Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Eugene wrote: "J.S. wrote: "Eugene wrote: "Hello everyone. I'm Eugene, a 55 year-old kid. My favorite kid book that you may not have heard of is The Kneebone Boy. By day I teach at an alternative s..."

That made me smile! Glad you can be there for them! Enjoy the group!

Looks like it's been a while since we had new folks move in, and even longer since I came by to say hi! Greetings to all our new members, and I hope to see you around (I've been a bit absent lately, so need y'all to take up the slack!)

Hi Friends,

My name is Renée. I’m an elementary school teacher teaching middle schoolers at my alma mater in Massachusetts.

Though I lived in the Pacific NW for 22 years, I’ve recently moved back home and am enjoying living on the Atlantic Ocean in a town called Rockport.

I found this group via a Goodreads search. I’m new to the idea of reading with/alongside others and yet have chosen a few groups in which to be involved: I look forward to our virtual connection! 📚🤓💖

Welcome, Renee. I have a feeling I've been through Rockport on my travels. It sounds familiar, at any rate. Nice part of the world.

You can read along with us, we have a Book Of The Month section, which lets you know what we're reading next (Pax) and also asks for nominations on a theme for next month.

We also like to know what else you've read and enjoyed - there are loads of places for that! Why not join in our A to Z Challenge as well? Enjoy exploring!

Welcome, Renee! Is there a Rockport in Mass as well as the one in Maine? I've been to the latter :)

Hi Everyone,

My name is Becca. I do read some of the serious grown-up stuff I'm "supposed" to as an adult, but I love Children's, Middle Grade, and YA fiction the most. I love being able to escape into fun new worlds and adventures, and the way these stories keep me young at heart. I'm excited to make new GR friends who share that love and am looking forward to being a part of this group. :)

Hello! I'm Autumn. I have been looking for more MG clubs to join and found this one, so far it looks interesting. I only recently fell in love with Middle Grade and so far I'm head over heels. :)

Hello and welcome, Becca and Autumn.

Yes, you're right, MG is full of new and exciting worlds to explore - much better than the one we're in at present :O

Have a good time here :)

Hi! I'm Stacy and just joined this group. I am a relatively new middle grade author so look forward to exploring all that Goodreads has to offer. I have a daughter who brings home loads of middle-grade books from her school library so I try and read as many of those as I can! Thanks for having this group. :)

Welcome, Stacey and good luck with your book. Please check out the hints for authors on various pages on this site, and tell us about your book in the Authors Corner :)

There's also a 'tips for using Goodreads Groups' which can help if you're finding it all a bit crazy.

Hi, I'm Tom, a former elementary school librarian and a MG writer. I loved MG books as a kid and rediscovered them during my librarian days.

I loved reading books aloud to my students and putting great books in their hands -- and then talking to them about those same books.

(Best job I ever had; best job I ever expect to have. Too bad it paid like I was reading to kids.)

hi! my name is rowena. i like middle grade books because there are some points that I just found in middle grade books (points that I can't found in YA and other books). so glad to join this group. i love making new friends, so don't hesitate and feel free to add me as your friend^^

Welcome, Rowena. I like middle grade books, too. That's why I write them!

Hi Tom and Rowena, and welcome. I hope you have fun here - check out our Book of the Month for starters :)

Hello fellow authors and readers,
It's a pleasure to join your group. I am an author of children's and MG books, you can check them out here on goodreads. As such, I am always interested to hear from others how they connect with readers and whether they've had success engaging through social media and virtually during these pandemic times. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers -

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group. I'm a mom of an 11 and a 14 year old, both voracious readers like myself. I also happen to be an author of a MG series. My 11 year old son and I read books together every night. Currently my vote for favorite MG books is a toss up between Harry Potter and Suzanne Collins' Underland Chronicles. Both are amazing series!!

Caron wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm new to the group. I'm a mom of an 11 and a 14 year old, both voracious readers like myself. I also happen to be an author of a MG series. My 11 year old son and I read books togeth..."

Hi Carol, and welcome to the group. I don't think you'll find too many dissenters on those two series!
Have a good time here :)

Jemima wrote: "Caron wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm new to the group. I'm a mom of an 11 and a 14 year old, both voracious readers like myself. I also happen to be an author of a MG series. My 11 year old son and I rea..."

Thanks for the welcome. 😊😊😊

Hi fellow authors and readers!
I'm new to this group. I'm a former teacher and a middle-grade adventure writer.
I'm also a homeschooling mom of two wonderful children, both avid readers.
So glad to be here and to be part of this fantastic group of readers. Looking forward to finding more middle-grade books to read and discuss.
Best wishes!
Anita Mishra

Welcome Anita - hope you have a good time here :)

Hi, I'm not really new here - I've been a member since my daughter was reading this level of book (a few years ago now!) but now I've got involved in helping a friend with publishing her own middle-grade book based on her grandfather's story, so I'm back looking for more background on this genre! It's like going back to somewhere you used to live, trying to remember names and places.

You would probably like Kathleen Burkinshaw's THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM. Welcome to the group--I like MG more than YA too!

Welcome Annie, and welcome back Lexie!
You sound like you have excellent taste, Annie :)
Hope you both have a good time here... and don't find it too confusing, Lexie!

I am 15 years old and a rising sophomore in High School. I would love this group to read my book, Kofi Chronicles and give me feedback and reviews!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Thanks, Kashvi

Hello Everyone. I have recently published an MG book but my real hobby of choice is board game design. I was working on a card game and my son (just drifting out of the MG age group) asked if it needed a back story. That got me thinking, and eventually writing, so now I find myself an MG author. I read some other MG work as I was writing and have grown to really enjoy it, particularly if it has a sci-fi edge (yes - I'm a geek). Looking forward to meeting others in the group.

Welcome, Ken! I love your route into writing :)

Kashvi wrote: "I am 15 years old and a rising sophomore in High School. I would love this group to read my book, Kofi Chronicles and give me feedback and reviews!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5......"

Welcome, Kashvi. I suggest you start a thread in the Author's Corner asking for some beta readers. Best of luck to you with the writing!

Hello everyone! MG for life! My name is Brett, and I am a Goodreads author who has written a MG/YA Fantasy series. I will NOT talk about it here, but if you're interested message me or find me in the Author's Corner of this group! I hope to get some good suggestions for bookish needs as well.

Respect. Tolerance. Good vibes. What else do we need?

Stay cool and keep a wary eye out for portals,
Brett Salter

Hi everyone. I hope you and your families are well. My name is Scott and I am global corporate banker by day and a MG Fantasy writer late at night when the kids are asleep! More recently I am also the head teacher for my six-year-old daughter during our lockdown here in Sydney. In the home stretch of publishing the second book in my series Looking forward to connecting with and learning from all of you!

Scott P. Southall

Hello Scott and welcome to the club, er, group. Although we're not all global corporate bankers by day. I guess you have a lot of free time, then - joking, sorry, forget British irony doesn't travel well!

I hope you enjoy it here, and your spring is just around the corner :)

Hello Brett and welcome. I think you've found your way around very well - thank you for keeping to the spirit of things! I hope your book does well. If you notice my post in Best Read in August you'll discover I do take books from authors here... but I seem to take several years to read them!

How have I not seen this group before? What a great group to join.
I love MG books, I've written a number of them as well.
Looking forward to some rich conversations!

Christopher wrote: "How have I not seen this group before? What a great group to join.
I love MG books, I've written a number of them as well.
Looking forward to some rich conversations!"

Welcome Chris

I can't believe I've been on Goodreads for 2 years now, and I only just discovered this group today. I live on the west coast of Canada. My first MG novel published in June of 2019. Happy to join you all!

Hello hello!
My name is Samantha. I'm a reading tutor, blogger, and content creator and I love all things middle grade books! I'm hoping to glean a little insight on new tropes and exciting releases here. Also, I'd looove to connect with anyone who loves talking about middle grade books especially if you are a parent or teacher! Add me!
Funny, I didn't know that Goodreads had groups! I found this group through a search on Facebook and I'm so happy I did!

Welcome!

Welcome, Brett and Scott! We look forward to your participation here.

Hi! I'm an author and a long time Goodreads member under my full name, Cherie Colyer, which is the name I use on my YA and adult novels. C.L. Colyer is the alias I use for my middle-grade books.

I'm looking forward to being a part of this group and discovering new middle grade books. Friend me...I'd love to see what you're reading on my feed!

Hi I am new in this section as well as a new Indie author for middle grade book.

My current read is The magic Thief by Sarah Princess.
Any thoughts about this book?
I look forward to participate in this group.

Sherlina wrote: "Hi I am new in this section as well as a new Indie author for middle grade book.

My current read is The magic Thief by Sarah Princess.
Any thoughts about this book?
I look forward to participate..."

Welcome Sherlina :) looking forward to hearing about your book thoughts. I’ve not seen The Magic Thief. I’ll check it out.

Hello all

I recently joined this group. I am a Canadian grandmother with a late start in writing. I have written blogs and a book of humorous memoirs under the pen name of EP Snider. This is my first kids book and has been well received by both adults and children. I look forward to participating in this group.

Hi Elaine, and welcome! Lots of us start late, but there's still plenty of stories in us yet.
Do join in with things like our Book Of The Month, and let us know what MG books you enjoyed reading last month. :)

Thank you Jemma

Last month I read Maud, a novel inspired by the life of L.M. Montgomery when she was a teenager. The author is Melanie J. Fishbane.
I also reread The Ridiculous Adventures of Serbinand by Jeffrey Kippel who happens to be my son in law.
I know, I know, you probably think I am prejudiced--well maybe a little but the fact is he has been getting rave reviews from both kids and adults.

Elaine wrote: "Thank you Jemma

Last month I read Maud, a novel inspired by the life of L.M. Montgomery when she was a teenager...."

:) Good... but the idea is to post that in the section headed "My best book for .... " whatever last month was! Like this section is headed 'NEW MEMBERS: Hi everyone, I've joined the GMGR Group. I'm..."

Try scrolling to the top of the page and looking for where it says 'Group Home' or "Discussions'. Clicking either of those will give you the huge list of sections and topics within them.

There's a post giving you hints if you're new to Groups altogether - they can be a bit overwhelming at first.

Thanks Jenna.
I am really technically handicapped and find it difficult and frustrating navigating sites. I learned a lesson and will try to adhere to the guidelines. Thanks for your patience
Elaine

Elaine wrote: "Thanks Jenna.
I am really technically handicapped and find it difficult and frustrating navigating sites. I learned a lesson and will try to adhere to the guidelines. Thanks for your patience
Elaine"
No problem. Despite my other role in keeping the site tidy I also try to help when I can.
I think the site is easier to navigate on a traditional screen (laptop/pc) than on the app, as several useful hint boxes don't seem to show up on the app (or have not in the past).

okay. much appreciated

I'm Martha and I live in the Pacific Northwest. I was so happy to find this group! I'm a grandmother to an 8-year-old boy who doesn't like to read, and I'm a new Little Free Library steward who would like to add more middle grade (books that appeal to the 8-12-year-old readers) to my library. I'm hoping I can find some books that will resonate with my grandson, too. I'm looking forward to 2022 when I can do some of the challenges here. I think that will be an excellent way to get up to speed with middle grade books since the last time I really read MG was in the 1990s when my children were in elementary school.

Hi! My name is Randi and I am currently a librarian at a middle school (grades 7-8). I am always looking for new books. I am not sure that I am in the correct group for this age. I find that a lot of YA books are too above some of my students. Sometimes, it's a difficult fit for this age group.

Hi Randy and Martha and welcome. Yes, MG, is ideal for readers who arent ready for YA and all the shenanigans in those, even if they aren't technically 'middle' grade.
8 to 12 years is pretty much what we think is appropriate, too.
Hope you both enjoy yourselves here :)