I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers and MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY hosted by Always in the Middle…
I realized that I haven’t shared reviews on the blog of all the Middle Grade Escapades books that have released so far! So, today I’m catching up!
Ollie in Between by Jess Callans Published by Feiwel and Friends on April 8, 2025
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Middle Grade
Pages: 256
Source: Edelweiss, Purchased
Cover Artist: David De Las Heras
My rating:
As endearing as it is humorous, this debut middle grade novel by Jess Callans is a tender, queer coming of age story about the courage it takes to find your own voice and choosing to just be.
Puberty, AKA the ultimate biological predator, is driving a wedge between soon-to-be 13 year old Ollie Thompson and their lifelong friends.Too much of a girl for their neighborhood hockey team, but not girly enough for their boy-crazed BFF, Ollie doesn’t know where they fit. And their usual ability to camouflage? Woefully disrupted.When a school project asks them to write an essay on what it means to be a woman (if anyone’s got an answer, that’d be great), and one of their new friends is the target of bullying, Ollie is caught between the safety of fleeing from their own differences or confronting the risks of fighting to take their own path forward.
This book was written as an homage to Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, and it encapsulates the spirit of that classic beautifully. It perfectly captures the insecurities of adolescence and those feelings of being in-between, of not knowing if your body can be trusted. I think all kids will relate to these confusions in many ways (and will therefore connect to the story), but by reading Ollie’s POV, they’ll understand how the feelings are heightened for any kid who’s questioning their gender. The story is insightful, raw, and emotional, and an important read for anyone–but I especially hope it makes it into the hands of every trans kid who needs to see themselves on the page and know that they are just right by just being.
Ghost Scout's Honor by Carey Blankenship-Kramer Published by Scholastic Press on April 1, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade
Pages: 272
Source: Purchased
Cover Artist: Crystal Kung
My rating:
A thrilling, ghostly adventure…and a testament to the power that kids have to change the world.
Defiance holds power.
The Ghost Scouts were created to keep the ghosts of Savannah in line. It’s an honor to serve.Evey’s never wanted anything to do with ghosts, but after best friend, Laura, dumps her for no reason, Evey wants revenge. To take the student of the year award from her ex-bestie, she’ll have to join the Ghost Scouts. She’ll be the best Ghost Scouts Savannah has ever seen.Only this year the ghosts seem different. They are angrier than usual, and they seem to be growing in power. No problem, Evey can get to the bottom of why and send all the ghosts back to their cages.But what she uncovers makes her angry too. What if the ghosts don’t deserve to be caged? What if they have every right to be furious?
At first glance, Ghost Scout’s Honor is a simple paranormal adventure story, filled with truly spooky ghosts and a ragtag group of ghost hunters in the atmospheric setting of Savannah, Georgia. But the core of the story is actually Evey’s mental health journey and her struggles to connect with others after a best-friend breakup she doesn’t understand. Evey has to learn to trust others and control her impulses, which sometimes lead her to angry outbursts and pushing other people away. Her therapy sessions are directly shown in the story so kids can benefit from the wisdom Evey gains in them, something you don’t see often in middle grade books. I loved Evey’s fellow Ghost Scouts, and I was rooting for them to not only solve their ghost problems, but also to connect with each other and find the true friendships they’re all searching for. This book has plenty of exciting ghostly action to keep kids engaged while they’re benefiting from the social-emotional side of the story!
River of Spirits by Shana Targosz Series: The Underwild #1
Published by Aladdin on March 25, 2025
Genres: Fairy Tales Legends & Mythology, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Retellings
Pages: 432
Source: Edelweiss, Purchased
Cover Artist: Danlin Zhang
My rating:
For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.
A stunning debut middle grade fantasy about a girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.
Senka lives between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead. As ward to Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, Senka assists in ferrying recently departed souls across the river and into their afterlife. Although Charon has taught her many Rules about life in the Underworld, there is much he avoids telling her. Though she doesn’t understand why the Rules are so important, she listens—she must heed them in order to become an official Ferryer, just like Charon.
Then a Living girl, Poppy, enters the Underworld to plead for help in finding the ghost of her brother. Poppy’s grief tugs at Senka’s heart—but helping Poppy goes against the very Rules Senka is so desperate to follow. When Poppy is yanked away by the river’s current, Senka leaps to save her, and she and Poppy are swept downriver, far from everything Senka has ever known.
Lost in the Underwild, Senka and Poppy encounter malevolent spirits of lore and eccentric ghosts—and not all are willing to let souls slip through their grasp. Senka knows the Living can’t stay in the realm of the Dead for long, and if Poppy isn’t returned home soon, she will risk becoming lost to the Underworld forever. But as Senka travels deeper into the Underwild, she discovers there are secrets her guardian has kept from her, including the mystery surrounding her own existence. As Poppy and Senka dodge angry demigods, hungry wraiths, and terrifying dragon chimera, Senka gets closer to learning the truth of her own past. Soon, Senka won’t just need to save Poppy’s life—she’ll also need to save her own.
This mythological reimagining is perfect in so many ways! Targosz skillfully balances an exciting and entertaining plot with a poignant exploration of the difficult topics of grief and loss. Kids who love Greek Mythology will find themselves immersed in a world they may not have read about before, since this book focuses on lesser-known mythological characters like Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld. The writing is beautiful and infused with plenty of humor, as well. This is one of my favorite middle grade fantasies I’ve read in recent years, and I’m so excited for kids to read it!
Story Spinners: A Sisterly Tale of Danger, a Princess, and Her Crew of Lady Pirates by Cassandra Federman Illustrator: Cassandra Federman
Published by Aladdin on March 18, 2025
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Pages: 208
Source: Edelweiss, Purchased
My rating:
The Princess Bride meets Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters in this middle grade graphic novel about two sisters who must put aside their differences to soothe their new baby sister with the best bedtime story ever, proving to their parents—and each other—that they can get along.
Big sister Kennedy and little sister Devon couldn’t be more different. Their shared room has a clear divide down the middle. On one, musical theater–loving Kennedy keeps things tidy. On the other, heavy metal fan Devon looks like she lives in an exploded toy store. When baby sister Eve moves in, her contribution is crying. Constant. Ear-piercing. Crying.
The added stress pushes the older girls to their breaking point, and they get into their biggest fight yet. In response, Mom and Dad crack down, seizing all beloved electronics until Kennedy and Devon can find a way to get along. Now stuck together with no distractions except Eve’s screaming, the two land on a desperate solution: tell Eve a bedtime story so epic that it puts her to sleep and gets her big sisters out of trouble.
Pizza aside, the only thing the girls have in common is their love of stories. But Kennedy’s fairy tales make Devon want to barf, and Devon’s nonsensical adventure stories make Kennedy want to tear her hair out. So they try to mash-up a story of true love, adventure, princesses, pirates, pirate-princesses, dragons, spiders, and…garbage trucks?
That’s a lot of story to spin. Will their hilarious fairy tale remix solidify their sisterly bond or break it forever after?
This utterly adorable graphic novel features sisters who are total opposites and can’t seem to get along. When they have to team up to get their baby sister to sleep (and get their phones/devices back!), they decide to tell a bedtime story together. Sounds simple, but the two sisters have very different ideas about how the story should go.
The back-and-forth between the sisters is hilarious (and will be very relatable to kids with sibling rivalry). And I loved the beauty of their two styles coming together in the story. The illustration style is also really fun and engaging, and I especially enjoyed the funny “extra” details that are pointed out with arrows and labels throughout (for instance, there’s a two-page spread of the dragons’ volcano lair with all the rooms labeled – this one spread is its own scavenger hunt!).
This graphic novel is unique because it’s both a contemporary story of sisters learning to get along and celebrate their differences and a fairy tale adventure all in one. So it will appeal to both fans of contemporary and fantasy graphic novels. I think it will resonate especially well with younger MG graphic novel readers, but older readers who enjoy humor will love it just as much!
Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford Published by Charlesbridge Moves on February 18, 2025
Genres: Contemporary, Middle Grade
Pages: 255
Source: Edelweiss, Purchased
My rating:
Humor, heart, and Shakespeare abound in this middle-grade novel about Angus, a 10-year-old theater fanatic, his struggling family, and his changing relationship with big brother Liam.
Perfect for fans of books that handle difficult subjects and family dynamics in a sensitive way, like Better Nate Than Ever and Rule of Threes.
10-year-old Angus is unique. He quotes Shakespeare and wants to stage a Werewolf Hamlet play for his 5th grade legacy project. Angus's 17-year-old brother, Liam, is like a werewolf now—Angus never knows if he'll be nice or mean or when he'll sneak out to get drunk or worse.
Meanwhile, tension continues to build for Liam's family in Los Angeles. Mom and Dad are going to default on the mortgage. Older sister Hannah is fed up and ready to move herself to Maine, and little sister Sidney doesn't really get what's happening. Then Liam goes missing, and Angus decides he has to find him.
A realistic, heartfelt look at the complexities of family relationships and struggles. Along with Angus's loveable charm, sense of humor, and desire to stage his original play, Werewolf Hamlet is sure to win its audience—on and off the page—over.
Werewolf Hamlet uses a unique blend of theatrical script and prose formatting to tell the story of Angus, a boy fighting to save his connection to his older brother Liam when Liam is headed down a path of addiction. The story is infused with both heartbreaking and funny moments as Angus navigates his changing relationship with his brother. He wants so much to “save” him, but he finds that there are no simple answers when it comes to addiction–or to relationships. Luckily Angus has friends who help him along the way, and loving parents who are doing their very best in difficult circumstances, especially since the family’s financial struggles add another layer of complication to the story. Angus’s love for Shakespeare and classic movies gives his character nuance, and Shakespeare’s insults add humor so the book doesn’t get too bogged down in sadness. Kids navigating difficult family circumstances will find solace in Angus’s story!
What I’m currently reading:
Right now I’m reading Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron, a gorgeously lyrical middle grade novel-in-verse that tackles the topic of depression. Highly recommend this one!
Wow! You’ve been reading a lot. Thanks for sharing about these fantastic sounding books. Ghost Scout’s Honor is on my TBR list. You’ve got me excited to read it.
What a fun run-down. I have to smile at the Werewolf Hamlet since I’ve been discussing Shakespeare with a group this last week. I’ll have to put it on my TBR.
I’ve only read two of these so my summer just got a big boost with the others. Thanks for all the great choices and Happy MMGM!
Haven’t read any of these engaging novels. Enjoyed your choices.
I’ve added River of Spirits to my TBR , tempted by The Werewolf Hamlet but my TBR is so long that I know I won’t get to them all. I couldn’t decide whether Devoured it or Absolutely Addicted was a better rating but I love them both! lol Thanks for the recommendations!
Holy smoke. You have been busy reading, haven’t you? Thanks for all the reviews. I’m sure you will enjoy Octopus Moon. It’s very good.
Thanks for these book reviews. Love your ratings. Ollie in Between is on my radar. Thanks for making it sound I should actually move it up my TBR
Definitely some that sound good here! I’ll have to share with my middle school librarians as usual!