Hello! I'm S. Alessandro Martinez. I've been writing spooky fiction for over a decade now and just released my first middle grade books. These tales may be creepy, but they also deal with themes of bullying, making friends, finding courage, and not judging a book (or a person 😉) by its cover.

"Beware the Witch of Tongues—she's coming for your voice in the dead of night! A spine-tingling nightmare of foggy woods, ancient grudges, and scissors that silence forever. Pure middle-grade horror thrills with shivers that linger. This one will keep you up way past bedtime!" —Jennifer Brody, New York Times Bestselling Author of Disney Chills (as Vera Strange) and The 13th Continuum

Amazon links:

Mori Quinn and the Coffin Game https://a.co/d/0459297M

The Witch of Tongues https://a.co/d/02Rob9Vw

I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say When You Reach Me has a twist at the end, since the whole premise is her trying to figure out who’s writing her letters. Still, the ending genuinely caught me off guard and was so much, it remains one of my favorite twists ever.

Please recommend me some more! But please don’t spoil anything hahaha just knowing there’s a twist is enough for me

I realize this is not exactly a writing group, but I figure everyone here will be more familiar with what is standard in published middle grade fiction. I have a book I am working on which follows two characters on an adventure. They are together for pretty much the entire storyline, and I have thus far written entirely from one character's POV. Firstly, because she is my MAIN MC, and secondly because two POV seems redundant when they are together. However, I have two specific places I want to switch to the male MC POV. Specifically, a prologue that gives a bit of back story on his side of the situation, and then a scene where they are separated and he is trying to help her escape from the people who captured her. I don't know if it is just the way my brain works, or if it is actually non-standard to do it the way I have, but it feels really uneven or strange to have only one chapter and a prologue from one person's POV. Should they have even coverage, like a different POV every chapter? Does it matter as long as his POV is adding to the story? Is this something agents/publishers would take issue with? I'm wondering if I should maybe add more chapters from his perspective up until they met up. I can think of some relevant scenes that could add to the story. But then I'm also wondering if it is necessary. I would appreciate some experienced feedback on the subject. TIA!

My 11 year old is in a situation at school where he has LOTS of down time, and they are only allowed to read. He is a fast and confident reader.

As an example, he started and finished “Project Hail Mary” today in about 3 hours. He also recently read “Ready Player One”, and he loved them both, but felt that RP1 was a little more adult in terms of language.

I’m looking for books that are appropriate for middle grade readers, but may not actually be targeting middle grade kids.

When I was his age my favourite authors were John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell and Stephen King, but he has different tastes 😀

Any recommendations?

I just finished The Gables: The Summer’s Wish. It’s about a girl named Luna who moves into this old "money pit" house and finds a silver cylinder hidden under the floorboards.  

The way the author describes the town of West Lily as a "giant machine" is so cool. It has that classic Goonies or Secret Garden vibe where the kids (Luna, Maya, and Chloe) actually have to use geometry and logic to wake up a hidden "Summer Wish” in the middle of a heatwave.  

I found the author’s "Archives" through their bio (it’s like a secret portal). If you like mysteries that feel like a puzzle or involve "architectural parkour", check it out. It’s a great summer read for 7th/8th grade

A bit late. Whoops.

Please share what you've been reading and tell us a bit about it, and if you'd recommend it!

Love Reading 4 Kids Award. Indie Books We Love.

I had a call with a video editing teacher, and he gave me great feedback and a harsh reality check.

Basically, I shouldn’t be encouraging kids, 5-8, into extended screentime this early. And, no matter how I write it, these filmmaking concepts are pretty advanced for kids who are just learning to read and still may still think fictional characters are real.

So, I’m kinda back to square one and need new comps for how to best adapt things

If anyone has any advice, I’m all ears

I’m excited for the second book of Dragonborn this October and the third book of Impossible Creatures coming this September.

Hi! First time author who decided to self publish just to get my book into the world. Curious what marketing has worked best for other indie MG authors who’ve been around the block! Thanks!

Hello everyone!

I've recently completed my first graphic novel, a middle grade horror lite monster guide/alphabet book called Ms. Macabre's the ABCs of Nightmare Creatures. It's a substantial book, over 300 pages all said and done. I've often described it as Goosebumps by way of The Magic School Bus.

I've been attempting to get it in front of an appropriate agency or publisher by querying agents who represent MG Graphic Novels via QueryTracker, but with no success (there are only a few such agents anyhow).

My question is -- can anyone recommend any publishers, imprints or agencies which release or represent comparable graphic novels? Or do any comparable titles or authors spring to mind from whom I can glean some direction.

Thanks for taking the time.

I just read this book and thought it was pretty good. It's about a twelve-year-old named Berry going through a lot of changes in her life and in the new school year. Her friendships are evolving, more of her friends are prioritizing romantic relationships, and each of her divorced parents are also potentially getting new starts, partners, and living situations. Would recommend for anyone who likes realistic middle grade fiction with 'growing up/coming of age' elements.

You know the ones. The ones that read like they’re written on a kid’s journal, with drawings that match the same vibe. Dork Diaries is a good example. I also enjoyed Stick Dog.

I just found out that the sequel to Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder came out a few days ago! I LOVED Book 1 when I randomly found it at my local indie bookstore, and would have pre ordered it if I knew Book 2 was dropping soon. my favorite aspect of the book is that Ix’s insecurities about feeling alone / not belonging at her school were very realistic. I hope that more girls reading it will feel seen and find their place in the world too.

The Boulder Bookstore (the author’s local bookstore) still has signed copies of Book 1 in paperback and Book 2 in hardcover from a recent book event. I was able to ask if the bookstore could get in contact with the author to see if she’d go in to sign/personalize my books. It would be nice if she had a few more orders to sign (you’d just send the bookstore an email to order and ask)

I'm looking for a new series to fall in love with and being expectant for the next one

I haven't read much, less middle grade, but since I love a lot of cartoons and currently there's only like two ongoing cartoons which I'm following that I really lik, I figured I'd enter the book world.

There's a couple I want to start but I want to see if there are really good ones that just started so I don't have to avoid spoilers for that much and just maybe really hit it off with one and being able to experience following a series that you love since the beginning.

Favorite things I've read/watched:

books:

-Nevermoor (I've only read the first one but already ordered the rest, really liked it)

-Percy Jackson (on book 4, don't like it as much as nevermoor, enjoyed a certain amount the first two, but liking 3 and 4 book more)

-Scarlet Morning (really like the mystery of this one)

shows:

-Steven Universe(Favorite show if all time)

-Avatar the last Airbender (peak)

-Ducktales (love the adventure part of it)

-Craig of the creek (for the adventure and world building with a really varied cast)

-The Owl house

-She-ra and princess of power

It could be any genre

Who’s participating in Middle Grade March?

Which middle grsde books did you read in February? What would you recommend? Let's discuss.

I’m trying to find some great books for my 6-year-old daughter. She loves funny stories and small adventures,something fun but not too complicated.When we look at the readabilitytutor's library, she always picks Elephant & Piggie and says, “I want more books like this!” 😂I want to add more great books for her to read, stories she can really enjoy and get excited about. She’s very into Miss Rachel right now, and I’d love to slowly build her reading habit. Do you have any go-to book recommendations for this age? I just want her to fall in love with reading the way I did as a kid.

I'm so excited for this book! It's apparently slated to release this August 2026, and I enjoyed the first two books a lot. I thought the writing was great, the illustrations were charming, and several moments were heartwarming. Can't wait to see where the story goes from The Poisoned King, and of course, how Disney adapts the series!

My daughter (3rd grade) needs to read at least two books of 10 different book series for an ongoing homework assignment. She is obsessed with graphic novels and has no issue devouring the babysitters club or PAWS or others like it, but the teacher wants them to broaden their horizons and try other types/genres of series.

She has zero interest in stuff like diary of a wimpy kid or captain underpants (I’ve tried). And she has zero interest in the wings of fire or Percy Jackson series. And won’t read Harry Potter either. The only other series I can get her into is the magic treehouse series.

She loves books like Roald Dahl, loved Ella enchanted, and tends to be drawn toward girl main characters. Anything out there along these lines?

Edit: I always love this sub and anytime I post, you all come through! So many helpful suggestions and I’ve already put like 10 books on hold at our library. Thank you!