Review: Maybe It’s a Sign by E. L. Shen

Maybe It's a Sign by E. L. Shen cover shows a girl with a ponytail reaching for a blue and red bird.

Maybe It’s a Sign
E. L. Shen
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Published January 23, 2024

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About Maybe It’s a Sign

An uplifting middle-grade novel about loss, luck . . . and deep-dish chocolate chip cookies―perfect for fans of King and the Dragonflies and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.

Seventh-grader Freya June Sun has always believed in the Chinese superstitions spoon-fed to her since birth. Ever since her dad’s death a year ago, she’s become obsessed with them, and believes that her … Continue reading

13 Incredible Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2024

13 Incredible Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2024

13 Incredible Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2024

I’m getting a late start on putting together my lists for this year, but I really wanted to share some of the middle grade books coming out in January and February that really look too good to miss. This list is entirely based on my preferences, and I’m already planning to review many of the books listed here. I hope you enjoy the list– please let me know if you’ve already read any of these titles or are as eager to check them out as I am!

Since I’m late getting this posted, some of the review links are already live, so please feel free … Continue reading

Review: Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Dungeons and Drama
Kristy Boyce
Delacorte Press
Published January 9, 2023

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About Dungeons and Drama

When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!

Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school’s spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom’s car without permission, she’s grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad’s game shop.

Riley can’t waste her time working when she has a musical … Continue reading

Review: Courtesy of Cupid by Nashae Jones

Courtesy of Cupid by Nashae Jones

Courtesy of Cupid
Nashae Jones
Aladdin
Published January 2, 2023

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About Courtesy of Cupid

In this middle grade rom-com sprinkled with a dash of magic, a girl uses her newfound ability to make people fall in love to sabotage her rival.

Erin Johnson’s thirteenth birthday unfolds like any other day, from her mom’s quirky and embarrassing choice of outfit to racing her nemesis, Trevor Jin, to the best seat in class—front row, center. But her gifts this year include something very out of the magical powers.

Erin discovers her mysterious father is actually the love god Cupid, and she’s inherited his knack for … Continue reading

Review: Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston

Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston

Diary of a Confused Feminist
Kate Weston
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published January 2, 2024

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About Diary of a Confused Feminist

Kat wants to do GOOD FEMINISM, although she’s not always sure what that means. She also wants to be a writer, get together with Hot Josh (is this a feminist ambition?), win at her coursework and not make a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT of herself at all times.

But the path to true feminism is filled with mortifying incidents, and when everything at school starts to get a bit too much, Kat knows she’s lost … Continue reading

Review: The Librarian’s Ruse by Thirzah

The Librarian's Ruse by Thirzah

The Librarian’s Ruse
Thirzah
The Pearl
Published July 30, 2023

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About The Librarian’s Ruse

Amelia’s peaceful life as a librarian is cut short when she and her older brother Leon are sent on an errand to Eldnaire, the capital city of the vicious Vilnarian Empire. After witnessing a crime carried out in the woods, Amelia and Leon enter the capital only to be faced with an impossible choice: tell the truth and risk imprisonment, or lie and face far worse if they’re caught.

One deception leads to a dozen more, and before she can put an end to the lies, … Continue reading