A Dangerous Crossing by Jane Mitchell is a powerful and thought-provoking middle grade novel following a 13-year-old Syrian boy forced to flee his home in search of safety. Read my 4.5-star review as part of The Write Reads blog tour.
A colorful, kid-first introduction to video game design, Game Creator's Workshop by Greg Reisdorf encourages young gamers to think like creators through hands-on activities, critical thinking, and plenty of imagination—no coding required.
Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau combines sibling chaos, wilderness danger, kid-friendly humor, and clever problem-solving in a fast-paced middle-grade adventure that's especially well suited to reluctant readers ages 8-12.
Can an unconventional writing style deepen an emotional story? In Soccerwild, Craig Wells explores grief, healing, and resilience through the eyes of a young boy whose unexpected friendship with a coyote pup helps him begin finding hope again. Read my full review to see why this thoughtful middle-grade novel stayed with me long after the final page.
When Orion's songwriting is stolen at music camp, she must find the courage to stand up for herself and reclaim her voice. Stolen: The Orion Sessions #2 by Cheryl DaVeiga is an uplifting middle-grade story about friendship, resilience, kindness, and perseverance.
Orion Casey has stopped singing, but anonymous messages and a renewed love of music may help her rediscover her confidence. Read my review of Best Friends: The Orion Sessions by Cheryl DaVeiga, plus a special guest post from the author about finding your voice and staying true to yourself.