Pat Cummins
Cricket Champs (Howzat Pat, #4)
A fast-paced, low-stakes sports story that captures the chaotic energy of schoolyard cricket without any real peril or mature themes.
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How to Write Really Badly
by Anne Fine
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L
A genuinely clever premise (kid tries to write badly, accidentally learns to write well) that keeps the humor sharp without slowing down; rewarding for kids who feel self-conscious about writing.
Snoop
by Gordon Korman
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2025
Korman's reliable formula — fast-paced, funny, and genuinely clever mystery plotting that makes reluctant readers want to keep up with the clues.
The Darling Devils
by Alexandra Moody
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2026
A zippy, mischief-driven romp that reads like early Junie B. Jones meets The Baby-Sitters Club for slightly older kids — fun energy, quick pacing, zero pretension.