There is a very specific moment that every reading household knows. Your middle grader finishes a book they loved, closes it, and looks up with a mix of satisfaction and grief. Then comes the question: Do you have another one like that? It sounds simple. It is not. The trick is that kids almost never […]
Most readers can point to one. A specific book, usually read at exactly the right moment, that cracked something open. Before it, reading was a chore or just something that happened at school. After it, books were something else entirely. If your middle grader hasn’t found that book yet, they haven’t found it yet. That’s […]
If you have a middle-grade reader who likes knowing what’s coming next, 2026 is already shaping up to be a strong year. Publishers have announced a range of middle-grade releases that span fantasy, mystery, contemporary stories, and graphic novels, giving families plenty of options for different reading styles and moods. Below are eight middle-grade books […]
January is not the month for books that feel like homework. It is cold. It gets dark early. Kids are tired from being back in school. This is the season when many middle-grade readers naturally gravitate toward stories that feel familiar, steady, and comforting. Not boring. Just safe enough to sink into. These are the […]
October is here, and with it comes pumpkins, chilly nights, and of course, spooky stories. Middle graders seem especially drawn to tales that make the hair on the back of their necks stand up. But why do we love being spooked, and where did this tradition come from? The Origins of Spooky Tales Long before […]
Middle-grade books are packed with wild imaginations, daring adventures, and unforgettable sidekicks, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s the magical creatures who steal the show. From red crocodiles to shape-shifting demons, these creatures bring stories to life in ways that are both funny and thrilling, and sometimes even a little spooky. Today, we’re rounding up […]
Looking for your next great read? Whether your middle grader is a bookworm or just dipping their toes into the world of stories, 2024 shaped up to be an exciting year for middle-grade books! From fantastical adventures to heartfelt tales of friendship and self-discovery, last year’s releases were packed with stories that will inspire, entertain, […]
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of someone else. Stories can be a gateway to understanding empathy as readers are invited to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Add these four books to your summer reading list. Each offers perspectives to help us understand what others (including animals) might feel. […]
It’s a common belief that children’s books are meant for…well…children. The truth is, though, that children’s literature is meant to be enjoyed by anyone who reads it. Children’s authors often know that parents are reading right alongside their children, which means that a lot of their books are filled with references and lessons meant for […]
During scary times in the world, books often help kids to process their “new normal.” Whether it’s a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a parent or sibling, or any other life-changing event, you can probably find a book that will help you and your child start a conversation about it together. But when COVID-19 came […]
I think we can all use a little bit of hope during this time period, and what better place to find it than in stories! Here are four children’s stories that will leave you feeling a little more hopeful about the state of our world. Enjoy! Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan, by Jeanette Winter […]
The world is full of so many good books, and so little time to read them all! That’s why I wanted to make it easy on you by giving you a complete guide to the BEST children’s books you need to read in 2020. Hope you enjoy! The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander This book is […]