Fiction

Heists, Hijinks, and Hardboiled Heroes: Misadventures in Middle Grade

By on December 9, 2024   /   Articles, Book Lists, Fiction  

One of the fun things about middle grade books is that they possess the capacity to reflect the adult world on a smaller scale, mimicking and evoking the tropes of other genres without missing a beat. You can have your hardboiled private detectives, your intrepid journalists, your tarnished white knights. You can have your criminal masterminds, menacing henchmen, and slick con artists. The only difference is, they’re tweens and their playground is quite literally the school playground. But all the passions, foibles, dreams and disappointments can be found here … just don’t get caught by the principal!  Read on for a selection of old and new books which expertly capture the dark side of middle school.

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Hardboiled loner Matt Stevens winds up entangled in the dark and dastardly schemes of a middle school crime syndicate, facing off against hitmen armed with water pistols, in this cool, stylish, and snappy callback to classic noir.  Though set firmly in the world of seventh- and eight-grade, this serious plays its tropes and themes seriously, from the wise-cracking, world-weary hero to the ruthless crime lord, from the complicated yet lovely femme fatale to the corrupt authorities. A sequel, The Quick Fix, saw Matt investigating who blackmailed the school basketball star.

High Score by Destiny Howell

Seventh-grade mastermind DJ has called it quits to schemes and cons, doing his best to lay low in a new school. Then his former partner and best friend Conor shows up, and winds up on the wrong side of the school’s criminal kingpin. To cancel out Conor’s debt and save him from becoming a social pariah, DJ has to assemble a new crew and acquire an astronomical amount of arcade tickets. It looks like he’s back in the game after all. Fast-paced, funny, and clever, this middle grade heist is as daring as any Danny Ocean might conceive. Followed by Second To None, in which DJ’s crew deals with a conspiracy aimed at taking down the school’s high achievers and club leaders.

 

The Great Green Heist by Varian Johnson

Another instance of a mastermind being recalled to a life of intrigue and danger, this political thriller sees Jackson Greene, reformed con man, pulling together a team of specialized operatives to swing the school presidential election. There’s nothing quite like the reluctant anti-hero ripped from a peaceful life and torn between friendship and honor. This is followed by To Catch a Cheat, in which Jackson and friends must clear their names after being framed by outwitting a devious blackmailer. “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in,” to quote the Godfather movies…

 

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

Talented baker Laila and her best friend, aspiring journalist Lucy, are excited to participate in the Golden Cookie Competition, especially since winning could determine their future in high school together. Before the final round, they must contend with sabotage, foul play, and the poisoning of one of the judges. In this cozy yet tense mystery, the recipe for success involves friendship, chocolate, and a healthy dose of danger. To be followed in 2025 by Their Just Desserts, another tasty mystery set against a baking competition.

 

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

The Sherlock siblings—Alex and Zoe–, along with their friends Lina and Yadi, set out to form their own detective agency, only to discover it’s not as easy as it seems. Assisted by their grandfather, a retired reporter with a collection of cold cases, the Sherlocks launch a hunt for Al Capone’s lost treasure, only to stumble across more contemporary crimes in need of solving. With this delightfully intelligent, fast-paced tale, Ponti evokes classic juvenile sleuths while giving them a modern day makeover.

 

Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet by Goldy Moldavsky

In this clever mystery coming out next year, would be private detective Maya Mendoza has a nose for intrigue, a knack for getting in trouble, and a reputation for missing the mark. But when someone pulls off the heist of the century by emptying her school’s “Contraband Closet” of all its treasures, Maya has to enlist her estranged best friend and several new allies to solve the case. The clock is ticking and everyone is a suspect in this snappy, suspenseful series opener.

 

And there you go, a selection of hardboiled heroes, reluctantly reformed con men, and amateur investigators, all ready to see justice satisfied one way or another. Now if only they could solve the mystery of where I left the remote…

 

 

 

Back to Top

Finding Light After Loss: 5 MG Books Appreciating What Remains

By on November 21, 2024   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

The sparkling lights and warmth of the holiday season can cast harsh shadows for those dealing with the absence of a loved one, making the holidays a painful rather than joyous time.

Why it matters: Stories that tackle the dim chill of grief with honesty and yet point to connection and hope, can help educators and readers alike navigate the holiday season no matter what they are facing.

Go deeper: In today’s blog we will explore five middle grade titles that embrace what remains after loss, reminding us that there is much to be grateful for even when things are hard.

Read Time: 4 minutes

 

The probability of everything book cover

“The Probability of Everything” by Sarah Everett (2023)

Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter understands the world through probabilities, but nothing could prepare her for Amplus-68, an asteroid with an 84.7% chance of colliding with Earth in four days. As Kemi struggles to make sense of her unraveling world and an unwelcoming new town, she decides to create a time capsule to preserve her family’s truth. Through this journey, Kemi must confront the hardest part of life: learning to say goodbye.

Perfect for: readers who feel like their world is ending (either literally or figuratively) and want help navigating uncertainty and finding meaning during deeply challenging times.

aniana del mar jumps in book cover

“Aniana del Mar Jumps In” by Jasminne Mendez (2023)

Aniana del Mar feels at home in the water, but when a chronic illness forces her to reveal her love of swimming to her overprotective mother, she’s forbidden from returning to the sea. Believing swimming is key to managing her disease, Ani must find her voice and fight for her passion. In the process, she learns to let go of who she once was and embrace the person she’s becoming.

Perfect for: readers experiencing a loss of personal identity or ability and want help feeling resilient and empowered in the face of physical and emotional challenges.

the shape of thunder book cover

“The Shape of Thunder” by Jasmine Warga (2021)

Twelve-year-old Cora and her former best friend Quinn, separated by grief and guilt, reconnect on a mission to undo the tragedy that tore their lives apart. As they attempt to open a wormhole to rewrite the past, they discover that healing may come from mending their friendship instead. Together, they learn that moving forward is sometimes the most powerful way to honor the past.

Perfect for: readers rebuilding a life after loss or community tragedy and want help moving forward and restoring a sense of connection and safety.

hope in the holler book cover

“Hope in the Holler” by Lisa Lewis Tyre (2018)

After her mother’s death, Wavie returns to Conley Hollow, a place her mother wanted to leave behind, and ends up living with a cruel aunt. Despite her challenging circumstances, Wavie finds solace in the Appalachian mountains, her mother’s memory, and new friendships with kindhearted kids her aunt dismisses. With their help and her mother’s words of encouragement, Wavie discovers the courage to uncover a family secret and fight for the good life she deserves.

Perfect for: readers who feel displaced after losing a core family member or home and want help recovering a sense of belonging.

dear mothman book cover
“Dear Mothman” by Robin Gow (2023)

After the loss of his best friend Lewis, Noah, a lonely trans boy, begins writing letters to Mothman, Lewis’s favorite cryptid, seeking understanding. As he delves into the mystery for his science fair project, Noah makes unexpected friends and starts to find his place, even while facing skepticism and prejudice. Determined to honor Lewis’s memory and prove Mothman’s existence, Noah takes a brave journey into the woods, risking everything for a connection that might finally help him heal.

Perfect for: readers who have lost that person who really “gets them” and need help finding the courage to build a new support system and find acceptance.

As we go into the holidays, let’s lead with empathy and remember that not everyone is in a place to feel the “holiday spirit” but with these books, they might just find a spark of hope in the darkness after all.

Until next time, remember: 💔+ 📚 = ❤️‍🩹

Back to Top

Telling Immigrant Stories Through Verse Novels

By on November 18, 2024   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

Did you know that novels in verse have super powers?

  • These stories, told in lyrical narratives, are immersive.
  • They appeal to young readers looking for shorter books.
  • The visual qualities of the text on the page often evoke the meaning of the words.
  • Many novels in verse have won literary awards.

Using blank space, line breaks, shapes and inventive forms, authors give readers x-ray vision straight into the hearts and minds of their characters.

Now, more than ever, is a good time to empathize with immigrant characters.

Novels in verse have a super power. Author use of blank space, line breaks, shapes and inventive forms give readers x-ray vision straight into the heart and mind of their characters.

Check out these recent stories about young immigrants who are faced with typical middle school challenges such as crushes, friendship, fitting in, and bullying while trying to belong in a country where they are not always made to feel welcome. The main characters in these novels also face the difficulties (and joys) of living between two cultures. The lens of lyrical language allows readers to understand and empathize with an immigrant character.

Call Me Adnan by Reem Faruqui

Ping pong is Adnan’s passion. After many exciting matches, he and his family go to Florida for his championship where a tragedy occurs. This story portrays how one boy’s loving Pakistani Muslim family deals with grief.

 

 

 

When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai

In this sequel to the award winning Inside Out and Back Again, Vietnamese-American Ha and her family are moving again – from Texas to Alabama. Ha is determined to make money to help her family out. She shows resilience and humor as she tries to make new friends and is confronted with prejudice.

 

 

 

 

Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jaminne Mendez

Dominican American Aniana is at home in the water, but her mother, whose brother drowned during a hurricane, forbids her to be a part of the swim team. Ani sneaks off to swim practices, with the help of her dad, until she is prevented by her stiff swollen joints. Mendez’s poems describe Ani’s journey with her chronic illness and the growing understanding of her family.

 

 

 

 

 

I Am Kavi by Thushanthi Ponweera

Kavi worked hard for the scholarship that takes her out of her poverty stricken village and into  a fancy school in the city. It’s 1998 and this young Sri Lankan girl is affected by the country’s Civil War. She’s also at war within herself trying to fit in at her school, decide between right and wrong and discover where she belongs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respico

Moving from the Philippines to California isn’t easy for Isabel. She has to make new friends in a new country and she has to get to know her mother all over again since they have lived separately for years. Her grandmother and her green thumb come to the rescue. The special garden project creates builds a community where she belongs.

 

 

 

 

Kareem in Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi.

The story of how Kareem, a football-loving Syrian American stuck between two cultures, is riveting and poetic. This boy is desperate to make the team and new friends. When the QB makes a proposition, Kareem has to decide between right and

wrong. His family problems revolve around trying to get his very ill grandfather out of Syria during the 2017 Muslim Ban.

 

 

You also won’t want to miss these award winning novels in verse, written prior to 2023.

Red White and Whole by Rajani La Rocca

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhan Lai

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga.

 

Jen Kraar grew up chasing lizards in India, making up stories about the residents of the spirit houses in Thailand, and riding retired racehorses in Singapore. Jen explores themes of finding home in the middle grade novels and picture books she writes. As a manager at Pittsburgh’s beloved City of Asylum Bookstore, she builds a diverse collection of books and talks about kid lit with customers young and old.

Back to Top