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ABOUTI asked for help with reviews this month (February 2025) from friends (like two bookstore managers and an IG reviewer) and am thrilled that together we have nine new middle grade titles to share. Books that you and the readers in your life will love.
From heartfelt realistic stories to fantasy, dystopian, and mystery, there’s a good book for almost every kind of reader. Which ones will you want to share with your readers or read yourself!?!
My important life lesson this month has been to ASK FOR HELP when you’re burned out and working every day because of starting a new business. (Imaginarium Author Solutions.) Even just the act of asking made my shoulders feel unburdened. Also, I’m very grateful to know such kind, smart, and helpful people who could pitch in and write reviews for me. (Of course, I am paying them because I never expect anyone to work for free.)
Note: I’m not able to star or not star the books that were reviewed by other people. If I read them, and I hope to catch up soon, I will come back to them and consider doing that.
New Middle Grade Books, February 2025
Racing the Clouds by Sydney Dunlap 
REALISTIC FICTION
I could not put this book down — it’s so well written with exceptional character development and plotting! Sage, a 13-year-old girl stuffing her emotions of guilt while memories of the past continue to haunt her. She hopes that going to visit the grandparents she’s never met will fix what’s wrong. But it doesn’t turn out how she’d hoped, at least not at first. The only thing good about her visit is her new friend from the airplane and the stray dog she rescues. This hopeful, heartfelt story deals with feelings, growing up, addiction, and the healing power of a dog. The back matter is particularly helpful with more in-depth information and a discussion guide.
What Fell From the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas
HISTORICAL FICTION / SCI-FI
In the small town of Soledad, Texas, 1952, soldiers parachuted in and took the town in a secret (but actually historically true) military op. Simultaneously, a group of friends find an alien whose parents are prisoners of the military operation. Pineda, who is half Cuban, is treated differently than the white kids in his town, so he can relate to the alien’s experiences. Pineda and his three friends work with a Black soldier to save their new alien friend and her missing parents in this excellent, thought-provoking story. The story draws parallels between the otherness of space aliens and the otherness of immigrants in a profound, non-didactic way. I highly recommend What Fell From the Sky for book clubs because the discussion would be rich and important.
No Purchase Necessary written by Maria Marianayagam
REALISTIC
Ajay is a lonely boy with Tamil parents who loves karate and the Hardy Boys. At his school, he’s peer pressured to steal a candy bar, and his actions lead to a lie that leads to another lie until the lies are out of control. Ajay feels guilty and desperately wants to fix his mistakes. But how? With middle school pressures, moral quandaries, and family complexity, this powerful story of redemption, friendship, and growing up is a mesmerizing read –and great for discussion. (Book club, anyone!?)
Space Chasers written by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna, and illustrated by Alison Acton
REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL
Tia isn’t great at school but great at fixing cars with her brother. She’s shocked to discover she gets accepted into her dream program that sends and trains kids to go into space, but she’s keeping a big secret, one that affects everything. When their space task doesn’t go as planned, she and her crewmates must make fast decisions, take risks, and believe in each other. Readers will enjoy the interesting story with flawed but likable characters, great pacing, and appealing art.
Oasis by Guojing
DYSTOPIAN GRAPHIC NOVEL
The gray-black, dark-colored artwork matches the futuristic dystopian vibe in a story about two siblings in the desert living alone while their mom works at a factory in the city. They’re lonely and trying to survive. Their only bright spot is when they make a trek to a phone to talk to their mother, but then, she stops calling. When the siblings find an AI robot in a junk heap, they fix her up and she becomes like a mother…until their actual mother returns, and conflict ensues. Family, robotics, survival, and love, this book offers layers of storytelling that will keep you reading and thinking deeply.
Montgomery Bonbon: Mystery at the Manor by Alasdair Beckett-King
MYSTERY
review written by Krista Carlton, manager at The Bookies
In this thrilling third installment of Beckett-King’s Montgomery Bonbon series, a package arrives for the famous (definitely grown-up) detective. But in a twist, the package is not for Montgomery, but for Montgomery to deliver! 10-year-old Bonnie Montgomery, her detective alter-ego, and Grampa Banks are off to deliver the mysterious package to the wealthy criminal Fergus Croke. Not long after meeting their questionable host and his adopted proteges, Croke is murdered, and Bonbon is on the case. Bonnie’s deduction skills and her friendships are put to the test as she seeks to unravel the secrets held at the heart of the monkey-filled mansion.
NOTE FROM KRISTA: *While funny and clever, the subject of murder is present and made light of, which may cause some parents to pause.*
Bird of a Thousand Stories by Kiyash Monsef
FANTASY
review written by Krista Carlton, manager at The Bookies
The follow-up to Monsef’s first book, Once There Was, finds Marjan where we left her, helping magical animals but at the behest of the shadowy Fells organization. When Marjan begins to listen to her heart and to those around her, she gains the courage to stand up for what she believes. Friendships are tested, family is found and the history of Marjan’s world is revealed. Marjan is a hero for this age, a kind yet conflicted high schooler seeking hope and justice in a darkening world. Discovering the depth of Marjan’s world was an absolute delight! If you loved the first, you will love this book, and if you haven’t picked up this series, you simply must!
Away written by Megan E. Freeman
DYSTOPIAN
Review written by Sophie Nogar, manager at Second Star to the Right Bookstore
AWAY is the perfect companion/sequel novel for the readers who love ALONE. But, if you did not read ALONE, you can still start with this book. AWAY tells the riveting tale of the other side of the story featured in ALONE: this time we meet the people who were evacuated, and follow along a brave group of pre-teens determined to figure out why they’re evacuated, and how they can get back home. AWAY is the perfect story for courageous kids who know when something isn’t right, and are determined to fix things. The book is uniquely written in various formats, and the audiobook features a different narrator for each of the main kids, so either option is a fun way to read this “can’t put it down” book.
Tear This Down written by Barbara Dee
REALISTIC
review written by Ava Foroutan, book reviewer at AvianBookLand
I really enjoyed this book, I feel I could relate to Freya in the sense that she’s naturally inquisitive and asks a lot of questions. Throughout the story with Freya and her friends, we learn more about feminism and suffragists (not suffragettes as we learn in the book). I liked how this book allows our characters to speak up, ask questions freely and work towards change. I also liked that it does show that there are boundaries that need to be respected, and that change isn’t something that happens overnight. This book also demonstrates reverse feminism, friendship issues, and being more inclusive.
