Last year, we had the privilege to interview Kamilla Benko, author of The Unicorn Quest series. We are happy to have Kamilla back on the blog in front of her upcoming release of the latest in the saga, THE UNICORN QUEST: SECRET IN THE STONE. She also has a wonderful news of another project, but you'll have to read on to get the scoop! Middle Grade Mafia: What's something you absolutely knew would be in [...]
About the Book: Twelve-year-old Josephine has a lot on her plate―best friend issues, first crush issues, divorced parent issues, twin brother issues . . . and then her mom hits her with news that shakes her to her core: a breast cancer diagnosis. Josephine doesn’t want anyone to know―not even her best friend. Sharing the news means it’s actually real, and that’s something she’s not ready to face. Plus it would mean dealing with the stares―and [...]
A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get a copy of New Kid by Jerry Craft. Before I had a chance to read it, my 11 year-old grabbed it and finished it quickly. He insisted I put the book at the top of my list and it didn’t disappoint. Craft does a great job balancing humor and deeper emotions while telling a very relateable story. The greatest thing is that Jerry agreed to an [...]
About the Book Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft. Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious [...]
This is the second story in the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series. Kiran seems like a normal middle school kid living in New Jersey, but she’s actually Princess Kiranmala, the daughter of the evil Serpent King in the Kingdom Beyond. Her adoptive parents have raised her in New Jersey to keep her safe from her evil father. A message comes through the interdimensional television asking Kiran to come back to the Kingdom Beyond to [...]
Another wonderful book from acclaimed author, Avi, launches today titled, The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts. Avi's new series is set in 1724 England and introduces readers to a time in history where a child could find themselves among a world of cruel adults, corrupt judges, and petty thieves. The language is somewhat formal and reminiscent of the 1700s, but still accessible to the middle grade reader. The consistent action makes this story a page-turner and an [...]
Harry Potter meet Indiana Jones in this delightfully creepy story about a boy, his grandfather and some truly monstrous robots. Alex’s life gets turned upside down when his grandfather sends him an old toy robot and the note, “This one is special.” He has no idea the robot hides a deadly secret. Soon he and his grandfather are running for their lives across snowy Europe. The people after the robot are unusually cunning and will [...]
Eleven-year old Van might miss a word or two. He wears large hearings aides. He never misses seeing small things. He likes to collect them as treasure. When he notices a girl and a squirrel going after a coin tossed into a fountain by a wisher and follows them, he stumbles upon a secret society that collects wishes. Wishes contain powerful magic it seems. It’s the kind of magic that unusual creatures need to survive. [...]
Stories that feature a child main character that is suddenly transported to a world that forces him to overcome overwhelming odds to save the world/family/friends are very common (heck, I even wrote one). What sets certain books apart from the masses are dynamic characters and/or amazing world building. Ryan Calejo's contribution to this genre, Charlie Hernandez & the League of Shadows, delivers on both. Calejo's pacing of his debut novel is perfectly balanced to provide the reader [...]
Yesterday, we celebrated the launch of Julie Leung's third book MICE OF THE ROUND TABLE: MERLIN"S LAST QUEST. Today, we are lucky enough to bring you our Q&A with Julie. Middle Grade Mafia: Your take on this type of story is so fun. What was your inspiration for the series? Julie Leung: Growing up, I was obsessed with the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. I checked out every book from the library and dove headfirst into a [...]
