Middle Grade Madness! discussion

Publishing a book is such an amazing achievement and during this National Novel Writing Month I wanted to celebrate members of our group who have managed to achieve the ultimate goal of publishing an MG book (in some cases it's more than one!).

I received many submissions for the showcase, thank you so much to every author who reached out. Unfortunately, I couldn't showcase everyone's books but I did pick out 8 of the most fantastic and amazing books.

There's something for everyone in this list of fantastic books so please check them all out and I promise you're going to find one of your next favourite reads right here!

Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy by Richard Due and illustrated by Carolyn Arcabascio
Genres: steampunk, adventure, fantasy
Fun facts: The illustrations are amazingly detailed and beautiful. This book has won more awards than I care to list (and deserves every one of them)!
About the author: Richard Due edits Willa Snap's highly illegal memoirs. If he's caught, the Black Fez will take him away; the longer they don't find him... maybe the world will be a safer place...
Buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999607103 or here (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0999607103/

The Blameless by E.S. Christison
Genres: fantasy, magic, royalty, adventure, action
Fun facts: This story was spawned from an impactful dream that stuck with E.S. Christison until she put her fingers to her keyboard and began to write out this amazing tale!
About the author: E.S. Christison is not only a wife, mother and full-time nurse but she's now also a published author! Such an amazing accomplishment👏🏻
Buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Blameless-S-Ch...

The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner
Genres: historical fiction, time travel, mystery, adventure
Fun facts: This book stemmed from an idea created by Ben Gartner and his children! This book won a silver medal in the International Readers' Favorite Awards 2020🎉
Book 2, Sol Invictus, will be out in Feb 2021!
About the author: Ben Gartner has been a lifelong writer, completing his first book at the age of 40!
Buy a copy here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-... or here: https://books2read.com/the-eye-of-ra-...

Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrated the book himself and based the story on his life studying and performing magic. All of the characters are inspired by magicians!
Book 2 of The Conjurers series is coming out soon: Hunt for the Lost
About the author: Brian Anderson wrote and drew the comic strip Doug eat Doug. He's also made picture books and screenplays as well as being involved in magic (of course!)...
Buy a copy here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/se...

Light of Mine by Allen Brokken
Genres: action, adventure, fantasy, Christian
Fun facts: Book 2, Still Small Voice, is also available and book 3, Fear No Evil, is coming out in December!
About the author: After a high pressure job and travelling away from his 3 children for work, Allen Brokken found comfort in studying the Bible and gained inspiration to write this story.
Buy a copy here: https://www.towersoflight.net/

Maylie and the Maze by M.L. Tarpley
Genres: realistic fiction, contemporary, adventure
Fun facts: This book is the first in a series that combines a love for writing with world geography and classic literature. Book 2, Maylie's Luck of the Irish, will be coming in 2021!
About the author: M.L. Tarpley is an award-winning journalist and traveller. She's dreamt of being an author since she wrote her first novel at the age of 12 and now she's achieved that fantastic goal! Find out more about her at http://www.mltarpleybooks.com/
Buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/195...

The Mostly Invisible Boy by A.J. Vanderhorst
Genres: Contemporary fantasy, adventure, hidden worlds, people with super abilities
Fun facts: This amazing book won a bronze medal in the International Readers' Favorite Awards 2020🎉
Book 2, Trickery School, will be coming out soon!
About the author: A.J. Vanderhorst has had an impressive variety of jobs including journalist, paramedic, escape artist and baby whisperer! He lives in a woodsy house with his wife, their kids, and a turtle with a penchant for human toes... Found out more about him at https://www.ajvanderhorst.com/
Buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Mostly-Invisib...

Mara and the Magic Sketchbook by J.P. Goorjian
Genres: fantasy, magic, adventure
Fun facts: This story grew from the idea of a house where every room holds an adventure from a different era!
About the author: J.P. Goorjian has worked on films and plays, working on writing and developing scripts. He even got to work with the amazing director Francis Ford Coppola!
Buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Mara-Magic-Ske...

Which books will you be grabbing a copy of?

This month I'm going to try to read as many of the books above as I can and I'll be starting with The Eye of Ra! I'll leave an update here when I start another book listed above...

Kadi wrote: "Which books will you be grabbing a copy of?

This month I'm going to try to read as many of the books above as I can and I'll be starting with The Eye of Ra! I'll leave an update he..."

I'm starting with "Idiot Genius". I'm horribly partial to Steampunk (especially if it's illustrated).

Brian wrote: "I'm starting with "Idiot Genius". I'm horribly partial to Steampunk (especially if it's illustrated)."

I literally can't wait till I get to Idiot Genius! Out of all of the books it's the only one I've read a bit of (except for The Mostly Invisible Boy which I've read almost half of) so I'm super hyped to fully read it. But I've made a reading list and I have to stick to the order or else I may end up reading none of the books!

These sound great!! Adding to my Want to Read list!! Love being part of this awesome group.

Thanks for the feature!! :)

The mostly invisible boy caught my eye. I've read the sample pages on amazon and it sucked me in from the start. Brilliant concept and one I can relate to at 55!

@Jenni I’ve read almost half of it and I can confirm it’s an amazing read! I really love the concepts in the story. I can’t wait to finish reading it this month and then I found out there’s a book 2 coming😱👏🏻 Hope you enjoy it! I’d love to hear your thoughts here when you’ve finished it!

Oh My God!
So many of those books look simply amazing!!!
I can't wait to read them!!!

Mara and the Magic Sketchbook is the one that really caught my eye though the other ones really look great!!!

Thanks so much for doing this Kadi! It's such a great idea!

I've purchased copies of The Eye of Ra, and The Mostly Invisible Boy, and I've put them on the top of my TBA pile. (I'm currently burning through a series my daughter suggested, and once I finish it—which shouldn't be long—I'll flip a coin that's either going to send me to Egypt, or into a very exciting forest. Can't wait!)

Such a great list! I'm checking them all out now. Thanks for including The Eye of Ra, Kadi! :)

Greetings Fellow Earthlings and Booklovers!

TY so much to Kadi for including my story, Mara and the Magic Sketchbook in the showcase!

Each and every story included look so good! I'm gonna read them all!

With Kadi's blessing, I'd like to offer a free digital copy of Mara and the Magic Sketchbook to anyone who wants to read the story, in the hopes that you'll give me an honest review here and maybe on amazon too.

Please message me with your email if you're interested and I'll send you the ebook. (And I won't use your email for any other purpose than to send you the ebook.)

I really look forward to reading all of these amazing author's adventures!

Cheers!
JP

Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrated the book himself and based the story o..."

I'm seeing this awesome looking story as being released in May of 2021?

Thanks for including The Mostly Invisible Boy, Kadi! These all look amazing—my Want To Read list just expanded by eight.

My TBR pile just increased!! There are some great-sounding books here. Thanks for choosing The Blameless to feature in the showcase, @Kadi!!

J.P. wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrated the book himself and base..."
Hi J.P., Book one is out now. The paperback, I believe, comes out in May. And book 2 will be out in Feb. Thanks!

Kadi wrote: "Brian wrote: "I'm starting with "Idiot Genius". I'm horribly partial to Steampunk (especially if it's illustrated)."

I literally can't wait till I get to Idiot Genius! Out of all of the books it's..."
I'm trying to stick to my list. But already have four more books on the way. So what's one more?

I've had my eye on Idiot Genius for a long time, I'm overdue for reading it.
A few months back I read Mostly Invisible Boy. I definitely recommend it, but only if you enjoy adventure stories with tree-houses, monsters, and magic...and if you don't, we can't be friends. ;)

I'm almost halfway through Maylie and the Maze. It's so cute and fun with adorable drawings! I started with it as it's really outside my normal reading. Tbh, I've never really read anything like it--kid's adventure travel fiction.

I'm just getting into the good stuff in The Eye of Ra and I can't wait to begin the adventure!!

right, making it easy on myself and just getting the entire list and stacking them on the TBR pile.

Brian wrote: "right, making it easy on myself and just getting the entire list and stacking them on the TBR pile."

I've done the same and I think that's actually making it harder on myself😂 I have way too much excitement to read them all that I can hardly focus on the one I'm currently reading!

Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrated the book him..."

Hey Brian! I'm starting your book now and I'm excited about the adventure!

I finished Maylie and the Maze and posted a review of the book. (I'm gonna focus on everyone's strengths and give 5 star positive reviews cause that's how I roll.)

Would you all like it if I post my reviews here also?

@JP if you’re writing reviews on goodreads just send links to them here so we can check them out!

I’ll be writing reviews too for as many of the books as I can! I’ll be posting honest reviews and I’ll send links here later on as well...

This is such a great way to celebrate NaNoWriMo. I appreciate being included in the showcase. My Nano project is book 4 in the series Armor of God. https://www.towersoflight.net/armorofgod

If you are considering the Towers of Light Series, I have a limited time offer just for you. For the month of November $3.99 off your first order. This will cover a free eBook or free standard shipping for a signed paperback. Apply Coupon Code: MiddleGradeMadness
https://www.towersoflight.net

@Allen I’d love to hear more about you Nano project and updates on how it’s going here on our nano discussion page: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also, this is such a wonderful offer, thank you so much! I’ll be sending a message out to all group members soon as a reminder to check out the showcase as so many of the authors are so kindly discounting books and giving away copies for review!

Hey all, for those who leave reviews, I'd be happy to send you a free ebook of The Mostly Invisible Boy in exchange for an honest review here on Goodreads (and Amazon if you're feeling generous).

Message me if you're interested!

I think I'll read Rise of the Shadow! Normally I'd try all of them but the synopsis for this one stood out the most for me!

As a fan of both steampunk and metafiction, I'm intrigued by Idiot Genius. As soon as I finish the adult book I'm stuck in...

I’d love to be sent some of these books for an honest review!

I've always fantasized about reading a book in exchange for an honest review. I'm up for it if anyone's interested. :)

J.P. wrote: "Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrate..."

Thanks, JP! Also, where can book shops order your book?

@Kristen @Autumn

Send a friendly direct message to some of the authors and I'm sure they'd be more than happy to oblige!

Hi everyone, author of The Blameless here!! I too want to mention for those interested in reading and reviewing The Blameless, I would love to email you a free copy. Send me a message if you're interested! It's a huge honor to be featured in a group of middle grade fans!!

@E.S. *runs to send you a message* I’ve had my eye on your book since the beginning it was an immediate choice for the showcase it sounds so great!

Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: [author:Brian Anderson|456443..."

Hi Brian, thanks for asking! I'm distributing through Ingramspark. Search their catalogue using ISBN #978-1735266039 where you'll find the standard 55% discount for wholesale purchasers.

Thanks again,
JP

Oh and Brian, I'm burning through Rise of the Shadow. It's so good! And I love your illustrations!

J.P. wrote: "Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Brian wrote: "J.P. wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: [author:Brian A..."

Perfect! I'm impatient, so I get the ebook, but I like to have my local shop order me a hard copy. Popping out to visit them on Saturday.

J.P. wrote: "Oh and Brian, I'm burning through Rise of the Shadow. It's so good! And I love your illustrations!"

That's the kind of book burning I love. Can't wait to hear what you think.

@Brian @J.P. That's the only book burning we can accept😂

Kadi wrote: "Rise of the Shadow by Brian Anderson
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Fun facts: Brian Anderson illustrated the book himself and based the story o..."

Fun book I'm reading and enjoying it now:)

@Pam glad you’re enjoying it! Can’t wait till I read it myself!