Middle Grade & Children’s – Page 29 – Trigger Warning Database

Dark Waters by Katherine Arden

Dark Waters by Katherine Arden

Until next time. That was chilling promise made to Ollie, Coco and Brian after they outsmarted the smiling man at Mount Hemlock Resort. And as the trio knows, the smiling man always keeps his promises. So when the lights flicker on and off at Brian’s family’s inn and a boom sounds at the door, there’s just one visitor it could be. Only, there’s no one there, just a cryptic note left outside signed simply as –S.

The smiling man loves his games and it seems a new one is under way. But first, the three friends will have to survive a group trip to Lake Champlain…. Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Graphic snakebite
Serious physical illness of a parent
Dead body
Death of an uncle
Death of a mother in a plane crash recounted
Shipwreck, on-page
Graphic animal attack (theme)
Bullying recounted

Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Ollie, Coco, and Brian are determined to make the best of being snowed in, but odd things keep happening. Coco is convinced she has seen a ghost, and Ollie is having nightmares about frostbitten girls pleading for help. Then Mr. Voland, a mysterious ghost hunter, arrives in the midst of the storm to investigate the hauntings at Hemlock Lodge. Ollie, Coco, and Brian want to trust him, but Ollie’s watch, which once saved them from the smiling man, has a new cautionary message: BEWARE.

With Mr. Voland’s help, Ollie, Coco, and Brian reach out to the dead voices at Mount Hemlock. Maybe the ghosts need their help–or maybe not all ghosts can or should be trusted…… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a mother recounted

The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham

The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham

Amber craves excitement and adventure. Instead, she’s being bullied at school for having two dads, and life at home isn’t much better. Inspired by Oscar Wilde, Amber realizes that among the millions of people in London, there must be others who feel the same as she does; other dreamers – moonlight dreamers. After chance encounters with Maali, Sky and Rose, Amber soon recruits the three girls to the Moonlight Dreamers. It’s high time they started pursuing their dreams, and how better than with the support of friends?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Sexual assault

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

Aware of the racial tumult in the years after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Mei tries to remain blissfully focused on her job, her close friendship with the camp foreman’s daughter, and telling stories about Paul Bunyan–reinvented as Po Pan Yin (Auntie Po), an elderly Chinese matriarch. Anchoring herself with stories of Auntie Po, Mei navigates the difficulty and politics of lumber camp work and her growing romantic feelings for her friend Bee.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Hate crime, off-page

Star by Ondine Sherman

Star by Ondine Sherman

Sky’s aunt and uncle are expecting a baby, her boyfriend Oliver seems more interested in their YouTube channel than in talking, her father is settling into life in West Creek, and her best friend Lucy is in a new relationship. The problem is, Sky is still trying to work out where she fits in. When she learns about a shocking animal rights situation close to home, Sky is desperate to help. She travels to an animal rights conference where, surrounded by people who share her beliefs, she finally feels like she belongs.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a mother from cancer recounted

Snow by Ondine Sherman

Snow by Ondine Sherman

Sky is travelling to Alaska to meet her father for the first time. Far away from her friends back in Australia, she navigates the new relationship with her father and meets Jaxon, a local boy struggling with his own problems. In a cold, vast and beautiful place, they are isolated except for the wild animals who live there. As Sky gets to know her father, she finally feels she has a chance of having a real family again. But her father has a secret that threatens everything Sky holds dear. Will she have to choose between family and her love of animals?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a mother from cancer recounted

Sky by Ondine Sherman

Sky by Ondine Sherman

After her mother’s death, Sky leaves her city life to move in with her aunt and uncle in a small Australian town. When her mum was alive, Sky knew who she was: she was kind-hearted and full of a passion for justice, especially the rights of animals. She was also a vegan whose hero was Jane Goodall. And until recently she preferred the company of dogs to boys. But being a vegan and trying to fit into her new home isn’t easy. Her aunt has forgotten she doesn’t eat meat, and Sky is desperately lonely.. Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a mother from cancer
Animal cruelty

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Child abuse, off-page

Robots and Repeats by Gene Luen Yang

Robots & Repeats by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Mike Holmes

Dr. One-Zero has added a new class to Stately Academy’s curriculum. But in “Advanced Chemistry,” they only teach one lesson: how to make Green Pop! While their classmates are manufacturing this dangerous soda, the Coders uncover a clue that may lead them to Hopper’s missing dad. Is it time to use Professor Bee’s most powerful weapon: the Turtle of Light?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Disappearance of a parent

Secrets and Sequences by Gene Luen Yang

Secrets & Sequences by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Mike Holmes

Stately Academy is no ordinary school: it was once home to an elite institute where teachers, students, and robots worked together to unravel the mysteries of coding. Hopper, Eni, and Josh won’t rest until they’ve learned the whole story, but they aren’t the only ones interested in the school’s past. Principal Dean is hot on their trail, demanding that the coders turn over their most powerful robot. Dean may be a creep, but he’s nothing compared to the guy who’s really in charge: a green-skinned coding genius named Professor One-Zero.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Animal attack