In this episode I chat about five MG novels--by unique and diverse authors--I highly recommend (book links to Goodreads):

1. Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart #1) by Renée Watson
2. Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer (1:34)
3. Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young (4:26)
4. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom (Cookie Chronicles #1) by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (9:05)
5. Last Gate of the Emperor by K. Mbalia and Prince J. Makonnen (12:13)

Were there any common themes, you ask, why yes! Yes, there were: heart, magic, mystery, humor, and charm. I rejected the MG novels that were sad, tragic, controversial, and or too heavy. I just felt like WE ALL needed a little heart, magic, mystery, humor, and charm in our lives--kids and tweens especially, after the years of COVID: being stuck in the house, health problems, and social isolation, to name a few. I had not planned on it at the time, I'm not one to shy away from sadness, tragedy, or controversy in MG books. It was a visceral reaction. So, for this episode, I bring you fun MG novels! Happy reading! ~Lisa Nolan

Intro outro music by Kevin MacLeod. Keywords: middle-grade novels, reviews, MG reads, kid-lit, distinctive authors, heart, magic, mystery, humor, charm. Book images from Goodreads.