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Tag: middle grade fiction

March 19, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Are You There God? It’s Me, Mariam: All HAIL MARIAM by Huda Al-Marashi

As far as I'm concerned, any book that shows how an individual can move away from black and white thinking towards tolerance and acceptance is a book worth reading. We discuss such a title today.

December 30, 2025 by Betsy Bird

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2025 Middle Grade Fiction

Our penultimate post!! These are the books that will worm their ways into the crannies and crevices of your children's gray matter, affecting their thoughts, their brains, their lives. If you're comfortable with that, read on.

October 17, 2025 by Betsy Bird

Review of the Day: The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri

I’ve noticed something about Daniel Nayeri. With every middle grade novel for kids that he writes he gets a little bit sharper. A little bit sleeker. A little bit funnier. A little bit faster. And this latest title? It’s a little bit one of the best books of the year

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Out There, Waiting for Me: A Q&A with Jennifer L. Holm About OUTSIDE

October 1, 2025 by Betsy Bird

What do you do when you can't trust the adults around you? Jennifer L. Holm and I discuss her latest book and talk a little xenotransplantation here and a little love of doggies there.

Review of the Day: The Experiment by Rebecca Stead

August 22, 2025 by Betsy Bird

A marvelous tale of space aliens and vast conspiracies. Put another way, just the thing to lure the science fiction curious back to the fold.

No Specialized Knowledge Required: Rebecca Stead Discusses the Fun and Fantastic THE EXPERIMENT

August 6, 2025 by Betsy Bird

We continue our ode to science fiction this week with the delightful Rebecca Stead in discussion about her latest title, tails and all.

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Jeanne Birdsall’s Triumphant Return: A Talk About The Library of Unruly Treasures

August 1, 2025 by Betsy Bird

Got a-hankering for more Penderwicks? Then get the next best thing! Jeanne Birdsall has an all new book out and it involves libraries, fairies, and terrible terrible parents.

Review of the Day: The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

June 6, 2025 by Betsy Bird

You know what the hero of this book is doing when we first meet him? Kicking over the headstones of complete strangers in the cemetery. I review a STRONG title from Messner.

Review of the Day: The Reel Wish by Yamile Saied Méndez

May 24, 2025 by Betsy Bird

Un-put-downable. A little more complex than its cover implies, this is a title to hand to that kid that always has to be the best, even if it kills them.

Review of the Day: Candle Island by Lauren Wolk

April 11, 2025 by Betsy Bird

Lauren Wolk's power is her ability to intrigue, enchant, and eventually surprise. A beautiful book that is about art while being art.

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