Yes, the time has come to say goodbye to spring, at least on the calendar. This Saturday the sun will be at its farthest point north of the equator
(Exactly 6:51 A.M. EDT if you want to celebrate). It’s also a good time to take note of books you or your middle grade child want to explore. Nothing heavy for the summer. Just some light, humorous stories to read during this active season. All of them are linked to Amazon if you want to take a peek at the first few pages. Enjoy! I’m off to the pool.
ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO BABIES, BURGLARS, AND OTHER BUMPS IN THE NIGHTby Lenore Look
BILLIONAIRE BOY by David Walliams
CHARLIE JOE JACKSON”S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tommy Greenwald (My review)
FAKE MUSTACHE by Tom Angleberger
FINALLY by Wendy Mass
JACK STRONG TAKES A STAND by Tommy Greenwald (My Review)
MISSION UNSTOPPABLE (The Genius Files #1) by Dan Gutman
THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander
THE GREAT WALL OF LUCY WU by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
THE PET WAR by Allan Woodrow (My Review)
Coming Monday: A review of THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.
Always in the Middle... 
Good list. 🙂
I’m looking for one with animals (especially big birds, like hawks and eagles) to give to my nephew. Any suggestions?
@JLenniDorner
My first thought is a classic about a boy and his peregrine falcon: My Side Of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Still a beloved book in many homes and classrooms. It must be 50 years old but doesn”t seem that way when you read the story.
I shall have to keep an eye out for that one. 🙂
Oh, and ps, happy Blitz day!
Thank you. I appreciate you stopping by.
I loved summer reading when I was in elementary school and junior high. During the summer of 1989, before fourth grade, I even won first place in a contest hosted by one of the local libraries, for reading the most books by a landslide. I miss that old building the library was in at the time. Their new location and modern building just aren’t the same.
Happy Blitz Day!
The same thing happened to my old library. Ringing out the old and bringing in the new loses its charm at times. Thanks for stopping by.
Summer is a great time to read! Of course, I’m one of those people who always has their nose in a book anyway.
Happy Blitz Day!
Thanks for stopping by. Glad to hear you have the same addiction as me.
Reading was a very major part of my development in the 50s and 60s, is still important to me, and I hope always will be.
Happy Blitz Day.
And there are so many fantastic titles to keep our love of reading moving forward no matter what age we are or what genre. Appreciate you taking the time to stop by.
Hi, thanks for the reminder, forgot it was the summer solstice 🙂
Happy Blitz Day!
Suzanne @Suzannes Tribe
xx
Thanks for stopping by. Time flies. We’ll be talking about fall before you know it.
My dad always had several books open spread all over his room. He rarely slept and got bored quickly. He read quicker than anyone I know. My mum never reads more than the newspaper, though. And I was raised by my mum. The only books she bought for us were those Annuals (Miss Piggy, Teen Mags, etc) so I used to go to the school library and got called a Keeno! Ah, those were not the days. But reading is hugely important and I think parents should be made to see it for their childrens sake. Reading to them at bedtime until they can read to you is a great way. I know wish that had been my precursor to sleep.
shahwharton.com
Happy Blitz Day!
I started out as a reluctant reader in a family of readers. Everyone always had a book to their face and I just wanted to be outside. I finally found a good balance and a love of books of all kinds. Thanks for being a part of this Blitz Day.
Loved seeing your list though I haven’t read any of them. I tend to read more MG fantasy. Happy Blitz Day!
Most of these came about in trying to find motivating reads for some of the reluctant readers I get to work with. I found myself enjoying them, too. I’ve been delving more and more into MG fantasy this year. Thanks for stopping by on this unexpected blitz day.
Takes me back to warm sunny days laying in the garden reading some great books (not the ones listed of course, I’m too old).
Happy Blitz Day!
These books will make you feel young! Thanks for stopping by for this day before summer blitz day.
Thanks for the recommendations and happy blitz day! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Interesting Selection. Happy Blitz Day!
Not your typical list but all so much fun to read.
Unfortunately, I’m unfamiliar with each. But I trust your recommendations. 🙂
BTW…you’ve been BLITZED! Enjoy the day. 🙂
They’re all great and perfect when you have a few hours to kill.Thanks for the Blitz. Its a great surprise!
I loved the “reading club” at the local library when I was middle school age. We didn’t call it that, but reading rocks! Happy Blitz Day, Greg!
I also had a reading club growing up. They always had prizes for the most prolific reader and I never won. Thanks for stopping by on this Blitz Day.
Happy Blitz Day! May I be so bold as to suggest you check out the YA work of excellent British author, Philip Reeve? Particularly his Mortal Cities cycle (I believe they’re called The Hungry City series in the States) or his more recent, but for slightly younger ages, Goblins books.
I appreciate boldness! Thanks for the recommendations. I haven’t read any of Phillip Reeve’s books. I’ll add them to my TBR list.
No kids, so those are all new to me.
Happy Blitz day!
These books will put a smile on your face no matter what age you are. Thanks for the good wishes on this Blitz Day.
Happy blitz day. Anything to keep kids reading – I bet these are all winners
Yes, they will make you laugh. Thanks for stopping by today on this special day.
These are great. I’m only familiar with Charlie Joe Jackson and Alvin Ho. I’d like to read the rest. Happy Blitz Day.
They are fun to read and will make any day a little brighter. Thanks for stopping by.
Kids should be reading rather than playing computer games anyway.
Happy Blitz Day.
Probably never happen but at least we should hope for a good balance. Thanks for visiting today.
What a terrific list. I wish I’d known about you when my kids were MG! Happy Blitz Day.
Thanks. I appreciate you stopping by on this wonderful day of being blitzed.
I love reading but my soon to be fifth grader struggles and doesn’t want to read much. Maybe something fun will be the ticket!
Happy blitz day!
Jacquie
http://www.myblessingshomeschool.com
You might try him on MIDDLE SCHOOL- HOW I SURVIVED BULLIES, BROCCOLI, & SNAKE HILL. I’ve got a reluctant reader loving that one this summer. Thanks for visiting today.
That’s quite a list! I like to think today’s kids love reading as much as I did, and still do. Some of my grandchildren do, but others consider it sheer torture. (sigh)
Anyhow, happy blitz day! Enjoy.
These books may be less torture for them. Thanks for stopping by today and adding to the blitz!
You just reminded me that I really want to read The Fourth Stall. Thanks! Happy Blitz Day!
Then you can add Fourth Stall 2, 3, and 4. One can hardly keep up! Thanks for visiting on this happy blitz day.
Ahh.. Like quite a few of the other posters, I used to read everything I could get my hands on in the summer! And that was before the internet and wonderful folks like you posting lists of what to read! These look like fun 🙂
Happy Blitz Day!
AJ Lauer @ Naturally Sweet
Yes, they are fun and you don’t have to be middle grade age to enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by today.
That looks like an interesting list. I’ve been enjoying a break by virtue of a relocation and have loads of books lined up to read. I might add a few from your list too! One can never have too many books! 😉
Our TBR lists never seem to get any shorter. Good luck on tackling your list as you take a breather.
Hi, looks like a great list of books to read. Thanks for sharing and happy Blitz Day.
Thank you! I appreciate your time in stopping by today.
That list looks great! Have a great Blitz Day!
Yes, and they are books that will make any age laugh out loud. Thanks for visiting on this special day of being blitzed.
Will have to check out Pet War and Billionaire Boy. Love summer reading, making the list, the pile…and read, read, reading! Hope the trip to the pool was great. Kids at our school have been heading there all this week.
Somehow my TBR list is looking more like a book in and of itself. Too little time, but this summer will be the time to trim more than a few off the list.
Thank you for the recommends, have a grand day!
Jeremy [Retro]
There’s no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
[Being-Retro]
Thanks for stopping by and I hope your have a grand day too!
Those all sound like fun books for summer. Thanks for the suggestions.
Happy Blitz Day!
Elizabeth Hein – Scribbling in the Storage Room
They are and fun for any age. Thanks for visiting on this special blitz day.
I’m gathering up books to take with me on my upcoming vacation. Gotta get back into reading.
Happy Blitz Day!
Lee
Tossing It Out
A few of these will keep you smiling the whole way. Have a great time on your trip! Thanks for stopping by on this Blitz Day.
Awesome, middle grade books! Subscribing to your blog. Happy Blitz Day.
Marlene at On Writing and Riding
Thanks for stopping by on the special Blitz Day and for subscribing. Middle grade books aren’t as popular as YA or Adult but they are still my favorite.
I haven’t read a MG book in a while. Thanks for the list. The Fourth Stall looks good.
Happy Blitz Day!
RB
The Fourth Stall was so good there are now three sequels. Thanks for the visit today.
Looks like a good list. Happy Blitz Day.
And they are filled with humor and charm. Thanks for stopping by on this special day.
I don’t celebrate ANYTHING at 6:51 am, hehe. Oh how I miss have middle grade readers around the house. I’m reading a middle grade book myself that I’m enjoying a bunch, and it’s a great light, fun summer read — Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler if you want to check it out. (It releases next week but I won an advanced copy.)
Happy Bitz Day!
Yes, I will check that one out. I just finished a new release – Chasing the Milky Way – not too light, but a great read. Thanks for visiting on this busy Blitz Day. It’s been fun so far.
I love the title: Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading. I know quite a few middle school boys who might pick that one up out of curiosity. Of course, they’d probably put it right back down when they realized they’d have to read it! Happy blitz day!
It’s hilarious and has been a winner with quite a few reluctant readers I’ve crossed paths with. Thanks for stopping by today. I’m exhausted!
Great list and enjoy the pool! I’m jealous. Happy Blitz Day!
Thanks for stopping by. Too hot out there to stay for very long.
Hope you enjoyed the pool! And thanks for the list, it looks like a great one 😀
Happy Blitz Day!
It has some real humorous characters. If you need a break from heavy themes, these will do the trick.Thanks for visiting on this Blitz Day of mine.
Happy Blitz Day! Great summer reading list!
Thanks for visiting. It’s been a fun day.
I’ll have to take a look at this list this weekend.
Happy Blitz Day!
I hope you will. There are some real laugh out loud characters in many of them. Thanks for participating in this Blitz Day.
Happy Blitz Day. MG is a varied and beautiful genre. Never read any books on your list but one of my faves is the first Harry Potter book in the series.
Charlie Joe Jackson and The Fourth Stall are both series, though quite different from our favorite boy wizard. Thanks for stopping by today.
Middle grade is such a fun genre! *sighs* I write romance…fun in another way. Happy Blitz day!!
Not much romance in MG, just a few sparks every once in awhile. Good luck with your writing and thanks for participating int the blitz today.
Cool list! Happy Blog Blitz!
Thanks for being here today. It’s been a fun.
good choices! I hear a lot about Charlie Joe Jackson! Happy Blitz 🙂
Whenever you get into sequels its a good hint people are liking what they read. That’s the case with Charlie Joe Jackson. Thanks for visiting today.
“August, Die She Must” by Barbara Corcoran. Absolutely haunting. Happy Blitz!
Thanks for the recommend and for visiting today.
Summer’s a great time to lose yourself in a range of books and this looks like a great list for MG readers. Happy Blitz day 🙂
Yes, summer is a great time for books, but the other seasons aren’t have bad either. Thanks for participating in the Blitz Day.
I didn’t even read middle school books when I was in middle school (I skipped ahead to Stephen King) so I can’t attest to the list, but happy blitz day!
It’s never too late. Middle grade books are fun to read and they can be finished in a few hours. Thanks for stopping by today.
I’m always reading something or other.
Happy Blog Blitz 🙂
Thanks for stopping buy on this day of blitzing. I love taking an MG book on plane trips. By the time I get to my destination, I’m to the last page.
Thanks for fattening up my summer TBR list! Happy Blog Blitz!
Trying to decide if I want to be awake at 6:51 on Sunday. Hmm. Happy Blog Blitz!
COOL! I have one of those kid things. I will have to come here more often!
Do you know about Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler? Comes out June 24th. http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
BAZINGA!
You’ve been blitzed!
Have a great day!
Heather