Archives de catégorie : Middle Grade

WESTFALLEN d’Ann Brashares et Ben Brashares

A mind-bending, time-warp, action-packed new middle-grade trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants author Ann Brashares and her brother Ben Brashares! Six well-meaning kids change the course of history in the worst possible way, in a thrilling new story that asks what life would be like today had Germany won World War II. Welcome to WESTFALLEN!

WESTFALLEN
by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares
Simon & Schuster, September 2024
(via Writers House)

Henry, Frances, and Lukas are neighbours, and they used to be best friends. But in middle school Frances became too cool, Lukas got into baseball, and Henry just felt left behind. When a dead gerbil brings them together again for a pet funeral, the three ex-friends make a mind-blowing discovery: a radio, buried in Henry’s backyard, that allows them to talk to another group of kids in the same town . . . in the same backyard . . . eighty years in the past.

The kids in 1944 want to know about the future: are there jetpacks? Laser guns? Is there teleportation? Most of all, they want to know about the outcome of the world war their dad and brothers are fighting in. Henry is cautious—he’s seen movies about what happens when you disrupt the fabric of time—but figures there’s no harm in telling them a little bit. And, at first, nothing changes—well, nothing big, anyway.

Until one conversation between the new friends changes history in the biggest way possible. And now it’s up to Henry, Frances, and Lukas to change it back.

Ann Brashares is the author of the global phenomenon Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, as well as several other novels. Before becoming a writer, she was a student of philosophy, a receptionist, an editor, a ghostwriter, and, briefly, the copresident of a small media company.

Ben Brashares is the author of Being Edie Is Hard Today and The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection. He holds an MFA in creative writing and has worked at and written for several magazines, including Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, and Entertainment Weekly.

THE MOSSHEART’S PROMISE de Rebecca Mix

From New York Times bestselling YA author Rebecca Mix comes a breathtaking middle grade fantasy duology about a young fairy who has always lived in her heroic grandmother’s shadow but now must step up and embark on a quest to save her mother from the ever-creeping mold overtaking their world. Perfect for readers who loved Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, and Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate.

THE MOSSHEART’S PROMISE
by Rebecca Mix
Balzer + Bray, 2023 – 2024
(via Dystel, Goderich & Bourret)

THE MOSSHEART’S PROMISE (Book 1, September 2023)

The mold takes all.

Twelve-year-old fairy Canary Mossheart knows this better than most. A few years ago, the mold took her papa, and even her famous, former-chosen-one Gran never found a cure. So when Ary’s beloved mama falls ill, Ary decides it’s taken enough. Armed with only a bucket and a prayer, she sneaks out to find a magical, underground lake whose healing waters are straight out of Gran’s adventures.

But when Ary gets there, the lake’s bone dry, and instead of healing waters, she finds a terrifying secret: Her entire world is actually trapped inside a giant terrarium—one they were meant to leave centuries ago. Worse, Gran knew and hid the truth, dooming Ary and her generation to a dying, rotting world.

Now, allied with only her doomsday-obsessed frenemy, a timid pill bug, and a particularly grumpy newt, Ary has one week to unravel the clues and find a way out of the terrarium—or they’ll be trapped for good.

THE GHOSTWING’S LIE (Book 2, October 2024)

Rebecca Mix is the New York Times bestselling author of stories about weird magic & hope. Her debut novel, The Ones We Burn, was an instant New York Times & Indiebound bestseller. Her other books include Neopets: The Omelette Faerie, the first of two official graphics novel developed in partnership with the game, slated for summer 2024.

THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE de Z Brewer

A perfectly average boy uncovers a supernatural secret about his family that could put his whole town in grave danger—if it doesn’t make him die of embarrassment first—in this mysterious and funny middle grade debut from New York Times bestselling author Z Brewer.

THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE
by Z Brewer
HarperCollins Children’s, September 2024
(via Dystel, Goderich & Bourret)

Viktor Valentine can’t think of a better way to end his summer vacation than playing All the Vampires Everywhere, his favorite video game, with his best friend, Damon. Yet his parents, who make cringey jokes and call him dorky nicknames, seem set on ruining his plans. Viktor knows he can’t really compete with Damon’s “cool” friends—so their epic video game playing is the best Viktor can do to come close to being cool in Damon’s eyes.

But then Viktor slowly starts to realize that his parents may be hiding something from him. They’re acting very suspicious; they sneak out after midnight and return with bloody mouths. But he’s probably just played too many video games. After all, vampires aren’t real . . . right?

Seventh grade is tough enough without having to figure out if your family has fangs. And to make matters worse, the new girl that moved in across the street seems particularly interested in things that go bump in the night. Can Viktor protect his family, or will his sleuthing come back to bite him?

Z Brewer is the author (writing under the name Heather Brewer) of the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, about a half-boy, half-vampire, and its spin-off series, The Slayer Chronicles, as well as the YA fantasy, Soulbound. Z’s other novels include Cemetery Boys, The Blood Between Us, Madness, and Into The Real. Z’s newest book is THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE, a middle grade novel set in the same world as the Vladimir Tod series, but which will appeal to a whole new generation of readers. Z is also a tireless anti-bullying advocate and lecturer.

THE DRAGON’S APPRENTICE de James Riley

In this hilarious fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series, a 12 year old girl strikes a deal with the ancient, cranky dragon she accidentally summoned to teach her the magic she needs to save her mother from the tyrant terrorizing their town.

THE DRAGON’S APPRENTICE
by James Riley
Random House BFYR, April 2025
(via Dystel, Goderich & Bourret)

Ciara lives in the village of Skael under the thumb of the Warden (ugh), who enforces the rule of the Emperor (double ugh). When she accidentally gets her mom arrested for possessing a banned book by the (allegedly) disgraced apprentice of the Dragon Mage, Ciara uses the maybe-dangerous, definitely-forbidden book to summon a very cranky dragon.

Scorch the dragon had no idea he’s been asleep for a thousand years. All he wants is to discover what happened to the Dragon Mage, who tasked him with teaching magic to all humans, and why this tiny annoying child summoned him. Although they make an unlikely pair, Scorch agrees to teach Ciara magic, just as he once taught his apprentice Bianca. Together, they just may be able to rescue Ciara’s mom and unravel the lies of the Empire…if they can stop bickering for long enough to make a plan, that is…

James Riley is the New York Times bestselling author of the Half Upon a Time series, The Story Thieves series, and The Revenge Of Magic series for middle grade readers. In his most recent series, Once Upon Another Time, which is set in the world of the popular Half Upon A Time series, storybook characters collide in a trilogy of twisted fairy tales. His newest novel for young readers is THE DRAGON’S APPRENTICE.

A DAY AT THE BEACH de Gary D. Schmidt et Ron Koertge

Short, easily digestible chapters that entertain and pack an emotional punch.

A DAY AT THE BEACH
by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge
Clarion Books, April 2025

From two-time Newbery Honoree Gary D. Schmidt and two-time PEN Award Winner Ron Koertge comes a moving and often laugh-out-loud funny middle grade novel about family, friendship, and belonging, told by a group of kids whose lives intersect one day at the beach.These thoughtful and funny vignettes brilliantly weave together an irresistible tale of tween relationships and connections.

Gary D. Schmidtis the bestselling author of The Labors of Hercules Beal; Just Like That; National Book Award finalist Okay for Now; and more.

Ron Koertgeis a two-time winner of the PEN Award and author of many acclaimed novels for young people.