From Wild Things to House Elves: Our 6 Favorite Fantasy Lands
Part of the magic of books is how they transport us to new lands, whether it’s a fictional school or a…
Young Readers
10 Reasons to Build a Child’s E. B. White Library
I think, for every one of us, there is a special place in our hearts for the books of E.…
The Darker Side of Middle Grade: 6 Novels to Read with The Light On
Admit it: You’ve done it. Read a story so dark, so twisted, so enthralling that you can’t put it down…
Lisa Graff Explores Fresh Starts and Second Chances in Her New Novel, Lost in the Sun
Second chances: We aren’t always given them. And at twelve years old, that can be a hard lesson to learn.…
Our 10 Favorite Stories About Wilderness Survival
You can find plenty of staged and pseudo survival shows on television these days, but when your young reader needs to…
Kids in Space Part II: 8 Great Books for Older Middle Grade Readers
“Middle Grade” covers the ages from nine to twelve, and there’s a big difference in the amount of grim intensity…
The Nightsiders: The Orphan Army is Filled with Danger, Adventure, and Hope for a New Beginning
Being 11 is tough. There’s the constant military presence, the dreams haunted by The Witch of the World, the scavenging missions…
Ratscalibur is a Story with Heart, Soul, and Magical Sporks
I can already imagine the Hollywood pitch for a film adaptation of Ratscalibur, the newest middle grade novel by New York Times…
Tackling the Tough Stuff: 5 Novels About Bullying
Some middle grade novels are easy to digest; stories about vacation adventures, silly school hijinks, or get-rich-quick schemes gone wrong. Their…
Susin Nielsen’s We are All Made of Molecules Explores Blended and Non-Traditional Families
Maybe it’s because of years spent sprawled on the living room rug watching old shows like The Brady Brunch and…
Meet Martin Moone and His World of Imaginary Pals in Moone Boy: The Blunder Years
It’s late, and I should have been asleep an hour ago. But I’m giggling myself silly from reading Moone Boy:…
5 Clever Books for Young Pranksters
Every day is April Fools’ Day for practical jokers. Tons of fun for those playing the jokes but not so…
The 7 Coolest Mothers in Middle Grade Fiction
Moms are to middle grade novels as hand-painted backdrops are to school plays: They’re not usually the stars of the…
6 Top-Notch Detective Books for Sleuths-in-Training
If you have a budding detective in your house, a good mystery is a great way to get your little…
5 of Our Favorite Middle Grade Evil Geniuses
High IQ, maniacal laughter, secret lair, devious hand-rubbing, posse of henchmen, detailed (and often thwarted) plans for world domination—all the…
Maritime Mayhem: 5 Pirate Tales for Middle Grade Readers
Arr! Batten down the hatches, matey! The winds are a-blowin’, the pirates are a-scowlin’, and the prisoners are a-walkin’ the…
The Isle of the Lost Author Melissa de la Cruz Talks Disney Fanfic and Which Villain’s Makeup Is on Fleek
At the end of Disney classics like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty, we know that the princes…
5 Rad New Middle Grade Books to Read if You Loved These ’80s Classics
If you were a child of the 80s, you have a lot to be thankful for. Awkward photos of slouch…
Michael Northrop’s Tombquest Series Continues with Amulet Keepers
Remember how much you (and your kids) loved the films Indiana Jones and The Mummy, high-stakes archeological adventures filled with…