You might know Melissa as the gal who creates those awesome themed book lists. Well, now she’s donning a new hat as the Category Chair for Middle-Grade Fiction and she is already busy spotting books she thinks would make great choices for her panel to read this fall.
INTRODUCING MELISSA FOX, MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION CHAIR
Melissa knows books. She went back to school to get her MLIS degree, has participated in the CYBILS Awards as a judge since 2008 in many categories, and is currently a bookseller at an independent bookstore. Suffice it to say, Melissa can tell you everything you need to know about books: what’s coming out soon, what just came out, what’s hot (and what’s not), and most importantly, where to find it.
MELISSA’S PICKS FOR HER CATEGORY
Leeva At Last
by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
What are people for? That’s the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom. With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town's librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer—setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever.
What are people for? That’s the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom. With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town's librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer—setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever.
Looking for True
by Patricia Springstubb
Gladys and Jude live in the same small rust belt town and go to the same school. They are definitely not friends, but they both agree that a new dog in the neighborhood is being mistreated by its owner. Gladys wants to do something, while Jude is more resigned to the situation ... until the dog disappears.
Gladys and Jude live in the same small rust belt town and go to the same school. They are definitely not friends, but they both agree that a new dog in the neighborhood is being mistreated by its owner. Gladys wants to do something, while Jude is more resigned to the situation ... until the dog disappears.
MELISSA’S OTHER NOMINATION NODS
Melissa hopes to see these books nominated in October. You’ll find them on our Eligible in 2023 Goodreads Idea Board.
Blood Debts (Blood Debts, #1) by Terry J. Benton-Walker
Eligible in YA Speculative Fiction
It's been 30 years since the great magical massacre, when the throne was stolen from a queen. brutal events where a magical queen was dethroned. On the 30th anniversary, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the 16-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother.
Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
It's been 30 years since the great magical massacre, when the throne was stolen from a queen. brutal events where a magical queen was dethroned. On the 30th anniversary, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the 16-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother.
Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Darkhearts by James L. Sutter
Eligible in YA Fiction
When David quit his band, he missed his shot at fame. For the past two years, he’s been trapped in an ordinary Seattle high school life, working summers for his dad’s construction business while his former best friends Chance and Eli became the hottest teen pop act in America.
Then Eli dies.
Suddenly David and Chance are thrown back into contact, and David decides their new relationship is a perfect opportunity for him to rejoin the band and claim the celebrity he's been denied. The mixture of business and pleasure become a powder keg, and David has some decisions to make.
When David quit his band, he missed his shot at fame. For the past two years, he’s been trapped in an ordinary Seattle high school life, working summers for his dad’s construction business while his former best friends Chance and Eli became the hottest teen pop act in America.
Then Eli dies.
Suddenly David and Chance are thrown back into contact, and David decides their new relationship is a perfect opportunity for him to rejoin the band and claim the celebrity he's been denied. The mixture of business and pleasure become a powder keg, and David has some decisions to make.
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
Eligible in Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable, good hair."
But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her.
Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable, good hair."
But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her.
Monster CampMonster Camp by Sarah Henning
Eligible in Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
With her stick-on fangs and widow’s peak drawn in waterproof eyeliner, Sylvie is an expert at pretending to be a vampire. Not even her dad understands her passion for the undead and denies her request to go to Monster Camp.
After her dad drops her off, Sylvie finds her way to Monster Camp, sure to meet other kids who share her interests. Except they aren't LARPers, they're real monsters and she's bunking with real blood-sucking, human-biting campers who would breathe fire if they knew the truth about her.
With her stick-on fangs and widow’s peak drawn in waterproof eyeliner, Sylvie is an expert at pretending to be a vampire. Not even her dad understands her passion for the undead and denies her request to go to Monster Camp.
After her dad drops her off, Sylvie finds her way to Monster Camp, sure to meet other kids who share her interests. Except they aren't LARPers, they're real monsters and she's bunking with real blood-sucking, human-biting campers who would breathe fire if they knew the truth about her.
Oh, Panda by Cindy Derby
Eligible in Fiction Picture Books
Panda wants to play with the butterfly fluttering high above a large, snowy mountain. That mountain is clearly in their way. To reach their new friend, Panda have to climb it! The mountain is very slippery and steep, and little Panda keeps tumbling back down the mountain. Oh, Panda. Just how will they reach the peak?!
Panda wants to play with the butterfly fluttering high above a large, snowy mountain. That mountain is clearly in their way. To reach their new friend, Panda have to climb it! The mountain is very slippery and steep, and little Panda keeps tumbling back down the mountain. Oh, Panda. Just how will they reach the peak?!
Saint (The World of the Narrows #0.5) by Adrienne Young
Eligible in YA Speculative Fiction
Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, Elias has grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. Now, he’s mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him.
When a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias’ faith will be tested like never before. The greater the pull he feels toward her, the farther he drifts from the things he’s spent the last three years working for.
Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, Elias has grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. Now, he’s mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him.
When a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias’ faith will be tested like never before. The greater the pull he feels toward her, the farther he drifts from the things he’s spent the last three years working for.
Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton
Eligible in YA Fiction
Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas. As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?
No one is prepared for this whiteout. But then, we can’t always prepare for the magical moments that change everything.
Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas. As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?
No one is prepared for this whiteout. But then, we can’t always prepare for the magical moments that change everything.