Five Favorites from 2024

 Episode 27: Some Favorites From 2024

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Intro

Welcome to another episode of Happy Reading, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates fabulous middle grade stories. I’m Sarah Threlkeld, a former 6th grade reading teacher and elementary librarian with a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature. I currently work as a children’s specialist at Island Books, an indie bookstore near Seattle. It’s safe to say I am obsessed with children’s books and love recommending them to readers of all ages. I’m that person who eavesdrops on families in libraries and bookstores and then offers unsolicited advice on which books to take home. 

For those of you joining me for the first time, each episode is formatted the same way. I summarize a handful of books that fit a theme and read a short excerpt from each one so you get a sense of the author’s writing style, the characters’ voices and the storyline. While I truly believe middle grade books can be enjoyed by people of all ages, they are generally thought of as a good fit for 8- to 12-year-old readers, although some books do skew younger, while others are classified as older middle grade because of mature themes. Not every book on this podcast will be appropriate for every reader, and occasionally I may recommend chapter books or young adult books that fit the episode’s theme. Now that you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, let’s get started!

Intro

Despite a slow start to the year in terms of middle grade books I was excited to read and recommend, 2024 ended up pumping out a ton of fantastic books aimed at 8-12 year old readers. I read a little over one hundred middle grade novels last year and thought it made sense to kick off the new year by highlighting a few of my favorites. Definitely not easy to narrow down my list! I do admit to being a tad sneaky by spotlighting some other favorites in the coming months based on the episode’s theme. But for this episode I’m going to focus on five books: three realistic fiction stories, one of which is written in verse and also counts as historical fiction; one science fiction story; and one that’s an interesting mix of science fiction and historical fiction. 

Ferris by Kate Dicamillo

Full disclosure: Kate DiCamillo can do no wrong in my eyes. I have never been disappointed by one of her books, and Ferris is no exception. The plot is charming, albeit a tad wacky, the characters are endearing oddballs, and, though the story clearly pushes a narrative about the power of love, it never feels saccharine or didactic. 

[read chapter one]

First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

Eons ago I read Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me in one sitting, only pausing for a bathroom break, so when I cracked open Erin Entrada Kelly’s The First State of Being and saw its dedication to the Laughing Man, I already knew I was in for a treat. Set in 1999, with Y2K panic running high, Kelly’s novel is a riveting exploration of time travel, belonging, unexpected friendships, and totally sick 90s pop culture. 

[read chapter one]

Carter Avery’s Tricky 4th Grade Year by Rob Buyea

When I taught 6th grade I often read Rob Buyea’s Because of Mr. Terupt with my classes, so I was excited when his latest novel showed up at the bookstore. True to Buyea’s other books, Carter Avery’s Tricky 4th Grade Year is a satisfying roller coaster of emotions packed with characters that you can’t help rooting for. It takes place over the course of a school year and centers around Carter’s academic struggles, his relationship with a first-year teacher, and his life at home with his grandmother and older sister. I listened to the audiobook and loved how well Carter’s voice came across. 

[read prologue and chapter one]

Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis

I had seen a lot of buzz about Unsinkable Cayenne, the latest novel in verse by Jessica Vitalis, so I had high expectations going into it. I am very happy to report that all the buzz is well-deserved. Set in 1985, Unsinkable Cayenne expertly portrays the highs and lows of middle school through 7th grader Cayenne’s eyes, while also exploring the realities of poverty and class systems. Cayenne has spent her entire life traveling the country in a van with her hippie parents, so she is thrilled to be putting down roots for the first time in a small town in Montana where her father has gotten a job at the sawmill. Such a big change is hard on everyone, though, and Cayenne has to figure out if her need for consistency and stability are worth the price of her family’s happiness. 

Since Unsinkable Cayenne is written in verse, I will read the first few poems to give you a sense of the story and Cayenne’s voice.

Westfallen by Ann and Ben Brashares

Westfallen, by siblings Ann and Ben Brashares, completely caught me off guard. The premise hooked me immediately, but the authentic characters, top-notch writing, and perfect blend of humor and drama kept me turning pages way past my bedtime. My husband and daughter were so invested in the outcome of the story that I had to give them a report every night on what had happened. 

[read prologue and second half of chapter one]

Outro

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Happy Reading podcast. I hope you discovered some new books that you are excited to read or that you were reminded of some that have been hanging out on your TBR stack. Have a few favorite middle grade books from 2024?  I’d love to hear about them! You can find me on Instagram as Kidlit_Lover and you can message me through the Happy Reading website at happyrdng.blogspot.com. If you enjoy this podcast and want to help other people discover it, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Thanks again for spending some time with me. Until next time, happy reading!

Novels in Verse

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Episode 26: Novels in Verse (transcript)

Welcome to another episode of Happy Reading, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates fabulous middle grade stories. I’m Sarah Threlkeld, a former 6th grade reading teacher and elementary librarian with a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature. I’m mildly obsessed with children’s books and love recommending them to readers of all ages. I’m that person who eavesdrops on families in libraries and bookstores and then offers unsolicited advice on which books to take home. Luckily for me, I’ll soon be starting my new gig as the head of the children’s department at Island Books, an incredible independent bookstore in the Seattle area that has been around for over fifty years. If you are ever on Mercer Island and want to chat about kid’s books, please stop by!

For those of you joining me for the first time, each episode is formatted the same way. I summarize a handful of books that fit a theme and read a short excerpt from each one so you get a sense of the author’s writing style, the characters’ voices and the storyline. While I truly believe middle grade books can be enjoyed by people of all ages, they are generally thought of as a good fit for 8- to 12-year-old readers, although some books do skew younger, while others are classified as older middle grade because of mature themes. Not every book on this podcast will be appropriate for every reader, and occasionally I may recommend chapter books or young adult books that fit the episode’s theme. 

April may be National Poetry Month, but novels in verse are great any time of year! I’m kind of shocked it took me so long to spotlight this format, since it has exploded in the kidlit world in the last decade, with a few dozen titles released each year. I love novels in verse because they appeal to so many different kinds of readers: kids who love poetry, those who might feel intimidated by longer books and benefit from lots of white space on the page, and people who enjoy word play. Poetry even has health benefits! A 2023 research study out of the UK found that people exposed to poetry, either through writing, reading or listening to it, demonstrated a decrease in feelings of loneliness, anxiety, isolation, and depression.

I’m sharing four novels in verse today, but I could have easily shared a dozen. Most of the titles I’m spotlighting explore serious issues, but, rest assured, there are funny and playful novels in verse out there. And now, without further ado, let’s read some poems!

Written by Shari Green and published by Pajama Press in 2017, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess is a beautiful story about an intergenerational friendship between 11-year old Macy and her 86-year-old neighbor Iris. It explores the impact of both big and small changes, what it can be like to live with a disability, and the power of stories.

I’m going to share three poems from the beginning of the book, although they do not occur one after the other (p. 7-11, 25-30, and 39-48).

I don’t think I have ever read a book by Katharine Applegate that I didn’t enjoy and Odder is no exception. Released by Feiwel and Friends in 2022, Odder pulls readers into a marine world along the California coast, giving them a peek at what life is like for a rambunctious and daring sea otter. Applegate’s writing is so powerful and the characters’ voices so compelling, that you’ll be startled at the end to realize you are not, in fact, a sea otter yourself.


Unlike Macy McMillan, the poems in Odder are fairly short, so I’m going to read five of them (p. 9, 13, 34-35, 48-49, and 52).

I read Rebekah Lowell’s The Road to After almost two years ago and am still haunted by the main character’s experience of psychological and emotional abuse at the hands of her father. Published by Nancy Paulsen Books in 2022, this book is perfect for fans of realistic fiction that deals with messy, complicated emotions and circumstances.

(Read first four poems)

Alone, written by Megan E. Freeman and released by Aladdin in 2021, is another book that stayed with me long after the last page. It’s the kind of book you read in a day or two and then thrust into someone’s hands, demanding they read it immediately because it is so riveting.

I’m going to share four poems that demonstrate Freeman’s ability to ratchet up the tension and leave readers desperate to find out what happens next (p. 1-2, 13-14, 25-28).

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Happy Reading podcast. I hope you discovered some new books that you are excited to read or that you were reminded of some that have been hanging out on your TBR stack. If you know of other wonderful middle grade books that fit this episode’s theme, I’d love to hear about them. You can find me on X as Wordnerd153 and on Instagram as Kidlit_Lover. You can also message me through the Happy Reading website at happyrdng.blogspot.com. If you enjoy this podcast and want to help other people discover it, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Thanks again for spending some time with me. Until next time, happy reading!

Characters with ADHD

Click HERE to listen to this episode

Welcome to another episode of Happy Reading, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates fabulous middle grade stories. I’m Sarah Threlkeld, a former 6th grade reading teacher and elementary librarian with a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature. I’m mildly obsessed with children’s books and love recommending them to readers of all ages. I’m that person who eavesdrops on families in libraries and bookstores and then offers unsolicited advice on which books to take home. 

For those of you joining me for the first time, each episode is formatted the same way. I summarize a handful of books that fit a theme and read a short excerpt from each one so you get a sense of the author’s writing style, the characters’ voices and the storyline. While I truly believe middle grade books can be enjoyed by people of all ages, they are generally thought of as a good fit for 8- to 12-year-old readers, although some books do skew younger, while others are classified as older middle grade because of mature themes. Not every book on this podcast will be appropriate for every reader, and occasionally I may recommend chapter books or young adult books that fit the episode’s theme. Now that you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, let’s get started!

Transition Music

When I was a kid in the 80’s, ADHD wasn’t understood by or even spoken about in the general public. Some kids, mostly boys, were designated as hyperactive, and were often treated like a joke. I get the impression the adults in these kids’ lives were frustrated, exhausted, and didn’t have the resources to help these young people successfully navigate their worlds. During my 16 years as an educator, I witnessed how much attitudes about ADHD have changed and I am so thankful readers now have access to books that  authentically and compassionately portray characters with ADHD. In this episode, I am spotlighting four wonderful middle grade books that explore what it can be like for a young person to get diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to overcome the stigma often associated with a diagnosis, and to eventually make peace with or even take pride in their fabulous, neurodivergent brain. Considering ADHD can present differently in girls and that girls often go undiagnosed, I am especially tickled to recommend two books with female protagonists. 

Focused by Alyson Gerber

Published by Scholastic Press in 2019, Alyson Gerber’s Focused is one of the first books I remember reading that portrays ADHD as complex and nuanced. Here’s the Amazon summary:

"Clea can't control her thoughts. She knows she has to do her homework . . . but she gets distracted. She knows she can't just say whatever thought comes into her head . . . but sometimes she can't help herself. She know she needs to focus . . . but how can she do that when the people around her are always chewing gum loudly or making other annoying noises?

It's starting to be a problem-not just in school, but when Clea's playing chess or just hanging out with her best friend. Other kids are starting to notice. When Clea fails one too many tests, her parents take her to be tested, and she finds out that she has ADHD, which means her attention is all over the place instead of where it needs to be.

Clea knows life can't continue the way it's been going. She's just not sure how you can fix a problem that's all in your head. But that's what she's going to have to do, to find a way to focus."

I’m going to share an excerpt from chapter one where Clea arrives at school, already stressed out about not finishing her math homework, only to deal with a frustrated best friend and a teacher who won’t give her a break. (p 4-10)

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin

Released in 2022 by Hachette, A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin is a thrilling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. The book’s Amazon summary reads:

"Max wishes he could go back in time to before he was diagnosed with ADHD, before he grew to be the tallest kid in his class, and before he and his best friends went into the woods in the middle of the night. Max doesn’t remember what happened after he left his friends Will and Joey and the older kids who took them there. He’s not sure if he wants to remember. Knowing isn’t going to make Joey talk to him again, or bring Will out of his coma. 

When the local authorities run out of leads, Max realizes that without his help, they may never know what really happened to Will. Charged by the idea that he may be the key to uncovering the truth, Max pairs up with classmate and aspiring journalist Sam to investigate what really happened that night. But not everyone in the community wants that night to be remembered."

Here’s chapter one. (p 1-5)

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya

Each Tiny Spark, written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila in 2019, centers around Emilia, a spunky, multiracial middle schooler who lives with her mom and grandmother, both of whom have interesting ideas about why Emilia struggles to concentrate. When Emilia’s dad returns home from military deployment, Emilia senses something is wrong, but she has no idea how to fix it. Here’s the summary from Amazon:

"Emilia Torres has a wandering mind. It's hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom or abuela asks. But she remembers what matters: a time when her family was whole and home made sense. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels.

Dad shuts himself in the back stall of their family's auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear. But as Emilia finds a way to repair the relationship with her father at home, her community ruptures with some of her classmates, like her best friend, Gus, at the center of the conflict."

I’m going to jump into the middle of chapter one, where Emilia is getting ready for school. Apologies for any Spanish mispronunciations. Sadly, six years of Spanish class does not mean I speak fluently. (p 11-19)

Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn

Our last book, Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn, was released in 2022 by Bloomsbury. Despite the book’s exploration of a lot of tough topics, like divorce, new stepsiblings, academic struggles, and navigating unexpected friendships, it is also full of humor and charming characters. Plus, there’s baking, which always makes me happy. The Amazon summary reads:

"Elliott isn't sure where he fits in. Ever since his best friend moved away and his dad and stepmom announced the arrival of their new baby, he's been feeling invisible. Plus his dad just doesn't seem to understand what having ADHD really feels like, or why cooking is the one activity where Elliott's mind clicks into place.

When he's paired with the super smart and popular Maribel for a school project, Elliott worries she'll be just another person who underestimates him. But Maribel is also looking for a new way to show others her true self and this project could be the chance they've both been waiting for. Sometimes the least likely friends help you see a new side to things . . . and sometimes you have to make a few mistakes before you figure out what's right."

I’m going to share the first half of chapter one because it does an excellent job of giving readers a peek into Elliott’s brain. (p 3-8)

Outro

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Happy Reading podcast. I hope you discovered some new books that you are excited to read or that you were reminded of some that have been hanging out on your TBR stack. If you know of other wonderful middle grade books that fit this episode’s theme, I’d love to hear about them. You can find me on X as Wordnerd153 and on Instagram as Kidlit_Lover. You can also message me through the Happy Reading website at happyrdng.blogspot.com. If you enjoy this podcast and want to help other people discover it, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Thanks again for spending some time with me. Until next time, happy reading!

A Few Faves from 2023

Click HERE to listen to this episode

Welcome to another episode of Happy Reading, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates fabulous middle grade stories. I’m Sarah Threlkeld, a former 6th grade reading teacher and elementary librarian who recently earned a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons University in Boston, MA. I have been obsessed with children’s books since I was a kid and absolutely love recommending them to readers of all ages. I’m that person who eavesdrops on families in libraries and bookstores and then offers unsolicited advice on which books to take home. Although sometimes, as happened recently, I must show great restraint by remaining silent and not slapping a book out of someone’s hands when it is clearly a terrible gift or fit for a young reader.

For those of you joining me for the first time, each episode is formatted the same way. I summarize a handful of books that fit a theme and read a short excerpt from each one so you get a sense of the author’s writing style, the characters’ voices and the storyline. While I truly believe middle grade books can be enjoyed by people of all ages, they are generally thought of as a good fit for 8- to 12-year-old readers, although some books do skew younger, while others are classified as older middle grade because of mature themes. Not every book on this podcast will be appropriate for every reader, and occasionally I may recommend chapter books or young adult books that fit the episode’s theme. Now that you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, let’s get started!

Music

As of this recording I have read 655 books this year, 80 of which were middle grade, so I thought it’d be fun for me to review those titles and pluck some favorites from the bunch to share with you. This is also a sneaky way to be loosey goosey with this episode’s theme and spotlight books that might not have anything in common other than wonderful storytelling, endearing characters, and a riveting plot. By no means are these the only spectacular middle grade books I read this year—in fact, several of my favorites will show up in future episodes—but we’d easily be here for over an hour if I highlighted every book I read in 2023 that made me a better human. So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt

Gary D. Schmidt is one of those authors who leaves me in awe of his genius every time I read one of his books. His most recent middle grade story, The Labors of Hercules Beal, published by Clarion Books in 2023, has received a lot of Newbery buzz and I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. Schmidt strikes the perfect balance of humor and drama, packs the book with endearing, flawed characters, and transports readers to Cape Cod through detailed scene descriptions. I finished reading The Labors of Hercules Beal over a month ago and I am still thinking about it, which doesn’t happen very often. Here’s the flap summary:


Because the chapters are fairly long, I’m going to read the first part of chapter two where Hercules starts middle school. Apologies if I mispronounce any of the places on the Cape. Even after living in Massachusetts for almost three years, I can’t wrap my head around local pronunciations.

The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies

Our second book is perfect for middle grade readers who appreciate ghost stories, but have no desire to be wide awake long after their bedtime. The International House of Dereliction, written by Jacqueline Davies and published by Clarion in 2023, may take place predominantly in a haunted house, but the ghosts are fairly friendly and the story itself has more to do with the power of love, kindness, and found family than with scaring the pants off of readers. I was lucky enough to hear Jacqueline Davies talk about and read from The International House of Dereliction at this year’s Boston Book Festival, which endeared the book to me even more. The flap summary reads:


Like Hercules Beal, the chapters in Davies’ book are longish, so I’m going to read a short excerpt from chapter three to give you a sense of Alice’s unique perspective on the world and the quirky humor that infuses her story.

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

I have been mildly obsessed with sleepaway camp since I was a kid, despite only attending two sessions of Girl Scout camp in elementary school. I love books about camp, movies about camp (shout out to anyone listening who has seen Camp Cucamonga or Poison Ivy), and always wanted to be a camp counselor. That might explain why I became a teacher. Morgan Matson’s The Firefly Summer, published by Simon and Schuster in 2023, is everything I want in a summer camp story, even though it doesn’t actually take place during a typical camp session. Here’s the book’s summary:

So, you have all of the fun camp activities, quirky and loveable characters, and a treasure map mystery? Sign me up!

I’m going to drop you into the middle of chapter three where Ryanna has just accidentally spilled an Icee all over a girl she bumped into at the PocoMart before arriving at Camp Van Camp.

The Way I Say It by Nancy Tandon

The Way I Say It, written by Nancy Tandon and published by Charlesbridge in 2022, caught me off guard in the best possible way. I was expecting a thoughtful story about a middle schooler struggling with typical tween issues and, while it is definitely that, the book is also packed with authentic, flawed characters, explores complex problems that don’t have easy, obvious solutions, and fosters empathy in its readers. This book will resonate with a lot of young middle grade readers and challenge their thinking, which is one of the best things about children’s literature, in my opinion. Here’s the flap summary:

We’re going to start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) with chapter one, titled “Hello, My Name Is…”

Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker

Leeva at Last, written by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and published by Balzer and Bray in 2023, is one of those books I love so much that I run my finger over the cover every time I see it in a bookstore or library. I sigh a little, remembering how happy I was reading about Leeva and all of the interesting characters in the book, and I wish I could read it all over again. The story feels like a modern take on Matilda, minus the telekinetic powers, so if that’s your vibe, you will adore Leeva at Last. As delightful as the book is, thinking about it is also bittersweet because Sara Pennypacker graciously signed my copy at the Boston Book Festival and then, in a moment of absent-mindedness, I left it behind at the downtown public library. So if you are ever in Boston and come across a copy of Leeva at Last that is signed to Sarah and Henson, please reach out. Here’s more info from the summary:

As a librarian, I am obligated to share chapter five, where Leeva visits a public library for the first time in her entire life.

Outro

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Happy Reading podcast. I hope you discovered some new books that you are excited to read or that you were reminded of some that have been hanging out on your TBR stack. While I was working on this episode I read a few more books that blew me away–such is the life of a book nerd–and, although I didn’t have time to spotlight them, I do want to put them on your radar. They are The Mona Lisa Vanishes, a riveting, informative and entertaining nonfiction book by Nicholas Day, with illustrations by Brett Helquist, and The Eyes and the Impossible, a powerful, thought-provoking and funny story by Dave Eggers that’s perfect for fans of middle grade animal stories. I also want to give a shout out to Karina Yan Glaser for breaking my heart with the last book in the Vanderbeekers series and helping me say farewell to this incredible family of characters that I have loved since 2017.

If you’d like to get in touch with me, you can find me on X as Wordnerd153 and on Instagram as Kidlit_Lover. You can also message me through the Happy Reading website at happyrdng.blogspot.com. If you enjoy this podcast and want to help other people discover it, please take a moment to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Thanks again for spending some time with me. Until next time, happy reading!

I wanna' see you sweat!

Listen to the episode HERE

 I hated organized sports as a kid and had no interest in participating in the activities my parents insisted on signing me up for, like soccer and T-ball. As you can probably guess, I was more interested in reading and playing “school” with my Cabbage Patch Kids. It wasn’t until I started running about nineteen years ago that I finally saw myself as an athlete. I’m still not a fan of team sports–participating in them or watching them–but I do enjoy reading stories about kids who are passionate about sports, especially when those sports are a bit offbeat. In this episode I spotlight five middle grade books featuring table tennis, synchronized swimming, roller derby, fencing, and baton twirling. Yep, you heard that right. Baton twirling. Whether you are an athlete or not, I hope these stories inspire you to try something new. Who knows? Maybe you’d dominate at ultimate Frisbee or competitive ballroom dance if you just gave it a chance.

Call Me Adnan by Reem Faruqi

Reem Faruqi’s novel in verse, Call Me Adnan, is a story about table tennis, family bonds, sibling relationships, unexpected loss, and the different ways grief impacts our lives. Published by Harper in 2023, this book ripped my heart out, while managing to leave me feeling hopeful.

Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera

I listened to the audiobook of Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera and it had me wishing for warm summer days splashing around the local pool instead of cold mornings walking around my neighborhood. Published in 2023 by Kokila, Barely Floating explores the world of synchronized swimming, while also examining complex topics like gender norms, fat politics, social activism, generational trauma, and morality.

The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team by Kit Rosewater
It’s time to strap on your skates and think of your best punny nicknames! As a child of the 80s I fondly remember watching roller derby on TV, so I was pretty excited when the sport had a revival in the early 2000s. I love that roller derby is one of a few sports dominated by women and that it celebrates and encourages aggression, strength, speed and camaraderie, which isn’t always the case for female identifying athletes. The Derby Daredevils, a series written by Kit Rosewater and illustrated by Sophie Escabasse, delves into the world of roller derby as seen through the eyes of an unlikely team of fifth graders. The series consists of three titles, all published by Amulet Books, with each one centering around a different member of the team.

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Much like Barely Floating, Jewell Parker Rhodes’ Black Brother, Black Brother examines social injustice through the lens of competitive sports. Published by Little, Brown and Company in 2020, Black Brother, Black Brother centers around a middle schooler who becomes interested in fencing as a way to get revenge on a classmate who bullies him.

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

In my eyes, Kate DiCamillo can do no wrong. I absolutely adore her Mercy Watson books, laughed out loud while reading Flora and Ulysses, cried while reading Edward Toulane, and fell in love with the spunky, endearing young women in the Three Rancheros series. Raymie Nightingale, the first book in that series, was published by Candlewick press in 2016, and features a lot of baton twirling, which might be the most offbeat of all the sports featured on this episode.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Happy Reading podcast. I hope you discovered some new books that you are excited to read or that you were reminded of some that have been hanging out on your TBR stack. If you know of other wonderful middle grade books that fit this episode’s theme, I’d love to hear about them. A few that I wanted to include in this episode but didn’t have time for are One Last Shot by John David Anderson, which centers around miniature golf, In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart, a book that takes place partly at a bowling alley, and Jayla Jumps In, Joy Jones’ story about double dutch jump roping. I continue to patiently wait for a middle grade book about the world of competitive croquet.