Middle Grade
Frizzy
Written by Claribel A. Ortega
llustrated by Rose Bousamra
Frizzy is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel for anyone who has ever had to justify their own appearance. I instantly connected with Marlene’s challenge in trying to be herself amidst a whirlwind of adults, peers, and family members pressuring her to conform. I reveled in all of her successes as she learned to stand up for herself, and I couldn’t put the book down until I knew she’d be okay. —Yves
Crabgrass Comic Adventures
by Tauhid Bondia
Tauhid Bondia’s Kevin and Miles spring to life with hijinks that are sometimes a four-panel joke, sometimes famed exploits. The adventures of these two kids involve school and family, imagined and real-life (mild) danger, and the bonds of friendship, which are tested but never broken. Bondia draws and writes in the tradition of Foxtrot and Calvin and Hobbes, building stories you can read for just a minute or for hours. Great for any kid looking for something fast, fun, and real. —Jocelyn
D&D Dungeon Club: Roll Call, Book 1
Written by Molly Knox Ostertag
Illustrated Xanthe Bouma
Calling all nerds and storytellers! This fun new graphic novel series follows a party of teen D&D players through tabletop and real-life adventures. Xanthe Bouma’s vivid, awesome art propels you through Molly Knox Ostertag’s all-too-relatable story exploring friendship, fear, and why it can be so hard to be your authentic self in real life. I dare you to not love these characters, flaws and all. I know I am already (im)patiently waiting for the next book!
—Jocelyn
Odder
Written by Katherine Applegate
Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Written in verse and inspired by a true story—much like Katherine Applegate’s earlier The One and Only Ivan—Odder weaves together the science of sea otter life with the marine animal rehabilitation efforts of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This heartwarming tale will instill empathy and keep nature-loving readers engaged and inspired. Living so close to the aquarium, one can’t help but feel an instant connection to this story. —Kristina
The Vanquishers
by Kalynn Bayron
Everyone knows all the vampires are gone after the Vanquishers eliminated the last nest 20 years ago. So why does Boog’s family insist on maintaining their vampire protections? It’s embarrassing. But when a kid goes missing, it turns out the precautions may have been needed. Bayron’s middle grade debut packs a punch that’s part Buffy, part Hardy Boys, and all heart. Trust me, you won’t want to put this down. —Ivy
A Seed in the Sun
by Aida Salazar
In 1964, in the heat of California’s Imperial Valley, 12-year-old Lula and her family work as migrant laborers. Told in verse, this is the story of how the United Farmworkers, Dolores Huerta, and El Teatro Campesino help Lula find her voice, save her family, and stand up for the rights of farmworkers and herself. A tenderly written story of resilience, bravery, and inspiration. ¡Sí se puede! —Noreen
Sparrows in the Wind
by Gail Carson Levine
Although she foretold the Trojan War, Cassandra was cursed by the god Apollo to never be believed. In the best historical fiction tradition, Gail Carson Levine brings to life ancient Troy, its people and its gods, while giving a legendary figure the chance to tell her own story, and maybe even change it. A vivid tale of indomitable odds for those who won’t stop fighting for a better future. —Jocelyn
Wildoak
by C. C. Harrington
C. C. Harrington’s debut novel tells the story of Maggie, a girl with great empathy and a stutter, and a snow leopard named Rumpus, who each find themselves out of place in 1960s England. Told in alternating chapters, Maggie and Rumpus individually grapple with an uncertain future. When their worlds collide, they beautifully manage to find their way through together. An insightful tale of unconditional love, for fans (like me) of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax and Lauren Wolk’s Echo Mountain. —Michelle
The Stars Did Wander Darkling
by Colin Meloy
This novel has all the hallmarks of classic 1980s horror—a small coastal town, a band of childhood friends facing change come summer’s end, adults behaving strangely, timeworn photographs hinting at a centuries-old mystery—each set in motion when honeycombed caverns are suddenly unearthed at a dig site. Colin Meloy immerses the reader in a perfectly chilling, accessible horror story, with shades of The Goonies and Stranger Things. For any kid (or adult) looking for sincere scares and a book to get lost in. —Jocelyn
You Only Live Once, David Bravo
by Mark Oshiro
Ahh, middle school: a time of growth, bullies, talking dogs, and time travel. No? Just me and David Bravo on those last two? This delightful, character-driven story of 11-year-old David is sure to entertain not only middle-grade readers but those of all ages. Mark Oshiro crafts complex characters who manage to be relatable even as they deal with a more fantastical side of life. This work touches on issues of identity, relationships, and responsibility. —MJ
The Door of No Return
by Kwame Alexander
Kofi Offin practically lives in water. He spends every free minute swimming in the river near his home, unless he’s thinking about his alluring classmate Ama or about how to best his boastful cousin. The world tilts upside down after tragedy strikes at what should be a joyous festival. Kwame Alexander’s words thrummed through my entire body as I read, knowing where we were heading but desperately wishing for a different outcome. Don’t look away from this literary triumph. —Ivy