Tag Archives: Middle Grade books

Episode 120: New Year, New TBR

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The mamas rang in the new year by–shocker–reading new books. They distracted themselves from boring mom tasks and ignored their families to binge some winners. Even Margie loved the books she read, kicking off 2026 with sunshine vibes, something we all needed.

Book Chat:

Grown up book

The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller

Middle grade books

Blood in the Water by Tiffany B. Jackson

Candle Island by Lauren Wolk   

Other books referenced:

The Change by Kirsten Miller

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

The 2LMCorrespondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans 

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong     

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (MG) 

Episode 119: Happy Cozy Holidays!

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The Mamas bring you mystery, mayhem and murder for the coziest of holidays! In their year-end party episode, the Mamas share holiday-themed books with (not-too) dark mysteries for adults and middle graders (ages 8-12). Get your hot cocoa and soft blanket and snuggle up for a cozy book chat with your favorite Gen-Xers. Happy Holidays and justice for Tupac!

Book Chat:

Middle Grade Books

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher

North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta

Grown Up Books

Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple (aka Katie Forrest)

Book 1 in the Candy Cane Hollow Christmas Cozy Mystery Series

Episode 117: Let’s Get Cozy

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The Mamas get cozy with their favorite topic, murder. From just okay assistants to dysfunctional families, the Mamas dig into Middle Grade, YA, and Grown Up books full of cozy vibes and mysteries to solve.    

Book Chat:

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder by Kate Emery ( Upper Middle Grade)

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer (YA)

The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully (Grown Up)

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Episode 116: Happy Halloween!

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Welcome to the Two Lit Mamas’ Halloween episode, the episode in which the Mama’s cast some spells, haunt some kids, and kill some vampires all through the medium of spooky books for grown ups and kids. (It’s also the episode in which Heather forgot to hit the record button the first time around. Yikes!)

Book Chat:

Grown Up Book:

The Late Night Witches by Auralee Wallace

Middle Grade Books:

Ghost of the Harvest by Lindsey Duga

The Last Sleepover by RL Stine

Masks by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson, Beck Kubrick and Thomas Philipson

Episode 115: Spooky New Releases

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The Mamas are cauldron deep in brand new spooky season reads. Margie has 2 grown up books and Heather has 2 middle grade books that will make your wicked little hearts happy. 

Book Chat:

Grown Up Books:

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison

Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan (Sequel to Bless Your Heart)

Middle Grade Books (ages 8-12):

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

Episode 114: The Journey is the Story

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Join the Mamas on a journey with books about road trips, climbing adventures and walking tours where the destination is not the point. Along the way, the Mamas share ridiculous details of their own journeys into old-lady-hood. You can’t unhear the details so be prepared! (Hint: kaftans are involved)

Book Chat:

Middle Grade Books

Bewilderness by Gus Gordon (graphic novel)

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (verse)

Grown Up Books

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (and Nothing to See Here)

The Widows Guide series by Amanda Ashby (mentioned in intro)

Episode 112: Summer Vacation Books

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The Mamas are here to help you pack for vacation with books for little ones, middle graders, young adults, grown ups and weirdos. They’ve got books about canoeing goats, Hawaiian folklore, mind-controlling orchids, sirens, witches and more—perfect for reading on the beach, in your backyard or in Bigfoot’s hut in the Pacific Northwest. Grab one of the Mamas recommendations and escape reality for the summer. Margie and Heather will be right there with you.

Book Chat

Picture Book: 

Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans and illustrated by Julia Patton 

Middle Grade Books:

How to Tell a True Story by Tricia Springstubb

The Invisible Wild by Nikki Van de Car

Young Adult Books:

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer

When the Bones Sing by Ginny Meyers Sain

Grown Up Books:

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Eat the ones you love by Sarah Maria Griffin

The Sirens and Weyward by Emilia Hart

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jess Squanto

Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolin

Episode 111: Staying Active with Activity Books

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The Mamas get cooking in episode 111, serving up fun ideas to keep you and your kiddos active over summer break. From gluing 3-D toys to grilling up your veggies, the book chat is filled with a variety of resources to help prevent brain drain while you’re on vacay.

Book Chat:

  • My First Town, a Building Block Book by Merrill Rainey
  • Tasting History by Max Miller
  • Dear Writer, Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith
  • The Essential Cottage Cookbook: Simply Delicious Recipes for Cottages, Cabins, and Wherever Your Travels Take You by Andrea Buckett
  • The Dessert Course, the Hows and Whys of Baking by Benjamin Delwiche, aka Benjamin the Baker
  • Sebze: Vegetarian Recipes from My Turkish Kitchen by Ozlem Warren
  • Crocheting the National Parks: 20 Patterns for Accessories, Home Décor, Plushies, and More Inspired by Natural Wonders by Krista Ann
  • Cozy Crime Scene Coloring book by Mira Luna and Jojo Weirdo
  • Canton Cover-up Coloring Book 

Episode 109: Graphic Novels 4 Kids

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The Mamas are once again surprised by the awesomeness of graphic novels, geeking out over middle grade (ages 8-12) and YA (ages 13-17) books that are so engaging they can’t stop gushing about them. If you’re looking for great fantasy, historical fiction, realistic fiction, informational text, and memoir graphic novels that make perfect gifts or additions to the classroom, the Mamas have several to add to your lists.   

Book Chat:

The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud

K is in trouble by Gary Clement

Visitations by Corey Egbert

Coven by Soman Chainani and Joel Gennari

Episode 105: Celebrate Middle Grade

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In this episode, the Mamas are in their happy place with a celebration of Middle Grade books. Middle Grade March has become a staple on the Two Lit Mamas podcast and the Mamas bring it once again with Middle Grade books (ages 8-12) set in other countries and ones that explore difficult times in our history as well as ones that honor our beloved National Parks. They even have a Middle Grade book for middle aged ladies! The 80s vibes are undeniable.

Book Chat:

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi 

We Built this City by Cat PatrickA Brush with Magic by Flora Ahn 

National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson (book 2) 

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook for Kids by David Borgenicht and Justin Heimberg

Kid Musicians True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars by Robin Stevenson, illustrations by Allison Steinfeld

Book Update:

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

City Spies, London Calling by James Ponti

Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix