New Middle Grade

“I have challenged myself that I will read thousands of books and I will empower myself with knowledge.”  – Malala Yousafzai

“A book is like a garden, carried in the pocket.” – Chinese Proverb

 

The Labors of Hercules Beal By Gary D. Schmidt Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780358659631
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books - May 23rd, 2023

From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill an assignment to perform the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life—and makes discoveries about friendship, community, and himself along the way.


Second Chance Summer By Sarah Kapit Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250860903
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - May 23rd, 2023

Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it's with your best friend. Can these two ex-besties survive summer camp together?

Maddie and Chloe have always been best friends, until last year, when Chloe’s popularity and budding fame as an actor left Maddie in the dust one too many times. Their friendship is over, and they’re both ready to move on.


The Cobra's Song By Supriya Kelkar Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781665911887
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - May 16th, 2023

From the author of American as Paneer Pie comes a magical middle grade adventure steeped in Indian folklore following a girl who learns how to find her voice and face her fears, perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Amina’s Song.

Ten-year-old Geetanjali doesn’t mind singing, but she knows she’ll never be as good as her mother, Aai, or grandmother, Aaji, fam


Smartest Kid in the Universe #3: Evil Genius (The Smartest Kid in the Universe #3) By Chris Grabenstein Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780593480915
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Books for Young Readers - May 16th, 2023

Meet middle schooler Jake McQuade. Jake became the smartest kid in the universe when he accidentally ate a jarful of ingestible knowledge jelly beans. But what happens when those jelly beans fall into the wrong hands?!


Mihi Ever After: A Giant Problem By Tae Keller, Geraldine Rodríguez (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tae Keller, Geraldine Rodríguez (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250814227
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - May 16th, 2023

Newbery Medalist Tae Keller continues the fantasy adventures of Mihi Whan Park and her friends as they revisit the fairy tale realm to solve a giant problem.


Penny Draws a Best Friend By Sara Shepard Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9780593616772
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - May 16th, 2023

A humorous, heartfelt, highly illustrated new middle grade series about friendship, feelings, and finding your people, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard.

Why does the cubby room always smell like farts? Who etched the words "I Am Bug Man" inside my desk? Why is Mom suddenly acting like she has a secret?


The Witch of Woodland By Laurel Snyder Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780062836656
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Walden Pond Press - May 16th, 2023

A young girl preparing for her bat mitzvah discovers she has mysterious abilities in this magical contemporary coming-of-age story from the beloved author of Orphan Island.

Hi, whoever is reading this. I’m Zipporah Chava McConnell, but everyone calls me Zippy.


There Flies the Witch By Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062993649
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Greenwillow Books - May 16th, 2023

Red may not know who her true family is, but she’s determined to find out where she belongs, in this story about magic, nature, family, love, and betrayal. There Flies the Witch will enchant fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Grace Lin.


The Beautiful Something Else By Ash Van Otterloo Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781338843224
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press - May 16th, 2023

Full of humor and heartbreak, this story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world is perfect for fans of Alex Gino and Kyle Lukoff.

It’s exhausting trying to be the perfect daughter. Still, getting good grades without making any waves may be the only way to distract from the fact that Sparrow Malone’s mother is on the verge of falling apart.


We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration By Robert Furrow, Donna Jo Napoli, Marc Martin (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780593381632
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Studio - May 9th, 2023

A stunning picture book for young nature lovers about starlings and the fascinating phenomenon of murmurations. Illustrated by the award-winning artist Marc Martin, this book about the natural world vividly explores how such an enigma is even possible.


The Girl Who Lost a Leopard By Nizrana Farook Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781682635810
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Peachtree - May 9th, 2023

From the author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant comes another thrilling escapade set in fictional Sri Lanka.

Selvi is a free spirit who loves climbing in the beautiful mountains behind her home. There, she befriended Lokka, a leopard with a beautiful coat and huge golden eyes. Together, they roam the wilderness as they please.


Escape from Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1) By Matt McMann Cover Image
$7.99
ISBN: 9780593530719
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - May 9th, 2023

Here's the first book in the series of terrifying tales that combine monsters + mysteries, perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

“Spine-chilling and creepy!” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth

In a mansion on a hill,
lived a man no one could kill.