Latest from the Blog

  • May 2026 New Releases!
    May 2026 New Releases!
    May 1, 2026 by
    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...
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Middle Grade Authors

Oh MG! News

  • The US Capitol dome at night
    HR 7661 Advances Censorship by Withdrawing Federal Funding
    On March 19, Publisher’s Weekly reported that the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce moved forward with House Resolution (HR) 7661. As recorded on congress.gov, the stated purpose of this bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) is as follows: “To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the use of funds provided under such Act to develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote any program or activity for, or to provide or promote literature or other materials to, children under the age of 18 that includes sexually oriented material, and for other purposes.”  ...
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MUF middle grade authors

Booklists

  • May 2026 New Releases!
    May 2026 New Releases!
    May 1, 2026 by
    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...
    Read more
STEM Tuesday
  • STEM Tuesday-- Amphibians-- Author Interview with Annette Whipple
    STEM Tuesday– Amphibians– Author Interview with Annette Whipple
    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...
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All About Middle Grade Books

  • Author Spotlight: Paige Classey
    Author Spotlight: Paige Classey
    April 29, 2026 by
    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...
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For Teachers / Homeschoolers

  • cover of sophia's war with outline of character with a noose down the center of the cover
    From the Classroom – Revolutionary War Reads
    April 27, 2026 by
    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...
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New Releases

  • May 2026 New Releases!
    May 2026 New Releases!
    May 1, 2026 by
    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...
    Read more

For Writers

  • GET A CLUE with Author Fleur Bradley
    GET A CLUE with Author Fleur Bradley
    March 12, 2026 by
    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...
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