Marvellous Middle Grade from Summer 2022

The Mystery of the Missing Mum by Frances Moloney (Pushkin Children’s)

Told from the charmingly intense point of view of Jake, The Mystery of the Missing Mum, addresses parents’ mental illness and how children cope in a gentle, funny way.

Jake wakes up one morning to find his mother is missing. He makes a list of all the places she could be and sets out to find her. What he can’t understand is why no one else seems worried about where she’s gone. Finally, he remembers – mum isn’t missing but has been taken away in an ambulance. She’s sick and might not be home for Christmas. All of Jake’s most private hopes and worries are shared with readers through his innocent narration of his situation.

A must-have for Key Stage Two class libraries, The Mystery of the Missing Mum will help children experiencing similar circumstances to feel validated in whatever way they cope and build empathy in others so they can be more understanding friends.

Alex Neptune Dragon Thief by David Owen (Usborne)

“For as long as Alex Neptune could remember, the sea had been trying to kill him.”

What an opening line! With a magical myth, an imprisoned water dragon and the power of the ocean, readers will be gripped from the very first page. The glimpses of truth in a local legend and the timely issue of pollution in the harbour will draw children in to this unusual adventure. When Alex discovers this incredible dragon (and realises it is well and truly real), he must find a way to rescue it. But this is no ordinary break-out – Alex and his friends, Zoey and Anil, must outwit the mayor of Haven Bay and show everyone the truth.

The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle (Faber Children’s)

Passed from pillar to post, Patch has never had a proper home. When she’s sent to The Liverpool Institute High School for Girls, her life takes the most unexpected turn. Mistaken for a thief, she becomes an accidental stowaway on the luxurious HMS Glorious. There she finds adventure, mystery and new friends she’ll never forget!

The Accidental Stowaway paints a wonderful picture of life aboard the transatlantic ships of the early 20th century. In Patch, readers will find a friend who is feisty yet kind, enthusiastic yet thoughtful, and brave in the face of whatever adversity life throws at her.

Paws by Kate Foster (Walker Books)

Starting secondary school is hard enough, but when you worry about not having any friends, it becomes even harder. 11-year-old Alex is autistic and doesn’t like change. In an attempt to make things easier, he comes up with an unusual friend-making plan.

Honest, funny and heartfelt, there is something for every child in this charming story. Stories with neurodiverse characters are so incredibly valuable, allowing all readers to see themselves portrayed positively in books.

Dogs are precious companions and the inclusion of Kevin, Alex’s faithful pup, is something that will resonate with so many readers. It’s lovely that they can journey through life together – whether their plan is a success or not!

Mouse Heart by Fleur Hitchcock (Nosy Crow)

Fleur Hitchcock is the author of so many captivating mysteries. Mouse Heart joins them as a page-turning historical tale made up of some known and some unknown people and places, cleverly woven into a story of friendship, determination and finding the truth.

Mouse is a heroine to get behind. When her friend Walter is arrested for murder, she’ll stop at nothing to prove it’s a mistake. Key Stage Two teachers and their classes will love sharing this story, gathering clues together and working out exactly who the murderer might be.

Running Out of Time by Simon Fox (Nosy Crow)

Running Out of Time is an amazingly clever combination of science fiction and the terrifying reality faced by those who are forced to flee their country in search of refuge. Alex has an extraordinary power – he can steal time. He knows that every second is precious and he needs to use his power to protect himself and find his father. From the very first moment, the intensity leaps off the page. There is no time to waste as readers are pulled right into the action. Time is manipulated further as the plot jumps between “Before” and “After” showing both cause and consequence of every heart-pounding moment.

Don’t Tell Mum I Made a Mammoth by Kita Mitchell (Scholastic)

Kids love stories that are over-the-top funny. Don’t Tell Mum I Made a Mammoth is just that! Percy is tired of his parents’ environmental activism – he doesn’t see what all the fuss is about and would much rather spend his time playing. But when he starts to mess around with his Mum’s machine that uses DNA to bring extinct species back to life, he’s in for some real trouble!

Join Percy on a hilarious adventure as he learns just how important it is to protect the environment and the creatures in it. This brilliant story would make a fantastic class read for Year 3 & 4 and a super (and very fun) addition to an environmental class topic.

Filippa, Me and the Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti (Hot Key Books)

Full of beautifully rich description and insight, Filippo, Me and the Cherry Tree tells the story of Mafalda navigating life as a visually impaired teenager. Like most young people, friendships are everything to her. When mean girl teasing pushes her best friend Filippo away, Mafalda is challenged to hold on to her positive outlook. With the help of new friends, she learns to be brave and honest about what she really wants.

This lovely story bridges the Teen gap between Middle Grade and Young Adult. Relationships become more complicated, friendships turn into something more and choices become all that more difficult.

My Mum is a Spy by Andy McNab & Jess French (Welbeck Flame)

Hilarious and accessible with large print and fun illustrations, My Mum is a Spy is a fantastic book for Lower Key Stage Two readers.

Idris just can’t believe it when his stepsister, Lucia, tells him she thinks his mum is a spy. No way! She’s far too ordinary for something as exciting as that. But when they visit the zoo, streange things start happening. Idris and Lucia are drawn into a espionage and adventure as they try to find the missing pangolins.

I have enjoyed some of Jess French’s other books about animals and the environment so I was very curious about her collaboration with Andy McNab and illustrator Nathan Reed on this new series. Her expertise weaves messages of animal protection into a wonderfully funny and appealing story.

The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean by Alastair Humphreys (Lightning Books)

Lucy longs for adventure – something to take her away from ordinary life and arguments with her annoying brother, Tom. She could trek to mountain gorillas in Africa, ski across Antarctica or go on the longest train journey in the world. It isn’t until her homework inspires her to row across the Atlantic Ocean that she realises she’s found the adventure for her. Nevermind that she’s never done anything like this before!

From finding sponsorship to gathering supplies to training for the 3000 mile journey, Lucy is a girl on a mission. Her determination and self-belief are admirable – traits that readers are sure to want to emulate in their own adventures. Lucy soon realises just how much she needs to know. Information about first aid, tying knots and understanding tides will make readers feel like they are right there with her.

Alastair Humphrey’s writing style is warm and engaging. I wanted to keep reading, staying with Lucy through every moment of her adventure. I’m sure my own Lucy & Tom (12-year-old adventurers) will really enjoy this exciting and inspirational story.

Click on the covers below to find out more or to purchase on-line.