Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: Ways to Grow Love by Renée Watson

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

Ways to Grow Love by Renée Watson

Ways to Grow Love
Renée Watson
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published April 27, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Ways to Grow Love

Ryan Hart and her family are back in another installment of stories about a Black girl finding her way and her voice as she grows through change and challenges. In this book, Ryan finds herself waiting on lots of things — like for her new sister to be born healthy, for her new recipes to turn out right, for that summer camp trip to go better than she fears! And of course Ryan is facing these new challenges and new experiences … Continue reading →

Review: Estranged by Ethan Aldridge

By | | , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Estranged by Ethan Aldridge

Estranged by Ethan Aldridge

Estranged (Estranged #1)
Ethan Aldridge
HarperCollins
Published August 7, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Estranged

Edmund and the Childe were swapped at birth. Now Edmund lives in secret as a changeling in the World Above, with fae powers that make him different from everyone else—even his unwitting parents and older sister, Alexis. The Childe lives among the fae in the World Below, where being human makes him an oddity at the royal palace, and where his only friend is a wax golem named Whick.

But when the cruel sorceress … Continue reading →

Review: Thornwood by Leah Cypess

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Thornwood by Leah Cypess

Thornwood by Leah Cypess

Thornwood (Sisters Ever After #1)
Leah Cypess
Harvey Klinger
Published April 1, 2021

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Thornwood

For years, Briony has lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Rosalin, and the curse that has haunted her from birth–that on the day of her sixteenth birthday she would prick her finger on a spindle and cause everyone in the castle to fall into a 100-year sleep. When the day the curse is set to fall over the kingdom finally arrives, nothing–not even Briony–can stop its evil magic.

… Continue reading →

19 Fantastic Books for Your Spring 2021 Reading List

By | | , , ,
7 Comments

19 Fantastic Books Coming Spring 2021

19 Fantastic Books for Your Spring 2021 Reading List

It’s finally spring! And there are so many amazing books coming out this season. What’s on your Spring 2021 Reading List so far?

My list feels completely out of hand, packed with so many amazing books to read and so many more that I hope I’ll be able to squeeze into my reading time. I’ve broken the list into two groups: middle grader for readers 8-12 and young adult for readers 12+. You can also find this list on Bookshop, where you can browse either the whole middle grade or young adult list and support indie bookstores.

8 Middle Grade Books for … Continue reading →

Review: Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen

Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen

Breathing Underwater
Sarah Allen
Farrar Strauss & Giroux
Published March 30, 2021

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Breathing Underwater

Olivia is on the road trip of her dreams, with her trusty camera and her big sister Ruth by her side. Three years ago, before their family moved from California to Tennessee, Olivia and Ruth buried a time capsule on their favorite beach. Now, they’re taking an RV back across the country to uncover the memories they left behind. But Ruth’s depression has been getting worse, so Olivia has created a plan to help her remember how life used to be: … Continue reading →

Review: A Walk Toward Peace: The True Story of Peace Pilgrim by Kathleen Krull

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: A Walk Toward Peace: The True Story of Peace Pilgrim by Kathleen Krull

Walking Toward Peace by Kathleen Krull

A Walk Toward Peace: The True Story of Peace Pilgrim
Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by Annie Bowler
Flyaway Books
Published

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Walking Toward Peace

She gave up everything: her home, her possessions, even her real name. She called herself Peace Pilgrim, put on her sneakers, and started off on her quest to walk thousands of miles all around America. Step by step, mile after mile, Peace Pilgrim traveled tirelessly, inviting everyone she met to consider a world where each person and each … Continue reading →