It usually comes out sideways. You suggest a book and get a shrug. You ask about a school reading assignment and get a “I’m just bad at reading.” It’s not angry, not dramatic. It is stated like a fact about the weather. Resist the urge to argue. “No, you’re not” is the natural response, and […]
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 […]
The Borough in Night Buddies is full of characters, and we mean that in the best possible way. Every person in this world has a very specific personality, a very specific skill set, and a very specific way of showing up. Sound like anyone you know? Read through the whole crew and see where you […]
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 […]
There’s something about October that invites you to slow down. The air turns crisp, evenings stretch longer, and suddenly curling up with a blanket and a good book feels exactly right. For middle-grade readers, who are often balancing schoolwork, sports, and social life, this season offers the perfect chance to rediscover the joy of reading […]
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 […]
John and Crosley have a unique friendship that includes their own special language. At times, it can be hard to remember the difference between “Snog!, Gnf!, Gorf!” and “Erp!, Gop!, Gruk!”. Every Night Buddies book comes with a glossary, but here is a quick refresher on some of the most fun and common terms you’ll come […]
Advent calendars are more popular than ever! You can find calendars that count the days to Christmas with socks, chocolates, pet treats, and Lego figures. But you can start one of the best advent countdown traditions at home with a story advent calendar. First, decide how many days you want to count down to Christmas. […]
Happy 2021 everybody! I hope you all had a safe and joyful holiday season. Today, I want to talk to you about New Year’s resolutions. I know, I know—not everyone’s a fan. Resolutions can often feel like a chore, or make you feel like a failure before you’re even done with January. But have you […]
Do you remember the days you were a kid, falling asleep to your parents reading you a bedtime story? Well, it turns out immersing yourself in a good book actually has benefits that can improve your entire life! As tempting as it is in current time to constantly scroll through the latest news updates or […]
It’s no secret that building literacy into your child’s developmental years can benefit them for the rest of their lives. But again and again I hear from parents who are concerned about how to get their kids as excited about reading as they are about iPads, phones, and video games. In my opinion, there’s no […]
Hi all, and happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time during the holiday season and are ready to take 2018 by storm. One of the things I always do at the start of the year is take time to remember all the amazing books I read in the previous year, […]