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.

If you want a really good book with a touching story and amazing characters, pick up a book by Dan Gemeinhart! I have read all of his books and I have not been disappointed once. His new book, The Midnight Children, is no different. Ravani Foster is a bit of an outcast in his small town of Slaughterville. He is frequently picked on, doesn’t have any friends, and can’t seem to figure out how to talk to his father. Ravani is much more at ease among the birds he has made hundreds of houses for, both at his house and in the woods nearby. But all of that changes when Ravani sees some kids arrive at the empty house across the street in the middle of the night. His curiosity gets the best of him and soon he is sneaking around the house to figure out who these mysterious kids are. What he discovers will change his life and the lives of those around him. The Midnight Children is a wonderful story of friendship, learning to like yourself, and what family means.

I can’t wait to share this book with my students! If you haven’t read a book by Dan Gemeinhart, get busy. You will not be disappointed! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This is the sixth book by this author and they have all been wonderful. Mr. Gemeinhart has a way of writing believable characters that will tug at your heartstrings while at the same time having a plot that will leave you breathless with anticipation of what might happen next. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Ravani is a very lonely boy who is bullied and misunderstood by almost everyone, including his parents. Until he meets Virginia, one of the mysterious children who have moved into the empty house across the street. Their friendship is strengthened through adventures and a very important secret that he learns about her and her family. I loved how their friendship grew over the course of the book and how that friendship is almost destroyed by the secret that Ravani tries to protect at all costs.

This story is inhabited by some wonderful and slightly quirky characters, especially the townspeople that Ravani and Virginia interact with. Everyone in this town is affected by this group of children and their somewhat magical ability to see the good in everyone. I even quite liked the hunter, who doesn’t have a name, and I appreciated that he also was able to change a little by the end.

Even though I was pretty sure how this story was going to end, I certainly enjoyed the ride getting there. The plot moves along at a natural pace with a lot of touching scenes between Ravi, his parents and the other children as well as Virginia. There are a few scenes concerning the slaughterhouse which may be hard from some children, but even these are handled with care not to be too scary. The bullying scenes are also well done and we are even given some sense as to why Donnie, the bully, does what he does.

This is a wonderful story of friendship, found family and telling the truth, even when it might hurt a friend. There is some magical realism which just adds to the wonderful story. I also loved that the whole town was changed for the better in very subtle ways. Another great story by one of my favorite authors.

4.5 stars

Well, Dan Gemeinhart did it again and made me want to read this book from beginning to end in one sitting (I didn't because I had to work, but I would have). The style of the storytelling is with an omniscient narrator who has a tale to tell; a teaching fable. It took me some time to adjust to that style, as it felt very different from his other books that I've read. But the story itself drew me in immediately. It starts out like a mystery, with some spooky elements, like with the slaughterhouse (very sensitive readers may want to be careful with these scenes), but the story is really about friendship and found family, and choosing what kind of life you want. I loved how the arrival of these children into this town of Slaughterville not only changed their lives but changed the lives of the townsfolk. Dan Gemeinhart has the gift of making you care about the people in his stories and I loved how it ended not just for Ravani and the seven Midnight children, but also for the townspeople, especially those that were featured throughout the story.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my students, especially those who like books about family, adventure, and a little bit of magic thrown in.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Here's another masterpiece from this author!
Ravani, a boy who doesn't fit in with his peers and is the object of bullying, encounters a group of orphans who help him unravel life's mysteries.
So many themes are explored and pondered in this book. Friendship, and all its facets are brought to life through the relationships of the children. Abandonment is juxtaposed with belonging as is fealty is to disloyalty. The importance of family and friendship must always win and certainly does which Ravani and his newly-found friends prove. Older elementary school students will definitely be drawn to this captivating read!

This is a story of souls finding each other, making choices, and overcoming loneliness. Ravani has always felt alone as an only child. To make matters worse, there's always a bully named Donnie who's lurking in the woods. Ravani watches one night as seven children are unloaded from a truck and left at the Croward house next door. He befriends Virginia first. She calls him out on all of his lies and pushes him out of his comfort. Eventually, all of the children trust Ravani enough to share their secrets. Can he keep their secrets safe or will the secrets be uncovered?

Geimenhart has woven another beautiful tale that children will adore!

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I personally did not enjoy this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the tone narration style. It does have a bit of an older story telling style that felt cheesy at times. I feel like some of the elements were overdone. I also just never connected to the characters or to the plot. I would recommend that other people check out this book because I don't inherently think it is bad, I just think that the narration and storytelling style didn't mesh well for me.

Another excellent book from master writer Dan Gemeimhart. Ravani Foster is a lonely boy. He's bullied relentlessly. The forces of the universe are on his side when a moving van pulls up at the unoccupied house across the street in the middle of the night. He can't wait to investigate. Enter down-to-earth, honest-to-the-core, Virginia. She ends up being the friend Ravani always wanted. But something weird is going on and Ravani will find out. Virginia isn't a friend he can lose. Unfortunately, Ravani''s bully also finds out and he mercilessly uses it to his advantage.

Every aspect of this book is perfection. The characters, the language, every sentence is writing at its finest. The plot is crafted down to the finest detail. Nothing is left out. I don't know how such talent can exist, but I'm so thankful it does.

I have loved all of Dan Gemeinhart's books from the very first The Honest Truth. Midnight Children, for me, was not quite up to his other titles. Maybe it was the wolf character that made it less appealing. It was never made clear to me why this orphanage was so determined to get these children back. I did love the children and how they all stayed together, but overall it was 4 stars instead of 5.

Dan Gemeinhart has done it again! This book is completely unique but also reminded me of his past books--the creative wordplay from Scar Island, the throw-down of truths like Coyote, and the relatable loneliness and despair of The Honest Truth. The mystery kept me turning pages, but the writing slowed me down so I could enjoy every word. I highly recommend this book for my middle school kiddos!

So glad to have read this through the generosity of @MacKidsSL before it's published! (8/31/22) Adventure, humor, true friendship, coffin canoes, maniacal hunters, loving families! Made my soul sing! It'll do the same for yours.@DanGemeinhart @fsd157c @HCMSTigers157c https://t.co/hc4DsHfHac

Yet again, Dan Gemeinhart has written a story that will touch hearts (and souls), starting right from the very beginning with an epigraph that I could read and reread over and over. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is a story that can save lives. Books in general tend to help people feel less alone, but this story does that masterfully. There is so much to love about The Midnight Children. So much so was so beautifully worded, tender, truthful and meaningful, that I had 38 passages highlighted by the time I finished reading it. It’s easy to love the characters including Virginia and Ravani. There is plenty of intrigue and action along the way.

This is a story about:
⁃ How someday doesn’t have to be someday out in the future, but someday can be now
⁃ How things don’t have to be the way they’ve always been
⁃ Choices and the way things play out
⁃ Loneliness
⁃ Friendship
⁃ Found Family
⁃ Connection

This is the best story I’ve read in a long time! I would give it a hundred stars if I could! Dan Gemeinhart has proven himself to be a master storyteller. The distinctive narration in this story will have you turning pages to find out what happens to Ravani and Virginia. You will laugh and cry and feel this story in your soul. A must read!

Dan Gemeinhart is one of my go-to authors so I was excited to read The Midnight Children. This novel didn't quite work as well for me as his previous novels -- maybe because of the magical realism and the tone. Overall, I really wanted to love this book and it was just okay for me. I will buy this book for my library but I don't know that it will have the wide appeal of Coyote Sunrise.

This wonderful story is about family and friendship and telling the truth even when it's hard. Ravani is lonely and bullied until seven kids move in next door. Ravani makes friends with Virigina, who is the same age as he is but she has a big secret. Virginia reveals the big secret to Ravani, but the town bully also hears and Ravani has to decide what's going to happen next. This is a fun adventure with amazing characters (including one that's super creepy). I think the kids are going to love this one.

This is an extraordinary mystery full of heart. Seven runaways, a "hunter", and a boy who longs for a friend find their lives colliding in the most unexpected ways. Great read for middle grade.

I was a huge fan of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. My favorite books are character-driven with disparate casts that somehow become friends. I am going to talk this one up a lot during the very first week of school and my students will be as excited to read it as I was. Another great story by Gemeinhart.

I have read every single book by Dan Gemeinhart. He is the quintessential author for middle grade readers and he has yet again created a masterclass novel in "The Midnight Children".
This story take place in the small town of Slaughterville, named after one of the town businesses, Skinister Quality Meats, a slaughter house. Our main character, Ravini Foster's dad works at the slaughterhouse. Rav has spent his life searching for his place in the town, and simply for his first friend. To Rav's surprise, his comrade arrives to the house across the street from him. Virginia. She has arrived with her family, and the bond between Rav and Virginia's unique family grows throughout this story.
With each chapter you will root for the friendship of Rav and Virginia as they navigate a boat race in a converted coffin, torture from bullies, and a hunter of people.
Thank you for this eARC- this book has everything: suspense, emotions, mystery, and even a little bit of for lack of a better word, magic. This is Dan Gemeinhart at his finest. He just keeps getting better and better! I recommend this book starting at upper elementary.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this middle grade novel.

For as much as I loved the Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, I couldn't imagine Dan Gemeinhart could write another book that would hold a candle to it, but this book is the perfect successor. Ravi's journey, is a as remarkable as Coyote's but in an entirely different way. I love this book, and adored the characters. I can't wait for this book to be released in times for the start of the next school year.

You are in for a real treat with this book!

An unlikely hero, seven mysterious kids and an evil villain make for a perfect story about friendship, and doing whatever it takes to help your friend. Ravini Foster is one of the heroes in this story. “No one would have been more surprised to hear that the the boy himself.” Sometimes. Though, a soul doesn’t know how great it truly is. Until it has to find out.”

Ravini has never had a friend and when he meets Virginia, he finds that, “Perhaps that’s all our souls are ever really looking for: another soul they don’t feel lonely with.”

“The thing about this world is that there’s all kinds of people in it, and there’s nothing you can do about that. The only thing to do is decide what kind you are, and then be it.”

Read this book and then read it again! Yes, it is that good!