Sheets by Brenna Thummler

 

Sheets is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that tells the story of a teenage girl who has taken on adult responsibilities after the death of her mother. Marjorie runs her family's laundry business, while also managing mean girls at school, angry customers, and her deeply depressed father. Her biggest problem, however, is a nasty man who wants to buy her business and turn it into a spa. And when Wendell, a young ghost, enters her laundromat, he inadvertently makes things worse. On first reading the book, I had some confusion about the role of minor characters and about Wendell's life (or rather, afterlife). I re-read the book and caught a lot more of the story on the second time around. My middle school book club had a similar reaction—kids were puzzled and unsatisfied about certain aspects, but it gave us fodder for a deep discussion about the book and left most of us wanting to read the sequel, Delicates, which is coming in March 2021. 

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

 

Hanna is a 14-year-old girl who settles in a South Dakota town with her father. The year is 1880, and Hanna, who is half Chinese, knows that she will face prejudice in her new town. Hanna and her father, who is white, are still mourning the death of her mother, who was Chinese. Living in California wasn't quite as difficult, but now that they are in a prairie town (yes, almost exactly like the prairie town that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about), Hanna must struggle just to finish school. Hanna has a gift for designing clothing, and in addition to finishing school, she wants to open a dress shop in her father's store, and she yearns for a friend. Hanna's interactions with indigenous women she meets on the prairie are priceless, and while this books stands alone, it is certainly also a response to other books that have glorified the white pioneers and settlers. Recommended for all readers from third grade through adults. 

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

 

I picked this up because one of my middle school book clubs was reading it, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this goofy story. Rowley (the sweeter, more innocent friend of Greg, the Wimpy Kid narrator), is writing an adventure book about how a boy named Roland and his sidekick Garg the Barbarian go on a quest to save Roland's mother from the White Warlock. Rowley is a rule follower and wants his story to show children how being good and following the rules will pay off. Greg Heffley, who is reading Rowley's story and commenting between each chapter, sees a movie deal, merchandising opportunities, and Happy Meal toys. Rowley is refreshingly sweet, and Greg is brilliantly snarky as he comments on how children's books are marketed and merchandised. There is a reason why kids love Jeff Kinney's books and read and re-read them all the way through middle school. They are funny and clever and kids have great taste in literature when they get to make their own choices. 

The List of Things that Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Bea's parents are divorced, and they have given her a list of things that will not change. Number one on that list is that they will always love Bea and each other. Bea's dad is gay and she is thrilled when he and his boyfriend Jesse get engaged, mainly because she will finally have a sister. Sonia lives far away, but Bea is sure they will feel like sisters. Of course, relationships don't always come all at once, and Bea struggles with her disappointment. This is an intimate view of Bea's life and how her loving parents help her deal with a secret that she has been hiding from everyone. Rebecca Stead writes beautifully about the details of every day life and you will leave this book feeling like you know Bea and the people in her life well. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This is the story of two young women who, unbeknownst to them, share the same father. When papi is killed in a tragic plane crash on his way to the Dominican Republic, the two young women's paths are destined to cross in the midst of their grief. Camino lives in the Dominican Republic and dreams of coming to the United States for college. The other is a former chess champion who lives in New York City. Elizabeth Acevedo has now written three books in verse for young adult readers, all of them wonderful and original and brimming with hope. I recommend that teens and adults read Acevedo's books and enjoy the poetry and the relationships you will form with the characters.