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

  • Round up of Black-authored MG titles in honor of Juneteenth
    Round up of Black-authored MG titles in honor of Juneteenth
    June 19, 2024 by
    Juneteenth is upon us, and in honor of this day, we are recommending some beautiful Black-authored MG titles to read. June 19th marks a Federal day of Independence in American history, an important day commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. And what better way to celebrate this day than to educate children about history, inform them of the importance of striving for freedom and justice, and recognize the harm that was perpetuated on African Americans, both during slavery, and afterwards, through Jim Crow laws and years of systemic racism (that impacts Black Americans to this day). The following books would make perfect additions to classrooms and libraries, as well as informative and important summer reads. Check them out, get them at your library, make an order- each title is linked below! FREEWATER by Amina Luqman-Dawson: (this one is one of my favorite reads ever) Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author...
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  • Ultraviolet cover with a young Latina boy in technicolor
    WNDMG Wednesday: Author Interview with Aida Salazar
    April 10, 2024 by
    WNDMG Wednesday: Author Interview with Aida Salazar Welcome to WNDGM Wednesday. I’m so excited to be able to introduce you and interview accomplished award-winning author Aida Salazar today. Aida’s newest book is Ultraviolet (Scholastic) and it launches on April 2, 2024. I absolutely love anything Aida writes. I am specifically a huge fan of her verse novels- A SEED IN THE SUN and LAND OF THE CRANES made me feel so much emotion while reading, and I hung onto every word of gorgeous poetry. I cannot wait to dive into this new book! I encourage everyone to buy a copy...
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  • ANY WAY YOU LOOK cover
    WNDMG Wednesday: Author Interview with Maleeha Siddiqui
    February 14, 2024 by
    WNDMG Wednesday: Author Interview with Maleeha Siddiqui I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to accomplished middle grade author Maleeha Siddiqui today. Maleeha’s newest book is ANY WAY YOU LOOK (Scholastic) and it launches on May 7, 2024. This book is a must have and a wonderful read, as I had the pleasure of reading an ARC, and Maleeha’s other novels are also favorites. Maleeha has a beautiful way of writing that is full of emotion and heart and craft! Everyone should buy a copy for themselves and their classrooms and libraries. Cover creds: Cover illustration: Sara Alfageeh...
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  • Coretta Scott King Awards bronze seal
    The Coretta Scott King Book Awards: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King
    January 14, 2024 by
    As we celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it’s a great time to recognize the value of authors and illustrators who continue to carry his message into the world. This is the goal of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards. According to the American Library Association (ALA), these awards are presented annually to African American authors and illustrators whose books for children and young adults “demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.”  About the Award The Coretta Scott King Book Award was established in 1969 by Mabel McKissick and Glyndon Greer...
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