Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Please use this thread to share any ideas you've been idly turning over in your minds. If you've got a book you're wanting to read, share a theme that will let you nominate it!

How about an environmental theme? One of my very favourite books of 2018 was “How to bee” by Bren MacDibble and I’d nominate that - not sure how easy to get outside of Australia??

I once found a book I needed for research. The blurb was rather bland but I made myself read it. Surprising I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me wonder how many books got overlooked because of an unappealing blurb. So how about a theme "Books that promised more than the blurb" or something to that effect?

How about an immigration or moving theme (and not just relocating to a different country)?

Or a theme about evolution?

Autobiographical graphic novels?

Bullying?

Was also wondering if we could have an author featured instead of just one book? Then we could choose one or more books by said author and discuss his or her writing in general.

Suggested Themes:

dragons
runaways
farms
felines
thieves
twins
aboard ship
puzzles

I like Manybooks' suggestion of featuring an author. I'd recommend choosing someone excessively prolific, like Andrew Clements or someone classic, like Beverly Cleary. Or maybe even someone who illustrates their work, like Tony DiTerlizzi.

C.J. wrote: "Suggested Themes:

dragons
runaways
farms
felines
thieves
twins
aboard ship
puzzles

I like Manybooks' suggestion of featuring an author. I'd recommend choosing someone excessively prolific, like [..."

I was thinking that there could be a poll of authors from whom to choose.

Manybooks wrote: "C.J. wrote: "I was thinking there could be a poll..."

Well, that makes total sense. : )

What about themes such as looking and observing OR failure and mistakes

How about books that feature characters with physical disabilities like Out of My Mind (The MC is unable to walk or talk due to her Cerebral Palsy) or Handbook for Dragon Slayers ( The MC has a lame foot).
Also books that feature mental health like Where the Watermelons Grow (The MC's mom is Schizophrenic) or Waiting for Normal ( The MC's mom is Bipolar).

What about Newbery Honor books ? The winner of the Newbery Medal is typically more popular, but sometimes times the Honor book is just as good or even better. Such as Because Of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo or Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.

How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade fiction does not often do a good job in including religion/faith/church/God in a way that reflects the lives of so many of the readers, but there are some books out there that do.
(I'm thinking contemporary fiction, not historical fiction.)

Maria wrote: "How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade fiction does not often do a good job in including religion/faith/..."

Not sure about this as I doubt that everyone in his group would be Christian or even believe in God. It might be an interesting topic but it might also lead to some rather heavy duty debates and differences of opinions.

I didn't say the books had to be Christian.

But we say that children should see themselves in the books they read, and faith is an important part of many children's lives. I think it might be nice to seek out and read some books that do a good job of that.

I don't really know of many books like this (aside from those published by publishing houses that are explicitly religious, such as the one where I work), but I'd love to hear of titles that others know of.

The book I would recommend if we did this topic is Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, author of the Newbery Honor book, The War That Saved My Life and several other books.

Maria wrote: "I didn't say the books had to be Christian.

But we say that children should see themselves in the books they read, and faith is an important part of many children's lives. I think it might be nice..."

It would probably be a great topic but we would definitely in my opinion need some ground rules.

Manybooks wrote: "Maria wrote: "How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade fiction does not often do a good job in including r..."

Everybody in the group doesn't believe in evolution, either; yet you listed it above.

Louie wrote: "What about Newbery Honor books ? The winner of the Newbery Medal is typically more popular, but sometimes times the Honor book is just as good or even better. Such as Because Of Winn Dixie by Kate ..."

Also: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, The Wanderer by Sharon Creech, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, or The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.

Harley wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Maria wrote: "How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade fiction does not often do a good ..."

And I did not say we should not have the topic suggested just that the topic might well cause some friction. But if you prefer for me to keep my opinions to myself, I can and will certainly do that as I was by no means trying to be offensive.

Gently, gently, folks. Sometimes it's difficult to express an opinion in a message without it hitting a nerve somewhere else.

Diversity will always be welcome here.

I don't see a problem with having spiritual books as a topic one month. Any religion or spiritual idea could be included. I think one of the most important things about readers is that we are an inclusive group. Reading books from other points-of-view and other cultures makes you a more empathetic and general all-around good person in my opinion! :)

There are lots of really good ideas on this thread so far! I'm excited for the upcoming months.

Manybooks wrote: "Harley wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Maria wrote: "How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade fiction does not o..."

I was not offended. I certainly do not want to stop you from expressing your opinion. I agree with Jemima. Diversity should always be welcome here.

Harley wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Harley wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Maria wrote: "How about books that show faith in God as important in the lives of the characters? I've often thought that mainstream middle grade ..."

Good, I was just posing a few questions I was having.

Manybooks wrote: "C.J. wrote: "Suggested Themes:

dragons
runaways
farms
felines
thieves
twins
aboard ship
puzzles

I like Manybooks' suggestion of featuring an author. I'd recommend choosing someone excessively pro..."
Andrew Clements and Avi interest me. I have a number of books from each author in my TBR pile. Haven't read all of Kate Dicamillo's books. I cannot recall the name of the author who is often referred to as today's "Judy Blume" for kids, but her, whoever she is.

Harley wrote: "Louie wrote: "What about Newbery Honor books ? The winner of the Newbery Medal is typically more popular, but sometimes times the Honor book is just as good or even better. Such as Because Of Winn ..." I like all of these.

Manybooks wrote: "How about an immigration or moving theme (and not just relocating to a different country)?

Or a theme about evolution?

Autobiographical graphic novels?

Bullying?

Was also wondering if we could..."

Refugee by Alan Gratz would be a good choice for immigration.

More suggested themes:

the depression
westerns
detective story (whodunit)
magic
time travel
biographical novel (i. e. the historical person is real, the history is real, but the story is fiction)

A few other theme ideas I had:

stories of courage
stories of perseverance
stories of friendship

Harley wrote: "More suggested themes:

the depression
westerns
detective story (whodunit) "

Detective story is a great suggestion!. I know I love a good mystery.

How about epistolary style books? Books that are written in the form of letters, emails, and sometimes diary entries. Such as The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani and Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Clearly.

Louie wrote: "How about epistolary style books? Books that are written in the form of letters, emails, and sometimes diary entries. Such as The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani and [book:Dear Mr...."

I would love that.

How about novels that have folklore or fairy tale components as their main or one of their main themes? Just reading an MG book that features Baba Yaga (and as someone generally positive).

How about poverty? I found a book about poverty and I think it's good for a theme. Or what about feminism? I found a book about feminism where a character is to have a chance to stand up and speak out her voice. It's perfect read for boy and girl to how to respect others and themselves.

Trudy wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "C.J. wrote: "Suggested Themes:

dragons
runaways
farms
felines
thieves
twins
aboard ship
puzzles

I like Manybooks' suggestion of featuring an author. I'd recommend choosing someo..."

I read one of the book of Judy Blume which is Deenie.