Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Finally Something Dangerous by Doug Cornett

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Finally Something Dangerous by Doug Cornett

Finally Something Dangerous
Doug Cornett
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published November 22, 2022

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About Finally, Something Dangerous

The mystery-solving trio, the One and Onlys, from Finally, Something Mysterious is back with another whodunit. Robot crows, a poetry-slash-wrestling Club, and a hamster infestation? This looks like another case to tackle!

As the excitement from the last mystery the One and Onlys solved is starting to dwindle, Shanks, Peephole, and Paul worry that their town is back to being boring old Bellwood. But as plans for a shiny town makeover get underway, they realize that the old Bellwood is anything but.

The glee over New Bellwood is … Continue reading →

Review: Looking for True by Tricia Springstubb

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Looking for True by Tricia Springstubb

Looking for True
Tricia Springstubb
Margaret Ferguson Books
Published November 1, 2022

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About Looking for True

When two unlikely friends bond over shared compassion for a bereft but lovable dog, they learn what it truly means to find a sense of belonging and identity.

11-year-olds Gladys and Jude live in the same small, rust belt town, and go to the same school, but they are definitely not friends. Gladys is a tiny, eccentric, walking dictionary who doesn’t hesitate to express herself, while Jude likes to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. But they both agree that a new dog in the neighborhood is being mistreated by … Continue reading →

Review: Moongarden: Plotting the Stars by Michelle A. Barry

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Moongarden by Michelle A. Barry

Moongarden: Plotting the Stars
Michelle A. Barry
Pixel + Ink Books
Published November 1, 2022

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About Moongarden

The Secret Garden meets The City of Ember as an unlikely heroine confronts loneliness and crippling parental expectations, finding her seed of courage to weed out an intergalactic government conspiracy tied to failed climate change policy in this STEM-inspired series starter.

Centuries ago, Earth’s plants turned toxic, rendering life on the planet impossible, and humanity took to space to cultivate new homes. Myra Porter is in her first year at an elite school on the Moon to train and develop her Creer in math as a Number Whisper—like her … Continue reading →

Review: The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere by Jaclyn Moriarty

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The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere by Jaclyn Moriarty

The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar From Elsewhere
Jaclyn Moriarty
Allen & Unwin
Published November 1, 2022

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About The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere

Let me get this straight. I’m on a trip with the following people:
1) Bronte, a girl who makes magical ‘Spellbinding’ rings,
2) Alejandro, a former pirate/current prince who can shoot arrows and make fire from stones,
3) Imogen, who can read broken maps and is a kickboxing master,
4) Esther, who saved her entire world from some kind of ancient monster,
5) Astrid, a smart ten year old who can read minds, and
6) Gruffudd, a … Continue reading →

Review: Daisy Woodworm Changes the World by Melissa Hart

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Daisy Woodworm Changes the World by Melissa Hart

Daisy Woodworm Changes the World
Melissa Hart
Jolly Fish Press
Published November 8, 2022

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About Daisy Woodworm Changes the World

When her social studies teacher assigns each student a project to change the world for the better along with an oral report, Daisy fears the class bully—who calls her Woodworm— will make fun of her lisp. Still, she decides to help Sorrel fulfill his dream of becoming a YouTube fashion celebrity despite their parents’ refusal to allow him on social media.

With the help of her best friend Poppy, and Miguel—the most popular boy in school and her former enemy—Daisy launches Sorrel’s publicity … Continue reading →

Review: Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

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Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

Ghostcloud
Michael Mann
Peachtree
Published October 7, 2022

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About Ghostcloud

Twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma shovels coal under a half-bombed, blackened power station. With his best friend Ravi he keeps his head down, hoping to one day earn his freedom and return to his family, while avoiding the wrath of the evil Tabatha Margate. When he tries to help new girl Jess, Luke is punished and sent to clean the sewers of the haunted East Wing, a place from which few return.

Whilst serving his punishment, Luke realises he can see things others can’t in the power station: ghostly things. He befriends a ghost-girl called Alma, who can ride … Continue reading →