Title: P.S. Be Eleven Author: Rita Williams-Garcia Genre: Historical, Middle Grade, POC Publisher: Amistad Publication date: May 21st 2013 Hardcover: 288 pages In this exquisite sequel to the New York Times bestseller One Crazy Summer, the Gaither sisters return…
Title: The Water Castle Author: Megan Frazer Blakemore Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: Walker Childrens Publication date: January 8th 2013 Hardcover: 304 pages Ephraim Appledore-Smith is an ordinary boy, and up until his father’s stroke, he lived…
Title: Mirage Author: Jenn Reese Genre: Speculative Fiction, Dystopia, Middle Grade Publisher: Candlewick Publication Date: March 2013 Hardcover: 368 Pages A thrilling sequel from an exciting new voice in middle-grade sci-fi tracks two ocean-born children braving the dangers of…
Title: The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic Author: Jennifer Trafton and Brett Helquist (Illustrator) Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade Publisher: Dial Publication date: December 2010 Hardcover: 352 pages Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge leads (much to her chagrin) a very dull…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Thea lists some of her recommended books – both old school and contemporary – to get young or new readers in the mood for fantasy. The list is inpsired…
Title: Handbook for Dragon Slayers Author: Merrie Haskell Genre: Historical Fantasy, Middle Grade Publisher: Harper Collins Publication date: May 28 2013 Hardcover: 336 pages Tilda has never given much thought to dragons, attending instead to her endless duties and…
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)…
Learn, Grow, Improve: Progressive Publishers Doing Cool Things is a monthly feature at The Book Smugglers, in which we spotlight new ventures, content creators and publishers that are doing awesome things – awesome, defined as something smart, admirable, and…
Title: The Wig in the Window Author: Kristen Kittscher Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books Publication Date: June 2013 Hardcover: 368 Pages Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out…
Title: Loki’s Wolves Author: K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr Genre: Fantasy / Middle Grade Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / Atom Publication date: May 7 2013 Hardcover/Paperback: 358 pages In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end…
Today is our official stop on The Wig in the Window blog tour! We are thrilled to have debut author Kristen Kittscher over to answer our questions about her middle grade mystery novel and talk about everything from favorite…
Title: Doll Bones Written by Holly Black Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Doubleday Childrens Publication Date: May 2013 Hardcover: 256 Pages Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing…
Title: The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle Author: Christopher Healy Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade Publisher: Walden Pond Press Publication Date: April 2013 Hardcover: 496 Pages Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You remember them, don’t you?…
Today we are thrilled to be part of the official blog tour for middle grade fantasy adventure novel The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy! Thea thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, The Hero’s…
Today, we are thrilled to launch a new feature here at Casa de Smugglers, and it is called: Learn, Grow, Improve: Progressive Publishers Doing Cool Things In this new monthly feature, we will spotlight new ventures and publishers that…
Title: Stolen Magic (US) / A Reckless Magick (UK) Author: Stephanie Burgis Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade, Mystery Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (US) / Templar (UK) Publication Date: April 2013 (US) / October 2012 (UK) Hardcover: 400…
“Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The best part about I&I posts? Writers are given free rein so they can go wild…
The Middle Grade Review Bonanza is a new feature of 2-3 mini-reviews for short (typically 250 pages or less) MG books we both really wanted to read. It’s a new Regular Thing (and we’d love to hear your thoughts…
Today we bring you the latest installment in our feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has previously read and reviewed. This feature arose because of a very serious dilemma we faced at…
Title: The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano Author: Sonia Manzano Genre: Historical, Middle Grade Publisher: Scholastic Press Publication date: September 1st 2012 Hardcover: 224 pages One of America’s most influential Hispanics — ‘Maria’ on Sesame Street — presents a powerful…
Today we bring you the latest installment in our feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has previously read and reviewed. This feature arose because of a very serious dilemma we faced at…
Today, we are thrilled to be a part of Middle Grade author Claire Legrand‘s Cover Reveal Blog Tour! We absolutely loved Claire’s first book, delightfully creepy MG horror novel The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, so were thrilled…
Title: Indigo’s Star Author: Hilary McKay Genre: Contemporary, Middle Grade/Young Adult Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Publication date: 2003 Paperback: 244 pages It’s back to school for the start of a new term, and the eccentric Cassons are up…
Title: Navigating Early Author: Clare Vanderpool Genre: Historical, Middle Grade Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers Publication date: January 8th 2013 Hardcover: 320 pages At the end of World War II, Jack Baker, a landlocked Kansas boy, is suddenly…
Title: Ordinary Magic Author: Caitlen Rubino-Bradway Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: May 2012 Hardcover: 277 Pages In Abby’s world, magic isn’t anything special: it’s a part of everyday life. So when Abby learns that…