MIDDLE GRADE MARCH RECOMMENDATIONS

[@mudbutter92]

I was also born in the 70's, and added The Westing Game and Tuck Everlasting to my TBR! One of my favorites from my childhood was Are You There God it's Me Margaret? I read a lot of Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary! Thanks for all of the wonderful recommendations!!📚❤️

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

Same with us❣️👌🏾 added to our list also

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! Glad you found some to add to your tbr! I never read Judy Blume. Not sure how I missed that!

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

@@BooksAndJams Carl likes her large print books 📚

[@readernac13]

I love Judy Blume! Especially, Are You There God, Its Me, Margaret? too and Blubber. Have fun with the readathon.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I had never heard of Mandy. That book sounds lovely!!

[@kellybarrett1561]

Julie Andrew Edwards also wrote The last of the Really great Wangdoodle ...so so fun!!!

[@BooksAndJams]

It was a very sweet read.

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

We agree 👌🏾❣️ Super cute book 📖

[@sarinagray8262]

We are currently reading it and it’s beautiful

[@nat4465]

This book stood out to me also 😊

[@april5300]

Also, I start a job as a Children's Librarian in March, so excited for Middle Grade March this year. I've been doing it since you started.

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh yay! Congrats on the new job! I'm a bit jealous!

[@DearReaders_thisisJess]

Congratulations! May you love and enjoy your job each day! 😊

[@rrichards1210]

I love The Night Diary - so beautiful. I have Ahimsa waiting for March 1st to read. I have ordered The Book of Three for my decade read which I hope will be good. I also adore The Penderwicks series (especially book 4) and The Vanderbeekers. I am reading a lot of MG for Historathon at the moment. I read On the Horizon on your recommendation and found it beautiful. Also read a great NZ author's book Dead Dan's Dee which was amazing. Set after WW1, dealing with TB, returned soldiers and the terrible things that happened to the men there and after. So many great MG books to choose from. Hooray!

[@BooksAndJams]

I've never heard of Ahimsa, but just looked it up. Wow it sounds so interesting and the cover is stunning! I'd love to start the Book of Three this year. Not sure if I'll get to it in March or not. I think Book 4 was my favorite Penderwick book too. Happy reading!

[@summerchandler4052]

I was born in 88 and as I was looking last week, I was struggling too. Also fun facts, my mom bought be the first Harry Potter book for one of my birthdays in the late 90s. I tried to read them, but said and I quote "I'm not reading this, no one flies on broomsticks". I was a VERY literal kid. I'm just now reading Harry Potter at age 32 and very much enjoying them. I'm on the 6th one now! Also, thank you SOOOOO much for this video and the amazing recommendations. I went straight to my library and started creating a list! I'm focusing on black authors this month for BHM and loving it so much, but I think I'll also be ready for a little lighter subject reading in March.

[@BooksAndJams]

I first started reading HP in my 30s as well. I had fun reading one book then watching that movie. Then reading book 2 and watching the movie. I got up to 5 that way but then the rest of the movies hadn't been made yet so I just went ahead and finished the series. A few years ago I reread them all by listening to the audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale. They are spectacular! I hope you find some great middle grade books for next month! I have one more recs video coming out on March 1. Can't wait!

[@susanniclas3748]

i was going through a reading funk and then you were always recommending middle grade books, sooooo i picked up Nevemoor and have not stopped!!! it reminded me of why I loved to read when I was young! also remember reading Harriet The Spy back in the sixties. Thanks for giving me my reading mojo back!!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Yay! Glad you loved Nevermoor. It's so so good.

[@karamiddleton2920]

I was born in 1969, and Harriet the Spy is my all time favorite from childhood. I can still see myself sitting on the stairs in my house reading that book.

[@BooksAndJams]

Harriet was a fun story for sure. I don't have the nostalgia with it because I never read it until a couple years ago!

[@diredachshund]

The Hank the Cowdog series is from the 80s. I remember loving them as a kid!

[@BooksAndJams]

I haven't ever heard of those books. Fun!

[@angiegarza1145]

Jerry Spinelli also wrote Maniac Magee, which my daughter read in middle school. We actually read it together. It is a wonderful, heart wrenching story. Love all the recommendations!

[@BooksAndJams]

I loved Maniac Magee. I read that a long time ago when I was substitute teaching.

[@amusicalbookworm]

I didn’t even realize that Goose Girl was a retelling sooooo I’m definitely reading that in March!

[@BooksAndJams]

Yay! It's such a great story. The others in the series are ok, but Goose Girl is definitely my fave.

[@StormReads]

I loved Ramona when I was a kid too!

[@BooksAndJams]

I just remember flying through them and reading them over and over when I was young.

[@summerchandler4052]

I cannot get enough of the Tilly series. They are so great!

[@BooksAndJams]

I really need to get my hands on book 2 and 3!

[@readernac13]

Some of my favorites I read in middle school in the early eighties were The Witch at Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth Speare, Ghosts I Have Been by Richard Peck, Taking Terri Mueller by Norma Mazer, Friends For Life by Ellen Emerson White and Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene. 📚

[@BooksAndJams]

Awesome! thanks for adding a few more recommendations!

[@readernac13]

@@BooksAndJams I'm really excited to participate in my first Middle Grade March readathon. Remembering all my favorite books growing up and how they brought me such joy and they strengthened my love for reading which then lead to me becoming a daily adult reader. That's why I believe middle grade books are so important.

[@ElizabethAnneReads]

As a 1980 baby I concur that that was the decade of all those popular series (which I wasn't allowed to read). I was struggling to find something but I think I came up with something that will work

[@BooksAndJams]

Yeah, those 80s were definitely a weird decade for the children's book world. Hope you end up enjoying what you picked.

[@april5300]

I just read Howl's Moving Castle last year for the Modern Mrs Darcy prompt for a book published in the decade you were born. It was so much fun! I might read more of her books for this prompt.

[@BooksAndJams]

I haven't read anything else by DWJ, but would be very interested in checking out other books by her. I did really enjoy Howl's.

[@yvettedelport2811]

Bridge to terabithia, tuck everlasting and sideways stories from wayside school are some of my faves as a kid!

[@BooksAndJams]

I never did read those Sideways Stories. I loved Tuck Everlasting though. Well, I read it in college for a class, but I did still love it!

[@susansimank3341]

I agree about Hank the Cow Dog. It is a great series of books. The audio books are hilarious. My family loves them!! If you own a dog or two they are a must read. Very funny.

[@BooksAndJams]

I've never heard of that series. Love a book that can make me laugh though. Even though I'm not a dog person I might track down the audiobooks. Thanks for seconding that recommendation!

[@allithebookgiraffe1707]

I was born in the 90s. I went on Goodreads after the announcement and decided on the Goosebumps books. I haven't decided how many of them I'm going to read,

[@BooksAndJams]

Fun! I never got into Goosebumps because I've always been such a scardy cat. But I hope you have fun with them!

[@hadia9]

you do have 2000's audience and I really appreciate these recs!

[@BooksAndJams]

Aww yay! Glad you're here representing the 2000s, Hadia! :)

[@Amy_loopsandliterature]

I read Tilly and the Bookwanderers last year during MGM and immediately purchased the next two in the series! I am planning on reading book 2 this year. Such a cute story! And yay for the Vanderbeekers!! We LOVE that series!! We read book 4 last month and I just went this past weekend to my local indie bookstore and pre-ordered book 5!! I feel that each book just gets better and better! We (my kids and I) read The Penderwicks this past fall and really enjoyed it! Vanderbeeker vibes for sure! I would love to finish that series with them this year as well! I am a child of the 80's, so yes...Beverly Cleary was a big deal for me as well as Sweet Valley High and the Babysitters Club! I actually LOVED the Babysitters Club!! :) Maybe that's what I will read for the prompt...

[@BooksAndJams]

Vanderbeekers book 4 (Lost & Found) made me cry by the second chapter. It was the best yet. I just love them! I have thought about revisiting a BSC book but don't own any of them. Would be so nostalgic because that was my jam back in the day! Plus, I started babysitting at 12 and could relate so well!

[@wendyhoward2699]

Such great books! I loved Harriet the Spy. Blessings.

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks, Wendy! Blessings to you too!

[@kaitlynb454]

You have very quickly become my favorite booktuber (and I have tried out ALOT of people)! I love your channel and your book taste! I just discovered booktube this year, but will defintely be participating in Middle Grade March. So fun!

[@BooksAndJams]

Aww, that is so kind of you, Kaitlyn! Happy you're enjoying my channel. And yay for another MGM participant! I cannot wait!!

[@AnniesBookNook]

I’m reading Song for a Whale for the silhouette prompt :) definitely interested in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and The Night Diary. Thanks for the great recs!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh I hope you love Song for a Whale. I just thought it was a lovely story. Wanted to hug that family!

[@Eldertalk]

Wonderful suggestions! I'm glad you chose some books for us old timers born in the 1950's - that's very considerate of you. I will be participating in Middle Grade March and (joy) just got some of the books I plan to read today (including The Brave).

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! I am so excited to dive into my middle grade stacks for next month's reading. I'm picking up just a few more from the library today as well. Yay!

[@elizeespring]

Omg! Mandy was my fave late childhood book. I definitely gonna have to reread it.

[@BooksAndJams]

I can't believe I hadn't heard of it until a couple years ago. It's so lovely!

[@mothergooselibrarian.3257]

Love children’s lit for all ages! I especially love picture books! That’s mainly what I’m thinking of focusing on if I do start a book tube channel. You had a great assortment of MG titles.

[@BooksAndJams]

That would be awesome. I am not sure of many that focus on that. It would fill a niche portion of readers. I still say go for it!

[@blonde761]

So many good recommendations! My favorite chapter books in those years were the Beverly Clearly books, especially Ramona. I also loved Charlotte’s Web, Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew series.

[@BooksAndJams]

I forgot about Encyclopedia Brown books! I used to love those too! I never got into Nancy Drew though. Weird.

[@readernac13]

I absolutely loved Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew!!!

[@BernasBookishAdventures]

I already formed my sort of strict TBR for this year because of books that would fit my own Bookish Bingo prompts as well 🙈 I will definitely add the book about Pakistan (The Night Diary) to my TBR as well as some classics I did not read such as Charlotte’s Web and Harriet the Spy 😉

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh fun! I always love hearing adults reading some of my favorite books as a kid. I'm thinking of Charlotte's Web in particular. I hope you love it! I love your bingo board idea and hope you're still having fun with it!

[@confessionofabookdragon]

Great list! Can not wait to read for Middle Grade March. Also fyi The Ramona Qumby books was first published in 1955 and the series continued until 1999 when it ended. So some of the books came out in the 60s and 70s and 90s as well!

[@BooksAndJams]

Whoa. I didn't realize it stretched that long!

[@melindaforry644]

I need to get a copy of Pippi Longstocking - childhood fave! I also want to get the Westing Game (it’s on Book Outlet folks so if you want it use Krista’s code!) and definitely want to check out Mandy. Sounds like just the MG book I would love! Thanks for all the recs Krista😁

[@BooksAndJams]

I liked Pippy more as a kid than as an adult, but it's a fun read for sure. Mandy is such a sweet story!

[@theknittedlamb7387]

Woohoo...some good ideas for my list. Suggestions for a silhouette = Rain Reign by Ann Martin and fairytale retellings = Liesl Shirtliff's books; Rump, Red, Grump or Jack or Jen Calonita's book Flunked (Fairy Tale Reformed series).

[@BooksAndJams]

I haven't heard of Flunked, but will check it out for sure. I do love the Liesl Shirtliff books. I read all of them in 2020. I just don't own any of them...yet. Thanks for adding some recs!

[@skeletonkeybooks]

Yay, '70s babies! BTW that shade of blue is amazing on you. I don't consider myself a middle grade reader, but I am actually reading two at the moment: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel and Maybe a Fox. Midnight could count as adventure, and Maybe has really strong family elements. For the older end of MG, I'd recommend Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau. I read that for Buzzwordathon last month, and it's definitely a travel adventure. I have a copy of Bridge to Terabithia I've been putting off reading, as I expect it to absolutely wreck me. So maybe I'll dive into that next month.

[@BooksAndJams]

Aww thanks. I haven't heard of Tree of Dreams. Will have to look it up. Yes, have tissues ready for Bridge to T. You'll need them.

[@BooksAndJams]

HEY CONGRATS!! You are the winner of the giveaway for The Brave!! Yay! Shoot me an email ([e-mail]) and let me know where I can send it! Congrats!!

[@skeletonkeybooks]

@@BooksAndJams What? Wow, omigosh, thank you!

[@TeresaNC1]

I was watching your historical fiction video and jotted down some interesting books. Then I watched the prompts for MGM this year. Next, I was researching 1950s written books and what did I find but The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine- written in the 50s!! One from your historical fiction list and that I had made note to read! It was meant to be, lol. I was excited. I immediately ordered it. I love middle grade reads and look forward to middle grade march just for more of a reason to read middle grade. :-).

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes, Lions of Little Rock is set in the 50s. I really want to read it soon! I'm a fan of your excitement about it! haha. I feel that way more and more as March gets closer.

[@booklover847]

So many great recommendations I seriously need to read the Vanderbeekers and the Penderwicks. Pages and co series and the land of stories sound so fun!!

[@BooksAndJams]

You seriously do! haha.

[@sharonforbes162]

Have to let you know, I went to Thriftbooks and placed a huge order that includes The Childrens Blizzard and several middle grade books, no shame, can't wait to get them! !😊

[@BooksAndJams]

Nice! I forget about Thriftbooks. I should probably stay away. lol I already have a book buying problem.

[@debbifaust3106]

I am reading A Miraculous Journey for the travel prompt. But I would highly recommend Coyote Sunrise to all of your subscribers who are looking for a travel book! UH OH! I am one of those wonderful 1940's people. I am reading A Little Prince originally published in1943....I "need" to say that is a bit before my time. LOL! Speaking of Newberry books...Do you have The Whipping Boy in your collection? I own Mandy but it is not in my decade. I should read it soon. FYI, I love your glasses. Your hair looks great styled that way and I love that color of blue on you.

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh you'll love Edward Toulane's story! I love my 40s friends! I do have the Whipping Boy and hope to read it next month. I plan on reading a ton of my Newbery books and all those little ones will be fun to knock out. I think you'd love Mandy's story too. It's lovely. Thanks for my confidence boost of the day! :) Love ya friend.

[@jamiecoutu]

A great selection of books, Krista! Many of them I have already read. I actually found the decades prompt to be easy. I've mentioned that I'm working on a 40th birthday project, so I'd already researched my decade for books and had a list compiled, including middle grade. ;)

[@BooksAndJams]

I love that you found the decade prompt easy. We wanted it to be fun for people! I love that you have a 40th birthday project too.

[@jamiecoutu]

@@BooksAndJams , I think the decade prompt is a fun one. And I actually have a middle grade picked out for each decade for my birthday project. 😉 I just read Until Tomorrow, Mr Marsworth for Historathon, and loved it!! And I just borrowed Chains from the library.

[@BookishlyRichie]

I'm going to be reading Howl's Moving Castle in next month and one of my other books in my TBR go along with one of the challenges so I'm excited to be participating in Middle Grade March! :)

[@BooksAndJams]

Awesome! I hope you love the books you read!

[@hadia9]

The Vanderbeekers is so GOOD!! idk why it's not more famous. Also, I think it should have been made into a movie

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh how I love the Vanderbeeker family! It would be such a great movie!

[@meganmadkour9328]

After your weekend vlog I made an appointment to give blood tomorrow afternoon. It has been way too long for me also! Thank you for getting me off my butt and inspiring me to go donate.

[@BooksAndJams]

Your comment legit made me cry! I'm so happy that even 1 person took action. Thank you so much for letting me know!

[@RaineyDayReads]

Haha I’m doing Babysitters Club for my 80s book, but I may have to finally read Howl’s Moving Castle now, too!

[@BooksAndJams]

Howls is worth the read, I think. It's quite quirky and weird, but in a fun way.

[@RaineyDayReads]

@@BooksAndJams I am a fan of quirky so I’m all for it!

[@RR-xl6yc]

I was born in the late 60s so all my childhood favorites are pretty old. Hopefully most hold up well but I haven't reread them recently so I can't say for sure. But here are some (that I'm sure can be made to fit some of the categories) From the 40s - 21 Balloons by William Pene Du Bois, Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson and Mrs Piggle Wiggle by Betty Macdonald From the 50s - A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill and Time at the Top by Edward Ormondroyd From the 60s - All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright and Family Grandstand by Carol Ryrie Brinkley Other authors from the 60s and 70s - Jean Little, Patricia Beatty, Susan Cooper Some older series - Happy Hollister's, Trixie Belden, and the many different ones by Enid Blyton So many of the books I read then are no longer in print, but I created a library of many of them for my own children, so some day I'll probably reread them all.

[@BooksAndJams]

I loved Mrs. Piggle Wiggle so much as a kid! I read aloud one of those books to my nanny kids and they loved it too. I have quite a few of the ones you mentioned on my Newbery shelf. Hope to get to some of them in March.

[@stageybookish9893]

I ADORE PAGES & CO!!!!

[@BooksAndJams]

I did too! I can't wait to read books 2 and 3.

[@sharonforbes162]

Wow!! You DID give a TON of awesome recommendations for #middlegrademarch! I want to read Mandy, as well as re-read some Judy Blume books, I loved her as a little girl! Thank you Krista, but I know you loved doing this video!! 😊❤📚

[@BooksAndJams]

You know I did love it! haha. :)

[@bytesofmemory]

New subscriber.. I love middle grade.. I actually hated reading growing up (I just don't think I found the right book for me and it was hard for me).. Then in college I worked at the computer help desk and we didn't really get any phone calls during Christmas break. So I picked up Harry Potter and fell in love w/ reading! I am now a homeschool mom (of an 8th grader) and love to read aloud and discuss books w/ my son. He is just starting to love reading on his own but loves to listen to read alouds and audiobooks! So all that to say I read middle grade a ton!! I look forward to jumping into middle grade march this year! I need to find an 80s book I haven't read yet but I loved the sound of Mandy and will be adding that to my TBR!

[@BooksAndJams]

Welcome, Lindsay! Glad you're here. I know HP was a "gateway drug' to reading for so many people! I was late to the party with those books. haha. But I love them now! The 80s were such a strange decade for books, but I know you'll find something good. At least I hope you will! haha. I love that you read with your son. Such great memories you're making with him!

[@Tinahgirl83]

Pausing to say that I will definitely be taking notes!

[@BooksAndJams]

Sweet! haha. Hope you found some good books to add to your tbr.

[@jillc2700]

I will read the latest Vanderbeeker, On the Horizon, Coyote Sunrise, Flunked, Betsy, Lion, a few other books besides- but those are my main picks next month!

[@BooksAndJams]

Sounds like a fantastic stack of books! I'm excited for you!

[@jo-annb1575]

I would like to suggest The 39 Clues (series) fits family prompt. Lots of puzzles and clue finding adventures.

[@BooksAndJams]

I have seen those over and over at the library but never picked them up and never heard anyone talk about them. Thanks for the rec!

[@jo-annb1575]

@@BooksAndJams Addictive! Even I couldn't wait to see if they were successful!

[@jo-annb1575]

@@BooksAndJams I also enjoyed The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series!

[@BooksandLala]

What a great list! I definitely need to finally pick up The Goose Girl!

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks, Kayla! I probably could have doubled this video. There's just so many good ones out there! haha

[@novellenovels]

The are so many great recommendations and I’m so excited by this Readathon.. I have my books all planned with some extra if I get time. I love Roald Dahl books 😊

[@BooksAndJams]

Roald Dahl was one of my go to authors as a kid. I loved all his books.

[@amysbookishadventures]

Thank you so much for all tge great recommendations. I teach Middlegrade and I'm always looking for new books to share with my students. Thanks again!! I'm a 70's girl as well.

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks, Amy. What grade or subject do you teach? Have you found Amy's Bookish Life? She also teaches middle school english.

[@amysbookishadventures]

@BooksAndJams I teach students from ages 7-14 lol. I teach English, reading and writing! I love it

[@amysbookishadventures]

@BooksAndJams thanks for the channel recommendation. I checked her out.... 💓

[@bethrichard2506]

You talked about The Vanderbeekers before and went out and got it. Its on my list for MGM. Your just a shining light.

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes! I just love that family! I hope you love them too! Thanks so much, Beth.

[@shannonb774]

I plan to read the Penderwicks in March- so excited!

[@BooksAndJams]

Oh yay! I'm excited for you!

[@sophiecarbone4977]

Yes! Love the city of ember! One of the few dystopian books I enjoy!! So happy you mentioned it! Also hoping to reread holes for Middle Grade March! So excited to take part!

[@BooksAndJams]

Yeah, I don't think I've heard anyone talk about City of Ember. It's a fun story.

[@theroomiesdigest]

omg i never knew harriet the spy was a book! i loved the movie -mo

[@theroomiesdigest]

The Mysterious Benedict Society sounds right up my alley! Thank you for all these amazing recs -mo

[@BooksAndJams]

Wait...there's a movie for Harriet the Spy? haha. I didn't know that! Hope you pick up some of these. If you end up liking the first Mysterious Benedict Society there are about 5 or so more in the series! fun!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thank you so much for such a fabulous list of ideas for Middle Grade March. I have The Westing Game, Mandy (70s), and Ella Enchanted that have been sitting on my shelf forever, so this is the time!

[@BooksAndJams]

Nice! All three are so good. (obviously, Krista, that's why you recommended them...hahah) Hope you read them this March!

[@EbethM1989]

I'm on the 2nd Penderwicks book now! After I finished the first one I got the other 4 from my library because I loved it so much!!!

[@BooksAndJams]

It's such a lovely series! glad you enjoyed the first one enough to continue. They get better in the middle, if you ask me!

[@kaortega1120]

Ohhh, So many good titles Krista! A few have been added to my TBR - My favorite was Nancy Drew Mysteries, even though the publish date is much earlier than where we began in this video. I was also into Judy Blume books! Also, Velveteen Rabbit was a huge favorite, also outdated. Hope you are well Xx

[@BooksAndJams]

I can't believe I never got into the Nancy Drew books...or Judy Blume! I'd say I missed out, but I know I was reading all the time and loved what I was reading, so I don't think I missed out. haha.

[@DearReaders_thisisJess]

Besides this being a great video with awesome book recs, I also love the fact that you have read every book that you are recommending!! Thank you Krista! *new subscriber* 🤍

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. And welcome to my channel! :)

[@MLLatUtube]

I thought also of The Extremely Inconvenient Adventure of Bronto Mettlestone - a journey book plus it might count for family. I am glad you included Fighting Words - one of my favorite books of 2020. And I did get some recommendations from your video so thank you!

[@BooksAndJams]

I do still have Bronte Mettlestone checked out from the library. So I may try to get to that one in March. Still working on my TBR.

[@OceanaGottaReadEmAll]

woah, so many good recs! Thank you for sharing Krista!

[@BooksAndJams]

You're welcome. I just love MGM so much and want to give lots of ideas for people to participate!

[@karen-dizneydaizy4882]

I loved Charlie and the Chocolate factory when I was a child and I have The remarkable journey of Coyote Sunrise on my tbr for middle grade March. Good selection for readers to choose from. Thanks for sharing.

[@BooksAndJams]

Haha - I just noticed your name change! Sorry I've been calling you Daizy all this time! haha. You're going to love Coyote Sunrise! I'm so happy you'll be reading that.

[@karen-dizneydaizy4882]

@@BooksAndJams no that’s ok I just changed it a couple of hours ago so no worries.

[@Lorie336]

Wow, some of the books I had to read as a kid came from the 50's and 60's. I love Charlotte's Web. My son a couple weeks back read Charlie and the chocolate and he loved it. Yes, my era was all about Sweet Valley High and the Babysitters Club which to me toed the line of middle grade and YA. Although, we had Bunnicula and Louis Sachar eventually had a trilogy with Wayside School, but I think the first one was published in the 80's. I could be wrong, I just read it in the 80's...lol...I don't remember a lot of middle grade books during that time because I felt like I went from Bernstein bears to Caroline B. Cooney and R.L. Stine (before Goosebumps) and there was nothing in between except maybe Little Women and The Three Investigators series. I read a lot of Omnibuses of comics like Garfield, Peanuts, and Calvin & Hobbes, also Scooby-Doo comics in the early 90's. Lots of books I haven't heard of, but sound interesting!

[@BooksAndJams]

I used to love reading Calvin & Hobbs back in the day. The kids I nanny are in that phase right now too. It's cute.

[@priscillaguimaraes4981]

Best recommendations ever!

[@BooksAndJams]

Aww thanks, Priscilla!

[@WhimsicalFamilyLife]

What a great comprehensive list, thank you!!

[@BooksAndJams]

I was going to try to narrow it down, but then decided to just go for it! haha

[@WhimsicalFamilyLife]

@@BooksAndJams Well, here's a grateful viewer:)

[@kerriehatcher3429]

Great lists!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Thanks, Kerrie.

[@fyreglo13]

thank you so much Krista for getting your recommendations out so early! as I either read from my shelves or try to get them from the library as I am on a "no more buying books" for now.... I have the whole set of the Betsy and Tacy books!... bought the set last year but with my move last summer I didn't have time and had packed them away... I read them when I was a kid in the 1960s...lol... loved them along with my Nancy Drew books...xo

[@BooksAndJams]

I keep telling myself to stop buying books...haha. Hasn't been working so well. BUT this year I am not maxing out my library checkouts for March so I will get a TON read from my shelves. I'm pretty pleased about that. Good luck with finding books from your shelves and the library for this year! You can do it!

[@cindyhenderson4409]

I loved the Betsy books , haven’t thought of them for ages ;Nancy Drew was my hero!!

[@hannahheartsbooks6]

A great book from the 80’s is the Dollhouse Murders! I remember reading it in elementary and thinking it was so unique!

[@BooksAndJams]

Hannah!! Hi girl. I haven't heard of the Dollhouse Murders. The 80s were a strange time for middle grade books. I kept thinking of the Choose Your Own Adventure books. I read a ton of those in the 80s.

[@rachelskaggs7847]

Some great Middlegrade suggestions! I added lots to my TBR! I will recommend The Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Lovely middlegrade series! It's about an online book scavenger hunt and has a mystery entwined in there as well.

[@BooksAndJams]

Awesome! So glad to add to your tbr. I've heard about the Book Scavenger. It sounds like a book I'd love.

[@threeoaks2004]

We are working on our TBR now (myself and 10 year old son). Two of the books you recommended are on our reading list for the school year! ☺️ We are going to use my decade, the 70’s for that prompt. We are excited!

[@BooksAndJams]

It's so fun putting together a tbr! I'm curious which two are on your reading list.

[@threeoaks2004]

@@BooksAndJams When the Mountain Meets the Moon and Edward Tulane. ☺️

[@KimberlyHawks]

As an 80s baby I went looking to see what I could find....in case anyone is looking for other recs: Hatchet, Redwall, and The House on Mango Street.

[@BooksAndJams]

I have Hatchet in my audio queue. I'll get to it this month for sure. Thanks for sharing a few more 80s recs!

[@ket_zees_reads6516]

I was born in 99 and for that prompt I plan on reading A Series of Unfortunate Events *The Bad Beginning* I really liked the movie when I was younger although it was pretty weird, but I’ve always been kinda odd though. 😂 Thanks for the video and recommendations 😁👍🏻

[@BooksAndJams]

Fun! I read through that series back to back a few years ago. Have fun reading that first one!

[@catherineillian]

Thanks so much! We loved watching this! Got some great picks for sure to add to our lists! Also love the Wizard of EarthSea (fantasy)

[@BooksAndJams]

Glad to add a few to your lists! I have heard good things of Wizard of EarthSea series, but haven't read them yet. Thanks for watching!

[@forevermrsQ]

One book that I read as a child and want to re-read is: The Cricket in Times Square by Garth Williams. (Newberry Honor)

[@BooksAndJams]

Aw I have that on my shelves too. I don't know if I have ever read it. I can't remember all the books I read when I was younger.

[@lenorerohman774]

The Westing Game is such a great book!! Added Mandy.

[@BooksAndJams]

Yes! Somehow I never read Westing Game until a couple years ago. SO good!

[@sherylwill3309]

I wrote down several title you brought up during this video.I don’t think I’ll be able to get to them during March since I’ve accumulated a pile of about 40 books for next month.Not sure if I’ll get to them all I wanted to prepared.And I still haven’t chosen any titles from Libby yet. I went to my Newbury list to choose my book from my birth year.Have you read the All of a kind family series? I read it in early teens.It’s about a Jewish family in the early twentieth century.It’s just another cute family series. I might have to do reread at some time.

[@BooksAndJams]

Haha. yeah 40 would be a lot in one month. Even though MG are quicker reads. Good luck with your stack! I haven't read the All of a Kind Family, but want to.

[@deeannmurphy5198]

OMG..... so many books and so little time!!! I have a number of the books you mentioned in your recommendations that I haven't read so it gives me a reason to dust them off but I'm also finding it necessary to add to my collection of middle grade🙆‍♀️

[@BooksAndJams]

That is the curse of every reader. Too many books to read! I always have the urge to add to my middle grade shelves. lol

[@deeannmurphy5198]

I love it 🤗

[@knowledgebynature8480]

Awesome video! I actually picked up the Land of Stories for some prompts this last weekend! Glad to see you recommended it :)

[@BooksAndJams]

It's a fun series, at least the first two anyways. I need to keep working on it.

[@readerturnedwriter]

I'm so excited for middle grade march 😀 thanks for all the recs!

[@BooksAndJams]

Woohoo! Me too! And you're welcome.

[@noreenroux193]

I have a 3 of those. The lion. Pages &co. And the song of a whale.

[@BooksAndJams]

I hope you read them! I loved all 3.

[@toniweller6008]

💟 added Mandy. Thanks!

[@BooksAndJams]

I hope you get to it. It's a lovely book.

[@SaraMGreads]

Wow so many great recommendations. I am going to dig out a bunch of middle grade books that I’ve been saving up all year for this event. I am pretty bad at actually participating in events but I’m going to try my darndest.

[@BooksAndJams]

Remember, reading just 1 means you win! haha. No pressure to do the prompts. It's all about just celebrating middle grade books as adults!

[@ABookLikeYou]

Love the recommendations! I’m having a hard time what to read for my decade (the 90s) 🙈 I was hoping I would have one that was already on my long-term TBR, but most of them I thought were were actually early 2000s!

[@BooksAndJams]

The 90s had some fun ones. Have you read The Giver by Lois Lowry? That's another one I had to read in college and it was so good.

[@ABookLikeYou]

@@BooksAndJams Yes! I own the series. It’s a good one. 😊

[@kellybarrett1561]

Have you ever read The Last of the great wangdoodle by Julie Andrews Edward?? So so fun!!!

[@kellybarrett1561]

The last of the Really great Wangdoodles is the full

[@kellybarrett1561]

Title

[@BooksAndJams]

No, but what a fantastic title! I will have to look that up.

[@cindyhenderson4409]

I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea, is it considered middle grade? This was my first fantasy book; I almost quit reading it but stuck with it and really enjoyed it and the message that it gave.

[@addiedehart8374]

I am pretty sure its considered an adult book.

[@BooksAndJams]

From what I've heard, I don't think it's middle grade, even though some of the characters are kids. I know tons and tons of people love that one though.

[@skeletonkeybooks]

I've heard it described as "middle grade for adults." :-)

[@cindyhenderson4409]

It’s my first fantasy as a 62 yo! I thought it was for middle grade most of the book and then it had adult content the last half.

[@wendyhoward2699]

Love, love Shel Silverstein.

[@BooksAndJams]

He has a unique sense of humor for sure. I haven't read any of his poetry in ages.

[@terriw342]

I'm planning to read at least 2 middle grade books during March. I can't believe you didn't include The Chronicles of Narnia for books written in the 50s. I've never read them so thinking about starting the series in March. Which begs the questions....Which order do you think they should be read in?

[@BooksAndJams]

I was thinking about it and totally forgot when I was making my stacks! It was on one of the lists I made. You should totally read those! They're a favorite series from when I was a kid. I like starting with Lion Witch and Wardrobe (publication order), but I know as far as world building The Magician's Nephew does come first. I still think I'd say start with LW&W.

[@Readingindarknesss]

I loved the unfortunate events books!! Did you see the tv show?

[@BooksAndJams]

I started it, but never continued past the first season. I should. I know I liked it. I just don't watch a ton of tv.

[@Readingindarknesss]

@@BooksAndJams i stopped on the third season cause i dont wanna finish!!

[@thisbibliophagist]

Is there a bingo board for the prompts? Love all of these recommendations! I'm excited to participate. ♥️

[@BooksAndJams]

We didn't make a Bingo board. Just wanted to keep it simple.

[@thisbibliophagist]

@@BooksAndJams nothing better than simple😉

[@lisaw629]

Has anyone read The Magic Misfits that can verify if it has a found family theme? I am trying to use it for the family prompt.

[@BooksAndJams]

I haven't read that one. But looking on the GR description it looks like it might have a found family type of situation. It sounds like a fun book!

[@jenniferpaquette25]

Do you have any recommendations for middle grade likely to appeal to a teenager?

[@BooksAndJams]

Sure! But what kind of books do they like to read already? There's such a wide variety.

[@jenniferpaquette25]

@@BooksAndJams Thanks for your reply! Something that is full of adventure (preferably not fantasy).

[@thisbibliophagist]

Tuck Everlasting 🥰♥️

[@BooksAndJams]

So good! Did you like the movie?

[@thisbibliophagist]

@@BooksAndJams I did! It was a little different but it was good. One of my favorite quotes comes from that. "Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live." ♥️

[@Readingindarknesss]

A podcast i listen to totally criticized harriet the spy!! The ssr podcast. Host reviews books from a 21st century lens and ripped this one to shreds in her premiere episode!! Was heartbroken and almost stopped listening. She’s more generous in other books but she thinks harriets the worst and gets no consequences

[@BooksAndJams]

I can see how she's not everyone's favorite, but I still think it is a fun middle grade.

[@SodbusterLiving]

Yeah! I was an 80s girl and I was like, ewwww!!!

[@BooksAndJams]

Not such fantastic literature that decade in children's lit. Certainly some fun ones though. haha

[@babyalive3569]

I know I’m late for this particular video, but I don’t want you to think there are no young people watching because when you do a middle grade video, I watch with my 9 and 10 (11 tomorrow) year old girls and they love you as much as I do. ❤️❤️❤️ (we do NOT read Judy Blume so I am one person who is glad not to see it here, as I’m super careful what goes in to my little girls minds and I seem to remember she introduced mature themes early)

[@BooksAndJams]

Love it! Hi to your kids! :)

[@TheMarshmalliansOnline]

Hello. I like your page and your engaging interest in literature. I represent a New Author of the amazing New Book, The MARSHMALLIANS, and would like to recommend it to your fantastic page. It is space adventure for kids and teens. It has courage, action, a good spirit and the willingness to survive. Youthful readers will enjoy.

[@BooksAndJams]

I think it would be better if you would email me (in description) instead of promoting your book in the comments. Thank you.

[@laurenhelgerson5821]

Do you know of the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling?

[@BooksAndJams]

I do. And I still love Harry Potter.

[@laurenhelgerson5821]

@@BooksAndJams Okay. I was just wondering if you knew.

[@3dogmom]

I’ve never read HP and never plan too.

[@laurenhelgerson5821]

@@3dogmom Same here.

[@vp8671]

the decade you were born in ...xD youre not 71 .. i dont get it :P ? ! also.. im very excited for middlegrade march yaay :)

[@BooksAndJams]

Haha. We just wanted to help other people come up with ideas!

[@vp8671]

@@BooksAndJams hah yea sorry i understand as the v ideo continued xD whoops :)