Middle Grade books took 8 spots in Amazon's 2023 Top 100 Best Sellers List.
Amazon accounts for some 60%-70% of all US book sales, so appearing on the list is the strongest indicator of nationwide popularity and sales.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, younger age-range books held even more top spots with 20 in the top 100. Popular read-a-long baby books made up a significant portion of those best sellers.
Perennial middle grade favorites published in previous years continued their strong sales, even a decade after their first printing. In the case of Jenny Han's "The Summer I Turned Pretty" series, these books' popularity was renewed, in part, because of a recent series adaptation.
The top middle grade best sellers for 2023:
Dav Pilkey
Ages: 8 - 11
Released: March 28, 2023
#53 The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom – The Complete Official Guide: Collector's Edition
#74 The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes that You'll Love to Cook and Eat
America’s Test Kitchen Kids
Ages: 8+
Released: October 16, 2018
#75 The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
Ages: 6+
Released: October 22, 2019
#77 The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy (Boxed Set): The Summer I Turned Pretty; It's Not Summer Without You; We'll Always Have Summer
Jenny Han
Ages: 12+
Released: January 1, 2013
#81 Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
J. K. Rowling
Ages: 9+
Released: July 1, 2009
#93 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)
Suzanne Collins
Ages: 12+
Released: August 1, 2023
Reference link.
Nonfiction books for middle-grader readers provide real world information, inspire curiosity, and encourage a lifelong love of learning. Below, I've listed a selection of prize-winning titles that have received recognition from prominent literary organizations for exemplary content, writing, and presentation. All good choices for holiday gifts, by the way.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
Author: Jen Bryant
Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
Literary Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
This biography of Peter Roget, the creator of the thesaurus, won the Sibert Medal. It offers an insightful look into the life and work of a man whose passion for words changed the way we communicate.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Author: Kadir Nelson
Literary Award: Sibert Medal
Another Sibert Medal winner, this book provides a fascinating historical perspective celebrating the achievements and struggles of black athletes during a segregated era.
The inspiring story of Isatou Ceesay and the women of the Gambia who transformed plastic waste into a thriving enterprise is recounted in this informative read.
This illustrated book introduces readers to three remarkable young women living in three different time periods who made significant contributions to the field of science. It is a celebration of nature and the joy of exploring and discovering more about our world.
This Cybils Award-winning book offers a colorful exploration of the history of Crayola crayons and their inventor, Edwin Binney. He was a curious inventor who found a way to pack a rainbow of colors within a small blue box which has delighted people of all ages around the world.
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science
Author: Joyce Sidman
Literary Award: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
This Orbis Pictus Award-winning biography celebrates the life and work of Maria Merian, a pioneering entomologist and scientific illustrator. She celebrated caterpillars when the whole world considered them a bad omen. Maria discovered the process of metamorphosis through her observations and drew beautiful illustrations to reveal the journey of a caterpillar to butterfly for the world.
These wonderful middle-grade nonfiction titles exemplify the genre's ability to educate, inspire, and captivate young readers. They cover a wide range of subjects, from history, science, biography and memoir, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and stories for children to explore and learn from.
Notably, Amazon accounts for some 60%-70% of US book sales, and dominates the marketplace. Therefore, books trending on other best seller lists could theoretically also show up somewhere on the Amazon Most Sold listings.
Below are the lists with titles appearing on multiple lists highlighted:
Amazon's Best Children's Books of 2023 So Far: Ages 9 to 12
1) The Eyes and the Impossible
Dave Eggers, Shawn Harris
Hardcover
2) Greenwild: The World Behind the Door
Pari Thomson
Hardcover
3) The Labors of Hercules Beal
Gary D. Schmidt
Hardcover
4) The One and Only Ruby
Katherine Applegate
Hardcover
5) Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel (Four Eyes #1)
Rex Ogle, Dave Valeza
Paperback
6) The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Beth Lincoln, Claire Powell
Hardcover
7) My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement
Willie Mae Brown
Hardcover
8) From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star (Nico Di Angelo Adventures)
Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
Hardcover
9) The Superteacher Project
Gordon Korman
Hardcover
10) Finally Seen
Kelly Yang
Hardcover
Reference Link
Amazon Charts
The Top 20 Most Sold & Most Read Books of the Week
of October 29, 2023
7) Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
No Brainer
By Jeff Kinney
MG 8-12
Reference link
The New York Times(R) Middle Grade Hardcover Best Seller List
Week of October 29, 2023
1) THE HARRY POTTER WIZARDING ALMANAC
by J.K. Rowling.
2) THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST
by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Julie Morstad
3) WINGS OF FIRE: A GUIDE TO THE DRAGON WORLD
by Tui T. Sutherland. Illustrated by Joy Ang
4) THE SUN AND THE STAR
by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
5) THE OFFICIAL HARRY POTTER COOKBOOK
by Joanna Farrow
6) WONDER
by R.J. Palacio
7) REFUGEE
by Alan Gratz
8) WRECKER
by Carl Hiaasen
9) A HORSE NAMED SKY
by Rosanne Parry. Illustrated by Kirbi Fagan
10) ODDER
by Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Reference link
The New York Times(R) Middle Grade Paperback Best Seller List
October 2023
1) A LONG WALK TO WATER
by Linda Sue Park
2) WISH
by Barbara O'Connor
3) RESTART
by Gordon Korman
4) FISH IN A TREE
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
5) OUT OF MY MIND
by Sharon M. Draper
6) PONY
by R.J. Palacio
7) A WOLF CALLED WANDER
by Rosanne Parry. Illustrated by Mónica Armiño
8) BROWN GIRL DREAMING
by Jacqueline Woodson
9) PAX
Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Jon Klassen
10) WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER
by Tae Keller
Reference link
From Barnes and Noble's Top 20 Bestselling Books
There are no middle-grade bestsellers on this list.
Reference link
Summary
--Rick Riordan's The Sun and the Star continues to have strong month-to-month sales.
--Jeff Kinney's latest Wimpy Kid book makes a top ten appearance on Amazon Charts.
--Many new titles have appeared on the best seller lists within the last week of October. Lets see how they pan out for the remainder of 2023.
Parents have legitimate concerns about video games eating into their kid's daily routines, to the point of them becoming a distraction or counter-productive to learning.
As many of us will reluctantly admit, we often give our children permission to play games as a reward and/or as motivation to improve our child's behavior, like keeping them quiet or occupied while at a restaurant or when traveling.
This parenting technique has a greater payoff and creates less apprehension for the parent if the games we allow our kids to spend time with are both educational and entertaining at the same time.
Just in time for the holiday season, let's explore some of the best titles around that will likely please parents and middle graders alike.
1. "Minecraft": Building Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
"Minecraft" is a sandbox game that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. Middle-graders can craft their own worlds, build structures, and even collaborate with friends in a shared virtual space. It's a game that promotes critical thinking, resource management, and teamwork, all while having a blast.
2. "Kerbal Space Program": Learning Physics Through Space Exploration
"Kerbal Space Program" is a space simulation game that allows players to design and launch spacecraft into orbit and beyond. While it's highly entertaining, it also provides a hands-on way for middle-graders to learn about physics, engineering, and orbital mechanics. It encourages experimentation and problem-solving in a fun and engaging manner.
3. "Undertale": Teaching Empathy and Decision-Making
"Undertale" is an indie RPG that explores themes of empathy and choice. Players navigate a world inhabited by monsters and can choose to befriend or fight them. The game challenges middle-graders to think about the consequences of their actions and emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in decision-making.
4. "Zoombinis": Logical Puzzles for Critical Thinking
"Zoombinis" is a puzzle game designed to boost critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Players guide small creatures through a series of logical challenges, encouraging them to use deductive reasoning and pattern recognition. It's an excellent choice for middle-graders looking to exercise their brains while having fun.
5. "Scribblenauts": Expanding Vocabulary and Creativity
"Scribblenauts" is a puzzle game that encourages creativity and expands vocabulary. Players can summon objects by typing their names, allowing them to solve puzzles in imaginative ways. The game is not only entertaining but also an excellent tool for language development and creative thinking.
6. "Spore": Evolution and Biology Exploration
"Spore" is a simulation game that takes players on an evolutionary journey, starting as a single-celled organism and progressing through various stages of evolution. It introduces middle-graders to concepts of biology, adaptation, and evolution in a visually engaging and interactive manner.
7. "The Oregon Trail": Historical Learning Through Simulation
"The Oregon Trail" is a classic educational game that simulates the journey of pioneers in the 19th century. It offers middle-graders a glimpse into history as they make decisions about supplies, navigate challenges, and learn about life on the Oregon Trail. It combines history education with gaming fun.
8. "Civilization VI": Strategy and World History
"Civilization VI" is a strategy game that lets players build and manage their own civilization. It introduces middle-graders to world history, diplomacy, and critical decision-making as they guide their civilization from ancient times to the modern era. It's a game that fosters strategic thinking and historical awareness.
9. "LittleBigPlanet": Creativity and Game Design
"LittleBigPlanet" is a platformer that not only lets players explore imaginative worlds but also create their own levels and games. It encourages middle-graders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to design and share their creations with others, fostering an interest in game design and development.
10. "Oxenfree": A Supernatural Adventure with Narrative Depth
"Oxenfree"
is an adventure game that blends supernatural elements with a gripping
narrative. Players take on the role of a teenager named Alex, and as
they make choices in the game, they shape the story's outcome. This game
not only engages middle-graders with its intriguing plot but also
challenges them to think critically about their choices and their
consequences.
In conclusion, video games for middle-graders have come a long way in offering both entertainment and educational value. These games engage young minds, promote critical thinking, and even teach valuable life skills—all while providing hours of enjoyment. Parents and educators can confidently explore these educational and entertaining video game options, knowing that they can have a positive impact on a middle-grader's cognitive development and entertainment experience.
In fact, the Artemis Fowl movie was probably the worst reviewed Disney flop ever on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm hoping the studio's next attempt at filming the book series will more closely follow the story lines of the original source material. Even better, they could turn the series into a multi-season TV series.
Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, the son of a criminal mastermind, who, in the absence of his father, and, while enduring the depressed
comatose state of his mother over the disappearance of her husband, turns to the family's roots in crime to keep their financial empire afloat.
Artemis' first major criminal caper is no ordinary heist; he wants to cheat the fabled Little People of a ton (literally) of their treasured gold. It it is a feat that has never been accomplished before and we soon learn why, and why Artemis may be the first to achieve it.
Author: Eoin Colfer
Published: 2001
Age Range: 10-13+
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
--The extraordinary writing of Eion Colfer carries the reader past some of the more unbelievable tall tales the writer spins in his
re-imagining of the lore of the Little People. The author's writing carries the show.
--The primary, secondary and even tertiary characters within the world of Artemis Fowl are well sketched and immediately endearing.
--The book employs a fast-flowing plot with cleverly interwoven story lines.
--Laugh out loud funny. Irish humor at its best.
--The author's use of alternating character POVs that challenge but don't confuse the reader are highly effective and enjoyable to read.
Cons:
--Over-usage of a mild curse word, mostly for comedic effect. Still, it seems unnecessary.
--The ending of the book was anti-climatic for me, especially given the build-up and relative importance placed on Artemis' ability to
out-think his adversaries. The logic that ties the story's plot threads together is lacking, and the book is saved only by the humorous tone
established by the author during the earlier chapters. We can forgive the author one more time for his outlandishness and
inventive tomfoolery.
--Contains some violent scenes that could scare younger, and impressionable readers. Particularly, Butler's fight with the Troll.
However, the descriptions are more akin to comic violence than the realistic variety.
A Worthwhile Read?
Absolutely! IMO, the Artemis Fowl series is among the best middle grade fiction around, and kids shouldn't be put off by the made-for-streaming movie that Disney released in 2020. The series certainly deserves another adaptation to attempt to capture the literary brilliance of the books.
Reviewed by:
Last night's presentation by Kathy Berardi, 5 Secrets To Writing A Marketable Screenplay On The First Draft, to my meetup.com group, Atlanta Screenwriters Anonymous, was highly informative.
Kathy offers 5 easily actionable ideas that make a lot of sense from a commercial perspective. I'll be personally putting them into practice in my current and future scripts.
As promised during her talk, I've included a link to the presentation pdf file that gives an overview of her discussion points. Enjoy!
My meetup group can be reached at:
Atlanta Screenwriters Anonymous link
Events are held online and also in person within the Atlanta metro area.
I wanted to highlight some entertaining and informative talks about the craft and business of writing given at last month's (June 2024...
