See what I did there in the image with the editing and the funny? My family is very proud.
Not only is the third month of the year Middle Grade March, it’s also Women’s History Month and National Reading Month.
In other words, lots to celebrate.
To mark the occasion, I pulled together five middle grade SFF books that loosely fit under the Women’s History Month banner.
The first two I’ve read (and are amazing), the last three I’m very excited to read:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon – Kelly Barnhill
One of my favorites. Brimming with whimsy and humor and, above all, love, this feels perfect for Women’s History Month because it details the story of women whose magic is feared, controlled, and ultimately reclaimed, along the way taking time to explore identity, mentorship, and what happens when power is finally understood instead of suppressed.
Aru Shah and the End of Time – Roshani Chokshi
I really have to read the rest of this series — not the least of which because I feel like it shares some tonal similarities with my book. But on to the blurb: We all have stories we inherit. But for Aru Shah this takes on a different meaning when she is pulled into literal myth and destiny, and has to learn what it means to challenge — and eventually reclaim — those stories for herself.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking – T. Kingfisher
Mona’s magic is unconventional and seems kind of pointless, which results in people underestimating her. But then her special powers become exactly what’s needed, highlighting how sometimes it’s the most overlooked voices that are necessary to challenge power and reshape the system. Also, it’s supposed to be really clever and funny.
Small Spaces – Katherine Arden
The story of a girl needing to learn resilience, courage, and the power to keep going in order to confront her grief and fear (and some supernatural scariness). It’s been called tense and atmospheric and sounds and looks really creepy.
The First State of Being – Erin Entrada Kelly
Is there an award she hasn’t been at least nominated for? Save some for the rest of us! The descriptions call this a thoughtful sci-fi story about a girl navigating time travel, grief, and connection, and what it means to hold onto yourself as the world shifts around you.