Archives de catégorie : Middle Grade

SECRETS OF STONE de Coltrane Seesequasis

A fast-paced, fantasy adventure novel set in the post-human world ruled by sentient animals. A debut middle-grade novel and the first book of a planned four-book series that follows the adventures of the young wolf Silversong. Perfect for fans of Erin Hunter’s work, The Wings of Fire series, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

SECRETS OF STONE
(A Wolf in the Sun, Book 1)
by Coltrane Seesequasis
Kegedonce Press, July 2024
(via The Rights Factory)

Centuries have passed since the forces of nature won the war against humanity. Sentient animals now rule a healing world, and as the stain of mankind continues to dwindle, a young wolf called Silversong is determined to rise in the hierarchy of his pack. Strong at manipulating wind and air, all he needs is a way to prove himself to his Chief.

Before he can get the respect he deserves, however, Silversong’s aspirations are cut short by the Heretic and his outcast wolves. Against all odds, the Heretic and his band of exiles escape their imprisonment far to the west and wreak havoc on Silversong’s pack. The exiles pose a threat unlike any other, and their enigmatic leader won’t stop his brutal conquest until all wolfkind submits to him.

Silversong can’t let a monstrous wolf like the Heretic roam free. With the wind at his back, he pursues the leader of the exiles into forests of shadow and into ancient places better left forgotten. But the further he strays from home, the more he comes to realize that maybe his enemies aren’t so evil after all. Maybe there’s a reason for the destruction they seek. and maybe there’s a far greater danger lying in wait.

Coltrane Seesequasis is a young fantasy writer of Willow Cree heritage who grew up in Gatineau, Quebec. Inspired by a love of nature as well as myths and folklore that challenge the limits of creativity, Coltrane Seesequasis joins a new generation of writers, adding his voice to the immersive genre of fantasy.

 

SECRETS OF THE SANDS d’Alisha Sevigny

Sesha must race to find a priceless scroll before time runs out.

SECRETS OF THE SANDS
by Alisha Sevigny
Dundurn Press, 2020 – 2022
(via The Rights Factory)

Book 1: THE LOST SCROLL OF THE PHYSICIAN (January 2020)

After a brutal fire takes their parents’ lives, Sesha and Ky, children of the pharaoh’s royal physician, are left charming snakes and stealing food to survive. Unsure of who to trust, the pair are found and brought back to the palace, where the pharaoh tasks Sesha with finding a rare medical document her father was transcribing. But are the royals hiding something?

Befriended by a fellow scribe and a young princess, Sesha navigates palace intrigue and temple treachery while urgently seeking the valuable papyrus. For the scroll doesn’t just have the power to keep the pharaoh’s army alive and reveal the secrets around her parents’ death—it may be the only thing that can save Ky’s life.

Book 2: THE DESERT PRINCE (September 2020)

Ancient Egyptian healer and scribe Sesha is ready for another role: spy.

Forced to flee Thebes or face death, Sesha and her friends, Paser and Reb, travel up the Nile and into the desert in search of a hidden oasis. Led by a freed spy, they plan to rescue Pharaoh’s daughter Princess Merat, given to a Hyksos chieftain against her will. Before they can get there, though, they have to battle lurking crocodiles, endless dunes, and blinding sandstorms.

When the group finally straggles into the Hyksos camp, they find the rebels preparing for combat. But as Sesha and her friends spend time with the rival tribe, the lines in the sand begin to blur. When she takes on a dangerous secret mission and learns about a prophecy that could change the course of history, Sesha has to decide where her future—and the real danger—lies.

Book 3: THE ORACLE OF AVARIS (January 2022)

A search for answers from a mysterious Oracle has Sesha and her friends navigating intrigue and danger in this thrilling conclusion to the SECRETS OF THE SANDS series.

Leaving the oasis, Sesha and her friends set sail for Avaris, intent on stopping the Hyksos Chieftain from claiming the throne and declaring war on Thebes. On the journey, Sesha learns that she and the scroll are at the centre of a pair of prophecies made by a famed Oracle—prophecies with staggering implications for both her and the Hyksos people. But when the crew arrives in the bustling port city, they are stunned to learn the Oracle is missing. With the prophecies now in doubt and their lives in danger, Sesha, Paser, and Reb must race to find a mysterious Priestess sect and witness the third and final prophecy before the upcoming lunar eclipse.

As the young scribes seek answers, Sesha must untangle her past and future while keeping war from erupting in the present. For there is one person she cannot bear to face across the Hyksos battlefield: her brother.

Alisha Sevigny is the author of MG adventure series, SECRETS OF THE SANDS, as well as YA contemporaries, Summer Constellations and Kissing Frogs. Her baby board book Give Me a Snickle! came out April 2022. Alisha’s novels have been CCBCs Best Books for Kids & Teens picks and she was one of three finalists in North America’s National Excellence for Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) in their YA category. Born and raised in BC’s Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforest, she now makes her home in the Cayman Islands with her family. A former literary agent, Alisha is also an actor, yoga teacher, tarot reader, and an avid collector of crystals.

UNICORN ISLAND de Donna Galanti, illustrée par Bethany Stancliffe

Beyond the mist lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered . . . From Epic! Originals, UNICORN ISLAND is a middle-grade illustrated novel series about a young girl who discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts and darker dangers!

UNICORN ISLAND
by Donna Galanti and Bethany Stancliffe
Andrews McMeel, 2021 – 2023

Book 1: UNICORN ISLAND (February 2021)

When Sam arrives in Foggy Harbor, population 3,230, all she can see is a small, boring town that’s way too far from home. And knowing that she’s stuck there all summer with her grumpy Uncle Mitch only makes things worse.

But when Sam discovers a hidden trapdoor leading to a room full of strange artifacts, she realizes Foggy Harbor isn’t as sleepy as it seems. With the help of a new friend, Sam discovers an extraordinary secret beyond the fog: an island of unicorns whose fates are intertwined with hers.

Book 2: SECRET BENEATH THE SAND (March 2022)

Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.

But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.

Book 3: BEYOND THE PORTAL (April 2023)

For Sam, knowing a little about her mother’s disappearance through the portal is almost worse than knowing nothing at all. Determined to distract herself, she tries to learn everything possible about caring for the herd on Unicorn Island. But when she and her friend Tuck stumble on a coded verse in The Unicorn Protector Creed, they are faced with an even greater task.

With no way of knowing what’s beyond it, Sam, Tuck, and Barloc the unicorn step through the portal and find that not only is Sam’s mother no longer a unicorn protector, she also lives in a world plagued by its own problems—and convinced that the only solution to them rests in the horn on Barloc’s head.

With the portal closing at sundown on the third day, Sam and Tuck are in a race to rescue their friend, reunite their families, and save another world from a terrible fate of its own making!

Donna Galanti wrote her first fantasy about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship––and has been writing fantasy ever since. Donna is the author of the middle-grade fantasy adventure, Joshua and The Lightning Road.

Bethany Jayde Stancliffe is a Central Washington-based artist who grew up in the Rockies, where she spent her time building tree forts, reading fairy tales, and filling up sketchbooks. Having had a spectrum of creative interests since childhood ranging from architecture to animation, she has found a home in illustration, where design and storytelling meet.

HARU de Joe Latham

Haru, a small bird who dreams of flying, and their best friend Yama, a talkative boar, are used to being in the shadows. But when Yama finds a strange artifact that causes sinister effects, the two are swept into an epic journey to destroy the artifact and save the world.

HARU
by Joe Latham
Andrews McMeel, 2024-2025

Book 1: SPRING (March 2024)

In The Valley, best friends Haru and Yama both dream of leaving as they’re bullied at school, frustrated at home, and struggling to figure out who they are. One day, a powerful artifact connects itself to Yama, and they discover that they’ll have to journey to The Beacon in search of answers.

Created by artist Joe Latham, this beautifully illustrated graphic novel series is a coming-of-age tale that spans the changing of seasons. Beginning in spring and ending in spring—the cycle complete. A story of heart, growing up, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, Haru is perfect for middle-grade readers.

Book 2: SUMMER (October 2024)

Return to The Valley, where magical creatures and adventures await! In this much‑anticipated sequel, Haru and Yama return with their friends to continue the quest toward The Beacon. Along the way, they face exciting new challenges—and uncover unexpected answers.

New and familiar faces emerge in this captivating installment, from Blight’s relentless new hunter to the bothersome Void Fly, while we discover what happened to Goose and Herb. With Joe Latham’s stunning illustrations bringing vibrant life to every page, HARU BOOK 2: SUMMER is a beautiful tale of friendship, courage, and wonder, perfect for young readers ages 8-12 and fans of heartfelt fantasy.

Book 3: FALL (October 2025)

Read the epic conclusion and discover the secrets of the Valley in HARU BOOK 3: FALL.

Haru, Yama, and the rest of the gang return one last time for the conclusion of their exciting adventure. Discover what became of Haru after the events of Book 2, and cheer on as they face off against Blight. Secrets will be revealed (what was Haru and Goose’s mother hiding?) and wills will be tested (will Herb believe in himself enough to help his friends) but together, nothing can stop this crew! With his stunningly beautiful and Tolkeinesque illustrations, author and artist Joe Latham delivers the perfect finale of his magical tale, in HARU BOOK 3: FALL.

Joe Latham is a Human Person, based in Bristol (UK). He makes comics, illustrations and designs for other humans. In his own words, he is « a tall nerd » and he plays the drums. He also likes to hang out with his cat.

ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES de Patricia C. Wrede

This delightfully witty fantasy series is about a princess who runs away to find some excitement—and finds plenty!

ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES
by Patricia C. Wrede
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/HarperCollins, 1990 – 1993, Reprint editions 2015

Book 1: DEALING WITH DRAGONS (Reprint edition, 2015)

Meet Princess Cimorene–a princess who refustes to be proper. She is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomobyish smart…
And bored.
So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon. And not just any dragon, but Kazul–one of the most powerful and dangerous dragons arounds. Of course, Cimorene has a way of hooking up with dangerous characters, and soon she’s coping with a witch,a a jinn, a death-dealing talking bird, a stone prince, and some very oily wizards.

If this princess ran away to find some excitement, it looks like she’s found plenty!

Book 2: SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS (Reprint edition, 2015)

As this young adult fantasy series continues, a princess must join forces with the king of the Enchanted Forest to find a missing dragon.
Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, is back—but where is Kazul the dragon? That’s what Cimorene is determined to find out!

 

Book 3: CALLING ON DRAGONS (Reprint edition, 2015)

The magical, young adult fantasy series continues as Cimorene discovers being queen is tougher than it looks as she fights to save her kingdom.
Those wicked wizards are back—and they’ve become very smart. Sort of. They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all…unless Queen Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And she just might be able to with some help from a dragon king, a witch, a magician, two cats, and a blue, flying donkey-rabbit named Killer.

Book 4: TALKING TO DRAGONS (Reprint edition, 2015)

The humorous young adult fantasy series comes to a close as a young prince begins a heroic quest—he just doesn’t know it yet.
One day, Daystar’s mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn’t know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he’s sure it must involve a dragon or two!

Patricia C. Wrede has written all four books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles as well as Sorcery & Cecilia, The Grand Tour, and The Mislaid Magician, co-written with Caroline Stevermer. Ms. Wrede lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota.