June 2, 2026
In book one of Abed’s middle-grade series, two orphans unite to save their town from wood-eating zombies.
Felix and Ninja live at the Wayward-Amok Orphanage in the town of Spinachi, which is on the island of Tub. The orphans are served spinach for every meal, which, unsurprisingly, grows abundantly. But, once a month they receive […]
March 24, 2026
In this middle-grade fantasy, an unspecified prophecy sends a band of children and cats on an important mission.
The titular heroes, 12-year-old Chenopka (Chen) and his ten-year-old brother Tesharan (Tesh) live with their family at the foot of Mount Palpatus. In their tribal community, jewel lizards not only provide food but also valuable rainbow-faceted skins […]
December 16, 2025
Michael Wong’s picture book Grandma’s Timeless Wisdom offers sage advice while highlighting the special bond between a grandmother and her grandson.
Visiting his grandmother, a boy named Charlie gets ice cream, earning praise from her for saying “please” and ”thank you.” When his ice cream falls, Grandma offers to share hers: “Sharing is caring,” she […]
October 14, 2025
In Karen Carmack Clinton’s middle grade book, a bossy, misbehaving young mouse changes her ways after being mouse-napped by a human.
Deli lives in an underground community of mice. She’s smart and curious, but her behavior is atrocious. She sasses her mother, orders her brothers around, and has angry fits. When her friend becomes tearful […]
October 14, 2025
Jeanne Brownlee Becijos’s fascinating tale of a distant forebear enchantingly recreates the sights, sounds, and events of Colonial America in the late 1770s. While it’s pitched for middle school and young adult readers, anyone who appreciates immersive historical tales won’t want to put this book down.
In the bustling port city of Providence in May […]
July 15, 2025
Olly Owl: Fairy Tale Lawyer is a unique short story collection that seems targeted to children or middle grade readers, presenting fairy-tale characters going to court.
The six stories follow Olly Owl, one of the best lawyers in Fairy Tale Land. In each case, he proves his value by getting a fair deal for his […]
July 1, 2025
Two siblings learn the value of caution and not keeping secrets in Cynthia Y. Whited’s picture book.
Mama and Papa Coney decide to move their growing family away from the Coney Colony and build a shelter on the far side of Prayer Mountain. Mama selects a good stone surface for a foundation, and Papa begins […]
May 6, 2025
This entertaining, thoughtful middle-grade book proposes that “a person must treat others with respect” no matter their differences.
Eager to play, a crocodile named Sandbank grabs Sarita, a human villager, and pulls her into the Sillibilli River. While asking him to let her go, Sarita calls him “Mr. Crocodile Person.” Intrigued by that name, and […]
February 18, 2025
A young girl who has blocked out the truth surrounding her mother’s death forms a life-changing friendship that enables her to confront her fears in this nostalgic tale aimed at middle grade readers.
In the winter of 1964 at All Saints School in Springfield, Massachusetts, smart-mouthed sixth grader Montura (Monty) Moriarty bristles when her teacher […]
February 18, 2025
In Jeremy Koehn’s middle grade fantasy, a young coyote is called to lead a dangerous mission and fulfill a prophecy.
In the world of Toaz, Etoah, King of the Sky, has bestowed a thriving land upon its animals, the most powerful being bears, coyotes, and cougars. He has given them “consciousness of good and evil…except […]