The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish

Ethan's family moves to a seaside town in Georgia to escape from trauma. Ethan's best friend, Kacey, is gone and Ethan blames himself (read the book for more on her and what actually happened). The family uproots itself, believing a new start will help Ethan. However, Ethan is still wracked with guilt, Grandfather doesn't seem to want the family there, and Ethan's older brother Roddie is holding a grudge. There's a mystery to be solved and a hurricane to survive, and ultimately Ethan makes a new friend, comes to terms with what happened to Kacey, and saves some endangered animals. It's a nice middle grade story that will appeal to readers who like emotional stories about friendships and hardships.

Caraval by Stephane Garber

Caraval is a mysterious fantasy game played once a year, open only to those with special invitations. Scarlett and her sister Tella grew up hearing stories about Caraval and dreaming of taking part. Scarlett writes letters to Legend, the mastermind behind Caraval, for many years, but gives up hope of attending when she is forced into an arranged marriage by her abusive father. However, before the wedding can take place, Scarlett and her sister are whisked away to Caraval by a handsome rogue named Julian. Once there, Tella disappears and becomes the object of the game--the one who finds Tella will be the winner. Scarlett finds romance and deception with Julian as she desperately searches for her sister before losing her forever. This story felt flat to me--I didn't like Tella or Julian, and the mythology of Caraval didn't pique my interest or hold together very well. Middle school readers of romance and fantasy may enjoy it, but there are better books out there for them. 

Bang by Barry Lyga

This is a book about gun violence and suicide and guilt and desperation. But it's also about YouTube videos and making pizza and a Muslim girl and smart kids having great conversations. I read this book knowing nothing about it. I recommend not even reading the blurb in the front of the book. But if you must know the plot, Sebastian is a 14-year-old boy haunted by an incident that happened when he was four years old. His father left a gun out, and Sebastian picked it up and shot and killed his baby sister. That event consumes him and his family, and he is convinced that his only option is to kill himself. This story takes place during the summer, when Sebastian's best friend is away and he meets a new girl in the neighborhood who convinces him to make online cooking videos. Much like in the book A Monster Calls, these characters come to a point where they must say out loud the unspeakable truth. Read the first pages and you will be hooked by Barry Lyga's writing. It's powerful and it comes to a beautiful, cathartic conclusion. I can't wait to give this to my eighth grade book club.

Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen

My middle school students are CRAZY about the first book in this series and have been so anxious for this sequel. The good news is that it is action packed and the story picks up exactly where book one ended. Emmet is in a capsule headed for a new planet, where he and the other Genesis survivors must trek toward the Babel outpost where they will begin mining for Nyxia. Through their encounters with the Adamites (whose real name is the Imago), the young people find more and more proof that Babel is corrupt and not worthy of their loyalty. In this book we learn about the Imago culture and society and how they plan to outsmart Babel. There are numerous twists and turns (and very little actual mining of Nyxia). One problem I have with this book is the number of characters—I have trouble keeping all of the Genesis kids straight in my head and there is not enough time to fully develop so many characters. However, I'm fully invested in Emmett and Morning and once again left hanging while I wait for book three in the series. Readers definitely need to start with Nyxia to understand this book. Fans of YA dystopian books will not be disappointed in these titles that are appropriate for grades 6-up.