This is a story about a race, a romance, and a resilient girl, but it is so much more. Never has magical realism felt so authentic. Get ready for the ride of your life on horses that are truly fierce and sometimes frightening.
The Chance to Fly
We all need a book that breaks boundaries, and this is one that you will love. When Nat Beacon has a chance to try out for Wicked, she doesn’t let her wheelchair get in her way. Whether you love musical theater or cheering for a character with plenty of resolve, this story will touch your heart.
The Lemonade War
Sibling rivalry takes a heated twist in this classic story about a brother and sister in a battle to make the most from their lemonade sales. Family dynamics, friendship, and fun math—yes, fun math–all drive this story to an intriguing end.
My Lady Jane
Whether you love paranormal or historical fiction, this book will be your jam. It is absolutely mad, but it is also one of my most favorite things I’ve read in a while. I happen to love (be obsessed with) Tudor England, and Lady Jane Gray in particular, so this book was a treat.
City of Ghosts
For middle grade, the balance between scary and not-too-scary is difficult to perfect, and Schwab does a great job giving kids the creeps without completely creeping them out
Tiny Pretty Things
This series interested me because I’m a former competitive figure skater who has a deep knowledge of the fierce atmosphere created by females vying for the top position–a world where you must be both strong and beautiful (and encouraged to take measures to “look” a certain way).
Star Girl
Star Girl is different. And that’s a good thing. Here’s why readers and writers might give it a whirl.
Inheritance Games
The Inheritance Games is a story that goes far beyond a nice girl getting rich. We can only dream what it must be like to inherit billions of dollars from someone we don’t know. But Barnes does a great job showing us just how complicated such a situation might be.
Restart
What happens when a school bully gets a second chance? When Chase Ambrose falls off a roof and gets amnesia, he’ll have to start over. But will he be able to come to terms with the type of person he was before his accident? Will his new friends in the video club ever really accept him?
Ban This Book
In this story, a brave fourth grader takes on her school and some overreaching parents to preserve the books that she loves so dearly. In Ban This Book, Alan Gratz helps young people understand both the reasons and the dangers behind what is, frankly, happening in schools today.
Frankie & Amelia
I have a confession to make. I have fallen in love with cats. Well, my cat, in particular. Well, my daughter’s cat, actually. So, when I started reading McGovern’s middle grade novel written from a cat’s perspective, I loved the way she captured the characteristics of a feline.
Brave Like That
I first heard chatter about this MG novel on Twitter, and the comments from the readers were so positive and forceful (YOU MUST READ THIS) that I decided, okay. This is such a great story on so many levels. First of all, I think most children face a moment when they want to tell their parents, “This isn’t me.”
Kid List 