Tag Archives: Middle Grade books

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

Episode 100: Celebrate Good Times

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The Mamas hit their 100th podcast episode! They are in full celebration mode, sharing their favorite memories from the past four years, including special episodes, favorite books and authors, and the many laughs. Listen in to hear what the Mamas are most grateful for during this season of Thanksgiving—spoiler alert, it’s naked pilgrims.  

Book Chat: 

The Mamas’ Favorite Books:

Middle Grade (ages 8-12) Books

  • We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey
  • Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
  • Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
  • Starfish by Lisa Fipps
  • Christmas Dinner of Souls by Ross Montgomery
  • Poisoned Water by Candy J Cooper and Mark Aronson (MG version & Adult version)
  • Forgotten City by Michael Ford 
  • 96 Miles by J.L. Esplin
  • The Creativity Project edited by Colby Sharp
  • The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkein
  • The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
  • Root Magic Eden Royce
  • The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Icefall by Matthew Kirby
  • Fenris & Mott by Greg Van Eekhout
  • International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies
  • Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim
  • A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
  • Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum
  • Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
  • Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos (YA)

Grown Up Books

  • Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
  • Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
  • Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
  • Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer

The Mamas’ Favorite Authors:

Middle Grade Authors

  • Margaret Peterson Haddix
  • James Ponti
  • Stacy McAnulty
  • Lynne Kelly
  • Lindsay Currie
  • Rajani LaRocca
  • Robin Stevens

Grown Up Book Authors

  • TJ Klune
  • Margaret Atwood
  • Christopher Moore
  • David Sedaris
  • Richard Osman
  • Jesse Q. Sutanto
  • Rachel Harrison
  • Alice Hoffman

Episode 99: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

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The Mamas have made their list and checked it twice to ensure you have the perfect book gifts for all the readers in your life, from ages 2 to 107. Now, snuggle up with your favorite pup, open your bookshop app, and start your holiday shopping.

Picture Books:

  • If Animals Went to Work by Ann Whitford Paul, art by David Walker
  • Finnegan Fox by Katie Gilstrap, art by Lori Nichols
  • Penguin’s Egg by Anna Kemp and Alice Courtley

Middle Grade Books:

  • The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
  • Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
  • Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer 

Young Adult Books:

  • Sunderworld Vol 1, The Extraordinary Disappointment of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs
  • The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

Grown Up Books:

  • Sandwich by Catherine Newman  
  • Medea  by Elish Quinn
  • The Funeral Ladies of Ellery County by Claire Swinarski
  • We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
  • I Will Show You How It Was by Illia Ponomarenko
  • Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
  • Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
  • The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
  • Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Thurton
  • Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
  • Cackle by Rachel Hrarison

Episode 98: Love for Genre Faves

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The Mamas read new releases in their favorite genres for the 98th episode. Can you guess which genre each Mama picked? Yes, Heather was drawn to middle grade historical fiction, no surprise there. And, dark, dark Margie went for adult dystopian. After discussing how their reading interests have changed over the years, the Mamas gush over books that don’t disappoint even if they give them zero stars. It’s an enigma. 

Book Chat:

Middle Grade

The Bleckley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinken

Adult

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer 

Episode 97: Spook-tacular Middle Grade

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If you’d live in a town that celebrates Halloween everyday, then you’ll enjoy the latest book chat with the Mamas. They cover new Middle Grade books that will get you in the mood for spooky season with ghosts, haunted houses and towns named Samhain where kids only wear costumes. As always the Mamas have the perfect recs for gathering the family for a reading by the Jack-o’-lantern light, if you dare. 

Book Chat:

Middle Grade

The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga

A Bite Above the Rest by Christine Virnig

Grown Up

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Episode 96: Greek Monsters

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Witches, gorgons, and sea nymphs, oh my! The Mamas explore modern interpretations of ancient Greek myths in their 96th episode with books about Medea and Medusa. Are these characters the monsters we have always believed them to be? The Mamas say, “hard no,” but listen in and decide for yourselves.  

Book Chat:

Grown up book
Medea by Eilish Quin

Middle Grade books

Medusa from the Myths and Monsters series by Katherine Marsh

The Curse of Medusa, a Modern Graphic Greek Myth from Mythology Graphics

Episode 95: Fall Vibes

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Get a peek behind the scenes as the Mamas fall straight into conversation before starting the show, then gear up  for happy fall vibes from Heather and surly vibes from You-Know-Who. The book chat includes a cornucopia of books that are perfect for fall reading, from stories for kids about acorns, bears, and popcorn to one for grown-ups about lazy bones. The Mamas will get you ready for leaf peeping season.

Book Chat:

Picture Books (3-5 year olds)

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Shaefer with the art by Frann Preston-Gannon

Sometimes We Fall by Randall de Seve and art by Kate Gardiner 

Middle Grade Book (8-12 year olds)

Popcorn by Rob Harrell

Grown Up Book

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Book Shop by Emmeline Duncan