
ORPHAN ELEVEN by Gennifer Choldenko
I've been a fan of Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko for quite a few years now. She writes interesting historical fiction that young people (and adults) can really get into. I was honored to feature her book Chasing Secrets back in 2017,…

SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA and other works by Cynthia Leitich Smith
I heard about SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA from a friend of mine, and as soon as I learned the premise, I reached out to Cynthia Leitich Smith for an interview. Not only is she is an award-winning author, her latest novel offers a Peter Pan reimagining…

CLIQUE HERE by Anna Staniszewski
I've been following Anna Staniszewski's career ever since I first interviewed her back in 2013. I've featured her My Very Unfairytale Life series as well as her picture books. She also did a guest post about finding emotion within a story idea.…

HOW TO SAVE A QUEENDOM by Jessica Lawson
HOW TO SAVE A QUEENDOM by Jessica Lawson is a book that has probably one of the best titles I've featured so far this year. It also has a great premise:
Life’s never been kind to twelve-year-old Stub. Orphaned and left in the…

ACROSS THE POND by Joy McCullough
When I first saw the cover of ACROSS THE POND I couldn't believe that there was a Middle Grade novel set in Scotland, and in a castle! Joy McCullough also wrote the critically acclaimed YA novels Blood Water Paint and We Are the Ashes, We Are…

HAZEL BLY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Ashley Herring Blake
I've been a fan of Ashley Herring Blake ever since GIRL MADE OF STARS came out, and I also loved IVY EBERDEEN'S LETTER TO THE WORLD. Her newest Middle Grade novel, HAZEL BLY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, comes out on May 25, 2021:
Hazel…

HOW TO BECOME A PLANET by Nicole Melleby
When I heard the title of this book during a writing conference panel, I immediately knew I had to feature it. HOW TO BECOME A PLANET by Nicole Melleby is not only a necessary addition to any library shelf, it captures the bifurcation that comes…

THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE by Chad Lucas
Chad Lucas is definitely a middle grade author to watch. In THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE, he effortlessly weaves together the tale of two boys--Brian and Ezra--in a way that is both heartwarming and meaningful. This is a necessary addition for all…

OVER THE WOODWARD WALL by A. Deborah Baker (a.k.a Seanan McGuire)
I've followed Seanan McGuire's books for a long time, including her October Daye series. When I heard about her new Middle Grade novel, OVER THE WOODWARD WALL, which she wrote as A. Deborah Baker, I contacted her for an updated interview:
Avery…

THE THIEVING COLLECTORS OF FINE CHILDREN’S BOOKS by Adam Perry
As soon as the cover and premise of THE THIEVING COLLECTORS OF FINE CHILDREN'S BOOKS caught my eye over Twitter, I had to feature it. This Middle Grade adventure would be a great addition to any library collection.
Oliver Nelson…