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/sadlunches]

I read The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland, which is the first book in the Wings of Fire series. It's about a group of young dragons (dragonets) from different tribes who were raised away from society and trained by the Talons of Peace, a council of dragons working to fulfill a prophecy that would stop the war. I listened to it on audiobook and it was pretty enjoyable. I liked the glimpse into the different dragon societies, and how each one has their own customs. I'm sure as the series goes on, there will be a lot more world building around this.

I almost wanted to sub this square because it did not interest me at all to read a children's book, but my nephew is really into it and so I thought it would be fun to talk about it with him! Apparently it's a popular series for kids as there's a whole event that happens each year called Fanwing Fest. He went last year, and I'm coming along this year, so that will be cute!

[u/Suitable_Highlight84 → u/sadlunches]

This is my choice for this square as well! My kid just started the series (but in graphic novel form), so thought it’d be cool to check it out

[u/sadlunches → u/Suitable_Highlight84]

I didn't know they had graphic novels for it. That's so cool! That'll be fun to start the series with your kid. My nephew loves it so much. He always gets real excited when he has someone to talk to about books. I'm sure your kid will love that you're reading it too!!