Category: four stars

Save The People by Stacy McAnulty || Nonfiction For The Dystopian At Heart

Save The People by Stacy McAnulty || Nonfiction For The Dystopian At Heart

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Nonfiction     Humor     Perfect for readers who want: A deeper look into potentially catastrophic disasters A tongue-in-cheek recount of some of the biggest natural disasters in history Various ways that humans could be doomed, usually in the not-so-near future Lots of delicious, geeky, nerdy science goodness […]

Duet by Elise Broach || A Bird’s Eye View of Chopin

Duet by Elise Broach || A Bird’s Eye View of Chopin

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Mystery     Music     Animal Protagonist     Perfect for readers who want: Heartwarming contemporary about following your passion Middle grade book about music and music history Animal point of view Very engaging narration style Low-key music-themed mystery Many thanks to Christy Ottaviano Books […]

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon || Rick Riordan Meets Korean Spy Kids

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon || Rick Riordan Meets Korean Spy Kids

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Mythology     Adventure     Heist     Diversity     Korean     Family Bonds     Character Death     Perfect for readers who want: Diverse adventures with lots of danger and action Books like Percy Jackson Action adventure meets heist plot meets […]

Dragon Realm Series by Katie and Kevin Tsang || Dragons, Daring, and Dystopia

Dragon Realm Series by Katie and Kevin Tsang || Dragons, Daring, and Dystopia

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Portal Fantasy     Diversity     Chinese     Dragons     Squad Vibes     Death     Slavery     Perfect for readers who want: Hi-lo books (content well-suited for more mature readers with easy text for struggling readers) DRAGONS! (And honestly, who […]

The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams || Heartwarming Tale of History and Family

The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams || Heartwarming Tale of History and Family

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Historical     Time Travel     Diversity     Jewish     Muslim     Family Bonds     Perfect for readers who want: To experience other cultures and religions, like Islam and Judaism. A close-knit family who works together and stands up for each […]

Once Upon Another Time by James Riley || Twisted Fairy Tales Reimagined With New Life

Once Upon Another Time by James Riley || Twisted Fairy Tales Reimagined With New Life

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Fairy Tale     Retelling     Squad Vibes     Prejudice     Perfect for readers who want: Twisted fairy tales with a unique, new take on classics Lots of humor and sarcasm Coming of age and growth arcs Unexpected twists on old tropes that’ll […]

Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass || Empathy-Building MG Featuring An Autistic Protagonist

Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass || Empathy-Building MG Featuring An Autistic Protagonist

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Diversity     LGBTQ+     Nonbinary     Neurodivergent     Autism     Jewish     Spanish     Catalan     Squad Vibes     Perfect for readers who want: Books that will help build empathy and understanding in readers. Protagonists with autism. […]

Stars and Bones by Gareth L. Powell || Fast-Paced, Twisty Space Opera

Stars and Bones by Gareth L. Powell || Fast-Paced, Twisty Space Opera

Content Tags: Adult     Science Fiction     Space Opera     Squad Vibes     LGBTQ+     F/F Romance     Aliens     Graphic Gore     Character Death     Perfect for readers who want: F/F will they, won’t they, slow burn romance. Space opera murder mystery featuring aaaaall the […]

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan || Mexico, Monarchs, and the Monarchy

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan || Mexico, Monarchs, and the Monarchy

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Historical     Fantasy     Magical Realism     Diversity     Mexican     Sibling Bonds     Gender Roles     Perfect for readers who want: Charm and magical realism similar to Encanto. A story infused with Mexican culture. A theme of protecting the environment and […]

The Boy Who Met a Whale by Nizrana Farook || MG Adventure Set in Sri Lanka

The Boy Who Met a Whale by Nizrana Farook || MG Adventure Set in Sri Lanka

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Realistic Fiction     Adventure     Diversity     Sri Lanka     Grief/Loss     Character Death (Offscreen)     Perfect for readers who want: Books set in unique locals (like Sri Lanka!). Fast-paced adventures with lots of action. A protagonist dealing with PTSD and grief. Animals, […]