BEA 2012: Books for Middle Graders

by Nick Crane & illustrated by David Dean

The balance between information and attractive bookmaking is always important, but atlases like the National Geographic... Full review >

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by Vincent Schilling

Read straight through, the serviceable exposition may seem a bit repetitive, but the individual chapters provide excellent... Full review >

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by Laurisa White Reyes

An irascible talking wizard’s staff is the only memorable element in this otherwise trite outing. Full review >

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by Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk

Cupcake recipes and baking tips are included in this overlong (for the audience) effort that misses the opportunity to... Full review >

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by Lauren Oliver & illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. Full review >

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by Hugh Lupton & Daniel Morden & illustrated by Carole Hénaff

Epic in deed and scope and a-bustle with larger-than-life characters, this retelling of the Iliad will rivet both readers... Full review >

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by Shannon Hale

Miri’s story comes to a satisfying end; readers who have been waiting since 2005 will find their patience well rewarded. Full review >

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by Patricia Reilly Giff

The boys’ exaggerated escapades make for an appealing read-aloud as well as a successful summer read. Full review >

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by Annie Barrows & illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Making the rules rules! (Fiction. 6-9) Full review >

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by David Calcutt & illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith

Sure to attract new followers for a perennially popular hero. Full review >

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by Charles Gilman

Delectable hints of age-appropriate, Lovecraftian Otherness…with none of the purple prose. Full review >

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by Jacqueline Kelly & illustrated by Clint Young

Funny and warm, this could tempt a new generation toward the raptures of “messing about in boats.” (Animal fantasy. 6-10) Full review >

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by Mike Goldsmith & illustrated by Sebastian Quigley

A one-trick pony, grounded by uneven production values and low octane content. Full review >

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by Lisa Williams Kline

A fresh take on an old story. Full review >

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by Ellis Weiner & illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

Templeton Twins hidden in integrand function (5, 3). Read it to solve it! (Fiction. 9-13) Full review >

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by Sharon Creech

An enchanting tale to treasure in which ordinary folk find fairies’ gold, run across crooked bridges and mend their broken... Full review >

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by Connie Brummel Crook

An opportunity for American children to see a little-known war through a rarely considered lens. Full review >

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by Erin Hunter

Wild and wonderful adventure for middle-graders. Full review >

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by Sandra Dallas

Finely stitched. (Historical fiction. 8-12) Full review >

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by Patricia O. Quinn & Judith M. Stern

More specific and extensive manuals and workbooks abound, but as a lucid guide to the disorder and its management, this has... Full review >

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by Mary M. Cerullo & photographed by Jeffrey L. Rotman

This attractive new look at underwater life may inspire diving dreams for both city and country readers. Full review >

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by J. Patrick Lewis Jane Yolen & illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins

Some spry and inspired grave humor here, but weighed equally with some unimaginative efforts. Full review >

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by Marc Tyler Nobleman & illustrated by Ty Templeton

Though Finger has been a known commodity to comics cognoscenti for years, this salute in his own format will make the... Full review >

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by Lydia Millet

Nicely serious eco-fantasy; may volume three have more cohesive internal logic. Full review >

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by Melissa Hardy

Notable for originality but limited by forced writing and shallow characters. Full review >

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by Jordan Jacobs

Hardy readers will be eager to explore another lost world in the promised sequel. Full review >

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by Michael Dahl & illustrated by Ben Kovar

A page-turner. Full review >

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by Karen Cushman

A compelling coming-of-age road trip. Full review >

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by Scott Nash & illustrated by Scott Nash

An imaginative premise, fledged in showy if sometimes overdecorated finery. Full review >

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by Teresa Flavin

A gripping continuation. Full review >

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by Robert Lipsyte

A multi-world adventure starring a band of heroes that readers will want to join. Full review >

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by Lois Lowry

Bravo! (Fiction. 12 & up) Full review >

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by Doreen Rappaport

Thorough, deeply researched and stylistically clear, this is a necessary, exemplary book. Full review >

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by Tommy Greenwald & illustrated by J.P. Coovert

No middle schooler wants to face a month at summer enrichment camp, but many will enjoy watching Charlie Joe work harder... Full review >

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by Jasper Fforde

Mostly for Fforde’s fans, although fantasy readers with a taste for the silly should appreciate the subverted tropes. Full review >

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by Gary D. Schmidt

Spielberg, get ready for this boldly imagined outer-space offering. Full review >

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by Russell Freedman & illustrated by Peter Malone

This slim volume brings to you-are-there life a historical episode often relegated to a sidebar. Full review >

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by Ashley Spires & illustrated by Ashley Spires

A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. Full review >

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by Greg Trine & illustrated by Frank W. Dormer

Lighter-than-air superhero fun. Full review >

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by Stefan Bachmann

A promising, atmospheric fantasy debut. Full review >

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by Courtney Sheinmel & illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

Not much happens to Stella, but she’s fun to spend some time with, and now that she’s successfully authored her own whole... Full review >

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by Nick Crane & illustrated by David Dean & developed by TouchPress

Not useful for reference, though an enticing plaything for younger armchair travelers. Full review >

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by Adam-Troy Castro & illustrated by Kristen Margiotta

The author leaves much to be explored and explained in future episodes, but fans of Unfortunate Events will be willing to... Full review >

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by R.L. Stine

Pure, Goosebumps–style terror-by-formula, polished through use to such a high gloss that it slides along frictionlessly—a... Full review >

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by Michael Dahl & illustrated by Lisa K. Weber

With a touch of The Twilight Zone, it's the building and its guests that provide the eeriest entertainment. Full review >

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by Bob Balaban ; illustrated by Andy Rash

A wacky story of loyalty and self-discovery. Full review >

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by Patricia MacLachlan & illustrated by Tim Jessell

An approachable lead-in that serves to fill in the background both for confirmed fans and readers new to the series. Full review >

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by David Nytra & illustrated by David Nytra

Not much here for plot, but fans of the art of Tenniel and his modern descendants (Maurice Sendak, Charles Vess) will find... Full review >

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by Jørn Riel illustrated by Helen Cann

Not a stand-alone, unlike the opener, but still a worthy tale built around a core of clashing cultures and shared human... Full review >

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by Mary Casanova

A good effort, but not compelling enough to capture many teen readers. Full review >

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