Mystery, science, and intrepid investigative skills–ON THE MOON–all collide in this smart, fast-paced middle grade adventure. Title: Space Case Author: Stuart Gibbs Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Middle Grade Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Publication Date:…
Middle Grade
Old School Wednesdays: CART AND CWIDDER by Diana Wynne Jones
A Diana Wynne Jones book is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get – except for a guaranteed good time. Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the…
Old School Wednesdays Harry Potter Re-Read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Old School Wednesdays presents an epic reread of The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. THIS MONTH ON THE RE-READ: we rediscover young Harry Potter as he finds his way to Hogwarts for the very first time in Harry…
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
Another case for Young and Yang – and Bottoms. Title: The Tiara on the Terrace Author: Kristen Kittscher Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books Publication Date: January 5 2016 Hardcover: 400 Pages In this funny, clever novel,…
Book Review: The Last Ever After by Soman Chainani (School for Good and Evil #3)
A fitting, epic end to a delightful middle grade series. Title: The Last Ever After Author: Soman Chainani Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, Science Fantasy Publisher: Harper Collins Publication Date: July 2015 Paperback: 672 Pages In the epic conclusion…
In which we host an exclusive excerpt and book giveaway of The Tiara on the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate the release of The Tiara on the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher with an exclusive…
Old School Wednesdays Joint Review: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
Joint Review: STAR WARS Moving Target by Cecil Castellucci & Jason Fry
As we continue down the road to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we read a brand new Princess Leia adventure–and we LOVE it, precious. Title: Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure (Journey to STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS) By:…
Middle Grade Review Bonanza: BINNY IN SECRET by Hilary McKay, FIRST CLASS MURDER by Robin Stevens, THE HOUSE OF EYES by Patricia Elliott
The Middle Grade Review Bonanza is a feature with 2-3 mini-reviews for short MG books we really wanted to read. It’s a new Regular Thing (and we’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future entries). Three Middle…
THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM: Sarah Beth Durst on Inspirations & Influences
“Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their Inspirations and Influences. In this feature, we invite writers to talk about their new books, older titles, and their…
Today we are thrilled to host the brand new cover reveal for Claire Legrand’s newest book, Some Kind of Happiness. We have been huge fans of Claire Legrand’s work ever since we first laid eyes on The Cavendish Home…
You Either See It Or You Don’t: The Marvels by Brian Selznick (Sneak Peek & Giveaway)
We are thrilled to be a stop on the blog tour for Brian Selznick’s newest book: The Marvels! The Marvels tells two different stories, one through pictures, the other through words, and follows young Joseph as he tries to…
Celebrating the newest illustrated companion book from Rick Riordan! This year marks the 10th anniversary of Percy Jackson and the Olympians–a five book series, starring the son of Poseidon and his friends as they figure out their place in…
In which we unveil the trailer for the newest book from Sonia Gensler. Today we are thrilled to reveal the trailer for new horror middle grade novel Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler. We love middle grade fiction, especially of the…
Celebrating a new, digital-interactive ebook in the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan! This year marks the 10th anniversary of Percy Jackson and the Olympians–a five book series, starring the son of Poseidon and his…
Old School Wednesdays Joint Review: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson 2)
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
Joel Ross makes a triumphant middle grade debut with The Fog Diver – a swashbuckling, science fiction-fantasy that conjures comparisons to Kenneth Oppel’s Airborn and Jenn Reese’s Above World. In other words: READ THIS BOOK NOW. Title: The Fog…
Old School Wednesdays Joint Review: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
In which we unveil the cover for the second book in Sophia McDougall’s most excellent middle grade science fiction series. Today we are delighted to present you with the cover and synopsis of Sophia McDougall’s newest novel and second…
Book Review: Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia
History, self-awareness, negotiated boundaries and family secrets are at the heart of Gone Crazy in Alabama, the third – and final – book in Rita Williams Garcia’s excellent Gaither Sisters series. Title: Gone Crazy in Alabama Author: Rita Williams-Garcia…
Old School Wednesdays: Silver on the Tree (The Dark is Rising Sequence #5) by Susan Cooper
Ana has been reading The Dark Is Rising Sequence for the past few months. Today, she takes on the final book in the series, Silver on the Tree. Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smugglers feature. We came…
Echo is a novel of great ambition, with four historical settings, different characters and stories in a planned symphony that doesn’t quite sound perfect when it all comes together in the end. Title: Echo Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan Genre:…
Old School Wednesdays: The Grey King (The Dark is Rising Sequence #4) by Susan Cooper
Ana has been reading The Dark Is Rising Sequence for the past few months. Today, she takes on book 4, The Grey King. Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smugglers feature. We came up with the idea towards…
The Glass Sentence has a fascinating premise with an intricate and ambitious world-building around it. Even though at times said world-building – given its scope – encounters inevitable hurdles and fails to live up to its full potential, my…