Tag: Middle Grade

Review: A Brush With Magic by Flora Ahn

A Brush with Magic written by Flora Ahn narrated by Jennifer Sun Bell My Rating: 4 stars Genre: Urban Fantasy Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: A heartfelt, magical middle grade adventure—inspired by Korean folklore and set in modern-day Seoul—about sisterhood and belonging, perfect for fans of Kelly Yang and Janae Marks. What if an ancient ink brush, oceans away in Korea, could unlock long-buried family secrets? It’s finally summer break, and twelve-year-old Yumi is headed to Korea with her older sister, Minji, for the very first time. She can’t wait to explore the city of Seoul together—but Minji has other […]

Posted May 26, 2025 by Lola in Fantasy, Review / 3 Comments

Review: Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic by Sangu Mandanna

Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic by Sangu Mandanna artwork by Pablo Ballesteros My Rating: 4 stars Genre: Fantasy Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: When you’ve dreamed of getting into the Seven Schools of Magic your whole life, what do you do when it turns out to be the worst thing ever? This heartwarming graphic novel adventure is perfect for fans of Harry Potter, The Okay Witch, and City of Dragons! For all of her twelve years, Jupiter Nettle has wanted to attend one of the Seven Schools of Magic. When she finally gets the call to take […]

Posted January 6, 2025 by Lola in Fantasy, Review / 6 Comments

Review: Love Sugar Magic A Sprinkle of Spirits by Anna Meriano

Love Sugar Magic: A Sprinkle of Spirits (Love Sugar Magic #2) by Anna Meriano narrated by Kyla Garcia My Rating: 4 stars Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: The second book in this breakout series that’s been called “charming and delectably sweet.” (Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of the Brooklyn Brujas series) Leonora Logroño has finally been introduced to her family’s bakery bruja magic—but that doesn’t mean everything is all sugar and spice. Her special power hasn’t shown up yet, her family still won’t let her perform her own spells, and they now act rude every time Caroline comes […]

Posted October 23, 2024 by Lola in Contemporary, Fantasy, Review / 4 Comments

Review: The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow My Rating: 3 stars Genre: Cozy Myster Age Category: Middle Grade Type of romance: m/f Blurb: The Great British Bake Off meets Knives Out in this fun and propulsive middle grade novel following two best friends who must solve the mystery behind a baking competition gone awry. Laila gave Lucy a cupcake on the second day of kindergarten, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. But the summer before eighth grade, they find out that since they live on opposite sides of town, they’ll go to different high schools. Yuck! Then Laila’s […]

Posted July 24, 2024 by Lola in Contemporary, Review / 2 Comments

Review: Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess

Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess My Rating: 4 stars Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Graphic Novel Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: For fans of Click and Brave, this touching coming-of-age middle grade graphic novel debut follows an autistic girl who finds friendship where she least expects it and learns to express her true self in a world where everyone defines her by her differences. Twelve-year-old Mia is just trying to navigate a world that doesn’t understand her true autistic self. While she wishes she could stand up to her bullies, she’s always been able to express her feelings through singing and songwriting, […]

Posted July 12, 2024 by Lola in Contemporary, Review / 4 Comments

Review: Love Sugar Magic A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano

Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble (Love Sugar Magic #1) by Anna Meriano narrated by Kyla Garcia My Rating: 4 stars Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: “A charming and delectably sweet debut. Mischief, friendship, and a whole lot of heart—Love Sugar Magic has it all.” —Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of the Brooklyn Brujas series. Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival. Leo hopes that this might […]

Posted May 3, 2024 by Lola in Contemporary, Review / 6 Comments

Review: Okhéania The Tsunami by Éric Corbeyran

Okhéania: The Tsunami (Okhéania #1) by Éric Corbeyran illustrated by Alice Picard My Rating: 3 stars Genre: Fantasy Comic Age Category: Middle Grade Blurb: The planet Oceania is covered with an ocean of vegetation. Humans navigate the green seas with futuristic ships. Teenagers Jon and Jasper spend most of their days surfing the vast waves of foliage, until one day, without warning, they’re hit by a tsunami. Jon disappears beneath the leafy ocean surface and Jasper is picked up by a ship called the Poseidon. It is said that none return from the depths of this treacherous ocean. But the […]

Posted April 3, 2024 by Lola in Fantasy, Review / 0 Comments