Take Five: New Middle Grade Books in July

As part of our Mind the Middle project focusing on middle grade books, I’m going to try to do weekly Take Five lists, which is to say, five books on a certain theme. 

Here’s a few (well, five, I guess!) new middle grade books that are coming out this month. As always, a list of five is only sharing a tiny bit of what’s new this month. Check your local library for other new releases!

These Take Five lists can help you with collection development, displays, reading lists, and more. I have a pretty giant list of potential Take Five themes, but if there’s something you’re desperate for a list for, let me know! All descriptions come from the publishers.

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur (ISBN-13: 9780593564417 Publisher: Random House Children’s Books Publication date: 07/02/2024 Series: Farrah Noorzad #1, Ages 8-12)

A 12-year-old girl discovers her true jinn heritage when a birthday wish gone wrong traps her father in a magical ring, sending her on an epic quest to free him. This richly imagined fantasy series inspired by Persian mythology and Islamic lore is filled with action, magic, and self-discovery.

“A jewel of a fantasy novel that shines with adventure and sparkles with humor.”
—A.F. Steadman, New York Times Bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Farrah sees her father just one day every year—her birthday. But this year, her wish to bring them closer goes wildly awry when Farrah discovers she is a half-jinn…and her father is one of the seven great jinn kings. Her wish traps her father inside a legendary ring, and the other six jinn kings will follow unless Farrah can rectify her mistake.

Pursued by menacing shadow jinn, Farrah’s quest takes her to a floating mountain range. Joined by Idris, the jinn boy whom she inadvertently freed from the ring, and her newly discovered half-brother, Yaseen, Farrah must find a way to navigate the mysteries and dangers of her new world in order to save her father and face the most devious jinn lord of all.

Deja Ross Speaks to Freaks by Lisa Naffziger (ISBN-13: 9781603095402 Publisher: IDW Publishing Publication date: 07/02/2024, Ages 8-12)

Who’s brave enough to make friends with a monster? Deja discovers the hidden world of America’s mythical creatures in this lovable and exciting graphic novel!

Deja Ross is a seventh-grade cryptozoologist. That means she loves monsters… and hopes to someday prove they’re real!

On a long family road trip, she pulls out her new video camera to search for legendary creatures at every stop. One night, Deja sneaks out of the RV and meets the Texas chupacabra face-to-face! In her excitement to meet an actual cryptid, she charms the beast out of eating her. It turns out that mythological animals are not only real… they can talk. And maybe it’s time for their stories to be heard!

Deja and her furry new friend hatch a plan to interview the rest of the cryptid community. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones on the trail… and some other monster-hunters don’t have intentions as pure as Deja’s. Has she led her beloved beasts into a trap?

Critically acclaimed graphic novelist Lisa Naffziger (Minus) presents a page-turning adventure that celebrates friendship, curiosity, and the most adorable critters you’ve never seen.

I’m from Here Too by Kashmira Sheth (ISBN-13: 9781682636060 Publisher: Holiday House Publication date: 07/02/2024, Ages 8-12)

Kashmira Sheth’s eloquent verse novel follows an Indian American Sikh boy through a year of change, challenges, and growth

Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh.

When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity—especially his long hair, covered with a patka—draw attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather’s experiences during Partition.

Can the tenets of his faith—equality, justice, service, honesty—help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them?

Grow Up, Luchy Zapata by Alexandra Alessandri (ISBN-13: 9781665935968 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Publication date: 07/23/2024, Ages 8-12)

A funny, relatable middle school drama about two Colombian American girls who have always been BFFs—until sixth grade turns everything upside down.

Luchy Zapata is starting middle school, and she’s muy excited. She and her two best friends, Cami and Mateo, will finally be at the same school. Luchy and Mateo will be in art class together, and she and Cami can try out for the same soccer team! As long as they’re all together, Luchy can handle anything.

But Cami has been acting weird ever since she got back from visiting family in Colombia. She’s making new, “cool” friends who just seem mean. And suddenly, everything about Luchy and Mateo is too immature for her.

Luchy is determined to help Cami remember how special their friendship is. They’ve been BFFs their whole lives, and that can’t just disappear in a poof of glitter! But…what if Cami doesn’t even want to be friends anymore?

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect by Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781250903747 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Publication date: 07/23/2024 Series: Bodega Cats #1, Ages 7-10)

In the Heights meets Front Desk in this heartwarming and funny illustrated story about the friendship between a bodega owner’s kid and his newly-adopted furry friend, with a focus on family and community.

Miguel Rosado wants nothing more than to see and draw the world… or, at least anywhere beyond the four walls of his family’s bodega in Washington Heights. Too bad his mami and papi have him working long hours after school, hoping he’ll appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made to keep the store afloat. For street-savvy and newly-adopted cat Lolo, that sounds just perfect if it means he’s far, far away from the hungry, lonely nights he once spent in the freezing cold outdoors.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining art club, his dream of juggling it all comes crashing down. Lolo will have to decide if he’s willing to be there for his new friend Miguel through anything—even venturing back into the frightful outdoors and busy New York City sidewalks. Can they trust each other enough to take on this adventure together?

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