Melissa Johnston Miles

Mom, author, nurse, teacher . . . reading the world around me

Category: Middle Grade Fiction Page 1 of 2

The Feel of a Classic Literature for Today’s Kids

By

On April 3, 2024

In Middle Grade Fiction, Novels

Copyright Macmillan Publishers.

Are you looking for a book to read with your kids, grandkids, classroom, MG book club–or if you’re like me and just love to read Middle Grade stories? This new release from Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan Publishers) by debut author Allie Millington has the charm and heartwarming appeal of classics like Charlotte’s Web, but with plenty of appeal for modern kids.

From the opening pages, Olivetti has the feel of the favorite children’s classics I loved reading as a kid. However, unlike the classics, this novel includes cell phones, laptops, and all of the modern contrivances today’s kids rely on daily.

Copyright Pixar/Disney

I loved the way Olivetti (the personified typewriter who shares the narration of the story) struggles with the same emotions we humans do. My favorite Disney film is the original Toy Story, and Olivetti is reminiscent of Woody. Just like Woody is replaced by Buzz, Olivetti feels replaced by a shiny new laptop. When he finds himself on the shelf of a pawnshop, Olivetti’s struggles intensify. Here’s a fun fact about this Toy Story connection: The incomparable Tom Hanks, who voiced the icon character of Woody in the Pixar films, read Olivetti and loved it enough to write a review for the New York Times! How cool is that?

The other narrator in the novel is Ernest Brindle–a quiet boy who prefers keeping to himself. When Ernest’s mother is reported missing, he blames himself. Even though he shies away from friendship in general, he teams up with the pawnshop owner’s daughter as well as Olivetti to discover where (and why) his mother has gone.


As a former 4th grade teacher, this is a novel my students would have enjoyed reading as a class. It has the same type of quirky characters as Kate DiCamillo’s books, introduces them to the lost art of typing, and ends with hope.

Order Olivetti here.

Kid’s Choice Kidlit Writing Contest

By

On February 1, 2024

In Middle Grade Fiction, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

This is my second year entering this contest. Last year, I was a finalist in the YA category, and this year I’m entering in MG. Thanks for stopping by to read my entry.

Carina of the Southern Sky (500 words)

I’m the one who called 911. Mama is gone because of me.

Something that awful should become etched in my brain forever. Every single detail. But it’s not. Big chunks of that night are missing.

I see bits and pieces: Flashing blue lights, the beam of bright yellow shining across the wet grass, Mama staring at me from the back of a police car.

What I remember most is showing up in the middle of the night at my foster parents’ house. Andy and Jodie waited on their porch for me. Before I’d gotten half-way up the steps, Jodie wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and said, “You’re safe here with us, Carina.”

It was still summer break the night I showed up here. But now, with tomorrow being the first day of school, Jodie starts talking about it before we even finish dinner.

We’re still sitting at the crowded kitchen table, but my mind drifts. The truth is, I don’t care about my schedule, the teachers, or the stupid team mascot. It isn’t my school, with my friends. Most important, Mama won’t be here for my first day of middle school like she always promised.

“Excuse me,” I blurt.

My chair scrapes the floor as I leap up.

“Carina,” Jodie calls.

As the screen door slams behind me, I hear Andy say, “Give her a minute.”

Without looking back, I sprint beyond the shrubs and concrete path. Dropping onto the lawn, I search the darkening sky. Millions of stars twinkle through drifting clouds. “Hey up there,” I say. “I’m drifting too.”

Tears spill down my cheeks remembering the nights Mama and I gazed up, trying to be the first to holler, “There she is! Carina of the Southern sky!”

The door creaks open on the porch behind me. “Carina, it’s getting late. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

I don’t move. I need something familiar to calm me—something from home.

“Did you hear me?”

I roll onto my belly to see Jodie squinting at me in the semi-darkness of the porch light, biting her lower lip.

“I’m looking for my star. The one I was named for.”

Jodie tilts her head to the side. “I guess it’s alright. But just for a few more minutes. There’s no need in you being all tuckered out for your first day tomorrow.”

Spanish Moss flutters like ghosts in the darkness. But I look beyond it, refusing to be afraid.

“My Carina” finally appears from behind a cloud. You can’t see the real Carina from North America, it’s only the North Star.

But none of that matters anymore. What matters is the little balloon of hope that inflates at the thought of us both looking at the same star like we used to.

I make a promise into the flickering night sky. “I’m going to find a way to bring you back home, Mama. I swear it.”

And I will. It’s my fault she’s gone, and it’s up to me to fix it.

A Life of Adventure

By

On January 14, 2024

In Middle Grade Fiction, Novels, Old Photos, Uncategorized

As a kid, I loved to read. One of my favorite characters was Pippi Longstocking.

She had freedoms I didn’t. She could dress however she wanted. She was free from the conventions of how a “proper young lady” would behave. Pippi was loyal to her friends and generous. She had a spirit of adventure and so much energy. To top it off, she had bright red hair and freckles all over her face–an instant connection. When I read stories about Pippi, I lived my life vicariously through her.

When I sat down to write my middle-grade novel SAM OF THE SEAS, Pippi was my muse. Sam lives on the RMS Harmonia, where her father is the ship’s captain. On the ship, Sam has freedoms most girls didn’t have in 1908. She can wear pants, visit places around the world and mingle with passengers from a myriad of cultures. She’s always looking for adventure and is easily distracted from school books. Just like Pippi, Sam is a rebel. Of all the characters I’ve written, Sam embodies a younger me.

The ship that inspired the RMS Harmonia was called the Morea, which was owned and operated by P&O (The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company). It’s routes intrigued me. Imagine being a kid who travels to places throughout the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, India, Australia, New Zealand and more. I ordered photo books featuring ships of this era and read extensively on sites devoted to ships like this. I read dissertations about Lascar crews, and how they were treated. There were stories of these ships transporting political prisoners, entering ports under quarantine flags, rescuing passengers from disabled vessels, and even helped stranded citizens after a massive earthquake in Italy. The possibilities of what a kid living on a ship like this could experience are endless!

One of the postcards featuring the Morea in Port Said. The entrance to the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo credit: https://www.benjidog.co.uk)

One thing I also loved about writing a character from this time is the chance to view society through her eyes. The treatment of the Lascar crew members by the passengers and British crew stunned her. In my book, one of Sam’s biggest advocates is the Serang of the Lascar crew. India was still under British rule, a woman had just qualified as a physician in England, but there were still many expectations for how a young girl should behave. Sam wants no part of these rules! I love that about her.

The members of the Lascar crews were mostly Hindu and Muslim, and dressed in traditional clothing instead of the starched uniforms worn by the British crew. Even though they were crucial to running the ship, they were often mistreated and worked under unsafe conditions. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

Shortly, this book will be out on submission with editors. It feels like I’m sending out a part of my heart into the world to be trampled. But that’s how publishing works. For now, enjoy the pictures that helped inspire my story. I hope when you get a chance to read it, you’ll love it as much as I do.

I’ll post updates if there are any!

The Morea in dry dock. (Photo credit: https://www.benjidog.co.uk)

Spring Fling Kidlit Contest ’23

By

On March 31, 2023

In Contests, Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

This is at least my third year entering this great writing contest. Some years I’ve won a prize, some not. But it’s always fun to participate! If you’re new to Spring Fling, it’s a fabulous writing contest where you find (or create) a springtime GIF and then write a 150 (max) word story inspired by the image.

For all the rules/details, click here. The community engagement for this contest is great. If you write a story, be sure to read other entries and comment on those as well. Meet new writing friends and make new social media connections. That’s the best part of the contest. Thanks to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neil for putting this together!

Thanks for stopping by to read my entry this year!

The Magic of Shared Memories

(147 words)

“Why so blue on this beautiful spring day?” Grandma asks.

“Keisha is moving today.”

Grandma squeezes my hand. “Let’s go find some perfect crafting paper.”

Grandma and I love origami. Magic happens in folding paper to create something new.

Deep in the clearance bin something rustles.

Sweeping away the top layer reveals beautiful blue paper with springtime flowers. “Grandma, look. It’s perfect.”

Back home, my sadness seeps into each fold—sealing special memories into every crease. I only wish I’d made the butterfly in time to give it to Keisha.

Later when I walk Grandma out, something flutters against my hand. I open it, and my butterfly takes flight!

We gasp, watching until it disappears in the direction of Keisha’s house.

Grandma winks. Like she’s known all along.

I picture my butterfly settling into Keisha’s outstretched palm—all the words I hadn’t said soaring into her heart.

GIF from website GIFER.com

Fifty Precious Words

By

On March 3, 2023

In Middle Grade Fiction, Novels, Writing Contests

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love to enter kidlit writing contests. They’re a great way to hone your craft, learn revision skills, and create a narrative arc with a very limited number of words. Plus, you get a chance to engage with the wonderful kidlit community. It’s a win-win.

I entered Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest last year for the first time, and won an amazing career consultation Zoom with Independent YA & Children’s Book Editor Julie Scheina.

This year’s entry is a small part of a scene from an unpublished MG contemporary story I’ve been revising. I worked to craft a story contained in these fifty short words to attempt a beginning, middle and end to this young girl’s moment of searching for something familiar in such a foreign place.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash

The Comforting Constellation

(50 words)

I fly into darkness,

flopping onto damp grass;

ignoring my foster mother’s calls.

If I can find our stars,

it will slow my heart, dull the aching.

I see them,

emerging from mist,

twinkling so brightly

they must know I need them.

I feel Mama beside me.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

*****************************

Thanks for stopping by! If you’d like to see the entry that won a prize last year, you can read it here.

Children of the Bog

By

On October 30, 2022

In Middle Grade Fiction, writing, Writing Contests

I’ve come to love holiday writing contests. This is my entry to Susanna Leonard Hill’s wonderful Halloweensie writing contest.

The rules require you to write a Halloween story with kid appeal with a max of 100 words–including some variation of the words treat, slither, and scare.

Children of the Bog

(100 words)

Halloween night,

adults of Reaper’s Bog

beseech their children

to stay close for trick-or-treating.

For every Hallows-Eve, a lone child

is swallowed up by the bog,

and the terrifying creatures within.

Do they slither, scamper, or snatch?

Growl, grimace, or gnaw?

No child’s ever returned to tell.

Betsy Braveheart isn’t scared.

Stuffing her princess costume

behind a tree, she pulls a slingshot

from her pocket,

creeps to swamp’s edge…

and waits.

At dawn, only her costume’s recovered.

She’s joined the bog children.

Sadly…

Betsy’s scribbled note,

roughly jammed into a gnarled tree’s hole,

goes unnoticed.

“They were human once too!”

The Show Must Go On

By

On March 5, 2022

In Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

I decided to enter Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest this year. Read all the details here: https://viviankirkfield.com/2022/03/04/50preciouswords-2022-official-contest-post/#more-25735

Please find my story below, coming in at exactly 50 words! Hope you enjoy it.

The Show Must Go On

Two minutes till showtime.

I peek through the curtain. Again.

Still…

Her empty seat glares back at me.

Rows full of faces.

Moms, dads, aunts…so many others.

Just not my person.

Lights dim.

Mom hurries in. Dressed in her work scrubs.

The crescendo of the orchestra perfectly matches my heart.

The Antagonist’s Turn

By

On October 14, 2020

In Contests, Family Life, Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

My last post was my entry to the Fall Writing Frenzy contest. The protagonist of my little story was a young girl helping her mother see the leaves change color “one last time” after her mom’s cancer came back.

So, today I saw this Twitter post by Kaitlyn Sanchez, one of the sponsors of the contest:

I need a good writing challenge, so I decided to come up with a story from the antagonist’s POV. In the case of my original Fall Writing Frenzy story, the antagonist isn’t a person. It’s a disease. Cancer. Yikes.

Challenge accepted! Here’s my story, which I also kept to the word limit of the original contest.

The Day I was Beaten

People hate me. Wait, that’s not a strong enough word. People despise me. I get called “the C word”—as if my name is too evil to speak. There are T-shirts and bumper stickers proclaiming “Cancer Sucks”—and worse, believe me. But, I have to keep this clean for kids.

Not that I normally watch out for kids. I mean, I grow uncontrollably fast in their tiny bodies just as easily as I grow in adults—another reason I’m so despised.

One recent autumn day, I felt ‘death ray level’ loathing directed at me by a little girl riding in a convertible with her parents. The family was saying goodbye. Making memories to cherish once my work in her mother’s body was done.

But they don’t know what I know.

Exactly 24 years later, that little girl—all grown up—will receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine for curing cancer. She’ll dedicate that award to her mother, and hold up a small shadow box containing a leaf. Her father will lead a standing ovation at the ceremony, with a lone tear rolling down his cheek.

That’s what I know. That autumn day was the beginning of the end for me.

Fall Writing Frenzy 2020

By

On October 1, 2020

In Contests, Family Life, Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

I decided to throw my hat into the ring for the wonderful Fall Writing Frenzy Contest again this year. For those who don’t know, you pick an image and write a story for kids in 200 words or less. Mine is sad, but it’s the one that poured out of my beleaguered 2020 soul.

I hope it speaks to you in some way. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks to the amazing Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for sponsoring this contest. And a huge thanks to all the donors!

Image 10
Mom’s Last Wish
2020 Fall Writing Frenzy
199 Words

“I want to see the leaves change color one last time,” Mom said in July when we heard her cancer was back—and worse than ever.

I swallowed hard, but couldn’t form words.

Dad walked over and took Mom’s hand. “We’ll make it happen. I promise.”

So we took Mom home, and kept her room filled with flowers, music, art—and as much laughter as we could manage. For me, laughter was the hardest part.

One early morning in October, Dad gently shook me awake. “Let’s give Mom her wish.”

A red convertible glowed against the sunrise.

I gawked, and Mom smiled. Dad said, “I figure we should do this right.”

As the morning fog burned off the highway, Mom looked between us. “It’s beautiful. This will go in our favorite memories album. Whenever we feel sad, we can flip to this day.”

I closed my eyes, memorizing the wind on my face, and the smell of damp air. But what if I can’t remember everything?

At the slightest touch against my arm, I opened my eyes.

A lone leaf—swirled yellow and orange, had dropped from above.

A tangible keepsake of Mom’s last wish.

Now, I’ll never forget.

Middle Grade Review: Red, White, and Whole

By

On August 31, 2020

In Middle Grade Fiction, Novels, Review, Uncategorized, writing

Red, White, and Whole
                     Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca     
                      February 2021, Quill Tree Books 


Red, White, and Whole is a beautifully written and descriptive novel told completely in verse. The rich details about the 1980's pop music, fashion and styles will introduce young readers to a decade long before they were born, and fill older readers (like me!) with nostalgia for our teen years. 

Just as she did with Midsummer's Mayhem, author Rajani LaRocca brings food to life in ways that engage the senses and makes your mouth water. I'm definitely craving curry, samosas, and paneer as I'm writing this review!

More than anything, however, this book is about family. Main character Reha loves her family, and they love her. Her parents, like many who relocate to another country, surround themselves with a support network of other people who share their culture and traditions. In addition to this, she has extended family in India. Reha will need the support of all of these people when her mother is diagnosed with Leukemia.
But, Reha also has her school friends and she wants to fit in with them. What 13 y.o. doesn't? But since her mom makes her clothes and her family comes from another country, the reader easily sees how Reha feels as if she sticks out.  

I found myself identifying with Reha's struggle to fit in between two worlds--America and India. She doesn't feel as if she truly belongs in either one for much of the novel. The beautiful truth about this story is how universally relatable Reha's journey is. We've all walked that tightrope of our own hopes and dreams vs. our parents' expectations for us. In Reha's case, this is compounded by the fact she's an only child and her parents have sacrificed so much to give her opportunities. 

The novel's format suited this poignant story beautifully, as the author skillfully used verse to heighten the emotional impact of some of the most touching scenes. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to crying in a few places. You might want to grab a few tissues before you settle in to read.

This would be a great novel for 4th and 5th grade classrooms. Especially in rural areas like the town in which I currently live. Kids would enjoy the exposure to the different foods, celebrations and attire from Indian culture. I highly recommend this upcoming novel. Here is a link to pre order it.

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