I “discovered” Gordon Korman nearly a year ago when I started my new career as a middle/high school librarian, and he quickly became the go-to author for my son and me. Now, as a 6th grader, my son has read at least twenty of Korman’s novels. I haven’t hit twenty yet, but after reading Hypergifted, I’ll be adding the first two books in the series to my TBR list! Like his other middle-grade novels, Hypergifted draws the reader in with great characters and hilarious misadventures.

In Hypergifted, supergenius Noah Youkilis is told that he will be spending his summer taking courses at the respected Wilderton University. To help Noah adjust (they had just finished 8th grade), his friend Donovan, who harbors grand plans to sleep in and relax all summer, is voluntold by his parents to attend with Noah.

What could go wrong when two twelve-year-olds go off to college for the summer? Plenty! Noah’s obsession with gaining entry into the school’s super-secret society, problems with pigs, disappearing campers, and rogue AI programs lead to hilarious shenanigans and the creation of new friendships.

When it comes to writing fiction for a middle school audience, Korman is “Hypergifted,” and this novel is no exception. It is already in my cart for my spring order!

This beautiful and heart-wrenching book broke me over and over again, and I suggest readers have a box of tissues nearby. McGhee explores how people cope with grief and loss through the first-person narrative of ten-year-old Ayla. Her best friend Kiri has gone away, and Ayla doesn’t know where they went or when they will be back. Throughout the story, Ayla is surrounded by a loving support network as she processes her emotions. Although this is a middle-grade novel, it will appeal to readers of all ages experiencing grief and loss. My 6-12th grade readers have loved this book!

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin is a beautiful middle-grade fantasy novel inspired by Chinese folklore. The story follows Jin, a stone spirit lion cub who guards the Sacred Gate that separates the human world from the spirit world. When Jin is separated from the spirit world, he and a young girl, Lulu, search for the Sacred Sphere to open a portal to return home. Jin must put aside his selfish behavior, learn to work with others, and accept help.

I loved watching Jin’s growth throughout this wonderfully crafted story. I bought two copies for my school library and frequently recommend this to my students who love fantasy and books based on mythology and lore.

Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.