“Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James
There are some absolutely incredible middle grade stories coming our way this summer, and we couldn’t be more excited! There are tons more amazing books that we couldn’t fit in this list, so let us know which books we may have missed and which ones you’re most looking forward to in the comments below.
June:
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The Civil War of Amos Abernathy by Michael Leali (June 7)
Told partially from the perspective of modern-day Amos and partially in letters to a 19th-century trans soldier, this story revolves around first crushes, queer history, allyship, and seeing yourself in the world around you.
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The Secret Battle of Evan Pao by Wendy Wan-Long Shang (June 7)
After moving to a small conservative southern town, Evan struggles to figure out how he fits into this country's past and how he will shape its future. This is a compassionate and timely story that addresses prejudice, bullying, and racism.
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Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu (June 14)
Onyeka has always hated her mass of hair, but when it suddenly takes on a life of its own and saves her best friend’s life, she learns she’s a Solari. Off she goes to a magical boarding school in Nigeria to learn to control her newfound powers, beginning her journey towards self-love and acceptance.
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Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation by Sylvia Liu (June 21)
This cinematic sci-fi follows Hana Hsu’s mission to save herself — and her friends — from the dangerous corporations bent on controlling their minds, all while navigating her own complex family dynamics.
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Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Córdova (June 28)
The Salazars are protectors, tasked with rescuing the magical creatures who sometimes wander into our world. But then a tragedy befalls the family and their once-close bonds begin to fray. Val and her two older siblings will need to reclaim their legacy in order to save a mythical being from the monster hunters bent on its destruction.
July:
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Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan (July 5)
Nura spends her days earning money by mining mica in order to support her family, but when her best friend is proclaimed dead from a mining accident, Nura goes to her rescue. Instead, she finds a portal to the opulent jinn realm where nothing is as it seems.
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Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann (July 12)
Etta’s Quiet Days are becoming more frequent, so she spends most of her time writing her comic book about the brave and bold Invincible Girl. But then her neighbor’s dog runs onto a magical train, and the two must overcome their fears and challenges to save the dog and maybe even each other.
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The Language of Seabirds by Will Taylor (July 19)
A tender story about two boys whose summer friendship deepens into something neither boy expects, but something both have been secretly hoping for. A wonderful and heartwarming look at first love found between childhood and adolescence.
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Grounded for All Eternity by Darcy Marks (July 26)
A group of kids from hell come to Earth on Halloween to save the world from the manipulations of an escaped soul in this fast-paced adventure about friendship, shattering expectations, and understanding the world (or otherworld) around us.
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Children of the Quicksands by Efua Traoré (July 26)
When Simi goes to stay with her grandmother in a remote Nigerian village, she quickly learns about her family’s connection to a Yoruba goddess. Soon, Simi’s caught up in a journey to save the village that’s come to feel like home.
August:
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Alliana, Girl of Dragons by Julie Abe (August 2)
Set in the same world as Eva Evergreen, Alliana finds solace from her horrible stepfamily with her grandmother’ Japanese folktales and stories. Her life changes forever when she rescues a young dragon and befriends an apprentice witch, allowing her a chance to finally chase her own dreams.
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The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor by Amanda Panitch (August 9)
Ruby has always known her grandmother prefers her perfectly put-together, perfectly Jewish cousin Sarah. But then Sarah starts to act out and Ruby believes it’s because she accidentally released an evil dybbuk. Ruby will have to confront her doubts over her own Jewish identity in order to save Sarah.
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Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks (August 16)
Victoria is burned out from the high-pressure world of riding competitions. Following a fight with her best friend, Victoria changes stables and begins to discover new friends and interests in this graphic novel that explores passion, friendship, and finding balance.
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Tumble by Celia C. Pérez (August 16)
Addie is faced with a big decision when her stepfather wants to adopt her, but then she learns her biological father is the famous luchador Manny “The Mountain” Bravo. Tumbling headfirst into the Bravo family’s legacy, Addie begins to navigate the complexities and meaning of family.
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A Taste of Magic by J. Elle (August 30)
Kyana is a witch, which means hiding the fact that she takes lessons at the Park Row Magic Academy hidden in the back of the local beauty shop. When the magic school loses funding, Kyana enters a baking contest to win a huge cash prize, but what will happen when her magic begins to work its way into her cupcakes?
Notable Sequels:
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The Secrets of the Stormforest by L.D. Lapinski (June 28)
The third book in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency series sees Flick and Jonathan working to uncover the secrets of Strangeworlds in order to save their world — and others — from the threat that is facing them all.
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Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows by Tehlor Kay Mejia (August 2)
In Paola’s third adventure, she has to rescue Dante from the void where he’s been imprisoned by some unknown force. Relying on her wits and the emotional support of her best friend Emma, Pao must face not just one but two enemies, and someone even scarier who looks a lot like Pao herself.
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The Stone Child by David A. Robertson (August 2)
The third book of the Misewa Saga. Morgan must race against time in order to save Eli's soul before it's too late. With help from friends both new and old, Morgan must face the challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures.
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Gravebooks by J.A. White (August 16)
Sequel to Nightbooks. Alex thought he was done with witches, but then Natacha — the witch who held him captive for scary stories — finds a way to enter his dreams and once again, wants him to write. But what does Natacha plan to do with his finished stories? And what makes a story good enough?
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Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston (August 30)
The highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling Amari and the Night Brothers. When Amari refuses the chance to become the new leader of the League of Magicians, this allows a dangerous magician to step forward instead. Thus begins the Great Game, a competition to decide who will become the Night Brothers’ successor and determine the future of magiciankind.
