Posts Tagged MG summer books

Thinking Outside the Box

By on July 8, 2026   /   Book Lists, WNDMG  

Thinking Outside the Box:

WNDMG Summer 2026 Recommendations

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Summer is the perfect time to unwind and relax. This is true for parents, children, teachers, and students alike! So while we rest our minds, it’s best to try thinking outside the box and finding time to discover some unconventional and lighthearted reads. What am I referring to, you ask? Graphic novels!

This summertime post is dedicated to graphic novels, illustrated chapter books, anthologies, online magazines, and all things unexpected. The push for more illustrated middle grade reads and graphic novels is an excellent way to get our kids reading and falling in love with the stories they discover. Check out this list of upcoming (or recently released) stories! 

Descriptions are pulled directly from the books, so you’ll see why these stories will automatically draw you in.

 

InbetweensInbetween by Faith Erin Hicks

Faith Erin Hicks. First Second, Released Mar. 31

($22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-83875-9)

A new tween graphic novel by bestselling author Faith Erin Hicks. Perfect for fans of Sweet Valley Twins and Ride On!

Twin sisters Ash and Sloane are headed to animation camp―where their courage, drive, and sisterly bond will be put to the test!

Twin sisters Sloane and Ash are two peas in a pod, and they do everything together: watch movies, attend classes, and most importantly, draw! So when the summer animation classes of their dreams are about to start, they can barely contain their excitement!

Well…Ash is excited but Sloane is surprised to find she isn’t as jubilant about it, which makes no sense, since she loves art. Meanwhile, Ash discovers that just because you love something, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be good at it, and she struggles under the weight of her own expectations and those of her teacher’s. Soon, the trials of challenging classwork and new friendships drive a wedge between the twins. Can their bond survive the summer? 

 

Kingdom Unraveled by Mariana DeMercurio

Kingdom Unraveled: A Closely Knit Graphic Adventure

Mariana DiMercurio. Andrews McMeel, Coming July 28

($22.99, ISBN 978-1-5248-9888-5)

One unlikely champion. One quest to save the kingdom. Two knitting needles.

For lovers of Amulet comes a new full-color graphic novel for kids with an unlikely hero. Jo’s life is changed forever when she is made the new Champion—the person tasked with saving the Kingdom from the insidious evil that’s mysteriously taking over. She’ll have to tap into her own bravery and wisdom and start on a quest through the kingdom unlike any other!

Jo is a 70-year-old woman who lives a quiet life in her village, with just her knitting needles and nature to keep her company. But when a mystical guardian knocks on her door one day, Jo is tasked as the new Champion. With help from her snarky friend Roy—whose goals seem to suspiciously align perfectly with hers—she’ll have to do what no other champion has been able to save the Kingdom (and her family) from certain demise.

Featuring the exclusive, never-before-published ending to the popular online story, Kingdom Unraveled is an original graphic novel packed with humor and heart! 

 

SuperpunkSuper punk by Mirtes Santana and Guilherme Petreca

Mirtes Santana and Guilherme Petreca. Oni, Released May 5

($14.99 trade paper, ISBN 979-8-89488-076-1)

Meet Violeta! Violeta is a thirteen-year-old skateboarder and podcaster. But most importantly? She’s a PUNK! Oh, and a superhero, too. Superhero + punk = SUPERPUNK. That’s Violeta!

After discovering her grandfather’s old cassette player, Violeta decides to play a cassette tape backward. (Why? It’s pure punk rebellion, duh!) What she didn’t know was this rebellious act would grant her magical powers! Aaaaand . . . unleash monsters. A LOT of them. Violeta will need to use all her new superpowers to protect her home of Hollow Hills from the strange creatures and send them back to wherever they came from. Luckily, she’s joined by Alan, Violeta’s faithful sidekick and fellow podcaster. Together, they’ll have to find a way to put these monsters back in their place. But between homework, podcasting, and skateboarding, Violeta has a tough time managing it all. When a horde of monsters descend on her school, will this superpunk be able to save the day?

Multi-award-winning comic book artist Guilherme Petreca and TV writer Mirtes Santana bring you Superpunk, a radical adventure story about the need to rebel and act out to protect the people and things you love!

 

Hand Me Down by Damian AlexanderHand-Me-Down

Damian Alexander, First Second, Coming July 28

($22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-86020-0)

From the author of the highly praised debut Other Boys comes a moving graphic memoir about the love we pass down across generations. Perfect for fans of Hey, Kiddo and Flamer.

Damian’s mother died when he was a baby, and he has lived with his grandma ever since. Now, all he has left of his mother are old photos and the stories Nanny shares with him. Nanny has a lot of stories, some about his mom and some about her own childhood growing up in foster care.

When Damian feels lonely, he imagines what life was like when his mother and grandmother were middle schoolers like him. Through memories, stories, and daydreams, he feels closer to the mother he lost and begins to see the mother he found.

 

Journey to Tomioka Journey to Tomioka by Laurent Galandon

by Laurent Galandon and Michaël Crouzat, trans. by Anne and Owen Smith

First Second, Released June 9 ($19.99, ISBN 978-1-250-40671-2)

For fans of This Was Our Pact and Hayao Miyazaki films comes a breathtaking graphic novel about siblings who risk everything to return their grandmother’s ashes to her home inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone.

Osamu hasn’t been the same since that day. When the tsunami hit Fukushima prefecture, it killed his parents, destroyed his home, and triggered one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. Now, all Osamu has left is his grandmother, Bā-chan, and his big sister, Akiko. As he withdraws into his own world, he befriends friends yōkai―spirits only he can see.

Then, tragedy strikes again, and Bā-chan dies. Osamu and Akiko are determined to return her ashes to their family farm in Tomioka, a town within Fukushima’s forbidden zone. There, the siblings will face dangerous radiation and yōkai, both friendly and deadly―but they’re willing to risk it all to make it home.

 

A Fishboy Named ... Sashimi by Dan Santat A Fishboy Named Sashimi 

Dan Santat, Roaring Brook Press, Released Apr. 14

($14.99 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-250-35999-5)

“From the mega-talented Dan Santat comes a hilarious and beautifully illustrated tale of friendship, adventure and mystery. Sashimi is FRESH!!!” -Dav Pilkey, creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants

He’s funny. He’s (too) friendly. He’s… a fishboy named SASHIMI!

A new, graphic novel series from bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat.

In the town of Barnacle Bay, a creature lurks. He’s come from the ocean, in search of others like him.

To fit in with humans, Sashimi sneaks into an elementary school and pretends to be a student. But he’s clearly a fish out of water!

When Sashimi finds out the whole town is on the hunt for the Beast of Barnacle Bay—a creature who sounds a lot like Sashimi—hijinks ensue! Fortunately, with the help of a new friend and the class goldfish, Sashimi figures out a way to stay afloat.

Perfect for fans of Bad Guys, Sharkdog, and The Investigator series!

 

Bonus Recommendation

Lit Kids Magazine

If reading stories isn’t your kid’s cup of tea this summer, maybe creating their own is more their speed! If so, have them try their hand at submitting work to Lit Kids Magazine – an online publication featuring creative works made by kids for kids! Lit Kids Magazine publishes four issues per year with rotating themes. The call is open for children ages 5 – 13 to submit their stories, poetry, artwork, and even photography. If you’ve got a creative youngster in your midst, nudge them to share their work and get published! Their next deadlines for submissions is August 7 and the search is on for your spooky stories!  

 

With so many unique finds, your summer reading list just grew a little bit longer. Which recommendation piques your interest the most? Share your graphic novel recs below or let us know which one you’ll be picking up today.

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5 Middle Grade Books About That Summer When Everything Changes

By on June 24, 2026   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

Summer can be an exciting season, inviting more time with friends and family, campouts under the stars, or fun-filled travel plans. However, the break in predictable school-centered schedules can also invite big changes! For me growing up, summers often meant relocation and new schools, for others it can bring big shifts in friendships or new family dynamics. Follow the kids in these five middle grade novels, as they navigate tricky summers when everything for them changes.

Why it matters: Low key, vacation-centric summers are pleasant, but some kids face a different kind of “heat” during their break from school. These stories may help a challenging summer feel less isolating. 

Go Deeper: For readers seeking emotionally touching summer reads that won’t fade like tan lines, these five middle grade novels are bound to stick.

Read Time: 4 Minutes

five young people paddle away from shore on different water crafts on the cover of the firefly summer.

“The Firefly Summer” (2023) by Morgan Matson

Summary:
Ryanna spends the summer with her mother’s estranged family in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she meets relatives she barely knows and begins uncovering family secrets. What starts as an unfamiliar summer becomes a journey of discovering where she belongs and what family really means.

Perfect for: readers navigating family changes, blended families, and searching for belonging.

a young person approaches a victorian house surrounded by flowers and fireflies with a ferris wheel in the distance on the cover of ferris.

“Ferris” (2024) by Kate DiCamillo

Summary:
Ferris Wilkey’s summer is turned upside down when her grandmother claims to see a ghost, her family is dealing with personal struggles, and everything feels slightly out of control. Through the chaos, Ferris learns more about her family, herself, and the complicated emotions that come with growing up.

Perfect for: readers looking for a funny, heartfelt story about family and change.

a young girl holds a lighthouse at night on the cover of ruptured.

“Ruptured” (2023) by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

Summary:
During a summer vacation in Florida, Claire’s family is shaken when her mother experiences a medical emergency that changes the entire trip. Claire has to navigate fear, uncertainty, and the reality that sometimes one moment can change everything.

Perfect for: readers navigating a family crisis or searching for resilience, and lovers of novels in verse or deeply emotional stories.

a large group of chinese summer camp goers create a human tower on the cover of summer at squee.

“Summer at Squee” (2024) by Andrea Wang

Summary:
Phoenny Fang returns to Squee, a Chinese cultural summer camp, expecting another perfect summer with her friends, but things quickly change when friendships shift and new challenges emerge. As she navigates camp life, identity, and expectations, Phoenny learns that growing up means adapting to change.

Perfect for: readers experiencing friendship changes, identity questions, or who love a good summer camp adventure.

three girls of color sit on a picnic table braiding each others hair on the cover of the braid girls.

“The Braid Girls” (2023) by Sherri Winston

Summary:
Best friends Maggie and Lena spend the summer building a braiding business while balancing friendship, family expectations, and their dreams for the future. As their business grows, they learn that growing up means figuring out who you are and what kind of friend you want to be.

Perfect for: readers who enjoy friendship-focused stories, have an eye for creativity, or want to see characters exploring entrepreneurship.

In Closing:

When summer brings unexpected challenges or new beginnings, these five stories remind readers that not only can change be the start of something meaningful, but they are certainly not alone.

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

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Cozy Middle Grade Summer Reads

By on June 27, 2025   /   Book Lists  

Summer is the best time to find that perfect spot of shade under a large tree, or snuggle up with a comfy blanket on your favorite chair and read a good book. If you’re looking for something extra cozy to read this summer, here are a few cozy middle grade reads published in the last few years that will warm your heart.

 

A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn
A middle grade novel in which time travel, family recipes, and family secrets collide.

There’s something almost magical about the way Maya’s grandmother cooks–and although Halmunee may be losing her memory, she always knows how to make the most delicious gimbap. Maya doesn’t remember her family’s old life in Korea, but she learns new recipes and stories when they cook together–stories that Maya’s mom would prefer stayed in the past, especially if they involve Maya’s father.

One summer day, as Maya and Halmunee are making patbingsu, something unbelievable happens: a single delicious bite transports Maya and Halmunee back in time, into the memory itself. Halmunee explains that their family has the ability to time travel through food–and Maya can do it too, if she practices.

As she eats her way through the past, Maya tries to unravel the mystery of what life was like in Korea, and what really happened to her dad. She learns that time moves in ways she couldn’t imagine . . . and that sometimes, families keep secrets to protect the ones they love.

 

 

Just Gus by McCall Hoyle
A boy and his dog learn that they are better together.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

 

 

Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis
When her unconventional parents finally agree to settle down in one place, twelve-year-old Cayenne’s dreams come true—but the reality of fitting in is much harder than she imagined. Acclaimed author Jessica Vitalis crafts an unforgettable historical novel-in-verse about belonging, family, and social class for fans of Lisa Fipps’s Starfish and Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home.

Cayenne and her family drift from place to place, living in their van. It hasn’t been a bad life—Cayenne and her mother birdwatch in every new location, they have a cozy setup in the van, and they sing and dance and bond over campfires most nights. But they’ve never belonged anywhere.As Cayenne enters seventh grade, her parents decide to settle down in a small Montana town. Cayenne hopes that this means she will finally fit in and make some friends. But it turns out that staying in one place isn’t easy.

As her social studies class studies the Titanic tragedy (the wreckage has just been discovered and her teacher is obsessed), Cayenne sees more and more parallels between the social strata of the infamous ship and her own life. Will she ever squeeze her way into the popular girls’ clique, even though they live in fancy houses on the hill, and she lives in a tiny, rundown home with chickens in the front yard? Is it possible that the rich boy she likes actually likes her back? Can she find a way to make room for herself in this town? Does she really want to? Maybe being “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Unsinkable Cayenne is a character-driven novel-in-verse about family, friendship, first crushes, and fitting in.

 

 

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, Niña Mata (Illustrator)
Ryan Hart loves to spend time with her friends, loves to invent recipes, and has a lot on her mind—school, self-image, and family. Her dad finally has a new job, but money is tight. That means changes like selling their second car and moving into a new (old) house.

But Ryan is a girl who knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks. Because Ryan is all about trying to see the best. Even when things aren’t all she would wish for—her brother is infuriating, her parents don’t understand, when her recipes don’t turn out right, and when the unexpected occurs—she can find a way forward, with wit and plenty of sunshine.

 

 

 

 

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
A Heartfelt and Humorous Middle-Grade Coming-of-Age Novel About Family, Ghosts, and Growing Up
It’s the summer before fifth grade, and for Ferris Wilkey, it is a summer of sheer pandemonium: Her little sister, Pinky, has vowed to become an outlaw. Uncle Ted has left Aunt Shirley and, to Ferris’s mother’s chagrin, is holed up in the Wilkey basement to paint a history of the world. And Charisse, Ferris’s grandmother, has started seeing a ghost at the threshold of her room, which seems like an alarming omen given that she is also feeling unwell.

But the ghost is not there to usher Charisse to the Great Beyond. Rather, she has other plans—wild, impractical, illuminating plans. How can Ferris satisfy a specter with Pinky terrorizing the town, Uncle Ted sending Ferris to spy on her aunt, and her father battling an invasion of raccoons?

As Charisse likes to say, “Every good story is a love story.”

 

 

The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson (Coming this July)
When English thirteen-year-old Rosemary is evacuated to her grandmother in America at the start of World War II, she uncovers the family secret—they are Anishinaabe and passing as white.

Life in England is all Rosemary has ever known. . . but as WWII changes the world, no one’s life is left unscathed. Suddenly, she’s sent away to escape the devastation of London. Her grandmother’s house on Lake Superior is safe, but unfamiliar, especially as she discovers her parents have kept a tremendous secret.

Rosemary and her family are Anishinaabe—and no one is supposed to know.

Far from home but newly connected to a once-hidden part of her family, Rosemary develops a warm, close relationship with her grandmother… and a local boy whose love of gardening helps her to see the beauty in her unexpected circumstances. As Rosemary grows into her new life like a flower in bloom, she realizes that maybe she’s not as far from home as she thought.

Tender, sophisticated, and sweet, this is a beautiful story about memory, family, and identity. Rising Ojibwe author Anna Rose Johnson addresses the trauma of World War II and the legacies of hidden indigeneity alongside coming-of-age milestones like first crushes, new schools, and beginning to imagine the life you want.

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