This was such a fun read! I had a hard time putting it down. This is a great read for young readers.

This was such a good middle grade read. I loved the empowerment that the protagonist, Ravani, gained as he became close to the mysterious children that moved in next door.

The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart is a fast paced novel that will be great for elementary school children.

Ravani is a boy who is unlike anyone else in town. He does not eat the meat the is slaughter in the towns slaughterhouse. His parents, especially his dad worry about Ravani not having any friends and his solo daily adventure. But when Ravani sees children coming to town in the dead of night he wonders who these children are and what they are doing in town.

Soon Ravani is able to meet Virginia and secrets are revealed. Ravani feels so close to his new friends and does everything he can to protect them and keep his friendship in tact.

A story about friendship filled with wonder and mystery. This is a book that I think many children and adults will love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: The Midnight Children
Author: Dan Gemeinhart
Audiobook Narrator: Andre Santana
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Children/Middle Grade, Mystery
Pub Date: August 30, 2022
My Rating: 3.4 Stars

Around Midnight Ravani Fosters notices a truck on his street in Slaughterville, (yep named after a slaughterhouse. He sees a truck in front of the abandoned house across the street. He watches as the driver gets out and goes to the back of the truck to open the door; seven children leave the truck each has a small suitcase. They look over their shoulders to make sure no one is watching. The last to leave the truck is a little girl who looks up and sees Ravani watching them. She puts her finger to her mouth in the universal word for Shoo -“Don’t tell ~ this is our secret”

Ravani immediately connects and finds a friend in Virginia. But with this friendship comes secrets —and danger.
When Ravani learns of a threat, he feels he must keep them safe.

Although I am not the target audience for this novel but as an educator I like to read stories for a young audience so that I can make recommendations. In this case, I know middle school boys are going to enjoy this story!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio ~~ Macmillan Young Listeners early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 30, 2022

This is a really hard review to write. As an adult, I loved the found family trope. I thought the characters were interesting. But the details about the slaughterhouse were a bit too gruesome for me. So reading this as a perspective book for middle grade children, especially my own children this age, it might be a bit too much for some sensitive readers.

The tone and subject matter just weren't for me, but other readers may love it.

The audiobook version was really well done, although the only thing that annoyed me was the Wolf's jilted speech was SO slow. Otherwise, it was great narration.

4 stars

After adoring _The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise_, I was thrilled to be able to read another middle grade novel from the noteworthy Dan Gemeinhart, and this newest further demonstrates why Gemeinhart is such an important author for this audience at this time.

Ravani, the m.c., is not the coolest kid in town or even at home, and his feelings of isolation, sadness, and (on the other hand) altruism are powerful from the start. When he inadvertently witnesses the arrival of his new neighbors - a large group of kids - in the middle of the night, a whole world of possibility opens for him, not only in terms of new adventures but especially in his chances for creating new and meaningful connections, strengthening his family, and understanding both platonic and romantic opportunities. To be clear, this last part is totally age appropriate.

While the found family and healing aspects of this novel are obvious standouts, for me, the eco commentary is what really sets this one apart. Having been vegan for several years and vegetarian for many years prior to that, I'm always interested in books that focus on animals as meaningful characters, the treatment of animals as a serious moral issue worthy of discussion and action, and the opportunities for all members of society at all ages to perform their duties as earth warriors. I really found all of the related content - not to mention the parallels between the kids and the animals - gripping. My suspicion is that this element will be what most frequently has me recommending this book over many of its also worthy contemporaries.

This is my second read from this author, and I so appreciate that readers get to go into some pretty dark circumstances with the protagonists but that there are also opportunities to make choices and to experience some happiness sometimes. These days, what more can we ask for, right? Recommended across the board but especially to folks with an added interest in that eco-contemporary aspect.