Book Lists!

Author/Illustrator Steve Jenkins’ recent and sudden death surprised and saddened fans of his informative, engaging books about animals and the natural world Now is a good time to celebrate and enjoy the many books we have by him (they never go out of print) and to share them with young readers. I’ll speak of Steve here in the present tense, because he is still very much alive in his books, and there are more to come! Steve Jenkins’ career and  books combine in marvelous ways his life-long love and understanding of science, of art, and of children, how they think and wonder. He’s never lost his playfulness or his own childhood curiosity about the natural world. His book ideas often begin with an irresistible question that kids (including his own) have asked.  Or one that he has asked himself. How do different animals see? What do animals do on their first day? What animals are the stinkiest? What are tails...

Hello Mixed-Up Filers! Today, I’m pleased to welcome Diane Telgen, Jay Whistler, Jenn Bailey, and Jules Heller to Mixed-Up Files. These authors share their experience of writing work-for-hire spooky stories for the middle grade audience. Welcome to Mixed-Up Files, Diane, Jay, Jenn, and Jules!      Suma:  Could you tell...

WE MADE IT!! This past year was a tough one for many, but 2022 is wide open for hopeful days ahead and, of course, more books to keep us laughing and feeling, take us into the minds of different characters, and transport us to fascinating places and times. And there...

Need a last-minute gift idea for a middle grade bookworm? Or maybe you’re a teacher, librarian, or homeschooling parent on the lookout for some fresh literature lists or features for the new year? Consider pairing together a retelling, sequel, or inspired tale with the title that preceded it. Reading paired...

To wrap up 2021, I asked the rest of the contributors at MUF what they enjoyed reading the most this year, whether they found a new title or rediscovered a favorite middle-grade book from years past. Here’s what they said: “My un-put-downable middle-grade read this year was THE GREAT WIDE...

Today, author Daphne Benedis-Grab chats about her latest middle-grade novel, I KNOW YOUR SECRET—out from Scholastic tomorrow, December 7–and shares her writing secrets. She also tells us all about her role as a public-school librarian (spoiler alert: she loves it) AND and there’s a chance to win a copy of...

It’s the time of the year to be grateful. Grateful for what we have in life. Grateful for communities like From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors. Grateful even though life sometimes throws us curveballs.  Life does throw us curveballs. Sometimes we hit the ball, most of the time we miss....