It's hard to believe that it's been almost ten years since award-winning author Elana K. Arnold first introduced us to Bixby Alexander Tam - aka Bat - in A Boy Called Bat. In those years, countless children across the country have fallen in love with Bat. Arnold is returning to the series with a new story arc following Bat as he enters fourth grade, bringing Bat to both returning and new readers.
We've heard over and over from librarians and educators about how difficult it can be to navigate middle grade and teen books to find the ones with the most appeal for 7th and 8th grade students. Maybe you have an advanced reader who has torn through every middle grade book in your library. Or maybe you have a struggling reader who needs something high interest, but at an appropriate reading level.
We've put our heads together and assembled an amazing list of books that you can feel confident handing your 7th and 8th grade readers! Here are our favorites coming out this winter to freshen up your collection.
Anyone who works with kids knows the signs of a reluctant reader. There can be a variety of reasons for kids to struggle with finding a book, including their reading level, not seeing books that reflect them and their interests, busy schedules, and low attention spans. We've gathered a list of books to help connect your reluctant readers to a book that will build their confidence and love for reading.
Many middle grade readers are falling in love with romance for the first time, but it can sometimes be a challenge to navigate which books are appropriate for this age group. We've gathered up some of our favorite love stories for middle grade and middle school just in time for Valentine's Day!
Readers of all ages seem to be clamboring for more graphic novels and we have an amazing selection coming this winter! We've got some new #classicsgonegraphic adaptations of favorites, thought provoking contemporary fiction, and action-packed fantasy from Soman Chainani, just to name a few! Scroll through to see which ones need to be added to your shelf. Hint: it might be all of them...
Jessica Vitalis' own life inspired her historical fiction novel-in-verse, Unsinkable Cayenne, available on October 29. Read on to hear about her story and why she felt it was important to share with middle grade readers today.
Author Tina Cho shares the inspiration behind her middle grade historical fiction graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, illustrated by Deb JJ Lee. Told through poetic text, this graphic novel tells the story of two young North Korean refugees whose lives become intertwined as they make their way toward a better life.
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s latest novel, On a Wing and a Tear, goes on sale September 17. Here, Cynthia and her editor, Rosemary Brosnan, talk about the novel and the imprint they co-founded, Heartdrum.
Author Cindy L. Rodriguez shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel, Lola Reyes is So Not Worried. Mental health is front of mind for so many educators, librarians, and caregivers. In Lola Reyes, there are worries both tangible (in the form of worry dolls come to life) and intangible, like those about food insecurity and changing friendships. Read on to hear about the power of responding to a child's worry with empathy and help.
In August of 1947, the British government made a decision to partition the colony of India. All Muslims would move to the newly created Pakistan while Hindus would be in the newly-independent nation of India. This decision led to the largest migration in human history, with millions of people suddenly forced to leave their homes and large-scale loss of life.
Today, on India's Independence day, Author Ritu Hemnani shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel in verse, Lion of the Sky.
In August of 1947, the British government hastily drew a line across the map of India, splitting it in two as part of its plan for independence. With Partition declared, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim families who had lived peacefully as neighbors for generations were torn apart by the newly created atmosphere of hostility and suspicion. In search of safety, many Muslim families became refugees in the newly created country of Pakistan while Hindu and Sikh families traced the opposite journey towards the newly-independent nation of India. This unilateral colonial decision led to the largest migration in human history, with millions of people suddenly forced to leave their homes and large-scale loss of life.
Today, on the anniversary of the Independence of Pakistan, Author Saadia Faruqi shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel, The Partition Project and why it is so important to continue to teach the Partition to children today.
There's nothing better than making a cup of tea, grabbing your favorite blanket, and curling up on the couch with a great book. Here are some of our favorite seasonal reads to make your winter book displays as inviting as a warm fire and cup of cocoa on a snowy day.
Laurel Snyder specializes in telling deep, rich, emotional stories about contemporary characters, giving them a sprinkling of magic and asking provocative questions about growing up, identity, and how to be a person in the world. In The Witch of Woodland,...
On International Women’s Day, we honor not only the countless women throughout history who have changed the world, but also everyone still fighting for women’s rights today. From teachers to actresses, to politicians, we have a great selection of non-fiction books to connect your readers to some amazing women and the impact they’ve had on all our lives.
Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day and November is Native American Heritage month! We think the best way to celebrate is with authentic and heartfelt Indigenous stories reflecting the diversity of the Indigenous experience in the United States and Canada. The...
Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15 and extends through October 15, is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions Latinx individuals have made to American life. We at HarperStacks understand the importance of amplifying Latinx voices all...
When I was young, I liked to hide. Literally in the closet. I felt safest there, with a flashlight, reading my books in peace. In the closet, I could be alone, my head filled with whatever adventure was on the...
The video game Stardew Valley has a simple premise: you’ve quit your day job and moved to a farmhouse passed onto you by your grandfather. You start your new life as a farmer and start to get to know the...
