Books & Online Courses for
Middle Grade Readers

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Our Newest Book And Courses

Year of the Meatball

by Angela Calabrese

Two Cultures—One Game—One Wish

Joey Marconi’s life in the Bronx covered all the bases—the best pizzeria on the planet, a winning baseball team, and Yankee Stadium just a pitcher’s throw away. But when his family moves to the country, Joey slides into a major slump. To make matters worse, his Nonna’s legendary meatballs are starting to taste lousy.

Then he meets Bobbi Ming—a baseball lover whose face and heart bear the scars of a tragic accident.

Joey’s not sure what to think of their budding friendship, but he relies on her to help navigate his new life—including school bullies, Nonna acting crazier than his curveball, and a trio of loveable llamas.

There’s a lot to figure out.

Joey and Bobbi make a strong team, but when Bobbi buckles under the weight of being teased, Joey must decide where his true loyalties lie—with his new friend, or the biggest baseball game of his life.   

Online Courses

Explore Course

For Family 
Virtue Focus Study

Analysis Course

For Independent
Language-Arts-Based Study

Literature Circle Course

For Group
Language-Arts-Based Study

Explore Course - vs - Analysis Course

Explore

  • Created to Support Families as Parents Do Virtue Training
  • Help for Kids Building a Traditional Worldview
  • Exploration of Agency, Character Arc, and Associations in the Book
  • Discussion Through Ownership Interviews
  • Instructional Videos, and Paper and Pencil Work
  • Kids choose a Fun Final Project
  • Final Fun with the Author Video

Analysis & Literature Circle

  • Academic Language Art Based Study for Independent (Analysis) or Group (Literature Circle) Work
  • Reading for Clues to Understanding as they Read and Discuss
  • Focus Skill that culminates in a Final Written Essay
  • Vocabulary Work and Comprehension Quizzes
  • Instructional Videos, Paper and Pencil Work, Online Work
  • Students choose a Fun Final Project
  • Final Fun with the Author Video

More Books and Courses Coming Soon!

What is New Traditional Middle Grade Literature?

New Traditional Middle Grade Literature DOES NOT include:

  • Swearing or overly harsh language
  • Sexual reference or innuendo of any kind
  • Descriptive violence or abuse
  • Descriptive drug or alcohol abuse
  • Social agendas, quotas, or lectures
  • Developmentally unready situations portrayed

New Traditional Middle Grade Literature DOES include:

  • New writing styles kids engage well with
  • Stories that show committed, though imperfect families
  • Positive relationships with parents and siblings
  • Strong dads and devoted moms
  • Genuine spiritual and religious foundations
  • Values of integrity, hard work, compassion, and patriotism
  • Positive portrayals of settings, whether rural, urban, homeschool, or Mars
  • Characters learn from their mistakes
  • Characters learn to react in positive ways to life’s challenges
  • Lots of adventure, mystery, discovery, and growth

Middle Grade Novels

Written for kids and their families to love. Published for the gatekeepers to feel good about. No quotas. No agendas. Just good literature.

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