Francesca Flores
Shadow City
A solid middle-grade fantasy that balances mystery with identity themes, though the pacing can feel slightly rushed in the second act.
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Kpop Demon Hunters
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Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 720L
A genuinely fun adventure that centers K-pop fandom and Korean-American identity without preaching — the kind of book kids reach for because the premise alone hooks them, and they stay for the character work.
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
by Don Martin
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2025
A solid middle-grade adventure with a genuinely original magic system (voice as power) and a protagonist who feels like an outsider; the pacing is brisk and the curse mystery lands, though the emotional stakes are moderate.
Kill Creatures
by Rory Power
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 750L · 2025
A genuinely fresh mystery-adventure with neurodivergent and queer protagonists that avoids both tokenism and preachiness—the kids are complex, competent, and funny.