ll definitely want to read that one first.

If you liked THE RAVEN HEIR by Stephanie Burgis, definitely check out the Storm Keeper series!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Representation
Characters are Irish.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used twice.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
An evil sorcerer gathers the souls of others to her, making a cape from them and controlling their bodies, commanding them like an army. Fionn also has some magical abilities. He has candles from his grandfather which allow him to visit other times in the island’s history.

Violent Content
Situations of peril and battle violence. Fionn and his allies must battle a sorceress and her powerful, Titan-like brothers.

Drug Content
Fionn’s uncles drink wine and share stories with the family.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support running this blog.

Review: Birdie’s Billions by Edith Cohn

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Birdie’s Billions
Edith Cohn
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Published December 14, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Birdie’s Billions

For as long as eleven-year-old Birdie can remember, it’s always been just her and her mom, which means there’s not a lot of extra money to spend on things like new clothes and batons from the fancy gymnastics store. Still, they always find a way to make ends meet. Then Birdie makes one silly mistake that has a big consequence: Mom loses her job. Now things are more dire than ever, and Birdie knows it’s up to her to fix it.

When Birdie discovers a huge stash of cash in an abandoned house, she just knows it must be the answer to their problems. But the people who left that money behind aren’t willing to give it up so easily. Does “finders, keepers” count when it’s half a million dollars?

In this heartfelt small-town story from beloved author Edith Cohn, Birdie learns how to balance what’s right for her family-and herself-with what’s the right thing to do.

A savvy young girl finds half a million dollars and wonders if she can keep it in this charming middle grade mystery that asks big questions about right, wrong, and what you’d do for family.

My Review

Oh. My. Goodness. This book. First of all, I adore that the story explores ideas about integrity versus lying with good intentions. I thought it was really cool the way Birdie wrestles with what to do with the money she finds and what lies are justified so that she can use it to help others.

I also thought it was awesome that she’s a skater. It’s another hobby that I feel like is still underrepresented in books, though it’s possible that I just don’t encounter the books that are out there? Either way, there aren’t enough skateboarding characters in my life.

True to a lot of middle grade books, Birdie not only wrestles with family relationships, she also faces challenges in her friendships. I like that this book explored differences that can come from class but that those differences weren’t the whole story about what went wrong with Birdie and her bestie. I liked that there was more to the story there.

I also enjoyed the goofy characters and sweet moments of connection as well as Jackpot, the amazing cat.

On the whole, this is a great book for readers who enjoy stories about strong girls facing relationship challenges or complicated moral choices. I think readers who enjoyed CHIRP by Kate Messner or THE KATE IN BETWEEN by Claire Swinarski will enjoy this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Major characters are white. Birdie’s dad is in prison and her family is poor.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None in the text. Birdie calls her friend’s mom a curse word (which isn’t spelled out) after she blames Birdie for something unfairly.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A couple of older boys bully Birdie and her friend while they’re skateboarding on the street. A girl gets injured when she’s walking in a part of a house she’s not supposed to be in and falls through the floor.

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 BIRDIE’S BILLIONS in exchange for my honest review.