It's here, it's here, it's finally here! Happy Book Birthday to BUBBA AND SQUIRT'S BIG DIG TO CHINA by Sherry Ellis. We're super excited about this book release because Sherry is in our critique group and we've seen first hand how talented she is! The Blurb: You can't dig a hole to China! Squirt doesn't believe Bubba can dig a hole to China. But when the hole swallows them, the kids find themselves in Xi'an, China, [...]
Congratulations to Samantha Clark on her gripping debut novel, The Boy, The Boat and the Beast (2018, Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster). This is a one-of-a-kind story that skillfully keeps the reader emotionally invested all the way through to the unexpected ending. I asked Samantha about her writing journey. Middle Grade Mafia: Where did you find inspiration for this brave book, The Boy, The Boat and Beast? Samantha Clark: I’m so glad you think this book is [...]
Congratulations to Mae Respicio Koerner on her debut novel, The House that Lou Built, a warm middle grade book perfect for summer reading. What kid wouldn't like a tiny house all their own to escape their hectic family life. Even better, ambitious #stronggirl, Lou is determined to build it herself. We asked Mae about her writing journey. Middle Grade Mafia: Where did you find inspiration for The House That Lou Built and the diverse cast of characters? I knew [...]
Congratulations to Kat Zhang on her latest middle grade novel, The Memory of Forgotten Things. Like many middle grade books, the story starts off with a parent dying, but she explores the topic in such an uplifting way. The characters unique situation ignites the reader's curiosity and Kat Zhang masterfully keeps this going throughout the book and she tops it off with a satisfying ending. I won't give any more away because it's a must read. [...]
Congratulations to mafia friend, Rebecca Petruck, on the launch of her new middle grade novel, Boy Bites Bug. There is no doubt Rebecca totally gets middle grade characters, voice and humor. We asked her about her writing journey. Middle Grade Mafia: What was the inspiration for Boy Bites Bug? National Geographic wrote an article about a United Nations report urging people to eat bugs, then suggested “8 popular bugs to try.” I’ve always liked insects (except for [...]
Happy book birthday to Jill Diamond for her latest middle grade novel, Lou Lou and Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza. We asked Jill about her path to publishing. Middle Grade Mafia: Where did you find inspiration for Lou Lou and Pea and the Bicentennial Bonanza and the diverse cast of characters? Jill Diamond: Lou Lou and Pea's community of El Corazón is based on the Mission District in San Francisco. I have lived in or near the [...]
Happy book birthday to Laurie Morrison and Cordelia Jensen on their middle grade novel, Every Shiny Thing. Their book, written from two perspectives, half in verse and half in prose, has already received wonderful reviews. We asked them about their writing journey. Middle Grade Mafia: Where did you find inspiration for Every Shiny Thing? We both drew inspiration from our work with kids. After working as a counselor for many years, Cordelia was inspired by kids’ [...]
Happy book birthday to Anne Nesbet and her middle grade historical fiction, The Orphan Band of Springdale (Candlewick, 2018). We asked Anne about her writing journey. Middle Grade Mafia: What was the inspiration for The Orphan Band of Springdale? Anne Nesbet: My mother's extended family all come from a small town in rural Maine, and we would go back there in the summer and camp on the farm. And whenever we drove down one particular [...]
Legends of the Lost Causes marks the thrilling start to an action-packed middle grade series by debut authors Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester. A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws. This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground. With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he [...]
Happy book birthday to Middle Grade Mafia member, Lisa Lewis Tyre. Her second novel, Hope in the Holler, has already received outstanding reviews. “Wavie has a delightfully memorable first-person voice that includes pithy observations. . . . She’s so engaged with the people around her that her perceptions breathe full life into a range of characters. . . . A moving and richly engaging tale of despair and redemption.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review. MGM: What was the [...]
