Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.
About the Book:
When a team of brilliant kids-turned-astronauts find themselves in serious trouble in outer space, they must work together to get back home. This is the first book in an incredible middle-grade graphic novel series created by real life astronaut, Leland Melvin!Launch into action in T-Minus 3, 2, 1…
When Tia Valor takes a test on a whim for an exclusive NASA program for middle schoolers, she never thought she’d pass. After all, she never really fit in at school. In fact, she’s been skipping school most days to work at her brother’s auto shop instead. But Leland Melvin, a famed astronaut, sees potential in Tia, and before she knows it, she’s part of a team of other talented kids training to launch to an advanced space station orbiting the earth. But the perils of space are unpredictable and Tia finds herself with only half her crew and no adults around to help. Now she must rely on her instincts and the quick thinking of her fellow kid astronauts to save the space station and their lives!
Created by real-life astronaut Leland Melvin, Eisner-Award nominated comic creator Joe Caramagna, and brought to brilliant life by Alison Acton, SPACE CHASERS is a space adventure like no other.
From Me:
This is such a fun and interesting book. Leland put himself in the book and he gathers a group of kids he sees as having something special. They are a mismatched group. There is Tia who is an orphan being raised by her brother who is a mechanic. She would rather be working on cars than at middle school. There is football star Bradley whose father is coaching him to be the best football player and get scholarships to his alma mater high school. There is Andromeda who is a smart young woman who seems good at everything. There is Steven who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. Then there is Indira who joins the team late and thinks Tia may have cheated off her test to win the spot. Each has their own talents and reasons to want to be on the Steam Engine Team. The kids get to train like astronauts and go into space.
Leland's overall goal for the team is to get kids interested and started in helping solve the problems of our world and keep the space program running. He sees the possibility of needing to move the human race off the planet and wants the kids to help explore living in space. This is a fun book with adventure and some thriller moments. I love the story and seeing middle school students as capable and intelligent kids. I also love the diversity of the group both in their races, abilities, etc. and their talents. Each is more successful in different parts of the training, and they support each other really well. It is a fun book filled with excitement, life, and perhaps a bit of the future.
Our second book is a STEM related novel and as well as some women's historical fiction novel. The novel is The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel.
About the Book:
Lainey Philipps has lived at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children since she was three years old. Now nearly a teenager, her life is hard, and she doesn’t expect it to get better—until a chance encounter during an open house changes everything when Lainey meets a woman who invites her to attend the prestigious Lovelace Academy.
Fitting in amongst the many privileged students within the ivy-covered walls of Lovelace Academy presents challenges unlike the ones Lainey has faced in the past. Her life of drudgery has hardly prepared her for the aristocratic airs and cutthroat academic ambition of the other girls. Terrified she’ll be cast out of the academy, Lainey grabs at her chance to prove herself by traveling to Switzerland to meet a female scientist crafting a groundbreaking theory.
Determined to prove her capability and reach her destination, Lainey must rely on her own wit—as well as a mysterious boy who has yet to prove himself as friend or foe. But the real test is what awaits her in Switzerland, at the home of Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.
From Me:
This book is packed with so many wonderful elements. Lainey is an orphan who is sad and blames herself for the death of her parents. The orphanage is awful. The kids are not allowed to cry or talk about their feelings or their parents. They are beaten when something is done incorrectly. The couple running it uses the money raised for the orphans for themselves. Lainey has been there since she was three and now tries to watch out for the younger kids. She knows at her age the chances of being adopted are very slim and she will age out of the orphanage and probably be sent to a workcamp. Then at the annual open house a female visitor starts talking to her. Lainey had stepped away from the crowd and was doing a bit of a science experiment on her own. The visitor was intrigued and told Lainey she reminded her of her mother. After the open house she gets called into the director's office and is told that woman was Lady Anne Blunt, Baroness of Wentworth (also Ava Lovelace's daughter). She has given Lainey a full scholarship to the private school she runs, Lovelace Academy. Lainey is sent right away with her small back of belongings. She enters the academy to discover an entirely different lifestyle. She is the only scholarship student. Her roommate is one of the wealthiest students and looks down on Lainey immediately. Lainey tries to fit in but struggles. When she really messes up or at least she thinks she has messed up or at least no one will believe her side of the story, she asks her one friend at the school to let her take her place on a secret mission that is to go to Switzerland and help Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.
Her journey is intense and filled with new experiences and many mishaps. She meets new friends including a mysterious boy. She has to make tough choices to go with her new friends or complete her mission and if and when to go back to school. There is grief, love, friendship and life lessons throughout this book. It is an interesting tale and has some feminist views woven throughout it. It truly pushes for equality and shows how women have a harder time due to societal norms. There are strong messages that are important, but the story itself is interesting and exciting. Kids will love it. It dives into issues of homelessness, nomads, orphans, and women's issues as well as pushing for STEM for girls. I really enjoyed this book!
Our third book is a new one that I have not finished reading yet so my review will be coming this summer!! Stay tuned. The book is Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna.
About the Book:
"Thrilling, funny, and suspenseful." - Craig Kofi Farmer, Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award-winning author of Kwame Crashes the Underworld
★ "Fast-paced and engaging... This is a beautiful, inclusive work that’s also a terrific story." - School Library Journal
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.
Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.
When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.
Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.
As I said stay tuned this summer for my review!!
The rest of the books in this roundup are ones I reviewed earlier this year. We will start with a fun nonfiction one about our Constitution. It is The Constitution Kids by Gary Gabel.
About the Book:
Alex, Kali, and Roman are three fifteen-year-old friends who live in a small town. Alex is a great communicator, Roman is a bit of an inventor, and Kali is an intuitive empath. It’s summertime, and an adventure is triggered when they find themselves in the middle of a protest outside the local library by people who want to ban certain books. During the protest, people are focused on what they believe to be their Constitutional rights, causing the three teenagers to realize how little they know about the Constitution.
In their search for answers, they discover a book with magical properties, which becomes a catalyst in helping them discover what the Constitution is really all about.
Join the teenagers as this mysterious book enables them to travel through time and space—bringing to life historical figures like Ben Franklin, Wyatt Earp, Alice Paul, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and many more. Each of these historical figures will teach them about the original Constitution and its amendments. Through the eyes of these three teenagers, you’ll be able to explore what it was like when the original Constitution was signed. You’ll even travel to other countries, like Russia, where you’ll meet Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in a field within the Gulag where he was imprisoned.
The Constitution, by itself, can be a difficult document to read, but The Constitution Kids will bring it to life with unusual experiences, humor, and fun, no matter your age.
My review is here.
The next book is perfect for animal lovers and STEM lovers. It is Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards.
About the Book:
Twelve-year old Lucy can’t believe her luck when she is selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, which involves solving a series of mind-bending puzzles to unlock access to new animal habitats across the local safari park. Her team will be racing the Wildlands Ambassadors, a group of student animal experts. And if they win, wildlife-loving Lucy will get the chance to be an Ambassador herself!
But this challenge is trickier than Lucy expects—her team is in for a wild ride! Broken locks, downed electronics, and empty animal enclosures are just the start. Lucy discovers something truly terrifying: Wildlands’ beloved baby elephant is on the loose and might be in danger! The team is sure this can’t be part of the competition—and with their walkie-talkie on the fritz, they have no way to call for help.
Their fun puzzle has turned into a serious test, but Lucy and her team will surprise everyone with how they tackle the real Wildlands challenge.
My review is here.
Our next book is a dystopia novel with environmental issues and indigenous people themes. It is The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon.
Perfect for fans of The Marrow Thieves, Hatchet and The City of Ember, H.E. Edgmon's middle grade debut offers a bittersweet tale of hope and survival, a modern classic for the climate change generation.
One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it.
With their parents gone and supplies running dangerously low, step-sisters Millie and Rose only have one chance at survival: leave home with their infant half-brother and loyal dog Corncob in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder. As they navigate the burning land with a group of fellow survivors, dodging The Hive, a villainous group that has spent the last year hoarding supplies and living in luxury, the siblings have to learn to rely on each other more than ever, and discover how to build a new life from the ashes.
Expertly balancing heartbreak and hope, The Flicker is both a thrilling survival story and a tender exploration of Indigenous ideas of identity and found family.
Two unlikely teammates on a grueling continent-hopping race to 7 countries. The Mission: photograph 7 endangered animals in just 70 days!... and solve a family mystery. Ages 8 to 12: with 3 full-page maps and 58 illustrations!
Twelve-year-old Armando never expected to spend his summer vacation racing around the world with his eccentric grandmother. But when they team up for the Amazing Animal Race, a grueling competition to snap photos of seven endangered animals in just seventy days--he discovers that Granny D is full of surprises!
Armed with night vision goggles, bear spray, and online support from his tech-savvy friend Jinny, Armando and his adventurous Granny embark on a quest across seven countries that will push them to their limits. From the icy Arctic to the steamy Amazon, Armando gains confidence as he faces ruthless race rivals and close encounters with rare and sometimes dangerous creatures.
But the Amazing Animal Race is more than just a photography contest. For Armando, it's a chance to solve a baffling family mystery, rebuild family relationships, and develop his passion for animals and helping the environment.
Packed with thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and unforgettable characters, "Armando and the Amazing Animal Race" takes readers on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery across the globe. This heart-warming, coming-of-age tale of family, mystery, and wildlife conservation will inspire young adventurers to see the world and themselves in a whole new light.
This book will appeal to fans of the "National Park Mystery Series", "The Explorer Academy" (National Geographic), "The Lost Whale" and "Hoot".
About the Book:
One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it.
With their parents gone and supplies running dangerously low, step-sisters Millie and Rose only have one chance at survival: leave home with their infant half-brother and loyal dog Corncob in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder. As they navigate the burning land with a group of fellow survivors, dodging The Hive, a villainous group that has spent the last year hoarding supplies and living in luxury, the siblings have to learn to rely on each other more than ever, and discover how to build a new life from the ashes.
Expertly balancing heartbreak and hope, The Flicker is both a thrilling survival story and a tender exploration of Indigenous ideas of identity and found family.
My review is here.
Next up is another one for people who love animals and want to learn about environmental issues. Yes, it is another STEM themed book. It is Armando & the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter.
About the Book:
Twelve-year-old Armando never expected to spend his summer vacation racing around the world with his eccentric grandmother. But when they team up for the Amazing Animal Race, a grueling competition to snap photos of seven endangered animals in just seventy days--he discovers that Granny D is full of surprises!
Armed with night vision goggles, bear spray, and online support from his tech-savvy friend Jinny, Armando and his adventurous Granny embark on a quest across seven countries that will push them to their limits. From the icy Arctic to the steamy Amazon, Armando gains confidence as he faces ruthless race rivals and close encounters with rare and sometimes dangerous creatures.
But the Amazing Animal Race is more than just a photography contest. For Armando, it's a chance to solve a baffling family mystery, rebuild family relationships, and develop his passion for animals and helping the environment.
Packed with thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and unforgettable characters, "Armando and the Amazing Animal Race" takes readers on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery across the globe. This heart-warming, coming-of-age tale of family, mystery, and wildlife conservation will inspire young adventurers to see the world and themselves in a whole new light.
This book will appeal to fans of the "National Park Mystery Series", "The Explorer Academy" (National Geographic), "The Lost Whale" and "Hoot".
Ideal for:
- Middle-grade readers hungry for mystery and edge-of-your-seat adventure.
- Animal lovers and budding conservationists.
- Parents, grandparents, and educators who are looking for stories with positive messages about family, global-mindedness, and the environment.
- And anyone who's ever dreamed of traveling the world.
(Caution: May cause extreme page turning excitement and sudden urges to explore the world!)
You can find my review here.
Our next book takes us into the Underworld of Greek mythology. It is the first in what is called The Underwild Series. The book is River of Spirits by Shana Targosz.
About the Book:
An instant New York Times bestseller!
A “dazzling debut” (Booklist, starred review) middle grade fantasy about a girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.
Senka lives between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead. As ward to Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, Senka assists in ferrying recently departed souls across the river and into their afterlife. Although Charon has taught her many Rules about life in the Underworld, there is much he avoids telling her. Though she doesn’t understand why the Rules are so important, she listens—she must heed them in order to become an official Ferryer, just like Charon.
Then a Living girl, Poppy, enters the Underworld to plead for help in finding the ghost of her brother. Poppy’s grief tugs at Senka’s heart—but helping Poppy goes against the very Rules Senka is so desperate to follow. When Poppy is yanked away by the river’s current, Senka leaps to save her, and she and Poppy are swept downriver, far from everything Senka has ever known.
Lost in the Underwild, Senka and Poppy encounter malevolent spirits of lore and eccentric ghosts—and not all are willing to let souls slip through their grasp. Senka knows the Living can’t stay in the realm of the Dead for long, and if Poppy isn’t returned home soon, she will risk becoming lost to the Underworld forever. But as Senka travels deeper into the Underwild, she discovers there are secrets her guardian has kept from her, including the mystery surrounding her own existence. As Poppy and Senka dodge angry demigods, hungry wraiths, and terrifying dragon chimera, Senka gets closer to learning the truth of her own past. Soon, Senka won’t just need to save Poppy’s life—she’ll also need to save her own.
My review is here.
Our final book in this roundup is another nonfiction book. It is for space lovers as well. It is Earthrise: The Story of the Photograph That Changed the Way We See Our Planet by Leonard S. Marcus.
About the Book:
Gazing out the window of the Apollo 8 spacecraft on Christmas Eve, 1968, NASA astronaut Bill Anders grabbed his camera and snapped the iconic color photo of our planet rising over the lunar horizon. Not long after the crew’s safe return, NASA developed Anders’s film and released “Earthrise” to the world. It soon became one of the most viewed and consequential photographs in all of human history, inspiring the first Earth Day in 1970 and boosting the global environmental movement. In the decades since, this incredible photograph of our small yet beautiful, familiar yet strange, “blue marble” has moved billions to rethink their understanding of our home planet, and even their very idea of “home.”
A companion to Marcus’s acclaimed Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait—a unique biography of America’s sixteenth president centered around one famous 1864 photo—Earthrise uses the same technique of exploring a key moment in US history through the lens of an iconic photograph. This rocket-paced, compact, and highly accessible nonfiction book includes a trove of black-and-white images and related materials throughout.
This is perfect for elementary and middle school kids ages 10-14, or in grades 5 through 8, who love:
● Outer space, astronauts, and STEM-related books
● Fascinating dives into American history
● Quick and engaging nonfiction reads
My review is here.
That is it for this roundup but check out my older reviews of even more middle grade novels. One of my favorites from last year is Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway. My review of it is here. Plenty of great books to pick for the middle grade summer reading! Happy reading and stay tuned for the 10+ Young Adult Roundup!
