5 Fantastic New Middle Grade Books Ed.2

I’m so pleased to share the second edition of the last five, noteworthy middle-grade books that I read.  Each one is so vastly different from the next and each one is wonderful in it’s own right. Below you will find a short synopsis of my feelings about the book as well and the synopsis that I grabbed off of the book on Amazon.  I hope it helps you and your older readers find a new adventure to enjoy.

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“Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow” by Jessica Townsend- This book has been compared to Harry Potter so many times that even though I was incredibly  skeptical (as I am with pretty much any book comported with Harry Potter to be honest) I still had to give it a try.  I tried to push aside any preconceptions I feel a book that is equal with Harry Potter should have and allowed myself to just really enjoy it, which I truly did.  This book is absolutely magical and I found myself having a hard time putting it down.  I will most definitely be reading the sequel and cannot wait to see where this series goes and to revisit this magical world that I found myself loving.

Synopsis found on Amazon:

“Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.”

“Endling #1: The Last” by Katherine Applegate- I just adored “The Wishtree” from Katherine so I knew that I had to read her latest book.  While I didn’t love this one quite as much as “The Wishtree” (though honestly, I that is a pretty tall order) I found myself really enjoying it.  The strength in this story I think is Katerine’s ability to make her characters memorable and to really make you fall in love with them.  I cared what happened to them and they felt like little friends of mine throughout the story.  A fun, adventurous read.  Beware, the ending is a cliff-hanger…

Synopsis from Amazon:

“Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra.

After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.

Along the way, she meets new allies—both animals and humans alike—who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family—one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.”

“Love Sugar Magic; A Dash of Trouble” by Anna Meriano and Mirelle Ortega- This one was a light read that was purely delightful.  It was full of all the youth and vivacity that you would expect in a fun, middle grade read and I can see why it is so popular.  I really like that the “drama” in the boy-girl crush was downplayed to a light level and I liked all the humor and creativity throughout the story.  Plus, there is a recipe at the end of the book for her magic flying pig cookies!  I total win!

Synopsis from Amazon:

“Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.

Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration—but, once again, she is told she’s too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have in fact been keeping a big secret: they’re brujas—witches of Mexican ancestry—who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything that they bake.

Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business—even if she can’t let her mama and hermanas know about it yet.

And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It’s just one little spell, after all…what could possibly go wrong?”

“The Wonderling” by Mira Bartók- This book was heartbreaking, but very well written.  I found myself really caring for the protagonist and his unfortunate circumstances early on and I was pulling hard for him throughout the story.  However, he is faced with dismal circumstance after dismal circumstance that it was just, well, heartbreaking.  It was a real relief when I made it to the end and things finally seemed to turn around in his favor.  That being said, Mira definitely does have a way with words and I definitely did care for her characters which I feel is a sign of excellent writing.

Synopsis from Amazon:

“Welcome to the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an institution run by evil Miss Carbunkle, a cunning villainess who believes her terrified young charges exist only to serve and suffer. Part animal and part human, the groundlings toil in classroom and factory, forbidden to enjoy anything regular children have, most particularly singing and music. For the Wonderling, an innocent-hearted, one-eared, fox-like eleven-year-old with only a number rather than a proper name — a 13 etched on a medallion around his neck — it is the only home he has ever known. But unexpected courage leads him to acquire the loyalty of a young bird groundling named Trinket, who gives the Home’s loneliest inhabitant two incredible gifts: a real name — Arthur, like the good king in the old stories — and a best friend. Using Trinket’s ingenious invention, the pair escape over the wall and embark on an adventure that will take them out into the wider world and ultimately down the path of sweet Arthur’s true destiny. Richly imagined, with shimmering language, steampunk motifs, and gripping, magical plot twists, this high adventure fantasy is the debut novel of award-winning memoirist Mira Bartók and has already been put into development for a major motion picture.”

“The Truth According to Mason Buttle” by Leslie Connor- This is another book that really pulled at my heartstrings, but it was also filled with so much beauty.  It features a protagonist with learning disabilities and the biggest, most honest heart.  I found myself rooting for him as well throughout the story and felt genuine joy when things went his way and a bit of genuine despair during the hard parts.  It is the type of book that leaves your heart changed for the better when you are done.  I really loved it.

Synopsis from Amazon:

“Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason’s learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family’s orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can’t understand why Lieutenant Baird won’t believe the story Mason has told about that day.

Both Mason and his new friend, tiny Calvin Chumsky, are relentlessly bullied by the other boys in their neighborhood, so they create an underground club space for themselves. When Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself in trouble again. He’s desperate to figure out what happened to Calvin, and eventually, Benny.

But will anyone believe him?”

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