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By Melissa Taylor
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It’s amazing how many new middle grade books continue to arrive on my doorstep! Today’s post includes 8 new favorites of the last few weeks since my previous post of 13 May middle grade books.
*I know. It’s a lot! You’re welcome. 🙂
More New Middle Grade Books, May 2024
Boo Hag Flex written by Justina Ireland 
SCARY / SHORT MIDDLE GRADE
208 pages
In a story within a story, after Tasha’s mom dies, she’s sent to stay with her grandmother and deadbeat dad. Mostly Tasha hangs out with her new friend Ellie. The girls soon realize that a boo hag is killing the old folks at the trailer park and Tasha’s grandmother is next. They read in a hoodoo legends book how to stop the boo hag but they could never imagine who the boo hag is. Tasha will need her wits and bravery to save her grandmother and stop the murderous creature trying to live forever. Thankfully, this was not as scary as I thought it would be (I did save if for daytime reading) but still is a bit creepy. It’s a quick read with an interesting plot and believable,likable characters.
The Sky King written by Polly Holyoke (Book 2)
FANTASY
336 pages
To protect the realm, the emperor sends Kie and a small group of skyriders to find petition the King of the skysteeds for an alliance. Kie’s skysteed, N’Rah, is wary and sad to return to his wild herd but he doesn’t tell Kie the reason until it’s too late to turn back. After a perilous journey, theskyriders not only aren’t welcomed, but attacked by the wild skysteeds. The Sky King refuses an alliance with humans he considers to be betrayers who treat their skysteeds like property. When the skyriders leave, they see hundreds of sinister vultirenamassing to attack the wild skysteed herd. They turn around, hoping to convince the Sky King to let them help defend the herd before it’s too late and everyone is slaughtered? I loved the first book so much it made my best middle grade book list of 2023 and I LOVE this sequel. Grab them both for your summer reading!
Kingdom Riders created by Shannon Eric Denton and Marcus To
FANTASY GRAPHIC NOVEL / SHORT MIDDLE GRADE
208 pages
The exquisite illustrations in this exciting fantasy adventure graphic novel feel cinematic. The story is about a poor, low-born girl named Kayla who wants to earn enough money to buy her best friend’s freedom. She and her frog steed enter a race that earns enough money to get her friend out of servitude and earns the a spot on a team for the kingdom’s race to the death. Filled with unique magic, danger and betrayal, cool cretures, and a sinister ruler, this is a must-read epic fantasy starring a heroic main character whose kindness toward others shocks the kingdom and inspires her team.
The Academy written by TZ Layton
REALISTIC / SOCCER
306 pages
A librarian with decades of educational experience recommended this book to me saying that she has a waiting list for this book. That’s how good it is!
Leo, a kid from a small town in Ohio, gets scouted and invited to the Dragons soccer summer camp with a chance to be in the prestigious academy if he does well. Leo loves his iguana and lizards, he’s a great video game player, and he excels at soccer. At least he did until he got to the big leagues where everyone else has more experience and training. Leo can be lazy and he has to confront his mindset and train extra hard to learn the basics that other players already know. He makes new friends, overcomes a bully, and finds mentors who genuinely care about his success. I was mesmerized by the soccer strategy in this book. The story is exciting, mesmerizing, and a fantastic first book in the series. If your reader likes soccer, underdogs, and excellent writing, this book will be their new favorite!
The Wrong Way Home written by Kate O’Shaughnessy
REALISTIC / LEAVING A CULT
336 pages
Fern (who used to be called Frankie) and her mom live on a ranch where Dr Ben is the authority over everything. When Fern’s mom drives them away in the middle of the night to California, Fern only wants to go back to the Ranch. Enrolling in middle school exposes the gaps in her education since she didn’t go to school on the ranch– like not knowing who George Washington was or how to use a computer. She works for money to hire a private investigator to find the ranch’s address so she can go return home. Then, her new friend from school suggests that Fern/Frankie was in a cult. Fern/Frankie gets so mad that she stops being friends with her but she does slowly start to question and research what a cult even is. This story fascinated me — both the leaving a cult story itself and because of the incredible writing. The character development and character arcs are incredibly done with compassion and tenderness.
Timid written and illustrated by Jonathan Todd
REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL
272 pages
I love Jonathan Todd’s art style — it feels crisp, appealing, and easy to follow–especially with the size of his text. The slice-of-life story is semiautobiographical about a boy named Cecil moving to a new town. He’s navigating friendships at his new school, including a not-so-good friend he eventually decides isn’t for him, going to church with his family, and reading and drawing his own comics. It’s an honest depiction of the challenges of moving, especially when you’re a quiet kid.
Mid-Air written by Alicia D. Williams
REALISTIC VERSE
ages 10+
320 pages
Written in verse, this novel about grief, friendship, racism, poverty, and first crushes packs a big punch. Isaiah’s best friend was hit and killed by a car when they were out bike riding. The other person in their friend group, Drew, is pulling away and acting different. Isaiah not only feels guilty, he’s ashamed of who he is because he likes rock not rap, and plants and skateboarding and painting his nails. After two men beat him up for being Black on their street, his mom sends Isaiah to North Carolina to stay with an aunt and uncle. There, he works out his inner turmoil–fear, guilt, anger, self-doubt– with the help of his family, his first crush (and kiss), and a new friend.
Plague Thieves written by Caroline Fernandez
HISTORICAL FICTION / SHORT MIDDLE GRADE
200 pages
If you’re like me and you love Thieves essential oil and historical fiction, then you will LOVE this fascinating historical fiction story about the origin of Thieves during the Bubonic Plague in London. Rose’s dad owns a spice shop in London in 1665, but he and her mom suddenly die of the plague. Her dad gives Rose instructions to make a spice and oil blend that will protect Rose and her older brother. He sends them into the streets to steal and survive, burning their building as to not spread the disease. Rose is abandoned by her gambling addict brother and she lives under a bridge with other street kids– but she’s hunted because adults are desperate to get their hands on her so-called cure. It’s a harrowing time of hunger, suspicion, survival, and death, but the engaging story is written in an age-appropriate way and recommended for 9 to 12-year-olds.
Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.
