This post is sponsored by Lori Orlinsky. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
In today’s post, I dive into Being Middle (is a great place to be), the charming new picture book by Lori Orlinsky—just released on August 12, 2025, to coincide delightfully with National Middle Child Day. The second installment in the Being Me series, it follows her bestselling debut Being Small (isn’t so bad after all)—a book that snagged over a dozen awards with its uplifting message of self-acceptance. Though Being Middle is fresh off the press, it already promises to delight kids who feel lost between siblings and reassure parents that the middle might just be the sweetest, most magical place of all.
MY REVIEW
Not first. Not last. Just… wedged in between. That’s exactly where our young narrator finds herself in Being Middle—stuck between two sisters and convinced it’s the worst place to be. Cold showers, cramped car rides, and a steady stream of hand-me-downs? No thanks.
But Lori Orlinsky knows how to turn a sigh into a smile. With playful rhymes and a fresh perspective, she transforms “middle” from a spot of misery into the sweetest place imaginable. In the middle, you get the best of both worlds—someone to learn from and someone who learns from you. You’re the Oreo cream. The peanut butter in the PB&J. The bridge that connects everything together.
Halfway through, the whole mood shifts. That’s the magic—kids will see themselves in the complaints, then feel the surprise when those same “problems” turn out to be gifts. Adults will spot the deeper message too: sometimes the “in-between” place is exactly where you belong.
Vanessa Alexandre’s illustrations burst with warmth and color, bringing every moment to life. You can almost hear the giggles in the back seat, feel the middle-seat squish, and taste the creamy center of that Oreo.
By the time the last page turns, the complaints have vanished. The middle isn’t second best—it’s the sweet spot. Being Middle is more than a story; it’s a little reminder that what feels ordinary might be extraordinary. For every middle child—or anyone who’s ever felt overlooked—this book is proof that the middle can be pure magic.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a hardcover copy of Being Middle (is a great place to be) along with a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/being-middle-is-a-great-place-to-be-awareness-tour/
ABOUT THE BOOK
Being Middle (is a great place to be)
Written by Lori Orlinsky
Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
Ages: 6-10 | 24 Pages
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 978-0881441055
Publisher’s Book Summary: Life as the middle child feels cramped and unfair, but one girl discovers that the best things in life are found in the middle.
Being Middle is a heartwarming and playful picture book that celebrates the special role of middle children in family dynamics. With lyrical rhymes and relatable scenarios, it captures the ups and downs of being caught between a big sibling and a little one. From sharing cramped car rides to getting only hand-me-downs, the story explores challenges with humor and honesty—while ultimately revealing why being in the middle is something to treasure.
PURCHASE LINK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lori Orlinsky is a multi-award-winning, bestselling children’s book author and journalist who resides in Chicago. The second book in the Being Me series, Being Middle is designed to show kids that their differences are actually their superpower. While Lori isn’t a middle child, she currently has her hands full raising one.
For more information, check out loriorlinskyauthor.com.
https://www.facebook.com/loriorlinskyauthor
https://www.instagram.com/loriorlinskyauthor/?hl=en
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Week One |
| Tuesday, August 12, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-Off for Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Thursday, August 14, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Friday, August 15, 2025@avainbooklandBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Week Two |
| Monday, August 18, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Tuesday, August 19, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Lori Orlinsky |
| Thursday, August 21, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Friday, August 22, 2025@bored_military_wife |
| Week Three |
| Monday, August 25, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Tuesday, August 26, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Thursday, August 28, 2025Mrs Makes Reading FunBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Friday, August 29, 2025Lisa’s ReadingBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Week Four |
| Monday, September 1, 2025@nissa_the.bookworm |
| Tuesday, September 2, 2025Me Two BooksAuthor Interview with Lori Orlinsky |
| Thursday, September 4, 2025Un Viaje en LibroBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
| Friday, September 5, 2025Froggy Read TeachBook Review of Being Middle (is a great place to be) |
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