Middle Grade Reading for July

It's hot outside and definitely time for some summer reading! Here are some new MG books to explore... quotes are from interviews I did for my blog, Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb.

 

Kristine Rudolph is the author of the new novel The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar. When I asked her about the origins of the novel, she said: "Before I wrote for kids, I took a stab at writing for adults. I have a law degree and also love true crime, so the natural path was for me to write domestic thrillers, right? Except. Gah! It turns out I am just not able to go as deep and dark as publishers and agents want. I realized I didn’t want to live in that space, mentally. Writing a 'light mystery' for younger readers was the perfect solution. The Twin Stars and the Soccer Superstar started with a 'what if?' question — 'What if you are a superfan and your hero goes missing?' — and evolved from there."

 

Valerie Sherrard's new novel is titled Absolutely No Body Parts. I asked her about how she created her three protagonists, and she said: "The narrator (Nick) and his best friend (Khenan) were developed pretty much together. I wanted a pair of friends, young teen males, with a relatively typical relationship, but distinctive voices and traits. A shared experience (they each lost a parent) strengthened their bond but there was a divide in how they handled this. They complement each other in some ways, but are at odds in others. My original intent with Florrie's character was to add someone quirky, giving me an opportunity to add humour. However, she had her own ideas, as characters often do, and quickly grew into a far more rounded, sympathetic and significant part of the story. The three clash at times but as they learn more about each other, genuine friendships develop. Of the three characters, I anticipate that Florrie will be a favorite for many readers."

 

Finally, there's Amy Fellner Dominy's new novel, Monster Down Deep. When I asked what she hoped readers took away from the book, she said: "I hope Cassie’s journey to self-acceptance will resonate for kids who are dealing with their own fears or trying to be who others what them to be. I also hope readers will come away feeling empowered that they can make a difference in their worlds—no matter what it is they’re passionate about. Just in the world of ocean conservation, kids are putting their huge hearts to good use in clean-up and recycling projects. It inspired me to see that and shine a light on it."

 

Happy reading!

--Deborah Kalb