Middle-Grade Novels
by Carolyn Leiloglou
Vincent's little sister is missing. She's been kidnapped and is being held inside a painting.
Inside a painting?
While trying to rescue her, Vincent discovers that certain members of his family are Restorationists--artists and crime fighters in a secret society tasked with safeguarding and recovering stolen art by hopping in and out of the world's greatest canvases. Vincent realizes that he, too, is a Restorationist and must use this newfound knowledge to find his sister. And fast! With the help of his cousin Georgia, he must step inside one of the most famous works of all time, Van Gogh's Starry Night, avoid the Distortionists (the evil masterminds behind most art heists), and return them all safely home without ruining the painting. Once inside the masterpiece, however, Vincent learns that a new crime family has emerged. Unlike the Distortionists, these evil-doers are not ruining art. They are kidnapping unsuspecting kids and training them in art forgery.
And who's behind this new breed of artistic criminals? It's none other than...
Fans of Laura Martin's Glitch and Deron R. Hicks' The Van Gogh Deception will enjoy this first book in a newly developing Christian fantasy series called The Restorationists.
Please note: In one scene, Vincent and Georgia stumble into a nude portrait. The author handles the topic well, however. The pair learn why certain artists throughout history chose to paint people without clothes on. The kids brainstorm ways they can avoid portraits that make them feel uncomfortable while still enjoying the other works by those artists. Ultimately, the two walk through the scene carrying a canoe over their heads, which helps them avert their eyes from any nudity and supplies them with a built-in getaway vehicle. Additionally, there are a few uses of "Gosh" and "darn it" in the text. One cousin calls another cousin an idiot in jest.
by Bill Wallace
Bird dogs are trained to point. When one of these furry hunters finds a covey of quails, he uses his nose like an arrow, showing his master where to shoot. But not J.C. As a wee pup, he was scratched by a cat, stung by a wasp, and pecked by a bird...all on his nose. From then on, he was afraid of using his snout. He had to learn to point differently.
Every other chapter of this simple story includes one animated black-and-white sketch, making it a great title for kids transitioning from illustrated chapter books to middle-grade fiction. It's told from J.C.'s perspective. Readers will enjoy reading a puppy's humorous interpretation of his family's work-a-day lives.
Please note: J.C. refers to humans as "people animals." The father in the book smokes and uses the word "darndest" twice.
by Elizabeth Yates
As the sickly runt, Biddy should have been put out of her misery. That is the shepherd's way. Especially since by the time she arrived in Mother's kitchen, she was presumed dead. But, Biddy was nursed back to health and given to Peter, the farmer's son.
The pair grows up together, inseparable. Wherever the boy goes, the lamb goes. With the help of the wise old shepherd Benj, Peter slowly takes his place as the next shepherd, and Biddy becomes the leader of the flock. Along the way, they face many natural obstacles like storms, wolves, and the unpleasant tasks of keeping a farm.
This is the first in a sweet three-part series about the 19th-century lives of Peter and his family, who faithfully raise sheep in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
by Sharon Creech
Long ago and far away, two orphan siblings discover a leather pouch stamped with the king's seal. Before they even have a chance to understand the meaning of the bag's contents, the children are whisked off to Castle Corona to become "tasters" for the king, who fears someone is trying to poison him. Once settled at the castle, the two meet the five discontented members of the royal family. The king, queen, and their three children have everything they could ever want, but they are whiny, bored, and restless. The tasters naturally assume wealth would greatly improve anyone's life and can not understand why the king and his family complain so much. Eventually, both groups learn that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Though it doesn't follow a happily-ever-after timeline, this modern, silly fairy tale will have young readers exploring what it means to be content.
Parents, Be Aware
by Cammie McGovern
“When you find your person, you will know!” These are the words that Chester has been told his whole life—by his mom, by his littermates, and by his trainer. After failing the service dog program because of his fear of loud noises, however, Chester is not sure he will ever have a person. That is until he meets Gus, a nonverbal autistic boy struggling to adapt to school. Even though he’s not technically certified, Chester does all he can to protect and serve, finding unique ways to warn adults of Gus' impending seizures and keeping the boy away from the class bully. In the end, Chester and Gus make a perfect pair.
For the most part, this is a sweet story that will help readers better understand and empathize with kids who have special needs.
Things to know: Gus suffers from periodic incontinence. Several passages describe Chester's love for the smell of Gus' urine. Additionally, one of Gus' favorite activities is Fright Fest, an annual Zombie Festival where he witnesses the fictional scene of a woman getting her head chopped off.
There is one mention of God's name used in vain.
Just for you, Mom
by Stacey Lee
By day, Chinese American Jo Kuan works as a maid to the privileged and temperamental daughter of a southern aristocrat. At night and in her free time, she writes an anonymous advice column for the town newspaper under the pseudonym Miss Sweetie.
As her column gains traction and starts to make a real difference, Jo's security is put in jeopardy. She has helped, challenged, and offended the women of Atlanta's high society, and they naturally want to meet and/or confront her. Little do they know, she is a destitute Asian American squatting in the basement of the newspaper office, taking care of her aging uncle, yet her words are shaking the foundations of their world.
This compelling YA novel delves into the universal themes of racial and gender inequality, shedding light on the struggles of Chinese Americans during the post-Reconstruction era of the Deep South.