Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) – Page 5

Pretty Like Us by Carol Lynch Williams

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers

Release Date: October 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-1561454440

Size: 224 pages, hardcover

Genre: Middle Grade

For Beauty McElwrath, the first day of sixth grade in small-town Green River, Florida, proves to be exactly the catastrophe she expected. Beauty is acutely shy, and she s sure she s doomed to be a social outcast for yet another school year. It doesn t help that her mother is dating her teacher!

But then she meets Alane Shriver, a new student who suffers from progeria, a rare, rapid aging disorder. At first Beauty is frightened by her fellow outsider s wrinkled skin, shriveled hands, thick glasses, and tiny, frail body. But fear gives way to curiosity, and Beauty discovers that, on the inside, Alane is just like any other twelve-year-old girl. When a life-threatening event puts the two of them in harm s way, Beauty unexpectedly finds the confidence and inner strength to save Alane.

Seven Sisters: The Voyage by Carolyn Hart Bennett

Title: Seven Sisters: The Voyage

Author: Carolyn Hart Bennett

Publisher: iUniverse

Release Date: November 13, 2008

ISBN: 978-0595522422

Size: 232 pages, 6×9, softcover

Genre: Middle Grade Historical

The early Mormon Church was forced out of several states and finally blazed a trail across unknown territory to Utah to form their own theocracy. In addition to this westward movement, converts in Europe were admonished to “gather to Zion” and build up the Church in the Salt Lake Valley.

85,000 Mormon emigrants came to America by sailing ships between the years of 1840 and 1890. Seven Sisters takes place on one of these ships—the Amazon.

Carrying 800 Latter-day Saints, it had a send off from Charles Dickens at the London Docks and landed in New York City a couple of days after the deadliest riot in American History-the Draft Riots of 1863.

During the 44 day crossing, there are births, deaths, storms, sea-sickness, accidents, drama, humor, romance, and pure religion.

All of this is seen through the eyes of seven single young women who start out the voyage individually and are soon placed together as a “family” by Church leaders. Although, they aren’t related as such, they are “sisters” in the Gospel, and together they face the adventures, hardships, and dangers of an ocean voyage.

Alcatraz vs the Scrivener’s Bones by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Alcatraz vs the Scrivener’s Bones

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: November 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-0439925532

Size: 336 pages, Hardcover

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

The Evil Librarians are still up to their antics and it’s up to Alcatraz Smedry to put a stop to it! This second book will take Alcatraz and company on an exploration of the Library of Alexandria, which—despite Librarian rumors—was never destroyed. It is a mysterious place and everyone knows that it holds dark secrets. Can Alcatraz, with his talent for breaking things, break into this secret world? Or will the Evil Librarians once again prevail?

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

Title: Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: September 30, 2008

ISBN: 978-1590389638

Size: 432 pages, Hardback

Genre: Middle Grade fantasy

The dreams of mankind are in grave danger as the Dearth, the true evil beneath the soil, rises above ground and slowly gains the strength he needs to defeat Leven Thumps. Leven, now the Want, is also gaining strength. Will he discover his new power before the Dearth finds him? Sycophant Run is on the brink of war. The secret of how to kill sycophants is now more a threat than ever. Can Clover and the sycophants protect the only gateway to Reality now that they’re so vulnerable?

And speaking of Reality, Terry and Addy are about to join forces with a one-time janitor and the angriest, most confused toothpick alive—Ezra. What kind of power is raging inside that sliver of wood?

Get ready to ride a Wave, release a Longing,find the Invisible Village, travel by rope,wrestle in chocolate, and, of course, dream theimpossible! Join Leven, Winter, Geth, and Cloveron the most unFoogettable adventure yet!

FarWorld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage

Title: FarWorld: Water Keep

Author: J. Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: September 12, 2008

ISBN: 978-1590389621

Size: 432 pages, Hardback

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Other people may see thirteen-year-old Marcus Kanenas as an outcast and a nobody, but he sees himself as a survivor and a dreamer. In fact, his favorite dream is of a world far away, a world where magic is as common as air, where animals tell jokes and trees beg people to pick their fruit. He even has a name for this place—Farworld.

When Marcus magically travels to Farworld, he meets Kyja, a girl without magic in a world where spells, charms, and potions are everywhere, and Master Therapass, a master wizard who has kept a secret hidden for thirteen years, a secret that could change the fate of two worlds.

But the Dark Circle has learned of Master Therapass’s secret and their evil influence and power are growing. Farworld’s only hope is for Marcus and Kyja to find the mythical Elementals— water, land, air and fire- and convince them to open a drift between the worlds.

As Kyja and Marcus travel to Water Keep, they must face the worst the evil Dark Circle can throw at them—Summoners, who can command the living and the dead; Unmakers, invisible creatures that can destroy both body and soul; and dark mages known as Thrathkin S’Bae.

Along the way, Marcus and Kyja will discover the truth about their own heritage, the strength of their friendship, and the depths of their unique powers.

Stones’ Quest: Redemption of the Curse by LaRene R. Ellis

Title: Stone’s Quest: Redemption of the Curse (vol 3)

Author: LaRene R. Ellis

Publisher: Gathering Place Publishers, Inc.

Release Date: July, 2008

ISBN: 978-0975462249

Size: 424 pages, softcover

Genre: Middle Grade fantasy

Series: Stone’s Quest: In Search of Its Master (vol. 1), The Battles Begin (vol. 2)

The Story continues, the curse is revealed. The balance of the galaxy is in the hands of the few. Will the revealed truth be enough, or will the overwhelming powers of the curse engulf the universe beyond the influence of the Master Stones?

The fate of all lies in the hands of one. Will this unlikely soul choose to save it all or let everything be destroyed? The race for ultimate power… who will win?

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Title: Rapunzel’s Revenge

Author: Shannon and Dean Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books

Release Date: August 5, 2008

ISBN: 978-1599900704

Size: 144 pages, hardcover

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

Once upon a time, in a land you only think you know, lived a little girl and her mother . . . or the woman she thought was her mother.

Every day, when the little girl played in her pretty garden, she grew more curious about what lay on the other side of the garden wall . . . a rather enormous garden wall.

And every year, as she grew older, things seemed weirder and weirder, until the day she finally climbed to the top of the wall and looked over into the mines and desert beyond.

Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale teams up with husband Dean Hale and brilliant artist Nathan Hale (no relation) to bring readers a swashbuckling and hilarious twist on the classic story as you’ve never seen it before. Watch as Rapunzel and her amazing hair team up with Jack (of beanstalk fame) to gallop around the wild and western landscape, changing lives, righting wrongs, and bringing joy to every soul they encounter.

Pillage by Obert Skye

Title: Pillage

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: July 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-1590389225

Size: 352 pages, hardcover

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

When fifteen-year-old Beck Phillips travels by train to the secluded village of Kingsplot to live with his wealthy but estranged uncle, Beck discovers some dark family secrets. A buried basement, a forbidden wall, an old book of family history with odd references to… dragons?

Beck’s life is about to be changed forever in this suspenseful tale about the destructive nature of greed and the courage to make things right.

Pillage is filled wtih Mr. Skye’s signature humor as well as some very intense moments. including a surprising ending, that will keep readers young and old engrossed and entertained.

Jee’s Bones by W. Dave Free

Title: Jee’s Bones

Author: W. Dave Free

Publisher: Leatherwood Press

Release Date: 2008

ISBN:

Size: 5.5×8″, softcover

Genre: Children

Jeremy, nicknamed Jee, lives on a desert ranch where his family keeps a fledgling shrimp farm. A sharp and savvy kid with a passion for prehistory, Jeremy bursts with excitement when he finds a dinosaur skull in the ranch backcountry. But he and his family soon realize the discovery is more than they bargained for. After being washed with water from a nearby spring the skull transforms into a live ornithomimus, a great ostrich-like dinosaur with yellow eyes, a sharp beak, and an enormous appetite. Fearing that public involvement will harm the creature, which Jeremy names Fuji, the Free family keeps it hidden in a cave on their property. But before long, a meddling professor catches wind of the discovery and demands access to the ranch land. And when this Professor Stutts and his band of armed thugs arrive to take the ranch by force, Jeremy must use all his wits and skills to keep his family and Fuji alive.

Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

Title: Dragon Flight

Author: Jessica Day George

Publisher: Bloomsbury Books

Release Date: April 28, 2008

ISBN: 978-1599901107

Size: 272 pages, 5.5×8, hardback

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series: Sequel to Dragon Slippers

With the Dragon Wars over, Creel finds herself bored with life as a seamstress. Then word comes that a bordering country has been breeding dragons in preparation for an invasion. Never one to sit around, Creel throws herself headlong into an adventure that will reunite her with her dragon friend Shardas, pit her against a vicious new enemy and perhaps rekindle a friendship with Prince Luka that seems to have gone cold.

In far off Citatie, Prince Luka has made an alarming discovery: the southern country’s entire army is mounted on dragons, and they plan to attack Feravel. It’s up to Creel to gather her dragon friends and lead them south, first as spies, then as soldiers, in a battle against an unexpected enemy. But the Citatian dragons outnumber those from Feravel, and some of Creel’s friends are still recovering from the first dragon war. Will they be able to win this fight, and will they still have a home to return to even if they do?

Fablehaven: The Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Title: Fablehaven: The Grip of the Shadow Plague (Vol 3)

Author: Brandon Mull

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: April 21, 2008

ISBN: 978-1590388983

Size: 5.5×8, 480 pages, hardback

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series: Fablehaven (vol. 1), Rise of the Evening Star (vol. 2)

Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold out for long.

In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice—but is he a traitor? Inside the Quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure—but can she be trusted?

Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven? Find out in Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague.

The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner

Title: The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: March 3 2008

ISBN: 978-1590388310

Size: Hardback; 432 pages

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

What if every time you made a choice that had a significant consequence, a new, alternate reality was created—the life that would’ve been had you made the other choice? What if those new realities were in danger? What if it fell to you to save all the realities? Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day a strange letter arrives in his mailbox. Postmarked from Alaska and cryptically signed with the initials “M.G.,” the letter informs Tick that dangerous—perhaps even deadly—events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. M.G. promises to send Tick twelve riddles that will reveal on a certain day, at a certain time, at a certain place, something extraordinary will happen. Will Tick have the courage to follow the twelve clues M.G. sends to him? Will he be able to solve the riddles in time? Will Tick discover the life he was meant to live? The first volume of an outstanding new children’s fantasy series, The Journal of Curious Letters is filled with adventure, humor, riddles, and, oh, yes—danger… As M.G. warns Tick, Very frightening things are coming your way. Will you join Tick and his friends on an amazing journey through the Realities? What will your choice be?

Diamondback Cave by K.L. Fogg

Title: Diamondback Cave*

Author: K.L. Fogg

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Release Date: 2008

ISBN:

Size: small hardback

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series: Serpent Tide (vol. 1), Widow’s Revenge (vol. 2)

Imogene Vandergrift wants out of jail. And she’ll say or do just about anything to make sure she can recover the millions in diamonds she has hidden away. Television reality-adventure star Jack Mackey wants nothing to do with Imogene–especially after what she has already put his son Wesley through. Jack has assured Wes that the evil woman who pretended for years to be his mother will remain behind bars. But that was before Alex Harris mysteriously disappeared. Now the rules have changed. Wesley and his best friend Amanda decide it is up to them to find Alex, Amanda’s soon-to-be stepfather. A little covert detective work leads them to Diamondback Cave.

Although Imogene’s diamonds are hidden inside, it is named for the rattlesnakes that infest the black hole in the ground. However, the cavern also holds other dangers–henchman who may be working for, or against, Imogene. Can Wesley’s friends and family survive these new attacks from Imogene Vandergrift? Will Amanda find Alex before it’s too late for him to become part of her family? Will you be able to catch your breath as you dive into Diamondback Cave?

*Although this book is in Seagull stores, it’s not on their website nor on Covenant’s. I couldn’t find a cover image that I could lift anyplace online. This is the cover of the audio book.

Caleb’s Quest by Christopher Esseltine

Title: Caleb’s Quest

Author: Christopher Esseltine

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Release Date: January 2008

ISBN: 978-1-59955-104-3

Size: 5.5×8.5; 178 pages

Genre: Middle Grade/Teen, Choose your own adventure

Every choice we make puts us on one path or another. Thirteen-year-old Caleb has some tough choices ahead, but he’s not alone — you’re there to guide him! When Caleb’s father is called to go to battle against the Lamanites, Caleb realizes it’s up to him to find his father and get him home safely. Caleb’s father isn’t the only one in danger, though; Caleb will need to be quick, careful, and clever if he wants to succeed in his mission. One wrong choice could mean an end to his adventure — and maybe even his life.

This choose-your-own-adventure begins when you open this book and enter Nephite lands and Book of Mormon times, but only you can decide how it ends!

Make Me a Home by Tamra Norton

Title: Make Me a Home

Author: Tamra Norton

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Release Date: January 2008

ISBN: 978-1-59955-113-5

Size: 5×8; 168 pages

Genre: Middle Grade

Allie Claybrook has spent the better part of her sixth-grade year as the “new kid” at Edna Elementary School—a title she is eager to shed. When Ivy Peterson moves to town, Allie quickly becomes her friend. It doesn’t hurt that Ivy’s older brother, Ty, is the best-looking boy in the seventh grade. But it doesn’t help that Celeste—the most popular girl in Allie’s class—shares Allie’s views about Ty. As Allie deals with her father’s deployment to Iraq and Ivy deals with her parents’ divorce, the girls discover the importance of friendship and a place to call home.

Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham

Title: Red Dragon Codex

Author: R.D. Henham (Rebecca Shelley)

Publisher: Mirrorstone

Release Date: January 8, 2008

ISBN: 978-0786949250

Size: Trade hardcover; 256 pages

Genre: Middle Grade Speculative

Dear Reader,

In my cozy library alcove, I never realized the peril that could befall a traveler in the mountains — or even a quiet villager, minding her own business. Then I read Sindri Suncatcher’s A Practical Guide to Dragons and I just had to find out more about dragonkind.

In my research, I discovered this true tale of an evil red dragon who plots revenge, kidnaps a seer, and sets a young boy named Mudd on a rescue mission. I hope you find as much thrilling enjoyment from it as I did.

Your humble servant,
R.D. Henham
Scribe in the Great Library of Palanthas

The Dragon Codices chronicle adventures with each of ten dragons of Krynn. From the fiery, evil red dragon to the playful copper, each dragon’s tale is unique. Sindri Suncatcher, narrator of A Practical Guide to Dragons, shared these tales from his travels with library scribe R.D. Henham.

Mudd lives a peaceful life in his small town, tinkering with the mill and any mechanical devices that he can find. But his peaceful life soon changes when, out of nowhere, a red dragon attacks, burning the town and kidnapping Shemnara, the village seer. Only one clue is left behind–a cryptic note telling Mudd, “Seek the silver dragon.”

About the Author
R.D. Henham is a scribe in the great library of Palanthas. In the course of transcribing stories of legendary dragons, the author felt a gap existed in the story of the everydragon: ordinary dragons who end up doing extraordinary things. With the help of fellow scribes, R.D. had filled that gap with the Dragon Codices.

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull

Title: Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

Author: Brandon Mull

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: May 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-1590387429

Size: 5.5×8; 456 pages

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series: Sequel to Fablehaven

At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists- a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper- to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power. Time is running out. The Evening Star is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. Will Kendra learn to use her fairy gifts in time? Will Seth stay out of trouble? Can they overcome paralyzing fear?

Bullies in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley

Title: Bullies in the Headlights

Author: Matthew Buckley

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Release Date: 2007

ISBN: 978-1598113266

Size: 6×9; 196 pages

Genre: Middle Grade Humor

Series: Sequel to Chickens in the Headlights

The Buckley boys are headed back to school for another year. Unfortunately, so are the Hagbarts—and they’re out for revenge. Matthew Buckley and his brothers may have won a single small battle over the summer, but the war is far from over. Luckily, though the Hagbarts may be meaner, the Buckleys are smarter—or were smarter. The sight of Matthew’s underwear at the top of the school flagpole loudly states that the Hagbart bullies are getting expert help from someone quite clever.

Soon the war of wits escalates to an incredible scheme designed to get the ultimate revenge on the Hagbarts. But now that Matthew has been learning that he’s supposed to do good to those who hate him, what will he do when a little push becomes a great big shove?

Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: October 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-0439925501

Size: 6×8; 320 pages

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

A hero with an incredible talent…for breaking things. A life-or-death mission…to rescue a bag of sand. A fearsome threat from a powerful secret network…the evil Librarians.

Alcatraz Smedry doesn’t seem destined for anything but disaster. On his 13th birthday he receives a bag of sand, which is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians plotting to take over the world. The sand will give the Librarians the edge they need to achieve world domination. Alcatraz must stop them!…by infiltrating the local library, armed with nothing but eyeglasses and a talent for klutziness.