As 2018 draws to a close, with the potential of extra reading time during the winter holidays, I want to share with you some of the Middle Grade novels I’ve read in the last few years that have some connection to the arts (although the arts might not be the major theme).
Instead of doing a full review of each book, which would make a post longer than anyone would want to read, I’ve included one link about each book with a notation about whether it’s the author’s website, a review, an author interview, or some other post about the book. If I have done a blog post about the book, I’ve linked to that as well.
The books are separated by which aspect of the arts is most prominent in the book, I’ve given the year of publication, and I’ve organized them alphabetically within each arts form.
I hope you’ll find this list helpful, and will enjoy the books!
Dance
Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango, 2011
Music
Amina’s Voice by Hena Kahn, 2018
The Way to Stay in Destiny by Augusta Scattergood, 2016
Photography
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord, 2014
Theatre
George by Alex Gino, 2015
Gracefully Grayson by Amy Polonsky, 2014
The Great American Mousical by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, 2006
Olive and the Backstage Ghost by Michelle Schusterman, 2017
A Series called Stagestruck:
Curtain Up by Lisa Fiedler and Anya Wallach, 2015
Showstopper by Lisa Fiedler and Anya Wallach, 2015
A Trilogy:
Better Nate than Ever by Tim Federle, 2014
Five, Six, Seven, Nate by Tim Federle, 2015
Nate Expectations by Tim Federle, 2018
Visual Art
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, 2005
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, 1968
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald, 2015
What I Came to Tell You by Tommy Hays, 2014
Writing
All Four Stars by Tara Dairman, 2014
Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman, 2015
This Would Make a Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy, 2017
Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan, 2010
I hope you enjoy the holiday season, whatever it has in store for you (hopefully there will be books!) I’ll see you back here at The Starborn Revue sometime in January.