2021 might be more than halfway over already but there certainly has been no slowing down in the publishing industry and especially in middle grade as things are getting even more interesting! The second half of 2021 has brought us a stunning variety of water and sea-based magic, fierce protagonists that stand up for themselves and their friends against ancient regulations and bullying, and some downright spooky stories that will give you goosebumps all day long!
Weird Kid by Greg Van Eekhout
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Strange things are happening in Cedar Creek View, Arizona: Sinkholes. An unidentified Hum. People behaving… oddly. No one knows the reason, but Jake thinks it might have something to do with him. Weird Kid is a story about a boy trying to find his place in the world – even though he’s an alien from a distant planet.
Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne
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Meet Josephine, the most loveable mischief-maker in Barbados, in a magical, heartfelt adventure inspired by Caribbean mythology.
The Other Side of Luck by Ginger Johnson
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A young pauper and a caged princess vie for the reward of a special contest that finds them searching for the elusive Silva Flower. The Other Side of Luck follows two children from opposite circumstances as their fates cross and change both their lives forever.
Secondhand Dogs by Carolyn Crimi
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A heartwarming—and heart-tugging—middle grade novel about love, loyalty, and what it means to be part of a family, featuring a motley pack of rescue dogs—from author Carolyn Crimi, with adorable illustrations by Melissa Manwill. Perfect for fans of A Dog’s Life and Because of Winn-Dixie.
Ten Thousand Tries by Amy Makechnie
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A middle school soccer whiz’s determination to keep things from changing is tested when his father’s ALS symptoms worsen in this touching story about growing up and facing loss, perfect for fans of Shouting at the Rain.
Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code by Bridget Farr
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The middle grade novel features a girl who leads a protest at her middle school after she is unfairly dress-coded. A timely and thought-provoking story of one girl’s fight against gender inequality and the lessons she learns about her own privilege along the way.
Kingdom of Secrets by Christyne Morrell
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When her father is arrested for a crime she committed, Prismena will do anything to save him, taking her on a high-flying and shadowy adventure in this middle-grade fantasy debut.
The Renegade Reporters by Elissa Brent Weissman
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When Ash gets kicked off her school’s news show, she becomes a renegade reporter – and makes a big discovery about technology and her fellow students’ privacy.
Say It out Loud by Allison Varnes
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Charlotte Andrews is perfectly fine being quiet – in fact, she prefers it. But when she witnesses bullying on the school bus and doesn’t say anything, her silence comes between her and her best friend. An empowering look at finding your voice, facing your fears, and standing up for what’s right.
Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko
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Zee Puckett loves ghost stories. She just never expected to be living one. Perfect for fans of Small Spaces and Nightbooks, Ally Malinenko’s middle-grade debut is an empowering and triumphant ghost story—with spooky twists sure to give readers a few good goosebumps!
The Plentiful Darkness by Heather Kassner
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In this spine-chilling, middle-grade fantasy reminiscent of Serafina and the Black Cloak, an orphaned girl chases a thieving boy into a magician’s land of starless, moonless gloom where other children have gone missing before her.
Stowaway by John David Anderson
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The beloved author of Posted returns with the first book in a coming-of-age sci-fi duology about Leo, a kid trying to navigate the galaxy in order to save his family—and, possibly, the planet Earth.
The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
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Three kids who don’t belong. A room that shouldn’t exist. A year that will change everything. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Meg Medina, this debut middle grade novel from award-winning author Mark Oshiro is a hopeful and heartfelt coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in.
Cuba in my Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas
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Cuba in my Pocket follows a 12-year-old boy who leaves his family in Cuba to immigrate to the U.S. by himself. Based on the author’s family history, this novel transports readers back to the 1960s when Castro solidifies his power and Cumba tries to make a better life for himself in Florida.
Last Gamer Standing by Katie Zhao
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Ready Player One meets the action of battle royal video games in this middle-grade sci-fi perfect for fans of Fortnite.
Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucido
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Hannah’s schemes for throwing her own bat mitzvah unleash family secrets, create rivalries with best friends, and ultimately teach Hannah what being Jewish is all about in Recipe for Disaster.
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
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At a time when we are all asking questions about identity, grief, and how to stand up for what is right, this book by the author of A Thousand Questions will hit home with young readers who love Hena Khan and Varian Johnson—or anyone struggling to understand recent U.S. history and how it still affects us today.
What Lives in the Woods by Lindsay Currie
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All Ginny Anderson wants is to relax and enjoy her summer. But when Ginny’s father surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, her plans change for the worse. What Lives in the Woods is a chilling ghost story about Ginny living in a decrepit and creepy mansion who discovers the something in the woods may be after her.
Frankie and Bug by Gayle Forman
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The novel spotlights the friendship between Bug, a feisty 10-year-old girl from Venice Beach, who feels abandoned when her older brother decides he’d rather hang out with his friends than with her; and Frankie, an 11-year-old trans boy who arrives from Ohio to spend the summer with his gay uncle—and who wants only to have the chance to be who he is.
Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui
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Perfect for fans of Hena Khan and The First Rule of Punk, Barakah Beats is the story of 12-year-old Nimra Sharif who has spent her whole life in Islamic school and suddenly finds herself going to “real” school – and realizes that middle school is a whole new beast to conquer.
Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter
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Critically acclaimed author Caela Carter writes a timely and poignant #OwnVoices story that shines a bright light on one girl’s frustration and ultimate hope in dealing with her neurodiversity.
The Circus at the End of the Sea by Lori R. Snyder
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A vibrant and enchanting debut novel about an orphan girl who discovers a magical circus, this story shows readers the magic of following your heart and finding where you belong. Perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Rebecca Stead!
The Lost Language by Claudia Mills
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The quest to save the words of a dying language – and to find the words to save what may be a dying friendship – lies at the heart of this exquisite verse novel.
Boy Everywhere by A.M. Dassu
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Boy, Everywhere chronicles the harrowing journey of Sami who is taken from Syria to the UK. From privilege to poverty, across countries and continents, from a smuggler’s den in Turkey to a prison in Manchester, it is a story of survival, of family, of bravery.
Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Födi
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Magic is messy. Fans of Nevermoor and the School for Good and Evil will love this standalone middle grade fantasy featuring a failed young wizard and her chaotically fun cleanup crew.
Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee
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Candidly Cline follows an aspiring country singer-songwriter trying to find her voice as she navigates her family’s money troubles, a changing relationship with her grandmother, a difficult friendship breakup, and her first crush on a girl, while dreaming of her big break from her small Kentucky town.
Tidesong by Wendy Xu
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Tidesong follows an ambitious 12-year-old who moves to a seaside town with her aunts for an apprenticeship in magic and realizes that it may be more than she bargained for.
Gussy by Jimmy Cajoleas
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Perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Anne Ursu, Gussy is an enchanting, lyrical middle grade novel about a girl who must protect her village from a menacing magical force, even as she discovers that there is more to her village than she knew.
Tangled up in Luck by Merrill Wyatt
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When seventh grade enemies research a missing set of jewels for a class project, they realize that the answers to the unsolved case might be much closer to home than they thought in this fun-filled mystery for fans of The Book Scavenger and Lemons.
The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Kleckner
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When Maisie reconnects with her estranged 22-year-old brother abroad while trying to save her family’s portrait studio, she uncovers a truth about her parents that changes everything.
I Know Your Secret by Daphne Benedis-Grab
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Pretty Little Liars meets One of Us Is Lying in this middle-grade tour de force. An exploration of why we conceal the truth, I Know Your Secret forces four children to come to terms with the secrets they have hidden from everyone.
The Last Weave Andrew Zurcher
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The epic conclusion to Twelve Nights, where Kay and Ell’s magical quest of imagination, adventure, and the power of storytelling comes to a thrilling, twisty close. Perfect for fans of The Golden Compass and A Wrinkle in Time.
Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray
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Perfect for fans of Brightstorm and His Dark Materials, Orphans of the Tide is the story of a mysterious boy washing in with the tide and the city that believes he’s the Enemy – the god who drowned the world – come again to cause untold chaos.
Dark Hearts by Jim Gigliotti
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Sometimes the truth can be much scarier than fiction. And this collection is no exception. Uncover what fascinated and frightened some of our favorite horror writers of all time.
Girl Giant and the Jade War by Van Hoang
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In the sequel to Van Hoang’s outstanding Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Thom and her friends set off on a far-flung adventure to save the Heavens and the Jade Emperor from certain destruction.
