The Chronicles of Middle Grade

The Chronicles of Middle Grade is a celebration of the awesomeness of middle grade books through GIFs, images, and other fun stuff, brought to you by Penguin Young Readers. Tumblr is our home base, but you can connect with us on YouTube, Twitter,...

[cheshirelibrary]

10 Diverse Modern Classics for Young Readers

[via Book Riot]

Classic children’s books, especially fantasy, are extremely my jam, but they tend to have one very annoying thing in common: the majority are written by white cis men, most of them long dead by now. I will never stop loving The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, or Knight’s Castle. But I am really pleased that there are so many modern classics for young readers written by diverse authors. Here are ten of my favorites from this decade:

The Gauntlet  by Karuna Riazi

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

Stand On The Sky by Erin Bow

[wolfyyyyyy]

hey yall what order should i read the Redwall books in? should i just read them in order of publication or in chronological order?

[the-redwaller]

I always like it in order of publication! There are cool surprises along the way and inconsistencies are less noticeable. But you can’t really go wrong.

[bookwormingparty]

[boonelibrary-deactivated2021120]

Sometimes this happens. You could be having a weird reading day, you’re tired, or you just don’t like the book. But that’s okay!

[booksofwonder]

Happy #PrideMonth! We’re celebrating all month long — check out our events page (link in bio) for more info! 🌈📚🎉❤️ • We kicked things off tonight with our Epic Pride event with @kacen.callender, @tehlorkay, @abdaddy, @angelo_surmelis, & @epicreads!! Signed copies of all of their books now available online and in store. • • • • • #pride #pride🌈 #diversebooks #lgbt #lgbtq🌈 #prideevents #newrelease #loveislove #bookstagram #instabook #igreads #igbooks #booklover #booklove #bookworm #booknerd #bibliophile #ya #yalit #ireadya #lgbtlove #pride2019 #gaypride (at Books Of Wonder) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByThueGhZy2/?igshid=1avqkce2gb7f9

[lgbtqreads]

New Release Spotlight: Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

New Release Spotlight: Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

The critically acclaimed author of Felix Yz crafts a bold, heartfelt story about a trans girl solving a cyber mystery and coming into her own.

Zenobia July is starting a new life. She used to live in Arizona with her father; now she’s in Maine with her aunts. She used to spend most of her time behind a computer screen, improving her impressive coding and hacking…

View On WordPress

[thefaithfulreader]

still one of my favorites, as heartbreaking of a story as it is

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

Staff Pick: Tooth and Claw

Everyone goes through a dinosaur phase, right? I know I did, and I’m certain some of the kids you work with are fossil-heads. This one is for them. Deborah Noyes, acclaimed author of middle grade nonfiction favorites THE MAGICIAN AND THE SPIRITS and TEN DAYS A MADWOMAN, here turns her attention to Edward Cope and Charles Marsh, the original dino buffs, who chased each other across North America throughout the mid-nineteenth century, competing for choice finds in fossil beds for the prestige of naming species, displaying their spoils in rival museums, and ultimately—whether they meant to or not—forming the foundations of the modern field of paleontology. Incorporating extensive back matter and fascinating images of the bones in these scientists’ original sketches, TOOTH AND CLAW is both accessible and immersive, a breeze to read and a fascinating study of two of history’s most volatile frenemies.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

Staff Pick: The Line Tender

Here is the book you don’t want to miss. Really, put it at the top of your TBR pile right now. It has all the makings of a true middle grade classic—gorgeous writing, a strong sense of place, an inspiring heroine, and a charming supporting cast. Debut author Kate Allen expertly navigates family, loss and hope through the story of Lucy, the daughter of a marine biologist and a rescue diver, who finds herself thrust into completing her late mother’s shark research when she is once again confronted with insurmountable grief. THE LINE TENDER is heartbreaking, deeply moving, and a true gift for readers who seek meaning and connection. I can’t wait for the world to read and love it too.

[metahatem]

Dr. Alejandra Cervantes’s reaction to Jersey might look deceiving but it has got a lot of heart to it…believe me. #ArtofURS #UnicornRescueSociety #Kidlitart https://www.instagram.com/p/BwFMPsWF49z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=178ocsnczi37p

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins

Author: Gail Shepherd

Age Range: 10-14

Two Sentence Recap: Lyndie B. Hawkins loves history, research, and getting to the truth no matter what, even when it goes against everything her grandmother tells her about being a nice Southern girl. Lyndie’s one-of-a-kind voice lights up this witty, heartwarming debut set in 1985 Tennessee about the power of homespun wisdom (even when it's wrong), the clash between appearances and secrets, and the barriers to getting help even when it's needed most.

Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622

Author: Elisa Carbone

Series: A companion to Blood on the River

Age Range: 8-12

Two Sentence Recap: Virginia Laydon, an infant at the end of Blood on the River, has now grown up in a colony that is teetering dangerously on the precipice of conflict with the native Algonquins. Virginia has the gift, or the curse, of the knowing-an ability that could help save the colony, and is equally likely to land her at the burning stake as an accused witch.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

Staff Pick: Poison in the Colony

Elisa Carbone’s BLOOD ON THE RIVER: JAMES TOWN 1607 is a staple in classrooms around the country. After 12 years, POISON IN THE COLONY is the new companion to BLOOD ON THE RIVER and it picks up right where the last one left off. Virginia Laydon, an infant at the end of BLOOD ON THE RIVER, has now grown up in a colony that is teetering dangerously on the precipice of conflict with the native Algonquins. Virginia has the gift, or the curse, of the knowing—an ability that could help save the colony, and is equally likely to land her at the burning stake as an accused witch. When accusations and danger threaten, Virginia flees on her own, resulting in a journey of survival and self-realization. As with BLOOD ON THE RIVER, Carbone has a great sense of place and it feels like you’re in James Town as you’re flipping through this page-turning story. Virginia is a fascinating character as she has seen the colony of James Town grow over the years and it’s a fascinating perspective from that of Samuel in the first book. If you have BLOOD ON THE RIVER in your class or library, you’ll want this companion! 

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

What Was Stonewall?

Author: Nico Medina

Series: Part of the Who HQ series

Age Range: 8-12

Two Sentence Recap: In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, police arrived at the Stonewall Inn's doors and yelled, "Police! We're taking the place!" But the people in this New York City neighborhood bar, members of the LGBTQ community, were tired of being harassed - they rebelled in the streets, turning one moment into a civil rights movement and launching the fight for equality among LGBTQ people in the United States.

What Is the Stanley Cup?

Author: Gail Herman

Series: Part of the Who HQ series

Age Range: 8-12

Two Sentence Recap: Out of the thirty-two pro hockey teams that compete, only one can call itself the champion and proudly hoist up the Stanley Cup--the oldest sports trophy in the world! From the formation of the leagues and the crowning of the first championship-winning team, to the Rangers' Stanley Cup curse and the uncertain fate of the teams during the Spanish flu epidemic, this book recounts the highs and lows of this exciting ice hockey series.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds (paperback)

Author: Abby Hanlon

Series: Book 4 in the Dory Fantasmagory series

Age Range: 6-8

Two Sentence Recap: Dory has her first loose tooth, and, with her usual over-the-top excitement, she cannot stop talking about the tooth fairy. This not only drives her siblings crazy, but it also sparks a serious jealous streak in her nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, who wants all of Dory’s attention to herself.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter

Author: Diane Magras

Series: A companion to The Mad Wolf’s Daughter

Age Range: 8-12

Two Sentence Recap: In this Scottish medieval adventure, after attempting a daring rescue of her war-band family, Drest learns that Lord Faintree's traitorous uncle has claimed the castle for his own and convinced the knights that the lord has been slain . . . by her hand. Now with a hefty price on her head, Drest must find a way to escape treacherous knights, all the while proving to her father, the "Mad Wolf of the North," and her irrepressible band of brothers that she is destined for more than a life of running and hiding.

Far Away

Author: Lisa Graff

Age Range: 8-12

Two Sentence Recap: CJ's Aunt Nic is a psychic medium who tours the country speaking to spirits from Far Away, passing on messages from the dearly departed. CJ has been using Aunt Nic to talk to her dearly departed mother, but when she finds out that she won’t be able to converse with her anymore, CJ sets off on a road trip to locate the one object that she believes will tether her mother’s spirit back to Earth.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

Staff Pick: The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter

As we enter into this companion novel to THE MAD WOLF’S DAUGHTER, we find Drest, Tig, and Emerick on the cusp of a brand-new adventure. They’ve escaped Faintree Castle and Sir Oswyn along with Drest’s father and brothers. But now, Oswyn has put a price on Drest’s head for supposedly killing Emerick, and they not only have to run from the knights who are loyal to Oswyn, but also the knights that are loyal to Emerick. This is a fast-paced, fantastic adventure novel. It can either be read as part of a series, or as a stand-alone, and either way, kids will fall head-over-heels for the daring acts, feats of bravery, feminist heroes, and, above all, the kindness and empathy that Drest shows her fellow man.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

Rising Above: Inspiring Women in Sports (paperback)

Authors: Gregory Zuckerman with Gabriel & Elijah Zuckerman

Age Range: 8-12

One Sentence Recap: The inspirational real-life stories of superstar athletes Serena and Venus Williams, Simone Biles, Carli Lloyd, and more! For sports fans, aspiring athletes and readers of sports biographies.

[chroniclesofmiddlegrade]

New This Week!

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat

Authors: Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Illustrator: Robb Mommaerts

Series: Book 1 in the Klawde series

Age Range: 10+

Two Sentence Recap: Klawde had everything - sharp claws, fine fur, a dictatorship over the planet Lyttyrboks - but when he is stripped of his feline throne, he is sentence to the worst possible punishment: exile to a small planet in a quiet corner of the universe... named Earth. On earth, he finds refuge in the home of the Banerjee’s and (unfortunately) has to become Raj Banerjee’s best friend, whether he likes it or not.

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat: Enemies

Authors: Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Illustrator: Robb Mommaerts

Series: Book 2 in the Klawde series

Age Range: 10+

Two Sentence Recap: As summer turns to fall, our favorite warlord cat remains in his pitiful exiled existence. But Raj has an even scarier prospect than cosmic exile: starting at a new school.