Books for Middle-Grade Readers: 'The Minor Miracle'

Lorelei Savaryn recommends The Minor Miracle by Meredith Davis for kids in search of a fast-paced superhero story with an emphasis on virtue. 

The Minor Miracle: The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor 

by Meredith Davis

For readers age 8 to 12

Synopsis:

As a baby, Noah Minor miraculously — and mysteriously — survived a fall from a sixteen-story balcony. But ever since then, Noah’s life has been pretty boring. 

As he enters seventh grade, Noah is hoping to be less ordinary and more extraordinary, like his best friends, trumpet prodigy Rodney and the practically perfect Haley. So Noah’s sure his star is on the rise when during a standard vision test, he learns he can manipulate gravity and is recruited to train with Gravitas, a top-secret government agency!  

Noah thinks his life will now be awesome, but instead, he has a whole new set of problems. The biggest one: His great-uncle Saul is on Gravitas’s most-wanted list ... but might also be the only person who can help Noah reach his full potential. 

 
Virtue-packed fiction for middle-grade readers

A fast-paced story, with some solid life lessons woven in.   

It’s always great to see virtue elevated in middle-grade fiction, and that’s where The Minor Miracle really shines. While the mission of Gravitas, the organization that Noah is meant to work for, is to protect and defend all that is true, good, and beautiful in the world, Noah initially hopes to use his powers for more self-serving reasons, like getting back at bullies and impressing others.

Noah's struggle between wanting to use his powers out of selfishness and pride, and the fact that it is both good for him and others to use them selflessly, plays out authentically through Noah's first-person narration. His friends Rodney and Haley are nice balances to Noah's tendency to be impulsive, and their collaboration and care for each other plays a huge role in how things turn out.

Occasional illustrations by Billy Yong, thoughtfully placed, help add depth to the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in. While one relative proves to be a nasty and formidable villain, Noah also has some positive adult mentors in his life who help guide him along the way and help him when he falls. The importance of self-control, noble purpose, and willing the good of the other are all emphasized throughout the story.   

Noah prays a few times throughout the narrative, indicating that he is familiar with and somewhat practicing his faith. I am always eager to find middle-grade books that have male main characters, and both I and my middle-grade son enjoyed The Minor Miracle. My son said that it was funny, and that he liked the side characters and the basketball elements as well.   

Great for kids 8 and up who love superhero stories, friendship tales, and fast-paced approachable middle grade. 

Purchase The Minor Miracle on Amazon.com and wherever books are sold. 

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Copyright 2024 Lorelei Savaryn
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