Category: mid-grade

Last Gate of the Emperor #1 & 2 by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen || Hilarious, Action-Packed MG Sci-Fi

Last Gate of the Emperor #1 & 2 by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen || Hilarious, Action-Packed MG Sci-Fi

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Science Fiction     Adventure     Humor     Diversity     Black     Found Family     Squad Vibes     Perfect for readers who want: Fast-paced action and adventure set in space. Hilarious commentary and a sarcastic narrator. Super relatable 12-year-old that enjoys gaming. Very […]

Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann || Superhero Magic and Coming of Age

Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann || Superhero Magic and Coming of Age

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Magical Realism     Coming of Age     Diversity     Black     Hispanic     Disability Rep     Chronic Illness     Ménière’s Disease     Perfect for readers who want: Magical trains A diverse trio of protagonists learning to be friends […]

Next Door to Happy by Allison Weiser Strout || Featuring Friendship and Family Bonds

Next Door to Happy by Allison Weiser Strout || Featuring Friendship and Family Bonds

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Realistic     Neurodivergent     Sibling Bonds     Perfect for readers who want: Lots of emotion and feels Coming-of-age about acceptance and finding your place Friendship bonds Neurodiverse characters Super cute sibling vibes Slice-of-life contemporary story Many thanks to Margaret Ferguson Books and Rockstar […]

Egypt’s Fire by Tom Phillips || Diverse, Hilarious Action-Packed Mystery

Egypt’s Fire by Tom Phillips || Diverse, Hilarious Action-Packed Mystery

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Humor     Mystery     Action     Diversity     Black     Found Family     Perfect for readers who want: Fast-paced action adventure Character modeled after Sherlock Holmes, but for a middle grade audience Funny scenes with larger-than-life characters A crime-solving duo that will absolutely […]

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin || Heartwarming Story About Doing What’s Right

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin || Heartwarming Story About Doing What’s Right

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Contemporary     Realistic     Neurodivergent     ADHD     Friendship Bonds     Family Bonds     Perfect for readers who want: Realistic fiction about friendship and family A protagonist with ADHD learning coping mechanisms Heartwarming discussions about what it really means to be a friend […]

Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras || Adventure Fantasy With An Unforgettable Squad

Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras || Adventure Fantasy With An Unforgettable Squad

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Adventure     Fantasy     Diversity     Squad Vibes     Character Death     Perfect for readers who want: Diverse characters working together as a team to save the world Dark shadow creatures that need to be defeated An interesting (and dangerous) mystery that needs to […]

Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings by Leah Cupps || Mayan-Centered Mystery

Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings by Leah Cupps || Mayan-Centered Mystery

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Adventure     Mystery     Mythology     Diversity     Guatemalan     Mayan     Perfect for readers who want: Easy chapter book, perfect for reluctant or struggling readers Simple, easy-to-follow plot with an interesting mystery Lots of focus on Mayan culture (Though . . . […]

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu || Black Girl Magic Saves The Day

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu || Black Girl Magic Saves The Day

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Urban Fantasy     Adventure     Coming of Age     Diversity     Black     Nigeria     Superpowers     Perfect for readers who want: Magical fast-paced adventure Black girl magic Boarding school for gifted children Superpowers! Alternate Nigeria as a setting […]

The Last Fallen Moon by Graci Kim || Portal Fantasy With Korean Mythology

The Last Fallen Moon by Graci Kim || Portal Fantasy With Korean Mythology

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Fantasy     Portal Fantasy     Adventure     Mythology     Family Bonds     LGBTQ+     M/M Relationship     Diversity     Korean     Perfect for readers who want: Portal fantasy into an afterlife type world Lots of Korean mythology and culture Super […]

Steve L McEvil by Lucas Turnbloom || Villain-Driven Graphic Novel

Steve L McEvil by Lucas Turnbloom || Villain-Driven Graphic Novel

Content Tags: Middle Grade     Graphic Novels     Humor     Superpowers     Villains     Perfect for readers who want: Colorful, engaging graphic novels Funny supervillains along the lines of Captain Underpants A super relatable protagonist just trying to do what’s wrong, like his family demands Lots of humor A quick, […]