From The Mixed Up Files

Hey, it’s May! And lots of shiny, new middle grade books are making their way into readers’ hands. Here are a few to check out! Two books in the new Scholastic series: Magic Gems, by Payal Doshi Journey Through the Waterfall (Magic Gems #1) Lily the Water Gem helps her family take care of otters who splash around near the lake. When one of the baby otters is injured, Lily rushes to help. It soon becomes clear that the otter needs a special medicine made from flowers that grow beyond a powerful waterfall. The Gem...

Want to protect writers and have a character named after you or someone you love in a book by an author like David Baldacci, Jennifer Egan, or Brigid Kemmerer? You’re in luck. Place the winning bid in the PEN America Character Naming Auction and not only will you see your name in a future book, along with a signed copy, but you’ll support PEN America’s Author Safety Program, a program designed to protect writers facing harassment, threats, and intimidation both online and in person. The auction ends on May 15, 2026 @ 5:00 PM ET, so go here to get your...

Hey, it’s May! And lots of shiny, new middle grade books are making their way into readers’ hands. Here are a few to check out! Two books in the new Scholastic series: Magic Gems, by Payal Doshi Journey Through the Waterfall (Magic Gems #1) Lily the Water Gem helps her...

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math! Today, we’re interviewing Annette Whipple, author of Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs. The book investigates some of the more than 7,000 frogs around the world and invites readers to take an active interest in...

In today’s Author Spotlight, Sydney Dunlap chats with author Paige Classey about her middle-grade novel, Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer, an “enemies-to-first-crushes” story published by Penguin Random House and chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Paige Classey is a school librarian who lives with her husband and...

On July Fourth, 2026, the United States will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There has already been a number of events celebrating the 250th with many more to come. What better way to get your students engaged in learning about this time...

Hey, it’s May! And lots of shiny, new middle grade books are making their way into readers’ hands. Here are a few to check out! Two books in the new Scholastic series: Magic Gems, by Payal Doshi Journey Through the Waterfall (Magic Gems #1) Lily the Water Gem helps her...

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...