Middle Grade Roundup: Fantasy, Verse, Interviews and Book Reviews

This middle grade roundup brings together a varied set of reading notes and author conversations, with fantasy, magical realism, contemporary verse and an unusually time-limited bookstore mystery among the titles featured. The links lead to individual reviews and interviews, so readers can follow the genres and books that catch their attention.

ALWAYS in the MIDDLE reviews LICORICE by Kara LaReau. The roundup doesn’t give a plot description or the reviewer’s verdict, leaving the linked review as the place to learn what the book offers and whether it might suit a particular reader.

For readers drawn to magic, two entries point toward different kinds of fantasy. Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles interviews Kate O’Shaughnessy about her middle grade magical realism, Brittle Magic, and is also offering a giveaway. The source doesn’t describe the book’s premise, so the interview is the best route to O’Shaughnessy’s own account of it.

Susan Uhlig shares an enthusiastic response to Socks & Secret Quests by Triona Murphy, illustrated by James Firnhaber. Uhlig suggests it for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle, a useful pointer for readers seeking fantasy with a similar appeal. The roundup doesn’t specify what that resemblance involves, so readers can use the review to decide whether the comparison fits their tastes.

Jemima Pett also enjoyed The Astral Gatecrashers. Its title signals a fantastical direction, but the roundup supplies no further details about its story or author. Pett’s review offers the next stop for anyone curious about the book.

Stories in verse and real-life inspiration

Middle grade readers looking for a contemporary story in verse may want to visit Isabelle Knight’s review of Sea Glass Girls by Beth Ferry. The book is described here as forthcoming, and its verse form is the clearest guide to what distinguishes it among the roundup’s selections. The source doesn’t give a publication date or describe its subject, so Knight’s review can provide more context.

Brenda at LOG CABIN LIBRARY shares impressions of Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free by Seema Yasmin. The title places the book among the roundup’s nonfiction or biographical reading possibilities, alongside its fantasy and contemporary fiction. No further details are provided here about the book’s scope or Brenda’s assessment; her post is the place to find those specifics.

Author conversations and a quick-moving plot

Writers and readers interested in an author’s process can look to Jenni Enzor’s interview with Julie Sellers. Sellers wrote Ann of Sunflower Lane and the forthcoming sequel, Home to Sunflower Lane. The interview connects a published book with a next installment, offering a way to hear directly from the author about both titles. The roundup doesn’t supply a release date for the sequel or summarize the interview, so readers will need to follow the link for more.

Jennifer at YA Book Nerd reviews SECRET BOOKSTORE, described as a bookstore mystery whose story takes place over 24 hours. That compressed time frame gives readers one concrete point of entry: the events unfold within a single day. The roundup doesn’t reveal more about the characters or setup, making the linked review the place to learn whether the book’s pace and premise appeal.

At Rosi Hollinbeck’s site, the featured review is of MARA’S STORIES: GLIMMERS IN THE DARKNESS, identified as a classic by Gary D. Schmidt. Hollinbeck also shares three links of interest for writers. That combination makes the post relevant to readers looking for a book discussion and to writers seeking further reading around their craft.

More from the community

Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads posts about books every day. The roundup directs readers to her review for this edition and to her recent posts, including Thursday’s review of HEIST AT THE MUSEUM. For readers who like to browse beyond a single recommendation, her ongoing posts offer several routes into middle grade reading.

The roundup also points to Valinora Troy, who shares news about her book, Lianna and the Hombit, rather than a review. The source says the news concerns two awards but doesn’t name them or give further details; Troy’s post has the full announcement.

Together, these entries make a practical reading list across formats and interests: fantasy recommendations, a forthcoming verse novel, author interviews, a fast-paced premise and a creator’s news about her own book. Start with the linked review or conversation that best matches your reading mood, then follow the other posts to see where this week’s middle grade selections lead.