Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

The calendar page has flipped, and we're into July. We'll be bringing out some new challenges & themes this month, but first let's take a look back over our June finds. Did you read any new middle grade books that you'd recommend to the group? Tell us about your faves!

My hands-down favorite from this past month was The Notorious Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud, who is one of my favorite authors. This is the second book in this set, the first being The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. Set in a dystopian future, Scarlett is a brassy thief, and Albert is the mysterious, helpless young man she rescues, only to bring down a whole heap of trouble on her head. They're on the run! And in Bk2, their travels continue. Action-packed, with heists and twisty motives and terrifying creatures lurking outside the cities where humans must take shelter.

Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

While not a middle grade book I found it fascinating to read "Goodbye Christopher Robin and the Making of Winnie-the-Pooh" by Ann Thwaite - ...how A.A.Milne came to write the childrens books after becoming a famed writer of plays and novels.
My other June favorite was Winn-Dixie by Kate de Camillo, one I had missed before...How could I not fall in love with that delightful dog?