Curating Children's Books

Category: Middle Grade Books

King and the Dragonflies
Middle Grade Books

King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies: A contemporary story of King, a gay Black boy in a small Louisiana town, dealing with his gender identity and the death of his older brother.

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Frankie & Bug
Middle Grade Books

Frankie & Bug: A Powerful Coming of Age Story

A New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year, Frankie & Bug (Aladdin Books 2021) by Gayle Forman is a must read. Ten-year-old Bug (Beatrice) lives in late-1980s Venice Beach with her mama and older brother Danny.

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loteria
Middle Grade Books

Lotería – a Game of Destiny

In Lotería (Knopf Books For Young Readers, Sept. 7, 2021), written by Karla Arenas Valenti, and illustrated by Dana Sanmar, Life and Death (who prefers to be called La Catrina) walk into Oaxaca City, Mexico, for their annual game of la Lotería. Before the game can begin, a child must be chosen by chance (or by destiny?) to be the pawn. If Life wins the game, the child will have a long and prosperous life. If Death wins, she will claim the child’s life. If neither win, these old friends will never meet again.

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appleblossom the possum
Middle Grade Books

The Adventures of the Brave Appleblossom the Possum

Not a big fan of possums?  This middle grade book might just change your mind! Appleblossom the Possum by Holly Goldberg Sloan and illustrated by her husband, Gary A. Rosen, tells the story of Appleblossom, the smallest and most timid of Mama Possum’s first batch of babies.

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