We Need Diverse Middle Grade

Welcome to the home page for our series We Need Diverse Middle Grade (WNDMG), where we archive all our WNDMG posts.

Our mission: We celebrate and promote diversity in middle-grade books, and we examine the issues preventing better equity and inclusion on the middle-grade bookshelf. We intend to amplify and honor all diverse voices.

We Need Diverse Middle Grade posts once a month, drawing on work from our own team of contributors as well as from guest authors, editors, agents, teachers, librarians, and booksellers. You can count on our presence here on Mixed-Up Files to shine a light on the stories, work, and truth of all those who are still underrepresented in this field. You’ll be able to recognize our monthly posts by seeing our WNDMG logo: the diverse world we envision. Our artwork is by contributor Aixa Perez-Prado.

Guest Posts for We Need Diverse Middle Grade

If you’re interested in being considered for a guest post slot on WNDMG, please feel free to email: mufcommunications@gmail.com. Please Note: We do not pay for guest blog posts.

Latest from the Blog

  • WNDMG Author Interviews with Jasmine Paulino and Diana Lopez
    WNDMG Author Interviews with Jasmine Paulino and Diana Lopez
    September 10, 2025 by
    Hey, hey, this month we’re celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2025). We wanted to highlight two amazing authors that, if you aren’t already familiar with them, put them on your to-be-read list (now!). Check out the interview with Jasmine Paulino, debut author of The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez, and Los Monstrous author Diana Lopez as we talk books, inspiration, and so much more. Hi Jasminne! Thank you so much for hanging out with us here at the Mixed-Up Files. Congratulations on your debut novel! Let’s get into it! Your debut novel, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez is in verse. How did you know you wanted to tell this story in verse? Do you write a lot of poetry?  I’m a poet first. I write poems when I journal. That said, my story ideas usually start out as poems. Alex’s character development lived in a poetry space. This wasn’t planned. I naturally fell into playing with rhythm and...
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  • WNDMG Wednesday- Author Interview with Marzieh Abbas
    WNDMG Wednesday- Author Interview with Marzieh Abbas
    August 13, 2025 by
    I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Marzieh Abbas. Marzieh is a celebrated award-winning author of so many books- from chapter books to picture books to beautiful board books. I have loved so many of her books, and my kids love them too! And I am so excited to interview her about her debut gorgeous new middle grade novel in verse! Her title is called “Aarzu All Around” which launched from Salaam reads/Simon Kids on July 29, 2025. I love Muslim representation and verse novels, and I cannot wait to read this one! About Aarzu All...
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  • Diverse Middle Grade Reads for Summer Break
    Diverse Middle Grade Reads for Summer Break
    July 9, 2025 by
    Summer’s here! It may be hot outside, but your reader can stay cool and get lost in the pages of an exciting book. Here are some reads that will captivate your middle-graders over the break. Malcolm Lives! The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers  by Ibram X. Kendi As a youth, Malcolm endured violence, loss, hunger, foster care, racism, and being incarcerated. He emerged from it all to make a lasting impact. As a Black Muslim. As a family man. As a revolutionary. Malcolm’s life story shows the promise of every human being. Of you! To trace Malcolm’s childhood and...
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  • four children looking at a book
    WNDMG Interview with Annie McCann, Debut Author of MY HARIMAU KING
    May 14, 2025 by
      DEBUT MG NOVEL for AAPI Heritage Month I had the pleasure of meeting Annie when she reached out to me after reading an ARC for SKYLIGHT, my own MG debut last summer. Over the past year, I’ve had several opportunities to chat with Annie and learn about the amazing writing community she’s created in Western Sydney. The moment I came across her debut announcement, I knew I had to support my fellow Southeast Asian author. As if the stars aligned, I jumped at the chance to interview her for WNDMG! Check out the summary for her book:    ...
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