Middle grade is a term that refers to books written for readers between the ages of eight and twelve. In this column, Erica will recommend great books for children in this age group!

Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
All available formats here

Beetle’s trying to learn sorcery, but her grandmother won’t stop pushing her towards goblin magic. So instead Beetle prefers hanging out in the mall with her best friend Blob Ghost. But when her former best friend comes back into town with news of the mall being torn down, will Beetle be able to balance both her current and old friendships, keep her budding crush on the down-low, figure out how to study the magic she wants to *and* help Blob Ghost leave the mall in time?

Layne’s story is adorable and heartwarming, with gorgeous art and memorable characters that really bring ‘Allows Town to life! Perfect for fans of Halloween and fantasy stories, this Stonewall Honor book is a fantastic read.

Check out the book that SLJ Reviews described as “a stellar debut…simultaneously gorgeous and goofy…action-packed yet heartfelt, short and sweet yet riveting, this one is not to be missed;” Horn Book Magazine Reviews called a work with “luminous art and creative panel placement [that] make for a zippy read in this graphic novel, whose LGBTQIA+ representation is treated as matter-of-factly as its fantasy elements;” and Kirkus Reviews praised as a “beautifully drawn” and “splashy graphic novel [that] blends rollicking adventure with inclusive teen themes.”