Let's read some middle grade books! ✨

[@DRPArtistry]

Yes! Next question. 😊 currently in my late 20’s. I read manga sometimes if it’s an all in one volume, graphic novels, middle grade, YA, new adult: characters are in their 20’s, women’s fiction, fantasy. Read what you love, also don’t be afraid to branch out. ❤

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

Absolutely!

[@angelicacooke6782]

I am 26, and soon to be 27, and honestly, my type of books are middle grade. I sometimes i think maybe im strange for reading mostly middle grade books 📚 but there is just something about them that keeps me reading. And i feel like if im reading if its middle grade or nlt is fine as long as im reading 🤷‍♀️

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

I agree! Middle grade is amazing and reading is reading!

[@TeegsKJ]

Spoken with such passion at the end Katey! Loved it. I’m a teacher, should really be reading more middle grade fiction…however yes! Let us also appeal to the child within us and to see the world again with a fresh perspective. Looking forward finding more children’s literature to read!

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed! 🥰❤️

[@sarahdale7668]

Thank you very much for creating another wonderful video! I completely agree with you about children's books, their artwork and their portrayals of compassion. I have read a lot of middle grade books as an adult that have given me so much joy because of their compassion. Wurrtoo sounds really endearing, and it's great to hear you had a really good time with The Wee Free Men. I really enjoy Terry Pratchett's writing too, and I think that the Tiffany Aching books are a great place to start with the Discworld as Granny Weatherwax appears in some of the other Discworld books, but you can read them as standalones. I recently read Glowrushes by Roberto Piumini, translated from Italian into English by Leah Janeczko. This is a beautiful middle grade Italian classic originally published in 1987 and the English translation was published two years ago. It was emotional, especially as it focuses on the beauty of art, companionship and imagination between the father, the painter and the son. I especially loved how much kindness there was between these three characters and how the paintings in the three rooms of the son changed to show the life cycle of the world in different seasons. Hope you enjoy the next book you read! 📖

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. 🥰 I totally agree, I have gotten so much joy from middle grade as an adult, they really can be so special. Your recent read sounds beautiful!

[@NovelteaCorner]

I enjoy Jaclyn Moriarty's book series, but I do wish they were about half the length. I can totally under stand why other people wouldn't enjoy them. I'm definitely going to pick up the Katherine Rundell essay, because it sounds like a fantastic read. I also have Wurrtoo, The Lost Library and Tiger Daughter on my tbr. Withering-by-Sea was a book that I was gifted by one of my fourth grade students years ago because it was one of her favourite books, but I felt similar to you about it (which made me so sad!).

[@theresaemig2328]

I love that essay & give a copy to anyone who’ll take it.

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

I can certainly appreciate why! What a lovely gift! 💕

[@actual-spinster]

this was really so lovely. i cried at the quotes from katherine rundell you shared at the beginning & your additions at the end. justice as a key theme does make total sense because children as a class dont have autonomy!! thanks for such a thoughtful wrap up !

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

Thanks so much! I loved so many of the quotes from Kathrine Rundell, I could’ve read out so many more!! And yes, that’s exactly it! Being a children’s bookseller has honestly been so good for me, I feel like I have developed more compassion and patience in the last few years than I had the previous thirty combined!! Children and children’s books have taught me so much! ❤️

[@tammyanne-tarottwin7542]

So excited to dig into some of these! Love Middle Grade😊

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

Hope you enjoy them! 💕

[@ladyamalthea85]

Wurrtoo sounds right up my alley! Wombats are my favourite Aussie animal and when I rescued my first dog, they named him Wombat at the shelter ❤

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

I think you could really like it!!

[@apak78]

Thanks so much - my 11-yr old daughter (and I) has been enjoying many of your book suggestions. However I have been struggling picking the right book for her twin brother. He used to enjoy fantasy (i.e. he read about 20 books from Rick Riordan) but lately he is not into magic. I wondered if you were able to compile a list of middle grade books that are without any magic/fantasy/antropomorphism and are exciting for a boy. I notice he enjoys historical fiction or cosy family fiction (ie A place to hang the moon, the Vanderbeeker series). Thank you!

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

If he likes historical fiction, I’d suggest looking into authors like Katrina Nannestad and Morris Gleitzman - they all have a lot of historical fiction books in their backlist that a lot of kids love. One of my favourite more recent historicals is Brown Girl Dreaming by Woodson. For something more contemporary, maybe try The Sugarcane Kids and the Red Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold, which is a fun mystery with great friendships, feels a little reminiscent of Enid Blyton. Some more emotionally rich books I’d suggest are My Brother Ben by Carnavas, No Words by Maryam Master, or Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee. Hope that gives you some places to start!

[@apak78]

@@KateyOneMoreTime Amazing! Thanks so much!

[@soniasulaiman]

Also, re: Palestinian children's lit... I almost don't want to talk about it in case nothing comes of it, but someone from a Big 5 Publisher contacted me to write a MG or YA fantasy novel. >.>

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

👀👀👀👀❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@soniasulaiman]

I can't lie, I was thinking about you because it's turning out to be a sort of historical urban fantasy

[@soniasulaiman]

I found Thunderbird very predictable. It was one of the first middle grades I've read in ages, so I was like "is this a category feature, or is this book just very predictable?"

[@KateyOneMoreTime]

I mean, some middle grade can definitely feel more predictable to adult readers, but Thunderbird felt a bit hollow to me, almost like it was a draft that needed more development and intrigue. :(