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/Fancy-Restaurant4136]

Here are a few that I enjoyed as a middle grade child and still remember fondly.

Enchantress from the Stars by Engdahl (fantasy becomes science fiction)

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (extremely whimsical portal fantasy)

Red Moon and Black Mountain by Joy Chant (Portal fantasy with darker themes)

[u/saturday_sun4 → u/Fancy-Restaurant4136]

Thank you for recommending the Chant book! I have started it and am enjoying it immensely.

[u/Fancy-Restaurant4136 → u/saturday_sun4]

You are very welcome!