Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (7/13/2026)

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS by Jerry Spinelli.

••Susan Uhlig enjoyed the timely story, THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY, by Angela Cervantes.

••Natalie Aguirre @ Literary Rambles has an interview with Amy Tern and a giveaway of her MG Sneaks.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews a family drama story: Goodbye, French Fry.

••Jenni Enzor is featuring Growing Home by Beth Ferry and the Fan Brothers.

••Maria Antonia is back with a double-header: 2 Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene with The Clue of the Dancing Puppet; and The Phantom of Pine Hill.

••Rosi Hollinbeck reviews JUPITER RISING by Gary D. Schmidt. Rosi also shares 3 links of interest for her writing friends.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM review for today and all her posts from this past week.

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FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS

The series that began with THIRD GRADE ANGELS, and FOURTH GRADE RATS took an over 10-year break before the newest. FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS, was released. The story can be read without reading the other two, but I could have benefited from reading those first books. I needed to have more character development in George “Suds” Morton as he maneuvers through those elementary years.

Regardless, the story moves along at a nice pace, perfect for younger MG readers. The endearing Suds narrates the tale as he and best friend Joey are now in their last year at Gotwals Elementary. Finally they are Top Dogs.

Figuring out how to act as one is the bases of the plot. That means learning to have the right walk and talk. His little sister does quite a few hurtful pranks to slow up any progress. The honest portrayal of that last year of elementary school is sure to be familiar to many. Humor and a nice ending will make you happy to have spent some time with Suds and his family in FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: June 2, 2026 PAGES: 192

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS by Jerry Spinelli

  1. Art work is consistent throughout and many will have have you smiling or even laughing out loud.
  2. Both parents are a positive part of Sud’s life. They provide the caring attitude and discipline kids need as they grow up.
  3. Suds has a truly hateful relationship with his sister, but the character arc for both takes a heartwarming turn by book’s end.
  4. Suds also has his eye on fellow classmate, Judy. That first crush is often a tough one but honesty finally wins.
  5. What Suds and Joey do to a crisis in the first grade classroom brought out what it means to be.a real TOP DOG.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerry Spinelli grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went to college at Gettysburg College and Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than 25 books and has six children and 16 grandchildren.
Jerry Spinelli began writing when he was 16 — not much older than the hero of his book Maniac Magee. After his high school football team won a big game, his classmates ran cheering through the streets — all except Spinelli, who went home and wrote a poem about the victory. When his poem was published in the local paper, Spinelli decided to become a writer instead of a major-league shortstop.

In most of his books, Spinelli writes about events and feelings from his own childhood. He also gets a lot of material from his seven adventurous kids! Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, also a children’s book author, live in Pennsylvania.

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Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters

Genya wants nothing more than to be a professional artist. She has had this goal since age 5 and that was almost 6 years ago. Now her dream could come true if she is accepted at a prestigious art school in Kiev, the same one her mother attended.

Getting in won’t be easy. She lives in Soviet Ukraine during the time just before the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster which occurred on April 26, 1986. That event causes her family to temporarily relocate but she doesn’t give up her passion to draw.

The author is in fact sharing her own story. The graphic panels are unique in their artistry and personnel recollections. The story is memorable not only for the realities of the time, but also for Genya who you will be rooting for to be one of the rare Jewish kids who get into the school.

Middle grade readers who like to draw and those interested in the history of an event unknown to most middle graders will enjoy following the author’s childhood journey in CHERNOBYL, LIFE, AND OTHER DISASTERS.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 14, 2026 PAGES: 144

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yevgenia Nayberg is an award-winning illustrator, painter, and set and costume designer. She has received multiple awards for her picture book illustrations, including a Sydney Taylor Honor and two notable recognitions. She is the author and illustrator of the picture books A Party for Florine, Anya’s Secret Society, Typewriter, Mona Lisa In New York, and I Hate Borsch!, and the illustrator of Drop by Drop by Jacqueline Jules, among other collaborations. Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, she now lives in New York City.

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your post can be found in the right margin.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (7/06/2026)

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of THE NEW NORM by Matthew J. Gilbert.

 ••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd has another great read for World Cup fans: Offside.

••E.T. Charles is back with a review of a book for middle grade writers– Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery.

••Jennifer Bohnhoff has a review and GIVEAWAY of Home of the Spirit Animals, a new novel by Cyd Raschke.

••Jenni Enzor is featuring Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff.

••Journey Bloomfield reviews Building 903, and also has an interview with the author, Lois Lowry.

••Carol Baldwin welcomes a new guest reviewer with a look at ISLAND OF SPIES.

••Rebecca Douglass has a review of A Sky Full of Song, by Sally Lynn Meyer.

••Brenda @ Log Cabin Library reviews Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM review for today and all her posts from this past week.

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THE NEW NORM

Middle school drama at its’ best. This is the first book in the series featuring Norm who is just beginning middle school where social media rules.

After having his wisdom teeth pulled (Side note: Doesn’t that usually happen in your late teens?), Norm comes out of it just fine except the after effects have him doing a crazy whoop-whoop dance in the dentist office that his dad films. When it is posted online the dancing video goes viral and now Norm is a celebrity at his school.

Sounds like it’s going to be a great year after finally being noticed by the popular kids. That’s not how it turns out as Norm loses his only two real friends with his decisions to be cool. Nothing goes right and Norm has to find away to lose his high status and return to being a regular kid.

Norm narrates the story with kid-like humor and charm. The 12 chapters keep things moving throughout the 160 pages, a perfect amount for MG readers who shy away from the massive 300 page novels. THE NEW NORM will appeal to anyone approaching or already in those middle school years. A great start to the series.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: MAY 5, 2026 PAGES: 160

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE NEW NORM by Matthew J Gilbert

  1. Norm has a great relationship with his father who helps him in many ways. Nice to see this parent have a subtle effect on his son.
  2. Despite that connection with Dad, Norm discovers the mistakes he made on his own and comes up with a solution. Bravo to Norm!
  3. The conflict with best friends Mia and Jordan is a reminder that middle school is a time where both past and new friendships change quickly.
  4. A great lesson that social media has it’s drawbacks and going viral is not easy or necessarily a welcome accomplishment.
  5. There’s a sneak preview of the next book, Pranks and Prejudice, in the final pages, which will have readers even more enthusiastic for more in the series.

About the Author:

Matthew J. Gilbert is the author of more than forty books, including this one! Besides co-authoring the award-nominated Classroom 13 series, he has written books for some of the world’s most beloved properties including Stranger Things, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before ChristmasTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TRON, and more. Under the pen name Jordan Quinn, Matthew is the writer for the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly graphic novel series. Before becoming an author, Matthew was an award-winning TV writer for Nickelodeon, working in creative advertising for big Hollywood movies… all from a tiny cubicle in NYC. He currently lives in Ohio with his wife and loyal cat sidekick.

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RAINBOW MAGIC GRAPHIC SERIES

I don’t normally feature books geared toward 6-8 year olds, but I have fond memories of the original text based series. Many of my nieces and cousins at the time loved these books and always had them on their wish list. When they visited I would gift them one of the books, but also read it out loud to them with their help. I’d take on the narration while the dialog was their part.

There are over 300 books in the original series and 40 million+ copies sold. Now the stories take off again in graphic format starting with RUBY THE RED FAIRY and AMBER THE ORANGE FAIRY. It all begins when new friends Kirsty and Rachael find Ruby the Red Fairy at the end of a rainbow. They fly to Fairyland where help is needed because the place has lost all of its’ color. The girls agree to the big task of helping find the other six fairies, setting the direction for the next books.

Although the goal in each book is to find the fairy, the way it happens is unique to each story. That alone provides the inspiration to keep reading more of the series. The pages inside are packed with colorful and appealing art work. Character dialog is easy to comprehend for new and inexperienced readers. These initial two books at 80 pages each would make great gifts and be perfect for those family vacations in the car or by plane. SEE MORE DETAILS ABOUT ORDERING YOUR OWN COPY HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

ABOUT DAISY MEADOWS
Daisy Meadows is the pseudonym for a small collective of writers of the Rainbow Magic children’s series. Rainbow Magic features differing groups of fairies as main characters, including the Jewel fairies, Weather fairies, Pet fairies, Petal fairies, and Sporty fairies.
ABOUT ERIKA TURNER
Erika Turner is the USA Today bestselling author of the adult romance I’ll Be Gone for Christmas and author of the contemporary YA And Other Mistakes, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and was featured in Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of 2024. Her forthcoming YA novel, When We Almost Came Undone, is also a JLG Gold Standard Selection and is releasing with Macmillan in June 2026. She is also the editor for YA horror anthology Can’t You See It’s Coming, from Versify set for September 2026. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and rescue pups.
ABOUT NORA NEUS
Nora Neus is an Emmy-nominated producer, author, and freelance journalist with bylines in CNN, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, VICE News, POLITICO Magazine, The Washington Post, and more. She is the author of two history books for adults, 24 Hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy and 24 Hours at the Capitol: An Oral History of the January 6 Insurrection, as well as two graphic novels for young readers.
ABOUT CLAUDIA GIULIANI
Claudia Giuliani was born in 1990 and is a comic strip creator, colorist, and assistant colorist. She currently works as an artist on the Rainbow Magic graphic novel series, and as a colorist on La Divina Congrega – Canto Vand VI for Sergio Bonelli editore and a graphic novel for Mondadori.

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your own middle grade review or feature can be found in the right margin.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (6/29/2026)

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of DEEPA, MD by Priya Swaminathan.

••Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles is participating in the Sparkle Time Giveaway Hop with lots of middle grade book choices. 

••Isabelle Knight is back with us this week with a review of Impossible Creatures: The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell. 

••Carol Baldwin features a review of WILD MOUNTAIN IVY by Shannon Hitchcock.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews FOREVER ROGUE, the last of the Forgotten Five series.

••Rebecca Douglass reviews Rainie Oet’s Glitch Girl! 

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM review for today and all her posts from this past week.

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DEEPA M.D.

Deepa just wants to lead a normal life. She missed 6th grade because of being diagnosed with leukemia. In remission now, Deepa is ready to move forward with a new school year in 7th grade. Turns out to be not so easy.

Of course her caring parents have rules to keep her staying healthy. They are plenty irritating for her but that’s not all. She has no groups to hang out with at school and a mean girl is always causing her problems. She still has her best friend Renée but even she has changed in not telling Deepa everything like good friendships depend on.

At home their is her friendship with Uncle Jai, who is a house doctor helping diagnose what other doctors have missed. He’s a true genius in solving medical mysteries. The often amusing character trait for him are his lack of people skills. Deepa offers to be his partner since she knows all about the challenges of being sick.

Her uncle reluctantly agrees to let her help. One with a music superstar and the other with a 17-year-old tennis phenom. It’s not easy being a medical detective and she has to depend on lies along with endangering her own health before realizing the mistakes she’s made.

Deepa’s first person narration throughout the 41 chapters is engaging. Honest and funny at times, she is one you will not forget. There was a bit too much friend drama, but young readers will probably not care. The mystery of the tennis star’s illness and her discovering a better way to deal with her own diagnosis help make DEEPA M.D. a special story.

Pages: 256 Book Birthday: May 19, 2026

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: DEEPA M.D. by Priya Swaminathan

  1. Learning about medical diagnosis and the challenges brought forth in being a cancer patient are brought forth with utmost clarity.
  2. The banter between Uncle Jai and Deepa were hilarious at times. Sometimes, Deepa was more of an adult than her uncle.
  3. Of course Deepa has no medical background to diagnose a patient’s illness, but her detective skills and an understanding of those that are sick make her and Uncle Jai a great team.
  4. Deepa nnd her family are Indian American and the rest of the cast are diverse. It’s a welcome part of the way the story turns out.
  5. A unique story line given the lack of medical type mystery books for middle grade.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Priya Swaminathan lived the dream of making movies and TV shows for twenty years before deciding to become a children’s author. In addition to writing, she is embarking on a new journey into medicine by studying nursing at UCLA. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and hopes that someday she’ll convince her husband to get a dog.

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Posted in MG Contemporary Fiction, Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

ALICE PIPER SPEAKS UP

Alice Piper had a simple dream. All she wanted was to go to school. Not so easy when laws in the early 1900’s prevented Native Americans from attending white schools. As a Native Paiute (Nuwuvi) teenager in California Alice felt the injustice. Instead of accepting the way it was in 1923, she sued and won the right for herself and others with similar backgrounds to an equal education.

The layout of the book is unique. Each of the 11 chapters begins with a full page illustration followed by Alice’s story told in verse. Next, readers get several fact based pages that dive deeper into the events of the chapter. A question like HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO CHANGE YOUR FAMILY’S NAME? is asked that provides a great start for a classroom discussion. Photos and a list defining unfamiliar words is also included.

Civil rights effect on families is brought forth here in an engaging way. There’s even an Alice Piper Day in California as a reminder of Alice’s life. Young readers will be motivated to learn more about the struggles endured by those who don’t fit into a supposed norm. A final chapter question: HOW CAN YOU BE LIKE ALICE AND FIGHT BACK INJUSTICE? is followed by many examples and resources.

ALICE PIPER SPEAKS UP is a welcome addition to the home and school shelves and perfect for ages 8-12. Alice’s story is one you won’t forget.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Loralee Sepsey is a writer and a member of the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley. She currently works as a freelance content writer specializing in enterprise technology, financial services, semiconductor manufacturing, and personal injury law. Based in Santa Ana, California, she lives with her husband and their two cats. https://www.loraleesepsey.com/

Morgan Thompson is a Cherokee (Cherokee Nation) artist with a love for Indigenous stories. When she’s not working, she enjoys a bit of stomp dancing or some beading on the side. https://www.skadoodlin.com/

Sage Andrew Romero is from the Tovowahamatu Numu (Big Pine Paiute) and Tuah-Tahi (Taos Pueblo) tribes. The founder and director of the AkaMya Culture Group, a nonprofit dedicated to cultural revitalization, he lives in Big Pine, California. https://nama.media/sage-andrew-romero/

Instagram

Sage Andrew Romero: @digitalndn

Morgan Thompson: @skadoodlin

Heyday: @heydaybooks

Blue Slip Media: @blue_slip_media

Facebook

Sage Andrew Romero: Sage Andrew Romero

Heyday: Heyday Books

Blue Slip Media:  @blue-slip-media

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS. Details on how to submit your post can be found in the right margin.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (6/22/2026)

••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is where you can find my review of ROXIE IN COLOR by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka.

••Carol Baldwin features a review of A YEAR WITHOUT HOME by V.T. Bidania.

••Rebecca Douglass reviews an audio book: Mountain Upside Down by Sara Ryan.

••Rebecca Douglass also has a review of the audio book: Kyle Lokoff’s A World Worth Saving.

••Susan Uhlig is featuring the verse novel MASCOT by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell.

••Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles has a review and giveaway of Laekan Zea Kemp’s MG contemporary The Chimosas Only Book Club.

••Jenni Enzor is featuring Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri.

••Jennifer Rummel @ YA Book Nerd reviews Stealing the Score: a World Cup mystery novel. A perfect choice with World Cup in full swing.

••Valinora Troy reviews Greenglass House by Kate Milford.

••Rosi Hollinbeck has a review of THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL by Gary D. Schmidt. Rosie also shares 3 links of interest for her writing friends.

••Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads has a book to share every day. Check out Karen’s MMGM review for today and all her posts from this past week.

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