#tbt: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Image: Simon & Schuster

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. 368 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, February 21, 2012. 9781442408920.

I was quite surprised and saddened to learn of the death of Benjamin Alire Sáenz on FB yesterday. I was in the room when he received his Printz Honor for this book. His speech was so warm and humble. It not only won a Printz Honor, but also the Pura Belpré Award and the Stonewall Book Award. 

I adored the book when I finally got around to reading it with my ears. It was beautifully narrated by Lin Manuel-Miranda. 

Here's a link to a lovely obituary in El Paso Matters. It was through this article that I learned the author has a new YA set to be published in September. More on that next week. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Too Big to Say by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Mike Curato

Image: Hachette Book Group

Too Big to Say by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Mike Curato. 256 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ Hachette Book Group, March 2, 2027. 9780316585972.

I am a fan of Phil Bildner and follow him on social media. When I saw his link to this cover reveal in Betsy Bird's blog on SLJ the other day, I knew I'd have to share today on my Waiting on Wednesday. 

Publisher synopsis: Perfect for fans of The Trouble with Heroes and Hey, Kiddo, this heartfelt illustrated novel tells the story of two friends who help each other make tough decisions while on a hiking adventure.

Two middle schoolers, Jaxson and South, embark on a day-long mission to climb the fire tower at the top of Mount Hope. Until now, the two have been mostly long-distance friends, but after months of planning for and dreaming about this day, they’re finally together in-person.

As they hike up the mountain, Jaxson is distracted by flashbacks—vivid thoughts about his mom’s deteriorating mental health and his worsening homelife. Meanwhile, South is trying to face their fear of heights, while worrying about disappointing their hyper critical dad. The two are so busy grappling with their inner struggles that they nearly jeopardize their friendship (and developing crush)…until it becomes clear they each have to make a tough decision. But are some things too big to say?

Moving, authentic, and hopefully told through prose and illustrated flashbacks, this story is for any young person who needs to remember the strength they can always find in their friends and in themselves.

Middle Grade Monday: The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider

Image: Abrams

The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider. 312 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, November 10, 2026. 9781419788383. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Adam Zane has always been known as the best artist in his class, but he's entering seventh grade and everything is about to change for him - his brother left for college and hasn't communicated with Adam, his parents are fighting, but pretending that they're not, his best friend had a growth spurt, and worst of all, a new girl is a better artist than he. He's at sea. His grades begin to suffer, he refuses to attempt to create any art. When his anger at being constantly bullied by Jason erupts, and he ends up with an in-school suspension, his counselor sets him a challenge

Trust me when I say that grade seven is cataclysmic. So much change is happening to these kids from the onset of puberty (or lack of onset) to the shifting friendships, to the increased difficulty of classes. The appeal of this illustrated novel in verse lies in its utter relatability and readability. Post-It Notes separate chapters by months of the school year and there are pencil drawings accompanying each poem. The presentation is clean and engaging. Middle school readers will find much to connect with. Touching at times, humorous at others, this book is a solid addition to any collection. I can't wait to read the finished book! Highly recommend!

Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Favorite by Gordon Korman

Image: Macmillan

The Favorite by Gordon Korman. 272 p. Balzar + Bray/ Macmillan, January 19, 2027. 9781250400406. 

Gordon Korman tweeted news of his upcoming new release the other day. His books are favorites among my middle school students. The publisher synopsis makes it sound like outlandish fun.

Publisher synopsis: Four siblings must compete with each other for the ultimate prize in this high-concept, hilarious new novel from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Restart, Gordon Korman. 

There can be only one…

The four Coleridge kids–Harper, twins Dylan and Lacey, and Bobby, live in Caddo, Oklahoma, where the most exciting thing that ever happens is cow tipping. Until their father swoops into town.

He happens to be billionaire Asher Coleridge, founder of Zzazz, the hottest fashion company for kids. And when his limo pulls up at school, it isn’t for an ordinary visit. Zzazz needs a new brand ambassador, who will travel the world, attend star-studded parties, and be the face of the company. Asher wants it to be one of his kids. But which one? That’s where the Contest comes in.

How do mere kids wow a billionaire? Over the course of several weeks, it is on. From soccer games, to a Monopoly smackdown, to a high-stakes school election, to the world’s most intense pizza-eating challenge, the siblings will do almost anything for the coveted title. Even the family pet - a three-legged rat named Ollie - gets involved.

Each kid has their own reasons for wanting to escape Caddo. But there can only be one Brand Ambassador. How far are they willing to go to win?

#tbt: Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Image: Simon & Schuster

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. 272 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

#tbt features Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was originally published in 2000 with this cover:

Sometime between its 2003 and 2008, when I left my K-8 position for a middle school, I created a unit which paired fiction and non-fiction. I paired Fever 1793 with An American Plague by Jim Murphy, which pubbed in 2003. I honestly cannot remember what other fiction/ nonfiction pairings I created, but it was a good unit. The reason why this one sticks is because Fever 1793 created two of the most unlikely readers.

JJ fell in love with this book and recommended it to his bff. Both boy's mothers were so astounded by their enthusiasm that they also read the book!

This is what great historical fiction does. 

PS: I prefer the original cover. 

Happy reading.

Waiting on Wednesday: Absent by Rex Ogle

Image: WW Norton

Absent by Rex Ogle. Illustrated by L-J Baptiste. 304 p. Norton Young Readers, September 1, 2026. 9781324124894.

Rex Ogle posted a giveaway for this on Monday and I signed up for a chance. I just love his books and this one sounds great.

Publisher synopsis: 

From award-winning author Rex Ogle, a mixed-format middle grade novel about three boys who skip school, told in verse, prose, and comics.

With a dad in jail and a lack of teachers interested in helping him learn, Manny doesn’t see the point in anything besides skateboarding and writing lyrics. Calvin has so many responsibilities to his father and little brothers that when his bike is stolen, he can’t make it to school on time. And while Liam is studious and wants to become a doctor, he is tormented by bullies and hides out in an unused janitor’s closet instead of going to class. When the boys are thrown together in detention, they realize that they might still have a lot to learn—not just from their teachers, but from each other.

Absent tells the boys’ stories in three distinct voices: Manny’s in verse, Calvin’s as a comic, and Liam’s as a prose journal. Printz Award Honoree and YALSA Nonfiction Award winner Rex Ogle explores school absenteeism in a compelling, entertaining, and utterly distinct novel.

Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: How to Build a Miracle by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Image: Penguin Random House

How to Build a Miracle by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. 240 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Young Readers, February 16, 2027. 9780399546860.

I recently saw a cover reveal of How to Build a Miracle online somewhere, and did a happy dance since I've been a huge fan of Lynda Mullaly Hunt's since reading her debut, One for the Murphy's. I absolutely adored Fish in a Tree, and had the privilege of hosting the author after the release of Shouting at the Rain.

Needless to say, I'm beyond excited about How to Build a Miracle. The scheduled release date is February 16, 2027. Here's the publisher synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s moving story of a boy struggling to rebuild his life after a family tragedy and his own big mistakes

Peter blames himself for not saving his brother, Russ. After all, if the roles had been reversed, Russ would have figured out a way to keep him alive. His sadness and anger about his family falling apart, as well as his guilt, make Peter lash out—and ultimately break the law. When he finds himself in front of a judge and sent to a juvenile rehabilitation “camp,” Peter figures it will be all about punishment. But at the program, he’s handed some tools to help restore old wooden boats, as well as tools to understand himself. Under the direction of Bud, a therapist and boat builder, Peter and five other juvenile offenders must work together. The kids are wary at first—arguing over everything, wondering who’s the most dangerous, and who committed the stupidest crime. With time and connection, the kids become protective of each other and Peter finds the rhythm of working on boats helps him breathe easier. Nicknamed “Shakespeare” because of his love for words, Peter realizes he’s now living out a metaphor; just like the most dilapidated boat that’s unable to float, he too—as well as his family—can be rebuilt.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt deploys her trademark insight on the map it takes to heal from trauma, in this memorable story about a boy who learns he can still stand even as his foundation shifts.

Happy reading!