Category Archives: Middle Grade 8-12

Review: The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

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The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

The Cookie Crumbles
Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow
Quill Tree Books
Published June 11, 2024

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About The Cookie Crumbles

The Great British Bake Off meets Knives Out in this fun and propulsive middle grade novel following two best friends who must solve the mystery behind a baking competition gone awry.

Laila gave Lucy a cupcake on the second day of kindergarten, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. But the summer before eighth grade, they find out that since they live on opposite sides of town, they’ll go to different high schools. Yuck!

Then Laila’s invited … Continue reading →

Review: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

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Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers (Dragon Slippers #1)
Jessica Day George
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published February 1, 2011 (Orig. 2007)

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About Dragon Slippers

Creel, the heroine of Dragon Slippers is hardly a damsel-in-distress. After her aunt totes her out to the local dragon in desperation (with the hope that the local prince will rescue her from certain death and marry her), Creel refuses the haughty prince and finds friendship with the dragons, who set her on a journey to the center of the kingdom with a pretty pair of what only seem to be ordinary slippers.

Along the way we discover Creel’s enormous talent at … Continue reading →

Review: Darkness and Demon Song by M. R. Fournet

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Darkness and Demon Song by M.R. Fournet

Darkness and Demon Song (Marius Grey #2)
M. R. Fournet
Feiwel & Friends
Published June 18, 2024

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About Darkness and Demon Song

A cemetery-boy-turned-monster-hunter must race against time to save his recently-resurrected mother in Darkness and Demon Song, M.R. Fournet’s eerie middle grade follow up to Brick Dust and Bones.

Marius Grey’s mom is back from the dead. After hunting monsters and performing forbidden spells, Marius is just happy she’s there, helping him to take care of their Louisiana cemetery again.

But it soon becomes clear that something has gone wrong. Marius’s mother is growing more distant and … Continue reading →

Review: The Spindle of Fate by Aimee Lim

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The Spindle of Fate by Aimee Lim

The Spindle of Fate
Aimee Lim
Feiwel & Friends
Published June 4, 2024

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About The Spindle of Fate

When Evie Mei discovers that her recently passed mother was the head of a guild of magical weavers, she enters the Chinese netherworld to try and bring her back in this middle-grade debut.

Twelve-year-old Evie Mei Huang never did like helping in her mom’s tailor shop. She hated helping to mend fraying clothes, how the measuring tape got all twisted up, and how pushy her mother’s clients were. Most of all, she hates that her mother … Continue reading →

Review: Boris in Switzerland by Lucinda Gifford

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Boris in Switzerland by Lucinda Gifford

Boris in Switzerland (The Wolves of Greycoat Hall #2)
Lucinda Gifford
Kane Miller Publishing
Published January 21, 2023

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About Boris in Switzerland

A romp of a read, with an ingenious mystery to solve, and packed with endearing illustrations.

Boris is attending the Institute of International Excellence, a fancy Swiss boarding school while his parents are staying with Great Aunt Orfilia. Although worried about being the only wolf, and having to navigate around the rude vice principal, he quickly makes friends, learns how to “log in” and heli-board, and has plentiful supply of cake, Boris can’t … Continue reading →

Review: The Pale Queen by Ethan M. Aldridge

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The Pale Queen by Ethan Aldridge

The Pale Queen
Ethan M. Aldridge
Quill Tree Press
Published June 25, 2024

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About The Pale Queen

From the acclaimed creator of Estranged and The Legend of Brightblade comes a lush fantasy graphic novel about an aspiring astronomer who attracts the attention of a mysterious being known as the Lady. Perfect for fans of Anya’s Ghost and Snapdragon!

Agatha has always dreamed of the stars. But when a chance encounter introduces her to the Lady of the Hills, Agatha is shocked to learn that a secret magical world lays hidden in the mist-shrouded land next to her village. She … Continue reading →