Eight new middle grade titles to satisfy readers who long for a little mystery and a touch of the fantastic in their fiction.

The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari

Charlie Price’s mom died, and his sister has found a passageway into a mirror universe where everything is as it was before her death. But each time Charlie returns to the real world, things are a bit different.

 

 

 

 

 

The Extincts by Veronica Cossanteli

George wants a new bike, so he takes a job at Wormestall Farm tending to extinct, imaginary, and extraordinary animals. This is an offbeat adventure with conservation themes and dialog that will make you laugh out loud.

 

 

 

 

 

Withering-by-Sea by Judith Rossell

A Victorian-era childhood adventure, Stella Montgomery lives in the Hotel Majestic with her aunts and nothing ever happens. Until it does, and Stella is on the run from an evil magician.   For fans of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl.

 

 

 

 

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan

Lilly is the last surviving member of the House Shadow. Luckily she is plenty spunky and snarky to handle the responsibility. For fans of Harry Potter and Rick Riordan.

 

 

 

 

The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd

Emma comes form a long line of Wildflowers, special women who experience a Destiny Dream that reveals the path to each of their extraordinary lives. When Emma’s dream arrives, it reveals a mystery that has been plaguing her town for centuries, one she is destined to solve.

 

 

 

The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox

Set during WWII, Katherine and her siblings flee London for safer ground in the Scottish Highlands. When the children arrive at Lord Gregor’s manor, they sense right away that something is amiss.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt

Sylvie and Jules were as close as sisters can be. This is their story, and the story of a fox cub.  Fair warning—there will be tears.

 

 

 

 

 

Flashback 4: The Lincoln Project by Dan Gutman

An action-packed adventure in which four kids are tapped by a mysterious billionaire to time travel for the purpose of photographing (previously un-photographed) historical events. 

 

 

 

 

 

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!