THE EASTSIDE EXTRA Series by Anita Storey: Review + Author Interview

Anika Veerkar, Benicio “Benny” Flores, and Libby Abrams are neighborhood friends–and known to be relentlessly curious. They’re always asking questions, and their interest in sharing the answers has led them to start an online newsletter. Encouraged by their parents, they venture out into the community to investigate the most engaging mysteries. Continue reading THE EASTSIDE EXTRA Series by Anita Storey: Review + Author Interview

Recommended: BEST FRIENDS, BIKINIS, & OTHER SUMMER CATASTROPHES by Kristi Wientge

Alex has always known her best friend and next-door neighbor, Will, will be there for her. That’s just how it’s always been. Until a girl from the pool named Rebekah comes over to them and says hi. Suddenly, Will is changing his clothes, restyling his hair, and breaking all of their summer plans and Alex is not happy about it . . .

Click to read more! Continue reading Recommended: BEST FRIENDS, BIKINIS, & OTHER SUMMER CATASTROPHES by Kristi Wientge

Recommended: THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy Tandon

Rory still can’t say his r’s, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. First Rory’s ex-best-friend Brent started hanging out with the mean lacrosse kids. But then, a terrible accident takes Brent out of school, and Rory struggles with how to feel . . .

Read more in today’s post! Continue reading Recommended: THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy Tandon

Recommended: The Ogress and the Orphans

This is the feel-good book that we need right now, when there is so much not right with the world. It’s got the kind Ogress you want to hug and the greedy dragon it’s so easy to hate, especially when he plays tricks on people for his own benefit. And then there are the clever orphans to cheer on as they try to unravel why so many bad things are happening . . . Continue reading Recommended: The Ogress and the Orphans

Cole Champion: STEM Versus Superpowers

As a fellow reader, I already have a list of books to read in 2022, and a list of books to recommend. Top on my list to recommend is the new middle grade series featuring Cole Champion, a regular kid who attends a not so regular school. (Think Sky High meets Big Hero 6.) These books include three features certain to grab the attention of … Continue reading Cole Champion: STEM Versus Superpowers

Recommended: SKY GAZING by Meg Thacher

Who doesn’t get entranced looking up at the stars? Whether you’re searching for constellations or imagining blasting off from Earth to found the first settlement on Mars, the night sky gets your imagination rolling. And you have much more knowledge to work with if you’ve read up on the objects you’re gazing at.

That’s where Sky Gazing comes in . . . Continue reading Recommended: SKY GAZING by Meg Thacher

Great Middle Grade Books for Summer 2021

You asked for our favorite middle grade reads of 2021 so here they are! Now that summer is here, Rebecca, Richelle, and I are thrilled to recommend these middle grade books for your vacation. They are perfect for the beach, car, airplane, even when waiting in line at your favorite amusement park. The Truths We Hold (Young Readers Edition) by Kamala Harris Before she was … Continue reading Great Middle Grade Books for Summer 2021

Double Debut: Interview with Nicole Lesperance

It’s exciting to have one debut novel coming out in a year, but two? Today we are talking with Nicole Lesperance, middle grade and young adult author, who has two novels debuting in 2021! TWP Let’s start with introducing your two novels debuting this year. The Nightmare Thief and The Wide Starlight. Can you give us a brief summary of each? Nicole The Nightmare Thief … Continue reading Double Debut: Interview with Nicole Lesperance

Blast from the Past: Judy Blume

Welcome to another edition of our new semi-regular series: Blast from the Past. A refresher: We will occasionally read (or listen to) a book we had loved as children but have not re-visited as adult writers. And then we’ll tell you about it. How did the story hold up? Is the magic still there? What differences do we notice, both cultural and in storytelling techniques and … Continue reading Blast from the Past: Judy Blume

Friend Me by Sheila Averbuch

Recommended: FRIEND ME by Sheila M. Averbuch

What happens when an online friend becomes a real-life nightmare?

Roisin hasn’t made a single friend since moving from Ireland to Massachusetts. In fact, she is falling apart under constant abuse from a school bully, Zara. Zara torments Roisin in person and on social media. She makes Roisin the laughingstock of the whole school.

Roisin feels utterly alone… Continue reading Recommended: FRIEND ME by Sheila M. Averbuch