13 New Middle Grade Books, November 2024
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My brain is adjusting to the black spider web lines, so I’m back to reading, more or less. (In dark mode, when I can.) This month, I’m sharing a batch of great middle grade graphic novels, as well as fantasy, historical fiction, and realistic fiction books. I think you’ll be adding many of these to your holds shelf!
12 New Middle Grade Books, November 2024
Firelight Apprentice created by Bree Paulsen
FANTASY GRAPHIC NOVEL
I adore the art style in this story about a world of magic after war with themes of trust, betrayal, friendship, and family. Safi needs a teacher to master her magic, and her family finds traveling magicians to teach her. Safi is thrilled with her learning up until her father dies. When her homeless magician friend is accused of being evil, the truth about who the evil magician really is comes out. Danger, kidnapping, and intrigue, what’s not to love?
Last Kids on Earth Graphic Novel written by Max Brallier, illustrated by Brian Churilla
PARANORMAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
After the monster apocalypse and his foster family fleeing without him, Jack is living in his fortified tree house. He scavenges for food and gets followed home by the only friendly monster, Rover. But the other monsters and zombies aren’t that nice, so Jack teams up with his best friend Quint and their friend June to fight for their lives. Not only is this an exciting adventure where the kids are amazing heroes who do incredible things but the graphic adaptation is excellent.
The Other Side of Tomorrow written by Tina Cho, illustrated by Deb JJ Lee 
REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL IN VERSE
You’ll be moved by the courage the two main characters show in the face of their difficult daily lives in North Korea who make harrowing escapes to China, imprisonment, another escape to Thailand, more hiding, and eventual escape to the U.S. despite danger chasing them every step of the way. The writing is extraordinary because it’s in verse — poetic, emotional, and surprising in a graphic novel. The graphic illustrations are stunning. This is such an important story. You’ll finish it and realize that this level of hardship is unlike anything we face in a first-world country.
The Shape of Lost Things written by Sarah Everett
REALISTIC
Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, emotional– this book has everything you want in a novel with brilliant character development, a fascinating plot, and an emotional arc of grief that tugs at your heartstrings! Four years ago, Skye’s brother Finn was kidnapped by their dad on a visitation when Skye was too sick to go. Skye misses her beloved big brother and feels adrift without him. She also wonders why their dad didn’t take her, too. Then, the unexpected happens. Finn is found on the side of the road. He returns home so drastically unlike his old self that she’s convinced that he’s an imposter. Now, she just needs to prove it. Bravo!!
Keeping Pace written by Laurie Morrison
REALISTIC
With one of the strongest first-person narrative voices I’ve ever read, this exceptional story is about perfectionism, divorce, first crushes, and finding your place in the world. Grace is an achievement-oriented girl whose middle school years have been devoted to being the top student. When she misses out to her rival, former best friend, she’s miserable. With nothing to look forward to over the summer, she decides to train for a half marathon. With deft and realistic character development, we see the struggles Grace has with understanding what she really wants and what matters, as well as relationships with other people, including her cousin and dad.
Weirnbooks: Be Wary of the Silent Woods written by Svetlana Chmakova
PARANORMAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
Missing kids, a bratty bully, a sinister villain, and a little bit of family lore, too combine to narrate a new graphic novel from the author of AWKWARD. I liked that the magic system of kids with demons is completely new, but got a bit confused about the specifics of this magical world.
The Squad written by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao
REALISTIC MEMOIR GRAPHIC NOVEL
Christina is a middle school student who dreams of becoming a cheerleader. She’s figuring out if she can be her true self or if she’s half a person and navigating the big feelings about her parent’s divorce. With themes of racism, identity, crushes, and friendship, this realistic sequel to The Tryout feels authentic to a middle school experience and the heartbreak of a divorce.
The House with a Dragon in It written by Nick Lake, illustrated by Emily Gravett
FANTASY (ILLUSTRATED)
The title is a bit misleading because this story isn’t about a dragon. It is, however, about a foster girl named Summer who bargains with a dragon, releases a witch from a bottle, and makes wishes that go terribly wrong. (I know, a bit predictable.) The last third of the book was the best part, with more dramatic tension and intrigue than before, and I ended up liking the sweet conclusion.
The Inventor: Dangerous Discovery created by Lars Henrik Eriksen
STEM GRAPHIC NOVEL
On the unusual island of Mata-Mata where kids have their own turtles, and the homes have turtle roofs, Cobalt’s inventor grandfather’s does an experiment that badly hurts Cobalt, requiring Cobalt to amputate his legs. The grandfather is banished from the island. Several years later, Cobalt finally creates the robot legs his grandfather invented but when he activates them, it takes out the island’s power grid. To fix things, Cobalt and his friend Linnea must find the grandfather and it ends on a cliffhanger. But don’t worry, Volume 2 is already out! Beautiful setting and an interesting story!
The Bletchley Riddle written by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
review written by Krista Carlton
HISTORICAL FICTION
As she is being sent away to America to wait out the war, Lizzie slips her guardian to remain in London and solve the mystery around her mother’s disappearance. But she is not the only one telling this tale as the story’s narration is shared by her older brother, Jacob, who works at the secretive Bletchley Park on the Enigma Machine. The siblings must keep dangerous secrets and solve a complex mystery to understand their mother and the roles they now play in history. Sepetys and Sheinkin come together to write fantastic historical fiction that leads you through the twists and turns of WWII. A great read for any riddle breaker, mystery lover or student of history.
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents written by Nicki Pau Preto
review written by Krista Carlton
FANTASY
Vin has been kicked out of school after school and has been told this is her last chance to learn how to control her magic before it is removed. With unpredictable magic, no friends and her parents off on another continent, Vin feels alone and completely out of place. Her journey through the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents was exciting, uplifting and a nail biting adventure. Preto crafts a world of magic into our own that inspires the reader to examine friendships and rivalries all while we cheer on Vin as she discovers herself.
Golemcrafters written by Emi Watanabe Cohen
MAGICAL REALISM / HISTORICAL FICTION
Siblings Faye and Shiloh visit their grandfather, who teaches them to craft a Jewish protector golem out of clay and Hebrew letters. Shiloh is especially gifted which makes her happy at first. But when she and her brother travel into the past, she experiences persecution of her ancestors time after time, experiencing dangerous antisemitism. After Faye crafts a golem and she’s persecuted herself, she decides that she and her brother should stay quiet and nice so they will be left alone. But her brother Shiloh wants to fight. Faye struggles with victim blaming (of herself) and understanding that she will always have her ancestors with her no matter the struggles she faces. The pacing isn’t zippy but the story is worth it.
A Brush with Magic written by Flora Ahn
review written by Leah Pellegrini
MAGICAL REALISM
Yumi and her older sister, Minji, travel alone to Seoul to visit their grandfather. Although Yumi enjoys painting with her grandfather and listening to his stories, she is hurt that her sister doesn’t want to hang out with her. . .at all. Then Yumi discovers a magic paintbrush that unleashes a Dokkaebi, a powerful magical creature who can bring paintings to life in increasingly mischievous ways. What follows is an adventurous and kind-hearted story that explores friendship and family, as well as Yumi’s journey to understanding what really matters to her and what kind of person she wants to be. A great read full of Korean culture, perfect for fans of When You Trap a Tiger!
