Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine

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Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine

Morning Sun in Wuhan
Ying Chang Compestine
Clarion Books
Published November 8, 2022

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About Morning Sun in Wuhan

What was the pandemic of the century like at the start? This swift, gripping novel captures not only the uncertainty and panic when COVID first emerged in Wuhan, but also how a community banded together.

Weaving in the tastes and sounds of the historic city, Wuhan’s comforting and distinctive cuisine comes to life as the reader follows 13-year-old Mei who, through her love for cooking, makes a difference in her community. Written by an award-winning author originally from Wuhan.

Grieving the death of her mother and an outcast at school, thirteen-year-old Mei finds … Continue reading →

Review: The Trouble with Robots by Michelle Mohrweiss

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The Trouble with Robots by Michelle Mohrweis

The Trouble with Robots
Michelle Mohrweiss
Peachtree
Published September 27, 2022

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About The Trouble with Robots

Evelyn strives for excellence. Allie couldn’t care less. Together, these polar opposites must work together if they have any hope of saving their school’s robotics program.

Eighth-graders Evelyn and Allie are in trouble. Evelyn’s constant need for perfection has blown some fuses among her robotics teammates, and she’s worried nobody’s taking the upcoming competition seriously. Allie is new to school, and she’s had a history of short-circuiting on teachers and other kids.

So when Allie is assigned to the robotics team as a last resort, all Evelyn can see is … Continue reading →

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

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

Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts
Dianne K. Salerni
Holiday House
Published September 1, 2020

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About Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts

Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.

It’s 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.

When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don’t get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he’s safe … Continue reading →

Review: The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson

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The Star that Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson

The Star That Always Stays
Anna Rose Johnson
Holiday House
Published July 12, 2022

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About The Star That Always Stays

When bright and spirited Norvia moves from the country to the city, she has to live by one new rule: Never let anyone know you’re Ojibwe.

Growing up on Beaver Island, Grand-père told Norvia stories–stories about her ancestor Migizi, about Biboonke-o-nini the Wintermaker, about the Crane Clan and the Reindeer Clan. He sang her songs in the old language, and her grandmothers taught her to make story quilts and maple candy. On the island, Norvia was proud of her Ojibwe heritage.

Things are different in the … Continue reading →

Review: The Spirit Queen by Arnée Flores

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The Spirit Queen by Arnee Flores

The Spirit Queen
Arnée Flores
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Published October 18, 2022

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About The Spirit Queen

The hope spread by the Firebird Song was supposed to change everything. Although nature has returned to balance, the Kingdom of Lyrica suffered for too long, and remains afraid. Worse yet, Princess Calliope has begun to hear sounds–horrible shrieks and cries from across the sea that keep her awake at night–and she seems to be the only one hearing them. How can she lead her kingdom if everyone is so afraid?

When Calliope’s friend Ilsbeth is kidnapped, Calliope and the Bargeboy, Prewitt, embark on a secret quest to save … Continue reading →

Review: The Mystery of the Smuggler’s Cove by Paul Moxham

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The Mystery of Smugglers Cove by Paul Moxham

The Mystery of the Smuggler’s Cove
Paul Moxham
Published January 31, 2013

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About The Mystery of the Smuggler’s Cove

Are you up for a thrilling adventure?

Twelve-year-old Joe Mitchell is excited to explore the caves on the beach where his family is spending their summer holiday. He and his sisters, Amy and Sarah, soon discover that the caves shelter a mysterious group of men who appear to be up to no good. Before they can raise the alarm, the kids need to find out what the men are up to and where they plan to send their cargo without getting caught themselves.

When … Continue reading →