Category Archives: Middle Grade & Children’s

This tag contains all books tagged as Middle Grade fiction and relevant non-fiction.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Eleven-year-old Reuben spends his days exploring, hiding, and practicing parkour among the abandoned buildings of the Lower Downs as a way to escape the rough times that have befallen him and his mom–but his discovery of an extraordinary antique pocket watch changes everything. When Reuben finds that the watch has the power to turn him invisible, he’s propelled on the adventure of a lifetime. Now Reuben is being pursued by a group of dangerous men called the Directions, and someone–or something–ominously called The Smoke. They all want the… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Death of a father in a factory accident mentioned
  • Death during incarceration mentioned
  • Near-drowning incident

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart

Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he’s being sent to a new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances and a mystery that could change his life forever. Luckily, he has one important thing in his favor: He’s a genius. On his quest to solve the mystery, Nicholas finds enemies around every corner, but also friends in unexpected places — and discovers along the way that the greatest puzzle of all is himself.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Nightmares & narcolepsy
  • Smoking mentioned
  • Death of a brother
  • Death of a parent
  • Near-drowning incident
  • Bullying

The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller

At the end of sixth grade, Luna knows who she a small, quiet girl who loves writing and making zines with her best friend, Scott. But when one of their zines takes off, somehow Luna is swept up into the popular group and learns just how much of herself she’s going to have to compromise to stay there. Will she give up her writing? Her best friend? What about her own beliefs about who she is and what she stands for?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Vaping mentioned (on-page, secondary character)
  • Drunk-driving car accident mentioned (a teen crashes into a store & an employee’s hand is injured by broken glass)
  • Biking accident mentioned, resulting in minor nose injury
  • Bullying & vandalism discussed

A Sea Monster Conundrum by Lisa Yee

Oof! When reports of ghosts arise around an abandoned lighthouse, Olive and her elite team of underdogs are immediately thrust into a brand new case. After all, ghosts don’t exist . . . right? Real or not, the ghosts draw quite a crowd at Olive’s beloved Reforming Arts School, or RASCH (not “rash”). Turns out everyone wants a glimpse of the ghosts, including . . . the nearby marine life?! Between RASCH’s ghosts and newfound tourism, rumors soon spiral out of control about a sea monster in the bay—snagging unwanted attention from a corrupt mogul. What is going on at RASCH? Does… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Emesis (on-page)
  • Animal abuse (held in captivity, separating parents from their children)

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Period-typical antisemitism & misogyny, including the destruction & arson of a Jewish village by Christians, and a woman burned at the stake

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by the powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying — and some deaths are more mysterious than others. In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty… Who may yet turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Animal death
  • Bullying

Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter

Deep in the heart of the forest, four Clans of warrior cats coexist in uneasy harmony-but uncertain times are upon them, and dangers threaten the precarious balance of the forest. Fireheart is a ThunderClan warrior now, but his troubles are far from over. The cats of rival RiverClan grow restless, while WindClan is weak and faces threats from all sides. Now Fireheart faces not only imminent battle, but betrayal from within his own Clan.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Car accident
  • Animal death
  • Bullying

Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter

Allegiances are shifting among the Clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want. Fireheart is determined to find out the truth about the mysterious death of brave ThunderClan warrior Redtail. But as he searches for answers, he uncovers secrets that some believe would be better left hidden.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Pregnancy
  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a child
  • Animal death

Rising Storm by Erin Hunter

Fireheart’s traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from Thunder Clan — but Fireheart can’t shake the feeling that he’s lurking in the forest, waiting for his chance to strike. That’s not the only problem facing the young warrior in these blazing summer months, as he struggles to handle sinister omens, an apprentice with a shocking secret, and a devastated Clan leader who is a shell of her former self. Meanwhile the forest gets hotter and hotter … and everyone braces for the coming storm…

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Car accident
  • Fire
  • War themes
  • Animal death

A Dangerous Path by Erin Hunter

ShadowClan has a dark new leader, but will he be satisfied with his power now — or does his desire for revenge burn even more strongly? Fireheart fears that there is a connection between the rise of Tigerstar and the terrible dreams that haunt his nights, murmuring of danger and death.Meanwhile, a mysterious and vicious threat unlike any other has invaded the forest, placing every cat’s life in peril. Fireheart’s beloved leader has turned her back on their warrior ancestors, and Fireheart can’t help but wonder if she’s right. Has StarClan abandoned them forever?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Dementia
  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a child
  • Fire
  • Animal death