A pile of MG books is nearby, waiting for me to read. The mini-tower sometimes reaches two feet, although now it’s down to about four books. Each one is a promise for a review and I’ll do exactly that before the agreed upon date.

Unless you are publishing a book about a certain wimpy kid, middle grade books don’t make a huge splash when they’re released. For sure there are blog tours, online reviews, and author interviews, but MG books often float around for a year or two before finding their audience. It comes by word of mouth from bloggers, librarians, teachers, and parents.

Instead of the middle grade book launch being called a book birthday, I liken it more to a just planted seedling, waiting for the needed water and fertilizer. Sites like mine and the many others out there (See MMGM links) provide the nutrients for growth. Each mention allows the book to sprout and get noticed in the world.

Which brings me to my second source for books, one many of us call our To Be Read (TBR) list. For me its a notebook with titles I want to read when time allows. Some have been on there too long. The titles come from other bloggers, internet buzz, and social media. I hit this list with renewed passion when the month of June rolls around. It’s the time of the year to take a big breath and read… a lot. Seedlings now, but soon they’ll grow and be noticed by a wider audience.

Since June 1st, I’ve read eight on my list and over the remaining weeks of summer I’d like to provide a little fertilizer to four of those titles. The first review will come Monday and I’ll scatter the other three around in between promised reviews and most certainly by the time school begins in late August. Here are my favorites I’ll be sharing:

Coming up next week is another…

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book 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 the coming Monday.

Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)

*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.