It was fun to meet six KidLit authors and learn more about their newest books at Trident Booksellers and Café on Newbery Street in Back Bay, Boston. Despite having an office in Back Bay, I had never been to this book store before! It’s great with two good sized cafés.
The KidLit middle grade panel had a nice mix of books. They featured mystery, fantasy, science fiction, foodie fiction, and one story co-written by seven different authors: Rachele Alpine, Ronni Arno, Alison Cherry, Stephane Faris, Gail Nall, Jen Malone, and Dee Romito.
I video taped each author (and the moderator) as they described and then read from their book (or book jacket).
Middle Grade Authors Describe & Read from Their Books
Panelists:
Debbi Michiko Florence, author of Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen (book 1) and Jasmine Toguchi, Super Sleuth (book 2)
Katie Slivensky, author of The Countdown Conspiracy
Jen Malone, coauthor of Best. Night. Ever.: A Story Told from Seven Points of View
Ammi-Joan Paquette, author of Princess Juniper of Torr
The panel will be moderated by Dana Alison Levy (author of the Family Fletcher series and This Would Make a Good Story Someday).
HUGE Middle Grade 7 Book Giveaway!
Thank you to all these authors for donating their books. I am giving away 6 books including one audiobook to 5 winners. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. Please leave a comment with your first, second and third choice. I can only ship to U.S. mailing addresses.
- Audiobook of This Would Make A Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy
- A pair of paperbacks: Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen and Jasmine Toguchi Super Sleuth by Debbi Michiko Florence
- Best. Night. Ever. edited by Jen Malone
- Princess Juniper of Torr (first book in the trilogy) by Ammi-Joan Paquette
- The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
My top 3 choices would be:
1. “This Would Make A Good Story Someday” audiobook.
2. “The Great Hibernation.”
3. “Best. Night. Ever.”
“What are your or your kids’ favorite middle grade books? OR Have you read any books by the authors in this post?” None of us have read any of the books in this post–alas!
Thanks for entering John!
My very favorite middle school author was Jean Little. I wish her books would be reissued. “Look Through My Window” is an incredibly sensitive, insightful book, and she wrote many others that were equally lovely, beginning with “Love, Anna”. If you’re ever in a second-hand shop, head straight for the children’s section and look for Jean Little.
They are new to me Beth! I hope I find them!
I hope to run across her books Beth!
Wow–what a night & what a giveaway, Mia!!
Since I already own the Jasmine Toguchi books, I would have to say these books in this order:
1. The Great Hibernation
2. Princess Juniper
3. The Countdown Conspiracy 🙂
Thanks for entering Maria!
Thanks for entering Maria! It was fun to see everyone at this event!
My students love all the graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier like Ghosts, Sisters, and Smile..
Mine too! We are huge fans of hers!
My daughter is just starting to read books at this level and I’m looking forward to reading some of the Ramona books with her (if this is considered middle grade) as well as Ivy & Bean. My choices would be the two Jasmine Toguchi paperbacks and The Great Hibernation, but these all look great and it’s fun to learn about titles that are new to me!
Yes, Ramona is middle grade! Thanks for entering Kathy!
Oooh, they all sound good, but I’d have to go with:
1. The Jasmine Toguchi books
2. Best. Night. Ever.
3. Princess Juniper
I just saw the first Jasmine Toguchi book in my kids’ Scholastic book order thingy this morning! Very excited for it!
Thanks for entering Eugene!
A few of my favorite middle grade books recently are: The Losers Club, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, & Things That Surprise You. I’ve read Jasmine Toguchi and love it!
Thanks for entering Lisa! Debbi will be so happy to hear that you loved Jasmine Toguchi!
I’m surprised that I haven’t read any of these! Time to fix it, for sure.
My kids love the Harry Potter series. Sixth Grade Ninja is also very popular here recently.
Hi MaryAnne,
I have to read Sixth Grade Ninja! Thanks for that rec.
Tough choices! These all look and sound quite wonderful.
Thanks for entering Mother of 3!
Ahh, how to choose my top 3…since I love fantasy, scifi or unreal things happening:
1. The Great Hibernation
2. Princess Juniper
3. The Countdown Conspiracy
My nine year old can be a reluctant reader sometimes, but he loves The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and Hardy Boys books and Wonder. I love fantasy, he mostly loves realistic contemporary.
Thanks for entering Christina!
We read a lot of middle grade fiction. Some of my favorites are The Mysterious Benedict Society, Harry Potter, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, Tumble & Blue, The Witch’s Boy…and many more. 🙂
1. The Great Hibernation
2. Best. Night. Ever.
3. The Countdown Conspiracy
Thanks for entering Steph!
I have not read any of the books by these authors, but I would love the opportunity to start!
1. Jasmine Toguchi
2. The Great Hibernation
3. Best. Night. Ever.
Thanks for entering Alyssa!
The Great Hibernation
The Countdown Conspiracy
Best.Night.Ever.