25 KidLit Annotations: Middle Grade Novels

One of the assignments for my children’s literature course last term was to write 25 annotations (snapshot reviews between 50 and 150 words) on all sorts of kidlit. It was a great opportunity to delve out of my comfort zone of MG spec fic 😉 Today’s post, featuring middle grade novels, is the sixth in a series where I share those annotations by type (some of these titles I previously wrote full reviews of.) Links will be updated as the rest of the series goes live.

Board books | Picture books | Early readers | Chapter books | Graphic novels | Middle grade novels | Information books 

A Festival of Ghosts (A Properly Unhaunted Place #2) by William Alexander

After allowing ghosts back into Ingot in A Properly Unhaunted Place, Rosa (Latinx) and Jasper (African-American) now have to navigate the consequences of living in a newly haunted town as they return to school in A Festival of Ghosts. The ghosts here aren’t too frightening – appeasement librarians like Rosa and her mother know how to keep them satisfied. Yet some ghosts at school are stealing students’ voices, which might have something to do with the mystery of whether Rosa is being haunted by her father’s ghost. Rosa’s confident personality shines while Jasper grows as he learns the art of appeasement in this character driven, family focused novel. Age 8+.

The Island of Monsters (Spirit Hunters #2) by Ellen Oh

The follow up to 2017’s Spirit Hunters, The Island of Monsters takes Harper and her multiracial family on a Halloween vacation to a tropical island with a gruesome past. Harper must use her newly developed skills in Korean shamanism to resolve the island’s mysteries and protect her little brother. New friends – ghosts and humans alike – help her with this task. The Island of Monsters features terrible creatures instead of the frightening ghosts of Spirit Hunters. While less bone chilling than its predecessor, readers should be prepared for some violence. The simple prose and uncomplicated plot make this book accessible to readers of various abilities. Age 8+.

Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa A. Pearce

Measles mean Tom has been sent to stay with an aunt and uncle who live in a converted flat of an old house without a garden. When a grandfather clock strikes thirteen in the middle of the night, Tom creeps outside to discover a grand and expansive daytime Victorian garden, in place of parked cars and rubbish bins. Tom visits the garden night after night, befriending the only person who can see him there – a young girl named Hatty. But time passes unpredictably in the garden between Tom’s visits. Is Hatty a ghost? Will she always be there for Tom when he visits the garden? This classic British timeslip novel follows the development of a strong friendship while exploring the adventures that nature can provide children. A thoughtful, character-driven narrative with vivid atmospheric settings, the mystery of who (and when) Hatty is builds to a moving conclusion. Age 8+.

Sunny by Jason Reynolds (Track #3)

Long distance runner Sunny narrates this third entry in Jason Reynold’s Track series via his diary. Sunny’s mother died the day he was born. His father’s been pushing Sunny to run after her ever since, but now Sunny’s tired of running and ready to pursue his own passion. Although he loves to dance, he doesn’t want to leave the family he’s found on the track team – so Coach offers him discus. Sunny fills his diary with introspection and rhythm that matches how he finds sounds in every movement. Sunny explores a 12 year old African-American boy’s week of upheaval as he embraces a new sport and repairs his relationship with his dad. Age 9+.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Based on the author’s experiences growing up as a Chinese immigrant in the 1990’s, Kelly Yang’s debut novel explores the stark trials 10 year old Mia Tang and her parents face while managing a hotel for a prejudiced landlord in California. Racism, crime, and poverty challenge Mia as she fights for the rights of her customers and for herself to get off the ‘rollercoaster’ of poverty. At school, she struggles with fitting in and improving her written English, something she has a passion for. Mia’s friendships with her school friend Lupe, the hotel’s weekly residents, and the immigrants her parents shelter demonstrate the significance of community solidarity in difficult times. Briskly paced yet emotionally moving, Front Desk shines in its portrayal of a young girl unafraid of creating change. Age 8+.