The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure by Karen Cossey
Reviewed by Shaye Wardrop From @kids_bookreview

This is a middle grade novel for kids who love lots of action and a mystery to solve. But it’s more than that. I love that the story dives deep into family life and the ups and downs of being a kid, particularly because it’s from a boy’s perspective, which isn’t something that is often explored in children’s literature. Filled with action, adventure, mystery and heart, The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold has something for every young reader.

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Tangled Up in Nonsense by Merrill Wyatt
Reviewed by @pagesforpaige

Amelia and Sloane have a YouTube channel for their detective agency, but it’s been a while since they posted because there just aren’t any mysteries to solve! But when Sloane’s grandmothers tell them about The Tangle Glen Mansion Mystery (mystery of the missing $2M from the previous owner), they jump at the chance to put their skills to work. But how to get access to the mansion?

It just so happens that the owners of The Tangle Glen Mansion are hosting a Peony Enthusiast Competition, which Amelia’s dad is one of the judges! Huzzah!

But it doesn’t seem like they’re the only ones searching! Adventure, mystery, near death experiences, dog-napping, betrayal, greed, and lots of funny moments! This was a great read, and I highly recommend it because the ending was so highly satisfying!
Rating: 9.5 out of 10

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Gabe In The After by Shannon Doleski
Reviewed By @Readinginthemiddlegrades

Another great summer read in the books! 🥁🤣

For middlegrade fans of survival stories like Hatchet, Beyond the Bright Sea, Scar Island, Orphan Island, and Across the Desert, I would highly recommend this one! Set 2 years after a global pandemic on a Maine island of 20 (mostly children).

*Sensitivity warning for readers who faced trauma during the covid pandemic.

Find out more here.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Reviewed by @middlegrademom

Everyone needs to read this. A beautiful and heartbreaking book about two brothers who live in a refugee camp. 💕💕 I adored this graphic novel. Have you read it yet?

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Crookhaven by JJ Arcanjo
Reviewed by @raisingbookworms

I absolutely MUST tell you about these books that have had me gripped.
📖 CROOKHAVEN The School for Thieves
📖 CROOKHAVEN The Forgotten Maze

The criminal world but not as you’d expect… “Welcome to the school for thieves! Here we will teach you to do wrong… but only so that one day you will put the world right.”
Crookhaven is a boarding school that talented pickpocket Gabriel is recruited to hone his skills for good. Classes include criminastics, forgery, deception, hacking, history, tech-nique and infiltration.

I read the first book in March and have recently finished the second book which I buddy read with @educa8wirral @feeling.rather.bookish  and @goldenbooksgirl and we all loved it. For me the second book was even better than the first. From the wonderful character development to the underlying plot- absolutely brilliant! I loved the strong friendships and the personalities of each of the group (which all clearly shone through individually). They pack wit and twists and leave you wanting more… like the next instalment right now!!!!

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Malamander by Thomas Taylor
Reviewed by @thekidsbookshop

Set in the seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea, 12-ish year old Herbie Lemon is the Lost and Founder of the Grand Nautilus Hotel. When the mysterious Violet crashes into his room looking for somewhere to hide, Herbie is thrust into the mystery of disappearing parents, a sinister author, the terrifying Boathook Man and the local legend of the malamander.
🦑
This book has so many things I love – a map, a grand hotel, a quirky local bookshop (where a mechanical monkey dispenses books like medicine) and an urban legend. This is now a 5 book series (the last has just been released) and kids who love A Girl Called Corpse and The Detective’s Guide series will devour it. I read this with my year 5 book club and they all loved it. So much fun for ages 8-12.

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Tyger by SF Said
Reviewed by @little_bookish_tales

Well, what can I say about this book? I’m not sure I can do it justice, to be honest. I just really loved it.

When I began reading, I had a real sense of something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And then it dawned on me that Tyger gives real Pullman vibes. The stories aren’t the same, it’s the writing, just so very atmospheric.

Set in a dystopian future, Adam happens upon Tyger in a rubbish dump. Tyger is a beautiful and magical creature but she is in danger and Adam wants to help. He is tasked with learning to use his power, find the guardians and save their world from destruction.

What a shining light of a book with so many layers and depth. I think you can read into it what you will, but what I took away was that we can all make changes with the power that we all already hold within ourselves.
We are all special and unique just by being a part of this world. We can all take the time to see the beauty of our world clearly and appreciate it. We are all equal, no matter our class or background.

A powerful, thought-provoking story. Very unique, too. Unlike any children’s book I’ve read before.

With truly magnificent and expressive artwork by Dave McKean.

I’ve ordered two more of SF Said’s books off the back of this one.
Please do read Tyger, I think it is outstanding.
And it’s the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for September 😍

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While the Storm Rages by Phil Earle
Reviewed by @_isaac._.reads

Funny, real, heart-warming and heart-breaking. WHILE THE STORM RAGES is a brilliant cross-country adventure set during the tumultuous dawn of WWII. Naturally, war + pets = recipe for emotional wreckage, so I went into this book fully expecting to feel ricocheting emotions. This is a truly heartfelt story about the love we share for our pets and animals, and the bonds formed in times of strife.

Earle has a huge talent for writing realistic relationships full of the ups and downs of life. Even in the seriousness of war, Noah has such a great sense of humour and wit and bounces off his friends well, and the pets, of course, add a wonderful sense of brevity to the circumstances (I mean, how could they not when you have a donkey!). I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Earle writes next.

Find out more here.

Wreck at Ada Reef by Michael D. Bell
Reviewed by @sarahcantstopreading

Funny, real, heart-warming and heart-breaking. WHILE THE STORM RAGES is a brilliant cross-country adventure set during the tumultuous dawn of WWII. Naturally, war + pets = recipe for emotional wreckage, so I went into this book fully expecting to feel ricocheting emotions. This is a truly heartfelt story about the love we share for our pets and animals, and the bonds formed in times of strife.

Earle has a huge talent for writing realistic relationships full of the ups and downs of life. Even in the seriousness of war, Noah has such a great sense of humour and wit and bounces off his friends well, and the pets, of course, add a wonderful sense of brevity to the circumstances (I mean, how could they not when you have a donkey!). I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Earle writes next.

Find out more here.

Aggie Morton Mystery Queen by Marthe Jocelyn
Reviewed by @jamiemichalakbooks

If you’re looking for a brilliant middle grade mystery series, may I recommend Aggie Morton: Mystery Queen? (But you probably already know and love it because I am late to this party.) Inspired by Agatha Christie, it is full of excitement, suspense, and some delicious dark humor too. Author Marthe Jocelyn is a master at historical fiction, so the reader is immediately immersed in the seaside town of Torquay, England in 1902

Find out more here.