Get weekly tailored book recommendations for tweens ages 8-14, from Afoma Umesi, the founder of Reading Middle Grade.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Freemium | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 120 | Founded | 2 years ago | Last Issue | 6 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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readingmiddlegrade.substack.comLatest Issues
Five Kids, One Book: The Magic Library of Waterfall Way
The first book that has truly split up our panel... in an interesting way.
Earlier this year, my teammate Evelyn raved about a new “cozy” middle grade fantasy that she felt was unique. She loved it so much that we included it in our 2026 S...
Book Trailer of the Week: Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar
One of my most popular Instagram posts is this post about teen mysteries that middle schoolers can read. By the sixth and seventh grades, many middle schoolers are curious about YA fiction—especially mysteries and romance. But not many teen...
Ask Afoma: The sensitive 12-year-old who loves fast-paced mysteries and graphic novels
This week’s newsletter is sponsored by The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery by MJ Rosewood
Perfect for ages 8-12 and fans of The Magic Tree House and the National Park Mystery series, this fast-paced adventure blends kid inventors with nonstop hi...
Ask Afoma: Which books should I gift my 8-14 year old?
Hi!
I’ve been enjoying writing this Substack newsletter for the last year and some, and it’s been delightful to share recommendations for young readers looking for just the right fit.
Reading Middle Grade is a reader-supported publ...
The Kid Cover Test: October 2026
Welcome to the October edition of The Kid Cover Test, where kids ages 8-14 rate six covers and explain whether or not they’d pick up a book based on its cover alone.
In this month’s test, we break down the value of a genre-forward cover, d...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
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| Subscribers | Engagement | 81 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
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| Ranked Keywords | 855 | Monthly Search Traffic | Top Keywords |
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Afoma is a writer living in Toronto, Canada. She is the founder of the Reading Middle Grade website and Substack and helps parents find books for kids ages 8-14. She also writes about life, style, and small business on the Press Restart Substack.
Children's book recommendations from a mother, teacher, writer, and unabashed lover of everything kid lit.
Librarian, educator, mom, bibliophile.
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