Flyleaf Books: Kid's Middle Grade Picks

ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities?

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear listener, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret... Read more »

Introducing an extraordinary new voice--a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten...and your heart sing. Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all... Read more »

Winner of the 2016 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.
 
Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to... Read more »

Fourteen-year-old twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health. Review Quotes: "This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships. . . . Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch." --"Kirkus, " starred review... Read more »

A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.
Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of the acclaimed Track series from Coretta Scott King/John... Read more »

Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold anthology—written by the best children’s authors—celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.
 
In a partnership with We Need Diverse Books, industry giants Kwame Alexander, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg... Read more »

See You in the Cosmos

“Meet Alex, a space obsessed almost 12 year old who has been recording sounds and conversations on his golden iPod to send into space so aliens can know what it’s like here on earth. He’s done his research, has met a bunch of similarly rocket obsessed friends via an online rocket forum and has determined that the place to send his golden iPod into space is at a rocket festival one state away from his home. Alex has his clothes and tent packed, his AmTrak ticket in hand and his dog, Carl Sagan (named for Alex’s hero), by his side as they set off on an epic road trip adventure to the rocket festival on a quest to communicate with outer space, search for the truth and try to be brave.Sounds like a great family road trip, right? Well, not quite. Because from the beginning of See You in the Cosmos, you notice some things are amiss with Alex’s family and quickly realize that Alex and Carl Sagan are on their own on this adventure. The fact that no one is traveling with or following Alex is a big part of the secrets that Alex uncovers about his family along the way. Each chapter is written as a new sound recording on his iPod. The format is like a play script in that other characters and sounds appear in the storyline. Alex is a delightful narrator of his story and he is full of big questions—not just about space but about his father who died, about his mom and where she goes on her long walks, and about how a kid like him can learn to be brave. He loves space and obviously has a great knowledge of it. He is sweet and kind and has a place in his heart for people—and his dog. There are serious themes in this book but the sound recording format and Alex’s innocence and exuberance keep the heaviness in check. Alex’s story opens up many opportunities for readers to discuss the weighty topics raised in this story. If you are heading out on your own epic family road trip, do check out the audiobook version of See You in the Cosmos on libro.fm as it is out of this world!”

Myrna, Content