Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover–Issue Twenty-Six: Middle Grade (Part 4)

“Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover” is a regular feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which I pay tribute to some of the best and brightest the publishing world has to offer in the way of book cover design. This feature is inspired by Katie’s feature Cover Love on her blog One Page At A Time. The idea is being used with her gracious permission.

I think we’re all familiar with the age-old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. And you know what I have to say about that? Rubbish! Covers are an invaluable part of a book’s package. A truly great cover can tell you a lot about the novel contained within its pages. Book covers can also catch your attention and attract you to a novel you might otherwise ignore. So go ahead, judge a book by its cover – We all do it!

Illustration! Colour! Typography! I know, I know. You’re probably thinking “Middle grade again?!” Yes, again. In fact, this is the fourth time I’ve revisited this genre, and I make absolutely no apologies for that. Just look at these covers! I never fail to have fun when it comes time to compile covers aimed at this age group. I particularly like the bold creativity of the concepts and the vast differences from one design to the next. Some, like Dreamer, Wisher, Liar and Friends, Fugues, and Fortune Cookies are cute and understated while others, like The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, are just plain bizarre, and I love that! Some of my favourite covers this week include Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones, The Creature Department by Robert Paul Weston, Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz, The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold, The Graham Cracker Plot by Shelley Tougas, The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond and The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand.

Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones ● Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones ● Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz

The Creature Department by Robert Paul Weston ● Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz ● The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley

By The Grace of Todd by Louise Galveston ● Looking For Me by Betsy R. Rosenthal ● The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold

The Graham Cracker Plot by Shelley Tougas ● Dreamer, Wisher, Liar by Charise Mericle Harper ● One Plus One Equals Blue by M.J. Auch

Brilliant by Roddy Doyle ● Friends, Fugues, and Fortune Cookies by Michelle Schusterman ● Hero On A Bicycle by Shirley Hughes

Wanderville by Wendy McClure ● The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel ● Skies Like These by Tess Hilmo

Rose and the Lost Princess by Holly Webb ● The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond ● The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favourite Middle Grade covers? Did I list one of your favourites here or is there one I forgot that just has to be included? Let me know in the comments!