Middle Grade

The Wild Robot / Peter Brown

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The Wild Robot
By: Peter Brown
Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Number of Pages: 320
Published: April 7, 2020 (1st Published April 5, 2016)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: October 15, 2024 - October 17, 2024
Format: Paperback

When ROZZUM unit 7134 (but you may call her Roz) first opens her eyes she discovers she’s on a remote island and the only robot – she knows she must survive. At first, Roz is disliked by the wildlife because they all think she is a monster and will eat them. But she learns the animal language and doesn’t eat in general, so the animals begin to relax around her. After an accident kills all but one small gosling egg, Roz makes it her mission to raise and protect the duck.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals of the island, the island starts to feel like home. Until one day, when Roz’s mysterious past comes back to get her.

So, has anyone else in the year 2024 picked up this book because of the movie? Usually I read the book before the movie, but I did this one backwards. That being said, the book and the movie are pretty different from one another – same plot, tad bit different storyline.

This is both a simple and a bit of a complex read. The language is definitely aimed at children, but there were also a lot of descriptions of animal violence and death. The writing is written in a way that presents the bit of the morbid side as being the facts of life (if that makes sense). Children understand the world a lot more than adults sometimes give them credit for and this book doesn’t treat children like they’re too young to understand mother nature. That being said, the language is almost simplified in a way that could present as being childish, but the storyline itself is probably better for an older reader – hence it being (younger) middle grade.

The chapters are short and the simple illustrations really add to the read – rather it’s with cuteness overload, or a funny moment also in drawing.

Overall, this is a fun, beautiful book about learning to care for one another, despite differences, and a big shout out to mothers and caregivers everywhere.

The Bletchley Riddle / Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

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The Bletchley Riddle
By: Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 400
Published: October 8, 2024
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: October 6, 2024 - October 11, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his fourteen-year-old sister, Lizzie, share a love of riddles and puzzles. As WWII gets closer and closer to Britain, the siblings find themselves amongst the greatest secrets of all – Britain’s codebreaking facility at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins the country’s top minds to crack Nazi’s Enigma cipher, Lizzie transfers notes between departments in the park and tries to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother in her off time.

While the Novis siblings work hard on their tasks, messages and codes begin to arrive under their doorstep. It doesn’t help that while they try to figure out if the messages are truly for them (and possibly from their mother), that there is an inspector lurking outside the gates of the park, watching Jakob and Lizzie’s every move. They must figure out a way to put their bickering aside and work together to decipher the clues if they want to uncover the answers to the puzzle.

As usual, I will pick up anything Ruta Sepetys touches and learn about a part of history I hadn’t known about before I read the book. This book is no exception as we take a deeper dive into the codebreakers Bletchley Park during WWII. I knew there were codebreakers during WWII, but what I didn’t realize is that they consisted of mathematicians, chess champions, and librarians (which, as a librarian, this absolutely makes sense why they were needed!).

Though this book is aimed at middle grade, I will say it felt like it would be more for upper middle grade / younger high school age. Lizzie is fourteen and Jakob is nineteen so their voices were a little older, but nothing major or graphic happened that would make the novel need to be young adult.

Even as an adult, when it came to the description of the codes’ breakthroughs or the ins and outs of the Enigma machines, I would get lost, but overall I just assumed the characters knew what they were talking about and trusted them.

Overall, I loved the twists and turns that kept the pages moving for me. I know I had a hard time as an adult solving the clues, so young readers who like spies and code cracking, are sure to love this too.

*Thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and BookishFirst for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Silk / E.B. Roshan

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Silk
By: E.B. Roshan
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 104
Published: June 7, 2024
Publisher: Roshan Publishing
Dates Read: October 5, 2024
Format: eBook

Farz and his family have harvested Silki’s precious silk, as Silki-charmers for generations. But Silkis, giant, spider-like creatures, can be dangerous and the government has decided they don’t want them around. But even though Farz is ready to try a new life, it doesn’t mean he wants Silkis to disappear forever. What happens when his past and present crash together one day?

I was pulled into the plot of this graphic novel and turned pages as fast as I could. The simplicity of the art style, mixed with straightforward dialogue make it a quick and easy read.

A part of me respects the quickness of the story, but the other part of me wants to know more about this world and not only the Silki-charmers, but everyone else as well as being able to dive into the world building. E.B. Roshan has many layers that are only briefly scratched in this novel. It honestly gives an opening to possibly make this into a series.

This young middle grade graphic novel has a lot of appeal to those who like sci-fi with alien adventures that humans will understand too.

*Thanks to the author for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect / Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)

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Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
By: Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160
Published: July 23, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: September 15, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Miguel wants nothing more than to be far away from his family’s bodega in Washington Heights – seeing and drawing the world. For street-savvy and newly adopted cat Lolo, staying inside the bodega pounds perfect, as long as he’s out of the freezing cold.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining an art club, his art dream may come crashing down. Lolo must decide if he’s willing to be there no Miguel through anything, even venturing back outside into scary New York City sidewalks. 

This is such a cute and sweet story for young readers. The illustrations alongside the chapters added to the cuteness (though I got an digital ARC of this title, so some of the illustrations were not fully flushed out yet, I’m going to have to get my hands on a finished copy).

I also really enjoyed Lolo’s point of view – especially since the kitten seems to understand humans a lot more than we give our four legged friends credit for.

This book will be great for young readers, especially since it’s about following your passion while still balancing parental expectations as well.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Read at Your Own Risk / Remy Lai

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Read at Your Own Risk
By: Remy Lai
Genre: Middle Grade, Horror
Number of Pages: 160
Published: August 13, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: September 15, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Hannah and her friends were just having fun up in the school’s attic when they tried to communicate with spirits. Little did they know that something would be there and crawl its way into the pages of Hannah’s journal. What started out as a game has turned into something dire that Hannah tries to fix.

I originally asked for an ARC of this because I loved the idea of a haunted journal and what that would look like. Remy Lai didn’t disappoint in captivating my attention on the first page and keeping it throughout. The artwork is very Coraline-y, so I feel like a lot of readers will enjoy it from that alone.

The story itself is simple but still holds lessons to be learned.

This would fit right alongside those readers who enjoyed Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as well as Goosebumps. This will no doubt lure our horror seeking youths but I think adults will also get a kick out of this as well.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

It Happened to Anna / Tehlor Kay Mejia

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It Happened to Anna
By: Tehlor Kay Mejia
Genre: Middle Grade, Horror
Number of Pages: 224
Published: august 6, 2024
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Dates Read: September 8, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Parental abandonment, grief, mental health, toxic relationship, bullying

Sadie Rivera has been haunted all her life by a ghost who doesn’t allow her to make friends. The moment she tries, light bulbs begin exploding, chilly gusts of wind blow through even closed hallways, and accidents begin to happen. Last year, Anna finally made a best friend, Anna. So when the ghost caused an accident that killed her, Sadie knew it was her fault. Which is why she’s keeping to herself at this new school in Idaho. At least until she meets the mysterious cool girl Mal and the ghost doesn’t bother her for once. But Mal wants Sadie all to herself and she’ll do anything to make sure that happens.

I really, really enjoyed Tehlor Kay Mejia’s We Set the Dark on Fire duology and was super excited when I heard about their middle grade horror novel.

I believe Mejia’s did a wonderful job at catching the loneliness and depression that Sadie was in due to the ghost haunting her, and how much she craved the connection of friendship. Mejia uses a supernatural lens to talk about toxic friendships; what it looks like, what it feels like, and what one can do if they find themselves in one. I was very proud of Sadie when she (finally) began to figure out what was happening and that how she was being treated was not right.

Overall, this was a great middle grade horror read – scary, but nothing super crazy for the age group. It brings up a lot of conversation around social skills and friendships and what ultimately, at the end of the day, is a healthy one for each person.

Greta / J.S. Lemon

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Greta
By: J.S. Lemon
Genre: Middle Grade, Magical Realism
Number of Pages: 208
Published: September 10, 2024
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Dates Read: September 4, 2024 - September 7, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: Assault

In this reminiscent of Kafka’s Metamorphosis Greta Goodwin’s life is changing – not only is she moving across town and far away from her best friend, Lottie, she’s also starting middle school. Greta doesn’t feel like she’s up there with everyone else: she could care less about boys, makeup, and cafeteria food. Instead, Greta lives by the motto, “Do not call attention to yourself”. But, at her first party, a boy does pay attention to Greta. At first, it feels good, but then it feels awful. In the aftermath, Greta can’t make sense of what happened, she can’t talk about it, not even to Lotti. Then, Greta’s body begins to change, in a vastly different way than those around her.

I was immediately interested in this novel as soon as it said it was reminiscent of Kafka’s Metamorphosis. I’ve always loved Kafka and enjoyed retellings, reimaginings, or reminiscences of his works. I’ve never really read a Kafka inspired novel that was aimed towards Middle Grade readers, so I was curious to see how this one was written.

First off, I absolutely adored Greta and Lotti’s relationship and the love that they had for one another. It reminded me of my childhood girlfriends who were my ride and die growing up.

Secondly, I think J.S. Lemon did a fantastic job writing Greta’s “metamorphosis” after the incident at the party. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the lesson at the end of the story is that one’s own skin (body) is their own. 

Overall, I believe Middle Grade readers will get a good understanding of the message(s) Lemon writes about and will hopefully bring attention to how they may interact within their own lives.

*Thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Tig / Heather Smith

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Tig
By: Heather Smith
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160
Published: September 3, 2024
Publisher: Tundra Books
Dates Read: September 2, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: Child abandonment, alcoholic parent, abuse

After months of living without electricity or parents, Tig and Peter are forced to move in with their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny. The transition from on your own, to picture perfect is rough. Tig, along with Peter’s support, decides to make it messy, with daily arguments and stubbornness, and plans to become a competitive cheese racer.

This is a heartbreaking, and heartwarming, middle grade novel that I was not expecting to make me cry, but here we are. Tig is one of those characters I will think about for a long time (if not forever). I also think I will be rereading this at some point as well for reasons you may understand after reading it.

Tig is a heavy book, but still written well for middle grade readers. Tig herself is going through a lot of trauma and you’re seeing this new environment through her eyes as she goes through it and sometimes even processes/revisits trauma she’d experienced before. She is really blessed with supportive and empathetic adults like her Uncle Scott and Manny.

This novel is a short, but terrific read. Tig will grab your heartstrings and race you down the hill with them.

*Thank you Tundra Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Breaking into Sunlight / John Cochran

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Breaking into Sunlight
By: John Cochran
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 304
Published: June 18, 2024
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Dates Read: August 30, 2024 - August 31, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: parent drug use, parent addiction, overdose

Reese is a seventh-grader who loves drawing, basketball, and his parents. But one day after school, Reese comes home to his worst nightmare – his dad on the floor, lips turning blue, overdosed. Again. After calling 911 and getting his dad help, Reese expects everything to go on like it did the last time, but for his mom, this was the breaking point. Until Reese’s dad really gets the help that he needs, Reese and his mom are leaving, moving into a rundown trailer outside of town. Reese is furious with his mom for leaving his dad when he needs them, scared for his dad who’s not answering calls or texts, and terrified his friends will find out his family’s biggest secret. 

But then he meets Meg and Charlie, siblings who have also been stranded by circumstances outside of their control. As the trio get to know more about each other, Reese discovers beauty and joy in nature – especially the river down the pathway of the property they are staying at. His dad also seems to be doing better and is talking with his mom again. But how long can these good times last?

This middle grade book deals with a heavy topic matter – parent addiction, and it does so with compassionate care for all parties. This allowed Reese to go through and process his emotions, between anger, sadness, anxiety, depression, and everything in between. Addiction is a topic that unfortunately tends to be treated like it needs to be hidden and to be ashamed about. What Reese and his family go through will really relate to children who may be going through something similar. 

I am so happy I got to read this novel, and to know that it exists in the world for younger readers so they don’t feel alone – and for those who haven’t experienced it, to open the door of understanding. Even though it is for younger readers, I do see older readers, and adults getting something out of this read too.

*Thank you Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary / Alice Hoffman

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When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary
By: Alice Hoffman
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 304
Published: September 17, 2024
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: August 25, 2024
Format: ARC/ eBook

Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam Alice Hoffman weaves together a lyrical and heart-wrenching story that looks into the way the world changed for Anne Frank and her family before they went into hiding during WWII.

I’ve always been interested in Anne and her family since I first watched one of the movie adaptations as a kid. I didn’t read her diary though until a few years ago. Obviously we don’t 100% know what Anne thought of when living through the months/years leading up to the Frank family going into hiding, but I think Alice Hoffman did a wonderful job at imagining it.

The other thing I wanted to applaud Hoffman on is knowing her audience and how to talk about what was happening without being too graphic. I know we want to protect younger children from the horrors of the war – but you also have to think about the fact that children their age went through the war. Not everything needs to be described in detail but kids are smart and still deserve to know. I just remember thinking in certain parts that the writing was handled well.

I also really liked the dynamic between Anne and her mother. In her diaries she wrote about the difference in relationships she had between Pip and her mother and this story dives deeper into that and provides more layers.

Overall, I think this would be a good middle grade introduction into Anne Frank and her story. Have them read this first to open the door for discussion about Anne and her family. Then, more mature, or when they’re older, they can then read Anne Frank’s diary.

*Thank you Scholastic Press and NetGalley for  an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review