While I finally reached the conclusion that the Flavia de Luce mysteries are not technically middle grade, the heroine of the stories is twelve. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first in a series of historical mysteries starring a girl with a keen interest in chemistry/poisons. When the Circus Came to Town is about a girl with a face scarred by smallpox and a Chinese man who looks for ways to lure her out of her depression. The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle is the second book in the League of Princes trilogy. Fabulously funny. Amazing art.

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You know, when I read Serafina and the Splintered Heart, I thought it was the final book in a trilogy. Lo and behold, a fourth book came out last year! Very good news, since this is one of the best MG suspense serieses I’ve read. Catwings is a very short story about a litter of kittens who are born with wings. And The Grimjinx Rebellion is the final book in Farrey’s Vengekeep Prophecies, which ranks high among my all-time favorite middle grade trilogies.

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The Half-a-Moon Inn is a short, suspenseful story about a mute boy who’s home alone when a blizzard strikes. He goes off to find his mother, who’d gone to market to sell their wares, and stumbles into trouble. The Council of Mirrors is the final book in The Sisters Grimm series, and I like how Buckley wrapped up his story. And then there’s The Shadowhand Covenant, the second book in the Vengekeep Prophecies trilogy, featuring my favorite family of thieves.

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Who else is taking part? My picks show up on Twitter.