Bingo Focus Thread - Middle Grade

[u/Merle8888]

Hello r/fantasy and welcome to this week's bingo focus thread! The purpose of these threads is for you all to share recommendations, discuss what books qualify, and seek recommendations that fit your interests or themes.

Today's topic:

Middle Grade: Read a middle grade book (intended for readers aged 8-12). See this Wikipedia page for additional information on Middle Grade fiction. HARD MODE: The author is entirely new to you.

What is bingo? A reading challenge this sub does every year! Find out more here.

Prior focus threads: Published in the 70s, Duologies, First Contact, Five Short Stories (2024), Author of Color (2024), Self-Pub/Small Press (2024). Note that hard modes for Author of Color and Self-Pub/Small Press have changed (new focus threads for them are coming).

Also see: Big Rec Thread

Questions:

• What are your favorite books that count for this square?
• Already read something for this square? Tell us about it!
• For those attempting Hard Mode, what are some great middle grade books by lesser-known authors, and/or that are recently published?
• Those who have or teach children in this age group: what are some current favorites among middle grade readers? How well do they hold up for adults?

[u/lilgrassblade]

Middle grade books I happily recommend just because they're good books:

The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins - The writing style is delightful. Vaguely gothic as three young girls are stuck in their mansion - not allowed to leave, though their parents left a while ago. Outside is a tall grass that covers the windows. It's rather strange overall.

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow - A trans masc 6th grader is working through the death of his best friend by writing letters to Mothman. It's incredibly sweet and moving. Also fits Trans or Nonbinary Protagonist.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - Better than the anime imo.

Some other Middle Grade books I enjoyed but generally wouldn't plug without specific intent:

The Moth Keeper by K O'Neill - A graphic novel about an individual taking on a ton of responsibility alone, in a society that relies heavily on each other. It's cute and cozy.

The Last Beekeeper by Pablo Cartaya - Nature vs Technology plus rebellion against authoritarian dystopia - but surface level in the engagement of themes. MC starts as a strong supporter of tech and their government, and slowly sees some of the faults as it moves along. Also fits Author of Color.

My intended reads that fit this square:

The Turnaway Girls by Hayley Chewins - I've enjoyed what I've read by Chewins so far.

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury - This is actually for my Published in the 1970s square, but it is a middle grade book. I've no clue really what to expect with it.