From the Mixed-Up Files…
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A group blog of middle-grade authors celebrating books for middle-grade readers. For anyone with a passion for children's literature. Join us!
From the Mixed-Up Files…
19h ago
Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!
Today we’re interviewing Stephanie Gibeault, author of Making Sense of Dog Senses: How Our Furry Friends Experience the World. It’s a fascinating look at how dogs use their senses, often better than the people around them. The School and Library Journal said, “A fun, quirky book about dogs and their many abilities; great for animal lovers, young and old.”
Christine Taylor-Butler: Welcome to STEM Tuesday, Stephanie. I’m always excited to tal ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
3d ago
Storm clouds have gathered over the land of middle grade literature, and the forecast is uncertain. Referring to 2023 sales, consumer behavior advisor Circana reports that “Sales of books for children ages 8-11 are posting the steepest year over year declines within the children’s book market in the U.S.”
But haven’t print sales decreased overall? Yes, print sales were down 3% in 2023. However, sales of middle grade books declined by 10%. And that came on the heels of 2022, which saw its own steep decline in the middle grade market. The middle grade market is in a slump.
There’s a lot of specu ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
3d ago
Are you looking for some good news to cheer about? Well, here you go: From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors is receiving some love!
What’s this about?
We all know that there are many reasons to love the Mixed-Up Files, and one big reason is our effort to put a spotlight on diverse books. Just check out our WNDMG Wednesday blog posts!
Well, it turns out a lot of people have been noticing our dedication to diverse books, and our blog is getting some love from Feedspot. Feedspot chose Mixed-Up Files as one of the 80 Best Diverse Book Blogs and Websites for 2024! That’s something to cele ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
5d ago
March isn’t just a month to pay tribute to important women in history. It is also a time to celebrate all girls and women, even those strong characters portrayed in literature. Gathered below is a collection of historical fiction novels with female protagonists struggling with loss, hunger, displacement, discrimination, conflict, and despair. Will they survive? Read to find out.
Iceberg by Jennifer Nielsen, 352 pp.
Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone from her home in England aboard the celebrated ship Titanic. Following the untimely death of her father, Hazel’s mother is sending her to ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
1w ago
Hope you’re feeling lucky this St. Patrick’s Day week. In case you’re looking for good fortune, check out some of these middle-grade books with the work “luck” in the title.
Hard Luck
Written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney
Book #8 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series
Greg Heffley’s on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task. To change his fortunes, Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance. Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is Greg’s life destined to ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
1w ago
Choose Your Own Writing Adventure
Did you ever read a Choose Your Own Adventure® book? As a kid I devoured those. You would read a few paragraphs and then when there’s a plot point—when a normal book would have the main character make the decision (and learn the consequences)—in these books, you, the reader get to choose.
It might look like this:
If you charge down the tunnel, straight into the dragon’s lair, turn to page 23.
If you sneak around the mountain, hoping to slip in through a backdoor, turn to page 42.
What if we could see writing like that? What if we could hel ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
1w ago
I’m thrilled to welcome Matt Eicheldinger to the Mixed-Up Files to chat about his new book MATT SPROUTS AND THE CURSE OF THE TEN BROKEN TOES—Available March 19th (Andrews McMeel Kids).
I loved hearing all about his backstory and journey to publication.
I think you will, too.
Enjoy!
Lisa: Tell us about MATT SPROUTS!
Matt: The story follows sixth grader Matt Sprouts at the start of summer vacation, where he accidently trips his neighbor Jenna, breaking her collarbone in the process and ruining her summer plans. In the weeks that follow, Matt finds himself in all sorts of ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
1w ago
Welcome, Patchree!
It is my extreme pleasure to welcome Patchree Jones to the blog today. Her debut book comes out later this year, and it’s the sort of story I adore. This is a fantasy that features best friends and a Thai-inspired world.
Take Home Messages
What messages do you hope young readers will take away from your story?
In SKYLIGHT, we follow Sofia through her journey as she deals with issues of self-love, self discovery, and struggles to share her true thoughts and feelings. This story is meant for every kid who feels like they don’t fit in. I want readers to know t ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
2w ago
This month’s books delve into the mysterious senses and minds of different creatures. How do they communicate and use tools? What kinds of sounds do they make and what do they mean? Can we ever know what they think? Endlessly fascinating, these ideas are sure to spark wonder and inspire more questions in the classroom. Here are a few ways to explore animal perceptions with your students.
Beastly Brains: How Animals Think, Talk, and Feel
by Nancy Castaldo
Castaldo delves into the minds of animals like dolphins, dogs, and elephants to explore animal empathy, communication, tool use, and lifesty ..read more
From the Mixed-Up Files…
2w ago
I’m delighted to be highlighting some awesome middle grade STEM/STEAM authors on the blog!
The first up is Alison Pearce Stevens. Her new book, Animal Climate Heroes released March 5th. I’ve read the book and it is PERFECT for curious kids.
Here’s a bit more info:
Animal Climate Heroes by Alison Pearce Stevens (Author), Jason Ford (Illustrator)
Godwin Books, March 5, 2024. BUY it HERE
Summary: In our left corner we have the meanest villain that’s ever existed. Responsible for rising seas and loss of biodiversity, it’s cl ..read more