Cover Reveals - Middle Grade (72)

Applesauce Weather by Helen Frost
Goodreads

In a touching poetic novel, a fall apple ritual—along with some inventive storytelling—brings a family together as they grieve the loss of a beloved family member.

When the first apple falls from the tree, Faith and Peter know that it’s applesauce weather, even though Peter is getting a little old for such things. It also means Uncle Arthur should be here to tell his stories, with a twinkle in his eye as he spins tales about how he came to have a missing finger. But this is the first year without Aunt Lucy, and when Uncle Arthur arrives, there’s no twinkle to be found and no stories waiting to be told. Faith is certain, though, that with a little love and patience, she and Peter might finally learn the truth about that missing finger. Paired with warm, expressive illustrations by Amy June Bates, this heartfelt tale by award-winning poet Helen Frost highlights the strength of family and the power of a good story.

Beautiful Blue World by Suzanne LaFleur
Goodreads

Beautiful Blue World  is a thrilling and moving story of children who become the key to winning a war.

Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors, and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they’ll be all right.

But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever.

This touching and suspenseful novel is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot.

Enter a Glossy Web by McKenna Ruebush
Goodreads

Twelve-year-old George has no idea what to expect when she’s sent to stay with eccentric relatives following the disappearance of her brother. Soon after her arrival, she learns that Uncle Constantine has been kidnapped. George sets off to recover him and is joined by two orphaned boys along the way and Cavendish, a talking map. Together they visit magical worlds full of monsters, witches, and dragons as they attempt to find Constantine--the Timekeeper--a man of great significance. If he’s not rescued, events will cease to happen at their designated times, disrupting the unfolding of the universe. Can this ragtag crew save the future before being outwitted by evil captors?

Dear Poppy by Ronni Arno
Goodreads

When twelve-year-old Poppy moves to the country, she discovers a secret stash of letters that give her a unique connection to her late mother in this M!X novel about friendship, first crushes, and family drama.

City girl Poppy has always wanted a best friend, but never felt enough of a connection with anyone to gain BFF status. Even without a BFF, Poppy is horrified when her father decides to move her and her older brother out to the family farm. Away from her beloved city and away from memories of her late mom—a fresh start for everyone.

And after a weird first week at her new school, Poppy is convinced she is destined for a boring year—until she finds a stack of letters from 1985 hidden in the barn of the old farmhouse that they move into. Even better? Those letters are addressed to Poppy...from her mom. Poppy doesn't know what supernatural event brought these letters to her, but she doesn't care. All she knows is that she finally has the connection she yearns for. Plus, her mom seems to understand everything that Poppy is going through: not quite fitting in, the desire to put down roots, and the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Has Poppy discovered the friend—and acceptance—she’s always wanted?

The Wolf Keepers by Elise Broach
Goodreads

Twelve-year-old Lizzie Durango and her dad have always had a zoo to call their home. Lizzie spends her days watching the animals and taking note of their various behaviors. Though the zoo makes for a unique home, it's a hard place for Lizzie to make lasting friends. But all this changes one afternoon when she finds Tyler Briggs, a runaway who has secretly made the zoo his makeshift home. The two become friends and, just as quickly, stumble into a covert investigation involving the zoo wolves who are suddenly dying. Little do they know, this mystery will draw them into a high-stakes historical adventure involving the legend of John Muir as they try to navigate safely while lost in Yosemite National Park.

Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry by Susan Vaught
Goodreads

A mysterious note takes Dani Beans into the secrets of Ole Miss and its dark past in this compelling new middle grade novel from the author of Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy.

“Sooner or later, we’re all gonna be okay.”

That’s what Dani’s Grandma Beans used to say. But that was before she got Alzheimer’s. Lately, Dani isn’t so sure Grandma Beans was right. In fact, she isn’t sure of a lot of things, like why Mac Richardson suddenly doesn’t want to be her friend, and why Grandma Beans and Avadelle Richardson haven’t spoken in decades. Lately, Grandma Beans doesn’t make a lot of sense. But when she tells Dani to find a secret key and envelope that she’s hidden, Dani can’t ignore her. So she investigates, with the help of her friend, Indri, and her not-friend, Mac. Their investigation takes them deep into the history of Oxford, Mississippi, and the riots surrounding the desegregation of Ole Miss. The deeper they dig, the more secrets they uncover. Were Grandma Beans and Avadelle at Ole Miss the night of the Meredith Riot? And why would they keep it a secret?

The more Dani learns about her grandma’s past, the more she learns about herself and her own friendships—and it’s not all good news. History and present day collide in this mystery that explores how echoes of the past can have profound consequences.

The Sweetest Sound by Sherri Winston
Goodreads

Shy ten-year-old Cadence grapples with an overprotective father, a mother who's skipped town to pursue stardom, and what to do when a recording of her amazing voice leaks before she's ready to share it with the world.

The Mighty Dynamo by Kieran Crowley
Goodreads

Noah Murphy loves soccer. He's pretty much the best player at his school. However, when suspicious events unfold, which Noah maintains were not his fault, his principal bans him from competing for his school.

With no tournament and no chance to play in the World Cup, Noah is hopeless that he might never get the prize money he needs to help his family. He's willing to do anything to find a way to play, even if that means pairing up with some female players who, Noah finds, are as good at soccer as any boy.

Noah, his best friend, and a few other underdogs form a group who are desperate to participate and win the tournament.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Goodreads

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.

The acclaimed author of The Witch’s Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic.

Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep by Abby Hanlon
Goodreads

Dory the rascal tackles friendship, losing teeth, and learning to read in a hilarious new chapter book that is perfect for readers of Ivy and Bean
 
School has been pretty good so far. Dory has made a real true friend whose imagination and high spirits as are big as her own. Reading is proving to be a challenge, but having a loose tooth makes her feel special. Suddenly, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, Dory's imaginary enemy, starts appearing in unlikely places. Dory and her friend can only imagine that she’s there to prevent the Tooth Fairy from visiting. This calls for some heroic plans worthy of this high-spirited and comical character who is one-of-a-kind.

Fans of Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody will rejoice in this laugh-out-loud funny series.

Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Young
Goodreads

The last year of elementary school is big for every kid. In this novel, equal parts funny and crushing, utterly honest and perfect for boys and girls alike, Christine Gouda faces change at every turn, starting with her own nickname—Tink—which just doesn't fit anymore. Readers will relate to this strong female protagonist whose voice rings with profound authenticity and absolute novelty, and her year's cringingly painful trials in normalcy—uncomfortable Halloween costumes, premature sleepover parties, crushed crushes, and changing friendships. Throughout all this, Tink learns, what you call yourself, and how you do it, has a lot to do with who you are. This book marks beloved author Karen Romano Young's masterful return to children's literature: a heartbreakingly honest account of what it means to be between girl and woman, elementary and middle school, inside and out—and just what you name that in-between self.

Mabel Jones and the Doomsday Book by Will Mabbitt
Goodreads

Delivering belly laughs and heart-stopping action in equal measure, this third installment of the Mabel Jones saga is an excellent family read-aloud.

Trapped in the Noo World, Mabel Jones is determined to make the most of her time in this strange future run by animals. Her next mission: find the Doomsday Book, a guidebook used to wipe out humanity. If Mabel can find out what happened to her species, there's a chance she can prevent its extinction. But an elusive creature known as Von Klaar is also after the book . . . and her intentions reek of malice.

Join Mabel and her crewmates as they race Von Klaar to the sacred city of Otom. Hoomankind depends on it!

The Terrible Two Go Wild by Jory John & Mac Barnett
Goodreads

From superstar authors and friends Mac Barnett and Jory John comes the third installment in their smart and funny New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, The Terrible Two Go Wild. Everyone’s favorite pranksters and founders of the International Order of Disorder are at it again! Miles and Niles find themselves marooned for the summer at Camp Good Times, which is all about peace and good vibes. (Can you say BOR-ING?) With no clear prank-ortunities, the Terrible Two fail to see what about all of this is so good. But when kids from the nearby Yawnee Valley Yelling and Push-Ups Camp raid Good Times’s super-secret candy stash, the campers look to Miles and Niles for help. Will our heroes break free from the feckless feel-goodery of Camp Good Times? Are their sharp minds and close friendship a match for the fists of the rival campers? And why has Stuart changed his name to Tree? All these questions, plus some other ones you haven’t thought of yet, will be answered in The Terrible Two Go Wild. With short chapters and plenty of illustrations, the Terrible Two series engages reluctant readers and appeals to a wide range of kids—both pranksters and not—as they laugh out loud.

Night of the Living Shadows by Dave Coverly
Goodreads

After sleeping off his adventure battling the evil Nightcrawlers, Speed Bump joins Slingshot on a quest to earn their Scavenger Hunt badge. Once they complete their last challenge, they'll no longer be Bird Scouts--they'll be Eagle Scouts! But, as is always the case with these two birds, their adventure turns into a misadventure when they end up at a shopping mall--fun by day, scary by night! Trapped inside, what crazy scheme will they come up with to get out?

Here's the much anticipated second book in this fun new chapter book series.

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Do you have a favorite recent new cover? Or a favorite from this list? Let me know in the comments!