The Midnight Children is presented as a middle-grade book, okay, not a middle-grade reader but I really enjoyed this story. 

There were several messages here, but I focus more on story. If an author cannot present a story that holds and engages the reader, the message is less than effective. In my opinion, author Gemeinhart does this quite well, The Midnight Children engages the reader masterfully. I'll leave to others the discussion of messages.

The story is at times heartbreaking, heartwarming, scary, gross, and hilarious. Most of the children I know would not have a great deal of trouble with the more intense scenes. Kids often embrace a gross-out factor. Parts of the story are predictable, while others are surprising and inventive (you'll never look at cows the same way again I'll bet). The narrator does a good job keeping the reader centered and lessens the impact of the more intense scenes. A little humor can go a long way. 

The tale focuses on the difficulty of a lonely, only, child as he navigates bullies, finds friends and builds a new community. A very different but effective narrative style. It took a bit of getting used to, but works well.

An aspect of this story I appreciated was the fact that parents are not an enemy. The family was not grossly dysfunctional. What family does not have some mild dysfunction, often just miscommunication? I know, message talk, oh well.

If your looking for a book that encourages reading, engages the young mind and stimulates thought and introspection, The Midnight Children fills the bill nicely. 

Enjoy!

Mike