The emotional ups and downs of the first year of middle school are captured in this new book by Nancy McCabe. I’ll have trouble getting any boys to read this one, but the plot’s drama will certainly appeal to girls already in middle school or getting ready for this important change in their next level of education.

Anny narrates the the 30 chapter story with deep emotion. It’s her first year attending public school as previously she was home-schooled. Added to the pressure are thoughts of a boy she knew from church who recently died in a house fire.

She at first struggles with making friends until she connects with Larissa who is fascinated with things like ESP, telepathy, and telekinesis. Then a girl named Tracy makes the jump to adolescence even harder by asking what sexual identity Anny follows.

Anny doesn’t even know who she is yet and still has thoughts of the house fire tragedy. When Larissa shows her how to use a Ouiji board she doesn’t know if the messages are coming from the deceased boy or if Larissa is just moving her hand to get answers.

Middle school is making life even more confusing for Anny, a place that revolves around crushes and changing friendships. Anny is close to her parents but is worried that she is moving toward not having the same beliefs as they do.

Many young readers will connect with Anny and her questions about sexual identity. The path taken by Anny to distinguish between her home-school upbringing and this new world of middle school leaves her with a new sense of bravery. FIRES BURNING UNDERGROUND is a heartfelt and honest portrayal of a girl trying to discover who she is and who she will become.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An adoptive parent and former longtime gymnastics mom, Nancy McCabe is the author of six books for adults and has published articles in Newsweek, Salon, Writer’s Digest, The Brevity Blog, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among many others. She’s a Pushcart winner and her work has been recognized nine times on Best American Notable Lists. She directs the writing program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and teaches in the graduate program at the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University.

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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 from other individuals blogging about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS.

It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. Email me the title of the book or feature 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 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.