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
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.
Despite that connection with Dad, Norm discovers the mistakes he made on his own and comes up with a solution. Bravo to Norm!
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.
A great lesson that social media has it’s drawbacks and going viral is not easy or necessarily a welcome accomplishment.
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 Christmas, Teenage 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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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.
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
Learning about medical diagnosis and the challenges brought forth in being a cancer patient are brought forth with utmost clarity.
The banter between Uncle Jai and Deepa were hilarious at times. Sometimes, Deepa was more of an adult than her uncle.
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.
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.
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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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/
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.
Twelve-year-old Roxie is at a new school for 7th grade. She is a gifted artist and lives with her blind parents, guide dog, Nash, and a younger brother. She wants to keep her parents’ blindness a secret. Revealing it at her old school caused embarrassment.
The story is a realistic look at middle school that many readers will see in themselves. Trying to make friends or finding that available spot to sit at lunch time can be a huge challenge.
But what sets this apart is the understanding readers get about dealing with a disability. It’s possible Roxie inherited her own future vision problems from her mother’s eye condition- retinitis pigmentosa. The wonderful end result is that the problem will shape the person you become.
Along the way Roxie makes many mistakes including numerous lies, endangering her little brother, and using a credit card without permission. Her actions even cause Child Protective Services to visit the home.
There are also a few chapters narrated by Nash the dog. This loyal little friend gives a positive look at a loving family with an emotional viewpoint that resonates with kindness and understanding. Nash could even branch out and have his own book some day!
ROXIE IN COLOR is a bit long for a middle grade contemporary at 336 pages, but is also one that you will be glad to have spent time with Roxie and her challenges of growing up. A rare look at a sighted child with blind parents. A book that should be in every school and home library.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: June 2, 2026
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: ROXIE IN COLOR by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka
Memorable character arcs aren’t easy to develop, but Roxie’s growth throughout were a highlight. I loved how she saw her future in a much different way with the help of expressing herself artistically.
The honest look at middle school friendships.
The book goes for even more authenticity with the use of low vision font for the text that should actually help all readers whether vision impaired or not.
The amount of learning readers get about the technologies and adaptation for those who are blind.
Heartwarming is an often overused term, but by book’s end this story sure earns that label.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Stacy Cervenka is the director of the Iowa Department for the Blind and previously led the Blind Parents Group of the National Federation of the Blind. She divides her time between Des Moines and Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lives with her husband and two children. Just like Roxie’s family, Stacy and her husband, Greg, are blind, while their children, Leo and Josephine, are sighted.
“The blind community is a huge part of my life, and it was important to me that the book reflects that. In many ways, I think of my blindness a lot less in terms of the physicality or the logistics of it, and much more in terms of the community I’m a part of. I wanted readers to see that Roxie and Theo are not the only two kids in the world who have blind parents, that there is a whole close-knit blind community that their family belongs to. When blind friends have read early drafts, this is almost always the aspect they respond to most strongly. They appreciate that readers will see that not every child of blind parents thinks about it the same way that Roxie does and that Roxie’s seemingly unusual experience is more widely shared than the reader might have thought.” (https://stacycervenka.com/)
Diane Debrovner is the former deputy editor of Parents magazine and author of the article “What Blind Parents Want You to See,” which provided the spark for this novel. She now helps nonprofits share their stories to raise the funding they need. Diane lives in New York City with her family and a dog who loves watermelon.
“I started writing the book on my own and then realized I couldn’t tell the story by myself. I was thrilled when Stacy agreed to be my co-author. Roxie’s family wasn’t based on her family, but she brought their experience to life with more authentic details than I ever could. However, Roxie’s emotions and the challenges of middle school were all very familiar to me.” (https://www.dianedebrovner.com/)
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Orion loves to sing. Unfortunately, 7th grade and being 13 brings more challenges. The worst are a mean group of girls at school who always try to make her look bad, She still has a passion for singing, but for now it is best to keep quiet.
That all changes when Orion gets encouraging messages from someone named J. Could it be her secret crush whose name is Jesse? It sure seems that way since the messages highlight the positives about her and then Jessie invites her to sing with him. It’s exact;y what she needs to get her voice back.
The middle school drama and heartfelt feelings of the memorable main characters are true to life. Best friend Izzy is there for her the whole way. She’s exactly what you’d want in a bestie. Jesse’s own story with a sad past but a promising future also help Orion deal with her own feelings.
The page count (144) is a welcome plus for young readers. The back pages include many extras. Teachers will appreciate the 10 Discussion Question. There is also a QR code that will take you to a YouTube channel where songs from the series are available for readers to enjoy. Lastly, the lyrics to the song Best Friends that is a part of the plot reminds one of how friendships evolve.
Best Friends is the first in the series. The next two books, STOLEN and VIRAL will also be released this year. Realistic middle school drama, endearing friendships, and the emerging talents of Orion will have a lot of fans and a new best friend in THE ORION SESSIONS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cheryl DaVeiga grew up as a girl who loved singing, writing, and dreaming in music—but somewhere along the way, she learned to quiet that part of herself. Like so many girls, she chose the path that felt safe, building a career in accounting and eventually becoming a partner at a national firm. It was something to be proud of… but it wasn’t the dream her younger self once carried so brightly.
Years later, she found her way back to the music she had set aside. She became an award-winning songwriter recognized by ASCAP, then discovered the joy of writing books for children. Her seven picture books—combining stories with music and filled with humor, heart, and sing-along joy—have received numerous awards.
But even as she wrote those playful stories, she knew there was another one waiting—one rooted in the girl she used to be and the voice she had tucked away. That’s the story that became The Orion Sessions.
The Orion Sessions is the series Cheryl wishes she’d had when she was twelve: full of music, friendship, mistakes, courage, and the journey of reclaiming the voice you’ve hidden to fit in.
Cheryl lives in Tucson with her partner, Doug, and they spend summers in New Jersey. She still sings… like all the time. (for more about Cheryl and her books visit her website)
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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.
It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. Email me the title of the book or feature for any middle grade book, author or giveaway, and a link to your blog. Send it to: gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com
Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and don’t forget to say what you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for that week’s MMGM.
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
Always in the Middle... 