Book Lists!

For a short month, February is overflowing with brand new middle grade books. Have a look and let us know which of our Middle Grade New Releases you’re looking forward to reading.     Serendipity by Gabbie Benda Serendipity is the luckiest kid in the world. But what happens when the luckiest kid in the world becomes extraordinarily unlucky, in this debut graphic novel. Serendipity is your classic overachiever. She’s class president, lead in the school play, and star of the basketball team. She’s also incredibly lucky, like, wins everything all the time lucky, even random radio raffles. Which is how she finds herself with free tickets to the town carnival where an accident curses her with bad luck FOREVER. And just like that Serendipity’s luck really does seem to run out. Missed shots, fumbled lines, and a slip in the polls. Can it get any worse? Oh yes it can. Permanent bad hair days. Serendipity becomes convinced the curse...

As a ten year old, I spent half my time wanting to change the world and the other half wanting to hide from it. My grandmother marched for Civil Rights in the South. When my mother took me to a demonstration in New York City, I thought more about my...

Why Science Feels Easier When it Lives Inside a Story Children are natural storytellers. They remember the hero’s journey, the twist at the climax, and the friendships forged along the way. Embedding scientific concepts inside a compelling narrative taps into that innate love of story and offers several learning advantages:...

  Happy 2026 Mixed-Up Files readers! We have some exciting new middle-grade books coming out this January. Here are just a few on them!   Gumshoe by Brenna Thummler In the hot, gossipy town of Stony Lonesome, shy eleven-year old Willa interacts with others the only way that feels right...

Growing up, my parents always made this time of year special with festive lights, delicious food, and beloved family rituals. As an adult, I always enjoyed recreating that joy with my own family during the winter.  Unfortunately, life isn’t always predictable and this year I find myself navigating divorce with...

As a kid, I loved reading historical fiction. In my day, most of these stories centered on Europe and a war. I felt transported to other times and places, and was introduced to characters my age confronting challenges of survival. I enjoyed connecting with kids from the past who, with...

Raise your hand if you grew up learning the scientific method. Me too. In fact, for thousands of years, all the way back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), the scientific method has been the way science is done. And it still is. Sort of. When the Next...