Middle Grade Books

“We play with passion and we play with heart. And sometimes that passion goes too far.”

When a violent event sends a middle school reeling just before the Homecoming football game, secrets start to come to the surface…

The Cottonwood middle school’s undefeated football team, the Coyotes, are on the field, working to maintain their record. But suddenly the game comes to a halt. A hard hit has taken a player down―and he’s been injured so badly he’ll never play again. And then the very next day, the athletic office and coach’s computer are found totally trashed.

A culprit is found almost immediately: Brian Miller, “the Destroyer,” one of the best players on the team. Except . . .why would such a loyal and talented player do something like that to his own team?

Unless he didn’t actually do it. Three kids decide to figure out what really happened. But as they start to ask questions, the threats start arriving.

What happens when winning is more important than anything else, and when obedience to the team is more important than anyone else?

This is a gripping read about what happens when a culture of total loyalty goes too far.

A high-stakes whodunit, this is perfect for readers interested in:

• Tim Green, Tommy Greenwald, Mike Lupica, and Kwame Alexander’s sports stories
• A fast-moving plot
• Sinister secrets
• Lots of action, on and off the field
• Sports drama
• Quick reads

Someone set a fire at the local middle school! 

Is it arson? A prank gone wrong? An accident?

Kate, Dani, Liam, and Gabe are determined to figure out who started the fire, and why. And they each have their own reasons for wanting to be the first ones to figure out what really happened.

While the administration is looking into it, evidence is scarce. It will take four students who can tap into the rumors, gossip, and hidden secrets of their school to uncover what really went on the day of the fire. And if they don’t figure it out in time? Well, one of them could be accused of the crime.

But all their potential leads turn out to be dead ends. It’s as if the arsonist is somehow tracking their every move…

Nicky has disappeared!

Oliva, Leo, and Gracie–three seventh graders who have very little in common except for how much they dislike Nicky, the school bully–were the last ones to see him. They are sure that there are clues the police are overlooking. And they each have their own secret reason for needing to find him as soon as possible.

As they investigate, they discover that things are more complicated than they had seemed. Nicky’s victims made a plan to get revenge on him–a plan that’s gone terribly wrong. Can they find out where Nicky is before it’s too late?

Mystery, thrilling twists, and spot-on friendship dynamics combine to make this a page-turning read and a thoughtful look at bullying, revenge, and the true meaning of punishment and forgiveness.

There’s been a theft at the middle school!

Sasha’s bag has been stolen from her locker. The security cams on the school’s front entrance have captured four students entering the building early. Present at the time of the crime, Maddie, Jack, Nora, and Henry become top suspects. Each of them has a reason to dislike Sasha. Each has something to hide. But which of them is responsible for the break-in? And can they figure out who the thief is before Sasha gets her revenge… on all of them.

Set during a single day of school, this is a gripping, twisty read about what happens when bullying goes too far, written by Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of I Know Your Secret.

“Do exactly what I say, when I say it, or I will reveal your secret.

Four seventh graders receive this same threatening email. Now Owen, Gemma, Ally, and Todd, who barely know each other and have nothing in common, must work together to follow the instructions of their anonymous blackmailer. None of them want to go along with the blackmailer’s increasingly unnerving instructions, but each of them have a secret they must protect at all costs.

 Set during a single day of school, the students race against the clock to complete an unusual set of tasks. Yet as the day goes on, they have to wonder: Who is this blackmailer who has somehow found out their deepest secrets? What is it that they’re being used to do? And can they stop the scheme before the truth comes spilling out?

I Know Your Secret is a gripping exploration of why we conceal the truth, how far we’ll go to keep it hidden, and the power of coming clean.

Josie usually keeps to herself, but she comes out of her shell when she and her dog, Clementine, volunteer at the local hospital during the holiday season. Josie loves dressing up in silly costumes, singing carols, and helping to prepare for the big Christmas Festival. That is, until she learns that this year’s Festival has been canceled.

Meanwhile, Oscar’s parents are fighting more and more–and so is he. He gets into trouble at school, and his punishment? Volunteer hours at the local hospital.

Gabby’s life seems perfect. She’s stylish, smart, and everyone looks up to her. But Gabby has a secret, one that could ruin everything.

Then, Clementine disappears, Oscar’s parents separate, and Gabby’s secret is uncovered. Together, can Josie, Oscar, and Gabby find a way to save the holiday, or will this be the worst Christmas ever?

Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of The Angel Tree, has created a heartwarming story that sparkles with humor, light, and Christmas spirit.

Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square–the Angel Tree. Some people tie wishes to the tree, while others make those wishes come true. Nobody’s ever known where the tree comes from, but the mystery has always been part of the tradition’s charm.

This year, however, four kids who have been helped–Lucy, Joe, Max, and Cami–are determined to solve the mystery and find out the true identity of the town’s guardian angel, so that Pine River can finally thank the person who brought the Angel Tree to their town.

This is a heartwarming Christmas mystery, full of friendship, discovery, and loads of holiday cheer!

The Bailey kids’ mom has just been assigned to Fort Patrick—and it’s their first time actually living on an army base! Tom, Charlotte, and Rosie get to make new friends, explore the neighborhood, and cool off in the huge pool. Unfortunately, they also have to deal with the base bully, who seems determined to make Tom’s life completely miserable by telling everyone that he’s a wimp.

When the Baileys discover a mystery on base—an abandoned building long rumored to be haunted—they know that this is it: a way to show the world how brave Tom truly is. But when they go to investigate, they find there’s more to the house than just some old rumors. What is that weird equipment? And who is that suspicious man sneaking around inside?

It’s up to Charlotte, Tom, and Rosie to figure out the base’s secrets—and prove to everyone that no bully can keep the Bailey kids down.

Army Brats is a high spirited adventure about friendships, bravery, and being true to yourself.

Every year, Scottsbridge’s two elementary schools face off, competing to see who can sell more bars of the Fantastic Five, special chocolate bars available only once a year.  Winning’s a really big deal- and Deerfield Elementary always wins.

This year though, Granville Elementary is determined to level the playing field, even if it means making up some new rules of their own.  Co-captains Phoebe and Evan are sure that their creative new sales strategy- mixed with some ingenious pranks- will earn them the sweet taste of success.  But rival captains Gabe and Julie have a dangerous competitive streak, and they’re allergic to the idea of coming in second

Can the two teams sell more chocolate bars than ever before- or is the Chocolate Challenge headed for a total meltdown?