Stories for curious readers
Middle grade is a special kind of magic, where readers are sharp, perceptive, and craving stories that meet them where they are—not where adults think they should be. These are books about friendship and identity, big decisions and small moments, and the kind of experiences that feel enormous when you’re living through them. Because I may not remember what I ate for breakfast, but I’ll never forget what it felt like to eat alone at school.
TORNADO BRAIN
In this Truman Readers Book Award nominee, Washington State Book Award for Young Readers finalist, and Kirkus and Booklist starred novel, a neurodivergent 7th grader races to find her missing best friend before it’s too late.
“Patrick creates an unforgettable character in Frankie.” —Booklist
PAPER HEART
Tess is struggling with first love, loss, and being twin to Frankie far from home in this companion to Tornado Brain.
“Utterly convincing and compelling . . . Patrick writes with a sure hand, a fine eye for detail, and a quick, accessible understanding that will have readers on Tess’ side and happy to see her finding and forgiving herself.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
WE BUILT THIS CITY
Inspired by her own childhood, Cat takes us back to the summer of 1985, when air guitar, jelly bracelets, and huge hair are all the rage, and twelve-year-old Stevie is finally old enough to go on her performing troupe’s annual cross-country tour. Twenty-six teen cast members will lip-synch and dance their way through more than twenty cities, and Stevie and her best friend, Wes, can’t wait—for more reasons than one!