middle grade
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“With insight and compassion, Ahn’s middle-grade novel addresses the countless hurdles that come with family, teamwork, and self-improvement.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
“Ahn’s spare illustrations are the stars of this show, using just a few lines to evoke emotion, drama, and especially humor…Considering how brief the text is, the two dogs leap, lifelike, off the pages, Sunny reserved and just a bit surly and Rosy fired with youthful enthusiasm.” (Kirkus Reviews)
Graphic Novel: 4 starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal; Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; SLJ Best Graphic Novels 2024 List; Kirkus Best Middle Grade 2024 List; Booklist Editors’ Choice 2024 List
“Moving in its statement of human rights … Readers will find themselves moved back in time and forward in spirit.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review)
“Jung’s voice is a gift to middle-grade fiction …” (Booklist)
“Roars to life with just a touch of magic.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review); Newbery Medal 2021
In Dreamslinger, available April 25, 2025, X‑Men meets Pokémon, where you can go to Korean magical school and learn to grow the missing third of your soul from a seed. Perfect for fans of Amari, Harry Potter, Nevermoor, and Keeper of the Lost Cities. Ideal for ages 10–14, and also for grown up kids!
For fans of Disney’s Go Figure, a laugh-out-loud, heartfelt dual POV sibling-rivalry story. Can these siblings skate past their differences toward victory?
“Captures with unusually knowing and respectful perception the steps of a friend shift.” (BCCB, starred review)
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Companion novel to Brother’s Keeper. Told from the perspective of Sora’s friend Myung-gi, this is the story of a young boy’s experience in the Korean War, both as a refugee and later as a soldier trapped inside an enemy tunnel.
“Tender character relationships between both pup and human, and the myriad fully realized animals Haru meets along his journey, combine for a multilayered and thoroughly heartfelt must-read.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
Graphic Novel: “Takes on aging and death — topics many authors flinch from — with a rare mix of respect, tenderness, and candor… Themes of familial love and loss will pierce readers’ hearts while also offering them both windows and mirrors into Korean culture. An achingly lovely work laced with profound truths on love, death, and grief.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“This beautifully written, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story speaks to the enduring power of familial bonds and the resiliency of the human spirit. … A riveting, timely, humanizing account of risking everything for freedom.” (Jama Rattigan, author of Dumpling Soup)
2022 NCTE Poetry Notable; Wong’s original collection was the first book of Asian American children’s poems to explore issues of race, culture, and identity. In these 50 new pages of memoir, musings, social studies connections, and writing prompts, Janet Wong offers a fresh look at these topics and invites young readers to dive more deeply into the text.
“Meaningful cultural connections provide a solid foundation for this inventive fantasy adventure.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“This warm-hearted, feel-good series continues to realistically explore one Korean American girl’s middle school experience in a relatable way.” (School Library Journal)
