We’re continuing our Best Books of 2025 coverage with a special episode dedicated to middle grade. First, Adam Gidwitz joins us to discuss Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II (Dutton, February 25). Then young readers’ editors Laura Simeon and Mahnaz Dar discuss more of the year’s best books.

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice 'Beast' of Crouch End by Lance Lee, illus. by Nathalie T. Retivoff
Passages by P.K. Edgewater
Eco Reign by L. Galuppo
Rom-Com for Dummies by Tom Diggs

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Best Middle Grade Books of 2025 with Adam Gidwitz