Summer middle grade fiction

 Need some great new fiction to inspire your middle grade readers?  Check out this pair!

The first one came out in early May, 2026 and it's by one of my favorite authors-Gary D. Schmidt.  Schmidt has such a gift for characters-he writes about some of the most interesting people I've ever read about and this one is no exception.  It's about Simon, a 12 year boy, who when he is sent to Hades, chooses not to drink from the River Styx and forget his former life.  For the next 2,451 years, he tries to escape, unsuccessfully, until one day, he figures out a way past Cerebus and across the River Styx and ends up in a middle school, where thankfully, a kind boy named Zeke helps out.  He gets Simon some clothes and invites Simon to stay with him.  At the same time Persephone misses Simon, he was one of her favorites, and when she finds out that he's gone, she tells Hades, who is determined to get Simon back.  In the meantime, Simon is trying to find his bearings in the modern world.  He seems to make friends easily, but is desperately missing his own lost family.  There is a wonderful mashup of the modern world and the ancient Greek Gods and Greek mythology.  There are themes of family, and loss, grief and healing, making choices and living with the consequences, taking responsibility and understanding that you can't fix everything.  This was one of my favorites of the year so far and I think kids are going to love this one.  

The second one is realistic fiction.  It's called "The Edge of Forever" bye Meghan P. Browne.  This is Meghan's website.    This is her fourth book and the first middle grade fiction book.  The story is about Maisie McMeans.  Her dad died a few months ago, leaving her bereft.  Her mom is bringing her to stay with her aunt Gertie in Heaven, TX, while she goes to rehab.  Maisie's mom leaves without saying goodbye, but leaves her a note, reminding her much she loves her and that she'll be back in August.  Maisie is mad, and misses her parents so much but she finds things to fill her time.  A boy named Walt Wise lives near by and does odd jobs for just about everyone in town and Maisie finds that he's a wonderful tour guide.  She learns about the town and the people in it as well as mysteries that involves the mayor, the local swimming hole, her own family, Walt's family, and environmental issues.  It also celebrates science and scientific discovery all around us.  It has themes of lying to protect the ones we love, telling the truth, of confronting problems and of walking away, and what things are worth fighting for.  Maisie is a wonderful, standout character in a story of amazing characters.  It is a fun, heartwarming read that everyone is going to love.