Middle Grades
*The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
By Hayley Morell |
An intriguing, code-breaking adventure introduces young teens to the work at Bletchley Park. *The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. Viking, 2024. 400 ...
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Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World by Roma Agrawal
By Janie Cheaney |
These “Seven Small Inventions” are often overlooked, but where would we be without them? Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World by Roma Agrawal, illustrated ...
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Close Up & Far Out by Mary Auld
By Janie Cheaney |
Close Up & Far Out demonstrates how two 17th-century scientists opened windows on the very large and the very small. Close Up & Far Out: ...
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Newbery Roundup #2: Plain Jane, Wrong Way Home, and First State of Being
By Janie Cheaney |
Our second roundup of Newbery-buzzing books includes a graphic-novel fairy tale, an escape narrative, and a time-travel adventure. Plain Jane and the Mermaid mixes fairy-tale ...
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Newbery Buzz #2: One Big Open Sky
By Janie Cheaney |
Today Betsy, Janie, and Hayley discuss a verse novel we all loved. (See our starred review.) Janie: When we picture wagon trains moving west, we ...
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Newbery Buzz #1: Olivetti
By Janie Cheaney |
Here we go again: when ALA Award season approaches, we can’t help speculating about which high-profile children’s books will snatch the coveted Newbery medal. Sometimes ...
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Swimming with Spies by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
By Janie Cheaney |
Swimming with Spies is an animal rescue story that provides valuable background to the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Swimming with Spies by Chystyna Lucyk-Berger. Scholastic, 2024, 267 ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: Hank Hooperman, Louder Than Hunger, and The Enigma Girls
By Janie Cheaney |
It's time to start buzzing about Newbery contenders! We'll do our share in the following weeks, but the various ALA award committees have been buzzing ...
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Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen
By Janie Cheaney |
Quagmire Tiarello is the appropriately-named hero of this story of a young man with a difficult mother. Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen. ...
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National Book Award Winner: Kareem Between
By Janie Cheaney |
Kareem Between is a sympathetic portrait of a 7th-grader born to Syrian refugees, who can’t feel himself fully American or fully Syrian. Kareem Between by ...
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Jolabokaflod for Megan’s family in 2024
By Megan Saben |
Choosing Jolabokaflod titles for my family every year is a pleasant challenge. What would interest each member that we don't already have in our collection? ...
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Fun Middle-Grade Reads for Winter Break: Library Girl, The Long Way Around, and We Do Not Welcome Our 10-Year-Old Overlord
By Janie Cheaney |
Library Girl is the whimsical story of a girl finding a home while her adoring caretakers find true love. Library Girl by Polly Horvath. Holiday ...
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Lost in the Empire City by Avi
By Janie Cheaney |
Lost in the Empire City takes readers to 19th century New York, where a young immigrant from Italy attempts to find his way. Lost in ...
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Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
By Janie Cheaney |
Amazing Asia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the geography, basic history, ethnicities and cultures of the world’s largest and most varied continent. Amazing ...
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*Mishka by Edward van de Vendel
By Janie Cheaney |
Mishka is the gentle, heartwarming story of refugees and rabbits finding home. *Miskha by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated by Annet Schaap ...
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Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building by Ed Stackley, et al
By Janie Cheaney |
Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building features practical instructions to building 25 impractical machines. Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines that Really ...
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Glad and Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester
By Betsy Farquhar |
Glad and Golden Hours is a lovely companion to Christ-centered Christmas celebrations, both in anticipation of Christmas Day and during the 12 days following. Glad ...
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I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Part of the popular I Survived Series, I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 is a lively introduction to what the Revolutionary War might have been ...
Read More *The Biggest Story Family Devotional by Kevin DeYoung
By Janie Cheaney |
The Biggest Story Family Devotional expands on The Biggest Story Bible Storybook to offer a practical and flexible devotional guide. *The Biggest Story Family Devotional ...
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Fun with Math: Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes, The Pigpen Problem, and Our World: By the Numbers
By Janie Cheaney |
Sir Cumference returns, Goat and Sheep solve a math problem, and Steve Jenkins crunches the numbers. Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes follows our hero through another ...
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Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Toni Buzzeo
By Janie Cheaney |
In Light Comes to Shadow Mountain, a young girl is determined to bring electricity to her Kentucky home through the Rural Electrification Project. Light Comes ...
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Spiders: A Book List for Young Arachnophiles
By Megan Saben |
A few weeks ago I was trying to address the cobwebs on the walls and corners above my desk (possibly some procrasti-cleaning due to a ...
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Beyond Infinity by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
By Janie Cheaney |
Beyond Infinity examines the technology that went into building the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as what it has discovered since its launch. Beyond ...
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*Little Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Joe Sutphin
By Megan Saben |
A classic Christmas story of an old sinner who finds redemption through visits from four spirits who convict him of his worldly wretchedness. Little Christmas ...
Read More A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky by John A. Read
By Janie Cheaney |
A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky provides young stargazers with a handy and accessible primer. A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky: Simple Ways ...
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Frindle and The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Frindle Files brings Nicholas Allen, from Frindle fame, back into the limelight in this lively follow-up for middle grade readers. Frindle by Andrew Clements. ...
Read More *One Long Line by Loree Griffin Burns
By Janie Cheaney |
One Long Line illustrates the scientific method through the simple observance of one species of caterpillars. *One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who ...
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You’re the Boss by Brian Weisfeld and Bonnie Bader
By Janie Cheaney |
You’re the Boss is a quick but comprehensive guide to for entrepreneurial kids interested in starting a business. You’re the Boss: A Kid’s Ultimate Guide ...
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Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman
By Janie Cheaney |
In Answers to Dog, an abused border collie finds a home and a boy finds a friend--multiple friends. Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman. Candlewick, ...
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Art All around Us by Xiao Situ
By Janie Cheaney |
Art All Around Us introduces young readers to the nearly infinite variety of art and its meaning in ordinary life. Art All around Us: A ...
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Who Built That? Bridges by Didier Cornille
By Betsy Farquhar |
Who Built That? Bridges is a clever picture book-in-translation that illustrates ten famous bridges and the construction process and engineers behind them. Who Built That? ...
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*Big Book of Math by Katherine Hannon
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Big Book of Math is a timeline book absolutely filled with mathematical figures, faces, and facts, all situated within the context of a biblical ...
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*The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Hotel Balzaar, Kate DiCamillo continues her magical Norendy Tales series with intriguing hints of further connections. *The Hotel Balzaar (A Norendy Tale) by ...
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Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
By Janie Cheaney |
Impossible Creatures takes readers on an unforgettable quest to re-enchant an imaginary world—that may not be as imaginary as it seems. Impossible Creatures by Katherine ...
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The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
By Janie Cheaney |
The “Found Boys” find trouble in their West Virginia small town, but also deepen their understanding of grace and forgiveness. The Found Boys by S. ...
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Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness
By Janie Cheaney |
Zeke, a “Lizard Nobody” in his own opinion (as well as an actual lizard) learns to stand up for himself in this hilarious and heartfelt ...
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Between Flowers and Bones by Carolyn Leiloglou
By Janie Cheaney |
Between Flowers and Bones continues The Restorationists adventure series, in which members of a family are gifted with the ability to travel through works of ...
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Spirit Sleuths by Gail Jarrow
By Janie Cheaney |
Spirit Sleuths wraps ghosts, mediums, seances, scams, and Houdini in a fascinating true tale. Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes by ...
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Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay
By Janie Cheaney |
Rosa by Starlight is a sweet story of an orphan finding her way home, with the help of a host of sympathetic cats. Rosa by ...
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*Shakespeare’s First Folio: All the plays, a children’s edition
By Megan Saben |
Shakespeare's First Folio is a wonderful introduction to the plays, suitably shortened for children, a gorgeous addition to any home library. *Shakespeare's First Folio: All ...
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*The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
By Megan Saben |
A wild robot explores an island and learns more than how to survive nature from the animals; she develops relationships and makes it home. A ...
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*Evangelical Heroes by Joel Beeke and Douglas Bond
By Janie Cheaney |
Evangelical Heroes presents famous and lesser-known Christian role models throughout the modern era. *Evangelical Heroes, Vol. 1 and 2 by Douglas Bond and Joel Beeke. ...
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Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper
By Janie Cheaney |
Melody Brooks, a 13-year-old with cerebral palsy, concludes her trilogy by stepping onto a global stage in Out of My Dreams. Out of My Dreams ...
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Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos
By Janie Cheaney |
Radar and the Raft traces the invention of Radar through the harrowing story of a missionary family torpedoed and rescued during World War II. Radar ...
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The Best This World Can Do: Thoughts about “Not Nothing” by Gayle Forman
By Janie Cheaney |
Christian book reviewers face certain challenges. We could review only Christian books and be reasonably assured that we won’t run into glaring content problems like ...
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The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
By Janie Cheaney |
The Sherlock Society kicks off a fun mystery series by popular MG author James Ponti. The Sherlock Society (#1) by James Ponti. Aladdin (Simon & ...
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The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Science of Friendship, an 8th-grade girl takes an analytical approach to keeping friends and discovers some important truths about herself. The Science of ...
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Growing Up under a Red Flag by Ying Chang Compestine
By Janie Cheaney |
Growing Up under a Red Flag introduces China’s Cultural Revolution in a way picture-book readers can understand. Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir ...
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Jack Zulu and the Girl with the Golden Wings by S. D. Smith
By Betsy Farquhar |
Jack Zulu and the Girl with the Golden Wings is an exhilarating installment in the Jack Zulu series, but it will leave you wanting more! ...
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The Minor Miracle by Meredith Davis
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Minor Miracle is a light-hearted, fun read with lots of heart, perfect for fans of comic books, superheroes, and friends. The Minor Miracle: The ...
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*Joni Eareckson Tada by Kristyn Getty
By Janie Cheaney |
A new biography of Joni Eareckson Tada for kids demonstrates how anyone can honor God no matter the circumstances. *Joni Eareckson Tada: The Girl Who ...
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Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann
By Janie Cheaney |
Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings features a winsome protagonist trying her hand at parental matchmaking. Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson ...
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The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole
By Janie Cheaney |
The Legend of the Last Library pictures a dystopian future without books or paper, and one intrepid reader who holds the key to restoration. The ...
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*The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers (20th anniversary editions)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Aidan, fifth son of a Lord of Corenwald, befriends Feechies, defeats a giant, and leads a loyal group of followers in the Wilderking Trilogy, a ...
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*Ben Washington Is the Newbie on the Block by Jasmine Mullen
By Janie Cheaney |
Young Ben Washington, the star of this new middle-grade series, is funny, flawed, and fully relatable. *Ben Washington Is . . . the Newbie on ...
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The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
By Hayley Morell |
A sweet middle-grade historical fiction recounting some of the Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, an Ojibwe orphan. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, Anna Rose ...
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Faker by Gordon Korman
By Janie Cheaney |
In Faker, a boy faces critical ethical questions involving his own immediate family. Faker by Gordon Korman. Scholastic, 2024, 214 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ...
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Majestica by Sarah Tolcser
By Janie Cheaney |
Majestica takes readers on a thrill ride through a wildlife park filled with magical creatures. Majestica by Sarah Tolcser. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (PRH), 2024, 307 ...
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Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen
By Janie Cheaney |
Uprising is the story of a Polish girl’s experience of World War II, based on the experiences of a real-life teenage resistance fighter. Uprising by ...
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The Treasure by Marty Machowski
By Megan Saben |
Two children living on a Greek island discover a sealed clay pot containing two scrolls and a book. A treasure hunt, a ship, special coins, ...
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Wander Lost by Laura Martin
By Janie Cheaney |
Wander Lost features hidden worlds within a variety of board games, and twin brothers launched on a desperate rescue mission. Wander Lost by Laura Martin. ...
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The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly
By Hayley Morell |
A neurodivergent tween finds friends and makes an amazing discovery at summer camp. The Secret Language of Birds, Lynne Kelly, Delacorte Press, 2024. 240 Pages ...
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Evan Miller Is Waking Down by Jerel Law
By Betsy Farquhar |
Evan Miller Is Waking Down ... and dreamwalking in this inventive dystopian series opener for middle schoolers. Evan Miller Is Waking Down by Jerel Law. ...
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And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps
By Janie Cheaney |
And Then, Boom! features a winsome protagonist who suddenly finds himself abandoned. And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps. Nancy Paulsen (PRH), 2024, 244 pages Readling ...
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*Mercy Watson is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo
By Megan Saben |
What could possibly entice Mercy Watson to wander away from home? And who will help Mr. and Mrs. Watson recover their beloved porcine pet? Mercy ...
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With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods
By Janie Cheaney |
An adopted boy comes to identify with an orphaned mockingbird With Just One Wing. With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods. Nancy Paulsen Books (PRH), ...
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Born Naughty by Jin Wang
By Janie Cheaney |
Born Naughty introduces us to Jin Wang, a lively little girl growing up in Inner Mongolia. Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang ...
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*Indescribable Atlas Adventures by Louie Giglio
By Betsy Farquhar |
Indescribable Atlas Adventures is a large format picture book full of interesting details about the world God made, including people, places, and animals. *Indescribable Atlas ...
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Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin
By Janie Cheaney |
Life after Whale pictures the phenomenon of “Whale Fall”: how the earth’s largest living creature supports thriving ecosystems for decades after death. Life after Whale: ...
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The Kid by Jeff Schill
By Janie Cheaney |
The Kid is an old-west legend about old-west legends, featuring a 13-year-old tale-spinner, a Philadelphia tenderfoot, and a vicious desperado. The Kid by Jeff Schill. ...
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Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson
By Betsy Farquhar |
Clay befriends a strange elf dog in this tale that mixes friendship and the fae. Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson. Candlewick, ...
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*Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke Davis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Risen Hope is an engagingly written church history resource from Christian Focus for middle grades and teens. *Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke ...
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How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this award-winning picture book, we learn about MacNolia and her fight for the National Spelling Bee championship as a Black girl in 1936. How ...
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Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell
By Janie Cheaney |
Light and Air follows its 11-year-old protagonist through a rocky path of tuberculosis and family upheaval. Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell. Holiday House, ...
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*Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
By Janie Cheaney |
Magnolia Wu finds adventure in her own neighborhood while chasing down the owners of orphan socks. *Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller. Philomel, ...
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What the World Eats: A Roundup of Global Food Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you know what people eat around the world? What do those missionaries from your church eat when they move to Ghana or Gambia or ...
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*Wang Mingdao by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The latest volume of the Christian Biographies series introduces Wang Mingdao, a father of the Chinese evangelical church, to young readers. *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta ...
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Global Prayer Resources: Operation World and Window on the World and More
By Betsy Farquhar |
How can we better pray for our brothers and sisters around the world? Operation World and Window on the World help us pray for God's ...
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The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown by Elizabeth Laird
By Janie Cheaney |
Charity Brown, raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian sect, is beginning to ponder the meaning of life and God. The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown by ...
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*Rwendigo Tales by J. A. Myhre
By Betsy Farquhar |
Dr. Myhre wrote the engaging Rwendigo Tales, a middle grades series with spiritual overtones, based upon her experience as a doctor serving in Africa. Note: ...
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Picture Books about Making a Difference in Print: Amazing Abe and Holding Her Own
By Janie Cheaney |
Two recent picture books show how trailblazing newspaper writers gave a voice to racial and ethnic minorities in America. Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper ...
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Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
By Janie Cheaney |
Newbery author Lois Lowry poignantly depicts a cross-generational friendship in Tree. Table. Book. Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry. Clarion (HarperCollins), 2024, 194 pages. Reading ...
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The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan
By Janie Cheaney |
The Selkie’s Daughter presents its protagonist with a profound choice between two natures. The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan. Holiday House, 2024, 202 pages. ...
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Making Sense of Dog Senses by Stephanie Gibeault
By Janie Cheaney |
Making Sense of Dog Senses is a fascinating introduction to the way dogs experience their world. Making Sense of Dog Senses: How Our Furry Friends ...
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*Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
We've updated our review of this gem: a lovely story about gratitude and Chinese mythology for middle grades. Note: this is one of our featured ...
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This Day in History for Kids by Dan Bova
By Janie Cheaney |
This Day in History for Kids is a year-long tour through historical events political and cultural, trivial and profound. This Day in History for Kids: ...
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The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
By Janie Cheaney |
The Night War is the WWII story of a Jewish girl in Paris choosing to be brave when Nazis take everything from her. The Night ...
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Kentucky Derby Book List: Books for Young Horse Lovers
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Kentucky Derby runs every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner this year? Will an underdog horse come from nowhere ...
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Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh
By Janie Cheaney |
Operation: Happy is the story of a girl and her dog experiencing the attack on Pearl Harbor and challenges that followed. Operation: Happy: A World ...
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Animal Albums from A to Z by CeCe Bell
By Janie Cheaney |
Animal Albums from A to Z is an alliterative avalanche of amusing, applause-winning auditory adumbrations from the zoological zeitgeist. Animal Albums from A to Z ...
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On All Other Nights, edited by Chris Baron, Joshua Levy, and Naomi Milliner
By Janie Cheaney |
On All Other Nights uses the perspective of 14 authors to detail every step of the Seder Meal observed by Jewish families during Passover (recipes ...
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Olivetti by Allie Millington
By Janie Cheaney |
Olivetti features an uncommon protagonist—a manual typewriter—with the keys to unravel a mystery. Olivetti by Allie Millington. Feiwel and Friends, 2024, 246 pages. Reading Level: ...
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Poetry Comics by Grant Snider
By Janie Cheaney |
Poetry Comics offers budding poets a lot of ideas to think about in an appealing visual format. Poetry Comics by Grant Snyder. Chronicle, 2024, 96 ...
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Small Poems and Peacock by Valerie Worth (and illustrated by Natalie Babbitt)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Small poetry books full of small poems and small drawings: just right for small hands and small listening ears. All the Small Poems and Fourteen ...
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Maple’s Theory of Fun by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman
By Janie Cheaney |
Maple, an analytical (and anal) 6th-grader, applies the scientific method to becoming a fun person. Maple’s Theory of Fun by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman. ...
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The Wild River and the Great Dam by Simon Boughton
By Janie Cheaney |
Follow the construction of the Depression era’s greatest building project in The Wild River and the Great Dam. The Wild River and the Great Dam: ...
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The Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Book Scavenger Series is an engaging middle grades mystery series for book lovers and puzzle aficionados. Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Square ...
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*One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
By Janie Cheaney |
One Big Open Sky fills a history gap with the story of black settlers heading west in wagon trains. *One Big Open Sky by Lesa ...
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*Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
By Janie Cheaney |
Ferris, the latest novel by two-time Newbery author Kate DiCamillo, embraces a world full of sorrow but ruled by love. *Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick, ...
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Something Like Home by Andrea Beatrix Arango
By Hayley Morell |
A poignant novel-in-verse explores the question: "What is home when your world turns upside-down?" Something Like Home, Andrea Beatrix Arango, Random House Books for Young ...
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