This month, we are featuring middle-grade books about different cultures and countries around the world. Here are our selections: The Golden Orchard by Flora Ahn and performed by Kathleen Choe is a totally unique inter-generational time/travel for middle-grade readers that is full of Korean food and culture. It is hands down one of the best time-travel stories ever. LSB Buy Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis: This second book in the Bubba [...]
The writer's nightmare, a blank page. Where do you start your story? How do you start it? Description? Dialogue? A dream? No, not a dream, but how, and with who, and where? It doesn't matter because you'll probably change it later anyway. Just start writing and get the words flowing.
I recently reviewed Jake Burt’s debut novel GREETINGS FROM WITNESS PROTECTION! I especially loved the blend of humor with the life-threatening suspense as 13-year-old Nicki Demere handles a professional hitman with the same sarcastic, streetwise way as she does the bullies at her middle school. I wanted to read more of Jake’s books so I checked out his website www.jburtbooks.com and learned that his second novel THE RIGHT HOOK OF DEVIN VELMA will be out on September 4th, 2018. [...]
Clayton Byrd idolizes his grandfather, Cool Papa, a legendary blues guitarist. Clayton's instrument is the blues harp, or harmonica, and he yearns to finally get a solo with the Bluesmen, Cool Papa's band. But Cool Papa tells him, "a bluesman aint's a bluesman without that deep-down cry." The unthinkable happens and Cool Papa dies suddenly. Clayton is devastated. His mother is grieving too but in a different way. She's always hated Cool Papa's music because [...]
Michael O'Shaunessey lives in Nazi Germany with his parents who are the Irish ambassadors. Because Ireland has remained neutral in the war, he and his parents have been allowed to stay. They all pretend to support the German war effort and Michael is even a member of Hitler Youth. But it's all an act. They're actually undercover spies. Michael hates everything about the Nazis but he plays his part well. He makes friends with his [...]
Middle Grade Mafia reads a lot of books and we think we have good taste in children’s literature, but what do we know? We’re adults. Children’s books are supposed to appeal to children. We wanted to know what kids like to read and why .From time to time, MGM will be interviewing the real experts in children’s literature…the media specialists. Our first “From the Stacks” interview is with Jennifer Lewis, the media specialist at Indian [...]
We're happy to announce another book birthday for Tricia Springstubb. Today is the release of Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe. "Cody and Mysteries of the Universe" is the second book in this series, following last year's "Cody and the Fountain of Happiness". The adventures continue as irrepressible Cody and deep-thinking best friend Spencer tangle with the Meen Family next door. Cody puzzles over friendship, how to be patient, the baton of love, and other mysteries in this [...]
Today the mafia is excited to interview award winning author of multiple books for children including picture books, chapter books and middle grade . . . Kate Messner. Her mystery series the Silver Jaquar Society is one of my favorite and has broad appeal. I asked her how she accomplished this success. Middle Grade Mafia: Your award winning mystery, Capture the Flag, features three children, Anna, Jose and Henry. The book really appeals to both girls and boys which is a rare [...]
Thirteen-year-old Cassie Arroyo is a Cuban- American living in Rome with her father, an art history professor at an Italian University. Her world falls apart when someone shoots her father and tries to kill her. Before he's whisked away in the ambulance, her father tells Cassie that her life is in danger and she must go stay with an old friend, Brother Gregorio. Cassie and her best friend, Simone, find Brother Gregorio living in an empty [...]
Greenwood, Mississippi was invaded in the summer of 1964. The invaders were called agitators by the locals. They called themselves “Freedom Fighters.” White college students from around the country joined forces with African-American civil rights leaders to register voters. In the midst of the racial tension is 12-year-old Sunny who is experiencing tension at home as well. Her father has remarried. She’s not happy about sharing her home with a new step-family. Racist hatred reaches a boiling point and Sunny [...]
