From The Mixed Up Files

I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Fleur Bradley to the blog. I first discovered Fleur when I devoured her middle grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. With its clever clues and spectacular twist, it felt very Agatha Christie for kids. I became an instant fan. She followed with Daybreak on Raven Island, another page-turning mystery that kept me guessing right to the very end. Now Fleur is sharing her sleuthing secrets in Get a Clue (available April 7th) , a smart, practical guide for anyone ready to crack the code of writing MG and YA...

Exciting news for budding librarians and other people who love deep diving into information: The Library of Congress (LoC) is opening The Source, a special space for kids 8 and older to learn about research and information. According to the LoC, The Source will be a “space to discover how information and research can nourish curiosity, creativity and change… Through dynamic interactive experiences, kids will explore the Library’s resources and discover their own researcher identity by exploring collections, finding and analyzing information and considering perspectives represented in the Library.”   The space was designed with help from a youth advisory council,...

For a short month, February is overflowing with brand new middle grade books. Have a look and let us know which of our Middle Grade New Releases you’re looking forward to reading.     Serendipity by Gabbie Benda Serendipity is the luckiest kid in the world. But what happens when...

This month’s theme brings mountains right into your classroom! How can students learn about these major landforms—the highest places on Earth? Here are a few ideas to try in the classroom let students climb their peaks by opening these books.   At the Top of the World: The greatest mountains...

When we embark upon our journey as storytellers, we become part of the writing community at large. Each of us seeks to build relationships with not only our audiences, but also long to engage with other creatives across multiple mediums. As middle-grade authors, it is so important for us to...

You turn the crank on the side of the colorful box once, then once again, and then wait.  You turn it slower and slower, rapt in anticipation of that freaky clown’s surprise appearance when the lid springs open. With every turn, your heart beats faster, and your eyes get a...

I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Fleur Bradley to the blog. I first discovered Fleur when I devoured her middle grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. With its clever clues and spectacular twist, it felt very Agatha Christie for kids. I became an instant fan. She followed with Daybreak on...

I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Fleur Bradley to the blog. I first discovered Fleur when I devoured her middle grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. With its clever clues and spectacular twist, it felt very Agatha Christie for kids. I became an instant fan. She followed with Daybreak on...