My first love will always be compelling middle grade novels. I enjoy coming-of-age stories as well as engaging mysteries and fantasies. Today, I’m sharing two wonderful new additions to the middle grade bookshelf.
Goodreads says, "Catclaw dreams that one day he will have the gift of prophecy, just like his Dreamkin ancestors.
But many moons ago, the Dreamkins were exiled from the other noble moth clans for a crime too awful to even speak of, and their gift of prophecy was lost. No Dreamkin has seen the future in generations. So when Catclaw receives a vision telling him that all the moth clans are in terrible danger, he’s branded a liar and exiled.
Catclaw knows it’s the right thing to protect his fellow moths, even if his own clan doesn’t believe him, so he sets out alone on the long and treacherous journey back to Queen Adeia’s Kingdom to warn them.
But there is more to the moth clans’ history than Catclaw ever knew, and the closer he gets to the kingdom, the more the danger grows.
In this fantasy world, there are five moth clans, with one of them, the Dreamkins, banished. This particular clan has been linked to prophecies, and Catclaw, a moth and an outsider, has always hoped that his clan would be accepted once again and the prophecies would return. He has grown up with Master Saturna, who shares his wisdom and the history of their world. But things aren't going well for the moths. Bluetails, or murderous wasps, have been tormenting the moths, and Catclaw finally has a vision. It's not good, and it deals with the Bluetails. He wants to warn the Queen and his fellow moths, but who will believe him? Catclaw's heroic journey is detailed in The Traitor Moth, and it's quite an adventure--perfect for readers of the Warriors series.
The Traitor Moth presents a fun and unique concept. I love stories that personify animals and bring them to life, making readers truly care about them. This novel accomplishes just that. Catclaw is such an underdog; how could anyone not root for him? His adventures are bound to keep young readers on the edge of their seats. The Traitor Moth is the beginning of a promising new series.
Goodreads says, "Valory has developed an unfortunate reputation as a thief—primarily because she steals things—though she has resolved to change her ways.
Rook is a total asparagus-eater (a.k.a. a good kid), but he likes to spy on his neighbors. Nobody’s perfect, right?
The twelve-year-olds form an unlikely alliance when they encounter suspicious behavior in an “empty” apartment across the alley from Rook’s house. While agoraphobia keeps home-schooled Rook trapped on his property, confident and street-smart Valory can roam the scene undetected. Their opposite personalities might, in fact, be key to their success.
But their amateur detective mission morphs into something more sinister when they realize the apartment next door could be connected to a recent kidnapping. When the sleuths realize they’re also being watched, the pressure is on to unmask the villain… before she snatches them, too.
The chapters in Sneaks alternate between two characters, Rook and Valory. Each of them is grappling with personal challenges, but their shared interest in a missing child brings them together. Tern skillfully navigates Rook's anxiety and Valory's struggles with stealing, as well as her mother's new dating life, addressing these difficult issues with empathy. Sneaks reminded me of a middle-grade version of Only Murders in the Building. Fans of mysteries will appreciate this book and Sneaks would make a fantastic addition to a middle school library.
Are you a fan of middle grade novels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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