I loved GROWN by Tiffany Jackson and I tend to enjoy middle grade books for a fun change of pace so this one caught my eye. I loved this story. Yes, it's for young readers, but the plot was so well done. Jackson is such a master at craftting compelling stories.

In this mystery we follow Kaylani who lives in Brooklyn with her mom and her father is incarcerated. She is headed to Martha's Vineyard to stay with family friends for summer vacation. This privileged life is very different to her from her usual life and it takes her some time to adjust. The wealthy Black families here are definitely way more pretentious than what she's used to. When a local teen winds up dead, a murder investigation starts, and Kaylani does some amateur sleuthing herself. Was this a murder, or an accident?

This was such a fantastic read. It kept me guessing with the local teen case mystery. Kaylani was such a great character. She really wanted to help out with this case. I also loved the setting of Martha's Vineyard. Such a beautiful spot and the descriptions just felt perfect for a summer thriller. I liked how the twist played out too. I definitely think kids and adults alike can enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this, but I do not think Tiffany Jackson is suited to MS fiction. I think she likes bite and that is hard to accomplish in middle grades. I appreciated the extended metaphor of the sharks in the story. Would buy and add to my classroom library!

A really solid upper-MG mystery; off the top of my head I can think of maybe three other middle grades where someone actually gets murdered, so kudos to Jackson and Scholastic for giving advanced readers something meaty.

I figured out the culprit about 3/4 of the way through, and I think the story could have benefitted from a few more suspects to throw readers off the trail. That said though, the pacing is phenomenal. I tore through it in a couple of hours and can't wait to share it with my readers. Enjoyed getting a glimpse of life at Martha's Vineyard as well. 10 and up.

🩸🌊🦈 I was so excited to see that I was approved to receive an ARC of Blood in the Water. Tiffany D. Jackson is one of my all-time favorite authors, so I could not wait to dive in! *wink* (Pun very much intended). Thank you to Netgalley, Scholastic Press, and Tiffany D. Jackson for the opportunity to read Blood in the Water.

Jackson did a fantastic job shifting her writing toward a younger audience. I was a bit worried the book would be less twisty and complex than her other novels because it was made for MG rather than YA, but it was not in the least. When I thought I knew what was going on, I very much did not. Which, looking back to when I was in middle school, is perfect for that age range. No child wants an author to hold their hand through a mystery/thriller. Writers should trust that their readers are smart, and that also applies to younger ones. I am confident that kids will LOVE this book. And, adults too! I can attest to that.

Grab this book the second it hits shelves on the first of July!

Tiffany D. Jackson never disappoints with her writing. I cannot wait to see what she will write next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊

It’s been a long time since I picked up a middle grade book—I honestly thought I’d outgrown them. But this one completely proved me wrong. The writing was so strong and engaging that I often forgot it was meant for a younger audience.

Yes, some of the characters were a bit frustrating at times, but then I had to remind myself: they’re middle schoolers. And honestly? Their behavior felt pretty true to how my friends and I acted back then—messy, dramatic, and totally believable.

I did figure out the twist pretty early (around the 30% mark), but I read and watch a lot of thrillers, so that’s kind of expected. Even so, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, a really fun and well-written read. I’m super excited to dive into The Scammers next!

This is a classic Tiffany D. Jackson suspenseful tale but written for a younger audience. The voice is authentic, and the details weave together by the end. Middle grade kids will love this!

The story is fast-paced, super twisty, and full of drama. Jackson does a great job blending suspense with real-life issues like privilege, race, and justice. You’ll be second-guessing everyone until the very last page.

Getting the chance to read thisd book before publish was so fun! Tiffany Jackson writes another amazing novel with Blood in the Water! Dark, mysterious, and hopeful, Blood in the Water is a great addition to intermediate readers horror genre! It felt nostaglic like a Goosebumps book but on a new level.

"Blood in the Water" by Tiffany D. Jackson is an absolute five-star read! As a huge fan of mystery and horror novels, especially those featuring a diverse Black character group, this book hit all the right notes. It instantly reminded me of the classic Fear Street series by R.L. Stine, but perfectly tailored for a preteen audience – offering all the thrills and chills without being overly graphic.

The story drops us right into Kaylani's summer, a Brooklyn girl navigating the unfamiliar world of Martha's Vineyard. I loved how the book highlighted the rich Black history of Oak Bluffs, adding a fantastic layer to the setting. While London Watson provides some initial friction, Kaylani's connections with the other kids felt genuine and fun.

But then, BAM! A shocking event throws everything into chaos, and Kaylani's determination to solve the mystery had me turning pages faster than ever. Jackson masterfully weaves a tale of sinister truths and shocking secrets that keep you guessing until the very end. Beyond the immediate whodunit, the narrative delves deep into themes of betrayal, triangulation, and unexpected love, all while unearthing an age-old murder that casts a long shadow over the present. The suspense is expertly built, and the characters are so well-developed that you genuinely care about what happens to them. If you're looking for a gripping, diverse, and perfectly spooky read for a younger audience, "Blood in the Water" is it.

Grab your middle grade readers and on July 1 head to your local indie bookstore and pick up Tiffany D. Jackson’s debut middle grade novel Blood in the Water. I love Tiffany’s books and here for her master storytelling for a younger audience.

Kaylani lives in Brooklyn with her Mom and spends her days looking forward to talking with her incarcerated Dad on the phone. When she finds out she is going to be going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer and staying with family friends. She’s really reluctant but in the end goes… and the unthinkable has happened… someone is missing and a possible murder investigation is about to began.

The setting was absolutely everything. I can picture the island and shops as Kaylani made herself familiar with her surroundings. I can’t help but think what a great MG Bookclub pick this would make. Delivering great conversations to a younger audience on identity, class and incarceration.

I will read what ever she writes!

Thank you Scholastic
Releases 7/1

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Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the eARC of Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson. I'm a huge fan and have read all her books, so I was thrilled to read this. This is a YA, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. It's a quick read that keeps you on the edge. I love the summer vibes, and Tiffany D. Jackson just knows how to craft a compelling story with real-world issues layered underneath, and this is no different.

Thanks to NetGalley & Scholastic Press for the ARC!

This was my first Tiffany D. Jackson read, even though Allegedly, Monday’s Not Coming, White Smoke, and Grown have been on my TBR for a while. Blood in the Water is a fast-paced middle grade mystery set in Martha’s Vineyard, featuring a smart and relatable protagonist. The story explores themes of class, community, and resilience, all wrapped in an engaging whodunnit.

I predicted a few plot points but still found the ending satisfying. The book is age-appropriate with a strong atmosphere and memorable characters. A solid debut middle grade from Jackson that I’d recommend to fans of mysteries and thrillers.

As a huge fan of Tiffany D. Jackson, I was delighted to get my hands on Blood in the Water. Lately, I’ve been deep in the world of romance books, so I was a little nervous that diving into a middle grade thriller would throw me off—but this book had me hooked from start to finish.

The mystery kept me guessing, and I found myself completely invested. The pacing was quick, the plot was easy to follow, and it didn’t take long before I felt really connected to the main character. This is definitely one of those books you can breeze through, but it still packs a punch.

By the end, I was getting emotional. I was angry. I was sad. That’s how I knew the story had me—it made me feel something. Tiffany D. Jackson just knows how to draw you into her characters and their world.

I highly recommend this one for middle grade readers, but honestly, anyone older will enjoy it too. It’s a fast, gripping read with real depth—and it reminded me why I love everything Tiffany D. Jackson writes.

Tiffany D. Jackson's middle grade debut proves to be a perfect summer thriller for all ages. I was so lucky to be able to read an advanced copy of one of my favorite author's newest books. I was so impressed with how well she navigated developing content for a younger audience that doesn't talk down to them but still maintains a level of restraint when dealing with dark topics.

Set against the backdrop of Martha's Vineyard, Kaylani is more or less forced to accompany family friends she barely remembers to their summer home to take her mind off of her father's recent incarceration. However, Kaylani finds herself embroiled in a mysterious death by shark attack. Prompted by her own doubts, she and some children visiting for the summer begin to dig into the history of the town and some people. However, the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes.

This book was very fast-paced with enough excitement and action to keep me invested in the story. I think that a lot of readers will find themselves immersed in Jackson's storytelling, even those classified as reluctant readers. Jackson also manages to incorporate some really strong messages about classism and our justice system into her writing. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Jackson's writing and her character development. I hope that she will continue to write in the middle grade age category. Young readers deserve fun, smart, intriguing stories like this.

Can I tell you how excited I was to be selected to read this??? I squealed. Audibly. For any of those of you who are not familiar with Tiffany D. Jackson, well, you soon will be. Her books do not miss.

And I’m happy to say, this middle grade murder mystery falls right into that category. It’s fantastic! Just enough intrigue (and yes, murder) to be interesting without being scary to you get kids. There’s good, healthy friendships being modeled through tough times. I also really love the way adults are portrayed here, flaws included. There’s some important messages here around Black history and the role it needs to be in modern life. Everything in this was perfect for the 9-12 age group. In fact, I would have no issue buying a copy of this for my youngest who is definitely leaning towards murder mystery books. A solid read all around!

Thank you to Scholastic | Scholastic Press for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’m here to give my review of Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson. A special Thank you to NetGalley & Scholastic Press for the opportunity to read this great ARC read! I gave this a 4.25 rating.
First off, I must say that Tiffany D. Jackson has such a skill at writing YA and Teen content. She has done it again with Blood in the Water, which follows Kaylani and her summer coming of age story.
It starts off with Her mom working hard to stay afloat as her dad is currently serving time in prison for a crime that Kaylani doesn’t think he committed. She’s from Brooklyn, due to her dad’s prison sentence, she’s heavily influenced to become a lawyer. During the summer she thought she was gonna stay home but her parents decide that going to stay with a friend of theirs in Martha’s Vineyard for the summer, would be good for her.
Little did Kaylani know that this would be one summer that she’d never forget! There’s a murder and this quickly becomes a whodunnit mystery. The way that Tiffany D. Jackson writes this, any person of all age groups can enjoy this. I think it’s a great younger spin on Jaws the movie.
It's very relatable and full emotional feelings that you yourself can relate to. I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end and this left me feeling extremely satisfied with the ending. I rated this a 4.25 rating for a few reasons, I wished that the story went a little deeper into her dad's connection to Mrs. Watson. I also was looking for a more in depth story into Mrs. Watson's background. Overall great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book!
Tiffany D. Jackson never disappoints me and once again I have a book that I love. This is definitely something I would recommend to my students.
The characters were interesting and this could easily lead into a series about her investigative work!!
Loved it.

I love Tiffany D. Jackson and was excited to read her middle grade debut especially as a middle school librarian; however, this novel felt safe. Yes it was a murder mystery, but it could have been more. I enjoyed the book, but I want Jackson to push the limits more in middle grade. Don't sell these kids short. They too love gritty hard hitting narratives. Good Job, Ms. Jackson. I will be purchasing for my library.

Kaylani’s dad is in prison for a crime he did not commit. He took a plea deal after being arrested for embezzlement. A family friend invites Kaylani to spend the summer in Martha’s Vineyard. She does not want to go as she would rather be able to communicate with her father and help with his appeal, even though she is only 12. Her parents think the trip will be good for her so she reluctantly goes. The family she stays with are the Watsons. They have money and secrets that seem to be tied to their house in Martha’s Vineyard. When the Watson’s granddaughter Cassie’s ex-boyfriend Chadwick turns up dead, Kaylani decides to help his brother Miles solve the murder. The story is very intriguing and I could not figure out who the murderer was or what the motive could be.

Tiffany D Jackson does an amazing middle grade debut! I had no idea what was coming in the mystery. And the final reveal was perfect.