Did you know that April is Indie Author Month? I definitely didn’t just discover that, like two weeks ago. Nope.

In honor of this prestigious, widespread event that everyone definitely knows about, I wanted to highlight something a little more specific than just “indie books.” You know what’s coming, right? Yes, below you will find a list of 5 indie middle grade science fiction and fantasy novels.

Why Am I Highlighting MG SFF Specifically?

Well, honestly because that’s what I’m trying to write. But also I really do have a soft spot for well done middle grade. Plus, if you think being an indie author is hard — try doing it when you can’t even technically market to your audience. We have to get parents, teachers, and librarians excited about our books while still making sure 8-12-year-olds will become obsessed with them as well.

It’s a fun little magic trick.

So. The following books are in honor of the brave, dedicated souls who keep writing great middle grade books against all odds and, yes, sanity.

I should say that this isn’t a recommendation list. I haven’t yet read any of these books. However, after poring over lists of various MG SFF indies, these five stood out and excited me.

Why?

Read on!

The Gryphon Chronicles — E.G. Foley

Scrappy orphan pickpocket in Victorian London who discovers he’s tied to a hidden magical lineage? Um, yes, I would like to read some Dickens fantasy, thank you.

I’m not sure if the actual series truly ends up having that feel, but it’s quite successful, and makes intriguing promises like secret societies, conspiracies, shifting alliances, and a world that’s been quietly operating just out of sight.

With nine books, this sounds like a series you can really sink into if you like it.

The Book of Chaos — Jessica Renwick

The 12-year-old protagonist is named Fable Nuthatch, and the plot involves literally falling into the pages of a book to save her cousin. Surprise! It’s not just a book, but a completely different land called Starfell, which apparently isn’t governed by the typical rules of reality.

Um, awesome. There are five books in this series, and hundreds of positive reviews.

A Flash of Fire — A.L. Wyss

A magic school story. Hidden in the real world. Fable creatures.

All fine. I like magic school stories, even though they’ve done to death.

But this line from the book’s description got me: “Armed with science, stubbornness, and a growing flame she’s still learning to control…”

Magic, magic everywhere, and the first two descriptors there are “science” and “stubborness.” Love it.

Three-book series.

I Know What UFO Did Last Summer — Kevin Garone

When someone in a SFF tells us that there are monsters or magic, we’ve been trained to believe them. Because that’s how these types of stories go. Especially when no one believes them. Their job is to keep going even when it seems like they’re insane because eventually the story will prove them right.

Except the description makes it sound like this book does the opposite… while still giving the protagonist credit for uncovering real danger when everyone else was ignoring it.

Intriguing. Also sounds funny and twisty.

Two-book series.

A Gift of Words — Rosalind Dando

Okay, I’m going to be really honest: If someone hadn’t recommended this to me, I’m not sure I would have chosen it, because I’m not quite sure what to make from the description.

At first it make it seem like the protagonist doesn’t have magic… but then clearly says he does at the end, and seems to imply that we should understand what it is. (I do not.)

I’ll let you be the judge. One way or another, it’s certainly intriguing:

A magical gift is more trouble than it’s worth…

Cam has plenty of things to worry about. His best friend might have broken someone’s fingers, the class bully won’t leave him alone, and staying under the radar of his teachers is much harder than it ought to be. He definitely doesn’t need magic to make his life any more complicated.

Which is good, because when he does write his name in Libris Sapientia—the book of wisdom—a whole lot of nothing happens. He is a failure, and even a book agrees. Then, Loman Lykill joins their class, bringing a whole new brand of chaos to Highgrove Secondary.

Cam has his magical gift, whether he wants it or not.

So, there you go. Five indie middle grade SFF reads that I’m really interested in.

Have you read any of them? What did you think?