Category Archives: Middle Grade

The Frame-Up by Wendy McLeod MacKnight

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Katy K.

The Frame-Up by Wendy McLeod MacKnight. Greenwillow Books, 2018. Here’s a book based around a real art museum, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in New Brunswick.  It’s built around an intriguing, Hogwarts-like concept – the people in paintings can come to … Continue reading →

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Truth-Tellers: Endling #1 and Heartseeker

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Katy K.

Two Cybils nominees star main characters who know when the truth is being told – and the danger this puts them in from those in power. Last. Endling #1 by Katherine Applegate. HarperCollins, 2018. Byx is one of the last … Continue reading →

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The Wild Book by Juan Villoro

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Katy K.

Here’s a rare middle grade book in translation, from an award-winning author of Mexican literary fiction. The Wild Book by Juan Villoro. Translated by Lawrence Schimel. Yonder Books, 2017. Juan’s mother has been falling apart since his father moved in … Continue reading →

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The Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Katy K.

I was so excited to learn that Sarah Prineas – author of the Magic Thief series and the Winterling series, both middle grade, as well as Ash & Bramble and Rose & Thorn – has started a new series. Happily … Continue reading →

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Out of the Wild Night and Denis Ever After

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are two middle grade ghost stories for late October, plus some others nominated for the Cybils award. Continue reading →

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Black Panther: the Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Katy K.

This book didn’t end up getting nominated for the Cybils (unless Marvel swoops in to nominate it during the last week of the publisher/author nominating period) but it’s still worth reading about. Black Panther: the Young Prince by Ronald L. … Continue reading →

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The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Katy K.

I first picked up this book because Charlotte had read and liked it, and also because I enjoyed one of the author’s previous books, Mark of the Dragonfly. The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson Long ago, a world … Continue reading →

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City of Islands by Kali Wallace

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Katy K.

City of Islands by Kali Wallace. Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins 2018. 12-year-old orphan Mara works hard as a diver for the Lady of the Tides, taking a small boat out with her teen partner Izzy to look for magical relics.  The Caribbean-like … Continue reading →

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Hopeful Cybils Books

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Katy K.

We’re halfway through the public nominating phase of the Cybils awards.  It makes me very nervous, as the first rush of nominations has slowed down, but there are still so many good books that haven’t yet been nominated.  Just looking … Continue reading →

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Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Katy K.

I originally found out about this book on the PW Kidscast, though it’s since been nominated for a Cybils award in my category. Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, with illustrations by Nicholas Gannon. Feiwel and Friends, 2018. I … Continue reading →

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