Enjoy the following reviews for Middle-Grade fiction and Nonfiction. This is typically ages 8-12.
Lost in the Empire City
Recommended Ages: 8-12
Follow this historical fiction story of an immigrant from Italy learning to survive in a new world after losing his family on Elis Island.
Lifeboat 5
Recommended Ages: 8-12
Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood is the second book on the similar sinking of the SS City of Benares in September of 1940 due to a German torpedo.
The Sherlock Society
Recommended Ages: 8-12
James Ponti’s newest middle grade mystery is The Sherlock Society. This story is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family. I absolutely loved the story and the wit throughout. It is not a book that one wants to put down until the mystery is finally solved.
Greenglass House
Recommended Ages: 9-12
The Greenglass House is an inn that is notorious for being a stop and resting place for smugglers and other criminally minded people. The story is mystery for the readers and main character to solve.
Caution: This story involves ghosts.
Uprising
Recommended Ages: 8-12
Jennifer A. Nielsen does it again with another compelling World War II novel set in Warsaw, Poland. Lidia Durr, the main character, is not willing to cower and wait for help to arrive. She is stubborn, willful, at times foolish, but also incredibly brave, courageous and talented.
Tree. Table. Book.
Recommended Ages: 8-12
Despite the fact that there are some things I liked about the story, I think there are too many that outweigh the reading of it. It isn’t a powerful, magnificent story that makes you overlook a few negatives. It is a subtle story that presents suggestive things to young readers. Readers from a secular worldview wouldn’t find much to criticize this story for; however, as one coming from a Biblical Worldview, I would quickly pass on this novel and find something better for my readers.
The Plot to Kill a Queen
Recommended Ages: 8-12
The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah Hopkinson is an adorable historical fiction novel that will captivate readers who like first person female protagonists and unique narrative styles.
The Enigma Girls
Recommended Ages: 8-12
The Enigma Girls by Candace Fleming is a compelling true story about ten young women sworn to secrecy whose work helped their country wing World War II.
Unbreakable
Recommended Ages: 10-14
Unbreakable: the Spies Who Cracked the Nazi’s Secret Code is a great nonfiction read for anyone interested in code breaking and World War II.
Cautionary note about Alan Turing at the end of the review.
The Shape of Thunder
Recommended Ages: 8-12
This book is certainly not for every reader and there are elements that should be discussed with readers. The story is written from two alternating perspectives, Cora and Quinn. As details are slowly revealed, the central conflict becomes clearer – Quinn’s older brother, Parker, took guns to school and killed four people, one of which included her best friend Cora’s sister, Mabel.
This book is not one I would recommend.
Ten Thousand Tries
Recommended Ages: 8-12
Ten Thousand Tries by Amy Makechnie is a unique middle school novel that provides insight to those who suffer from ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
Other Words for Home
Recommended Ages: 9-12
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga is a middle school novel told in verse and separated into six parts.
There are some details that may be notes of caution for some families and readers. Please take a moment to review the details I provide.
The Trail
Recommended Ages: 8-12
The Trail by Meika Hashimoto is a timeless coming of age adventure story dealing with the processing of grief at its very core. Toby is hiking the Appalachian Trail in order to finish “the list” he and his friend Lucas created.
Cautionary Content: Lucas is dead, and another character is contemplating suicide.
The Gauntlet
Recommended Ages: 8-12
The Gauntlet is very reminiscent of Jumanji. It is Farah’s birthday, and her aunt brings her a special gift. Unfortunately, this game has a mind of its own, and it was not what her aunt had actually intended to give her.
Once Upon a Camel
Recommended Ages: 8-11
Once Upon a Camel is a delightful tale about a camel named Zada and her American Kestrel friends. The story takes place in the desert of Texas as a haboob barrels through the land. Zada is tasked with getting the baby Kestrel’s to safety.
