Need new books for summer reading? Quail Ridge hosts authors of two new middle grade books

Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh will host two North Carolina-based authors, who have new middle grade novels out.

Middle grade novels are generally best for tweens - ages 9 and up.

"Refugee" is about three separate children - a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939, a Cuban girl escaping for America in 1994 and a Syrian boy traveling to Germany in present day - and their efforts to escape.

Here's what New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys of "Salt to the Sea" says about it: "Some novels are engaging and some novels are important. Refugee is both."

"This novel offers the sweet tale of a young boy who discovers magic, friendship, loss, and love when encountering a unicorn being cared for by a local vet," according to Quail Ridge. Booklist says "animal lovers will adore this enchanting, compassionate tale.”

Quail Ridge is at 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., in Raleigh's North Hills.