61 Debut Middle Grade Authors in 2021

It’s already extremely difficult to promote a newly published title. There are thousands of books published every year, and authors, illustrators, and publishers get their books into the hands of readers? And what happens when it’s your first book you’ve ever published? Book tours, school visits, and social media posts help to elevate these title so readers can find them.

In an era when many of these options are unavailable, social media becomes an even more important avenue for promoting new titles. So, for today, I’m sharing 61 Debut Middle Grade Authors in 2021. Publication dates can easily change, so I’ve jotted down the expected release date, but check the publisher’s website for the most up-to-date information! I’ve made a couple of graphics to share with covers that I could find. Help me celebrate these amazing authors publishing their very first titles this year!

January – March

1. Meow or Never by Jazz Taylor (Release Date: January 5)
2. Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke, Insha Fitzpatrick, Juliana Moon (Release Date: January 5)
3. Race to the Bottom of the Earth: Surviving Antarctica by Rebecca E.F. Barone (Release Date: January 5)
4. Root Magic by Eden Royce (Release Date: January 5)
5. Alone by Megan E. Freeman (Release Date: January 12)
6. Clues to the Universe by Christina Li (Release Date: January 12)
7. Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler (Release Date: January 12)
8. The Nightmare Thief by Nicole Lesperance (Release Date: January 12)
9. 365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr (Release Date: January 19)
10. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (Release Date: January 19)
11. Seven Voyages: How China’s Treasure Fleet Conquered the Seven Seas by Sara Fray (Release Date: January 19)
12. The Comeback by E.L. Shen (Release Date: January 19)
13. Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles (Release Date: January 26)
14. While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown (Release Date: January 26)
15. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (Release Date: February 2)
16. My Ex-Imaginary Friend by Jimmy Matejek-Morris (Release Date: February 2)
17. The Last Bear by Hannah Gold (Release Date: February 2)
18. The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold (Release Date: February 2)
19. Trouble with a Tiny t by Merriam Sarcia Saunders (Release Date: March 1)
20. Definitely Dominguita: Knight of the Cape by Terry Catasus Jennings (Release Date: March 2)
21. The Dreaded Cliff by Terry Nichols (Release Date: March 2)
22. Just Like Me by Louise Gooding (Release Date: March 4)
23. The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori (Release Date: March 4)
24. The Secrets of Star Whales by Rebecca Thorne (Release Date: March 23)
25. We Belong by Cookie Hiponia Everman (Release Date: March 30)

April – June

1. The Gilded Girl by Alyssa Colman (Release Date: April 6)
2. Girl Warriors: How 25 Young Activists Are Saving The Earth by Rachel Sarah (Release Date: April 6)
3. The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity (Release Date: April 6)
4. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera (Release Date: April 13)
5. The Last Windwitch by Jennifer Adam (Release Date: April 13)
6. Lost on the Prairie by MaryLou Driedger (Release Date: April 27)
7. Sea of Kings by Melissa Hope (Release Date: April 27)
8. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi (Release Date: May 1)
9. The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim (Release Date: May 1)
10. Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark (Release Date: May 4)
11. We Got Game: 35 Female Athletes Who Changed The World by Aileen Weintraub (Release Date: May 4)
12. Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann (Release Date: May 11)
13. Thanks A Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas (Release Date: May 11)
14. Unsettled by Reem Faruqi (Release Date: May 11)
15. An Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke (Release Date: May 18)
16. The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. The World by Priscilla Mante (Release Date: May 27)
17. Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz (Release Date: June 1)
18. Almost Flying by Jake Arlow (Release Date: June 8)

July – September

1. BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends): A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships by Jessica Speer (Release Date: July 6)
2. Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne (Release Date: July 6)
3. Journey Beyond the Burrow by Rina Heisel (Release Date: July 13)
4. The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad (Release Date: July 13)
5. Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko (Release Date: August 10)
6. Hope Springs by Jaime Berry (Release Date: August 10)
7. Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante (Release Date: August 17)
8. Kingdom of Secrets by Christyne Morrell (Release Date: August 2021)
9. Aftermath by Emily Barth Isler (Release Date: September 1)
10. The Circus at the End of the Sea by Lori Snyder (Release Date: September 7)

October – December

1. The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Klekner (Release Date: November 16)
2. Elvis and the World as It Stands by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough (Release Date: TBD)
3. Pighearted by Alex Perry (Release Date: TBD)
4. The Reject Room by Shane Pangburn (Release Date: TBD)
5. The View From The Very Best House in Town by Meera Trehan (Release Date: TBD)
6. The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis (Release Date: TBD)
7. The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson (Release Date: TBD)
8. Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda Dobbs (Release Date: TBD)

I published a similar list at the beginning of 2020, if you’re looking for more debut authors! A huge thank you to the 21ders website and MG Book Village for debut lists! If you are a debut middle grade author and you’d like to be added to the list – leave a comment with your name, book title, and expected release date!