The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

 

In a bit of a reverse Little Mermaid story, Morgan, a 15-year-old girl living on an island, longs to grow up and get off the island and find a place where she can let her true self be known. But when a girl named Keltie appears mysteriously from the sea, she begins her journey of self-discovery without leaving home. Morgan has good friends, but hasn't let them in on her secret world, but worlds are going to collide and Morgan will have to take a chance and show her true self. It's colorful and inviting and will appeal to many graphic novel fans. This sweet romance is a hot item in my middle school library, where LGBTQ+ love stories are in high demand. It's a fantasy and a romance and a gentle graphic novel that will appeal to kids of many ages. Highly recommended for middle school library collections. 

96 Miles by J.L. Esplin

 

If you like suspense and survival and a scary glimpse of the future, this is the book for you. John and Stew are brothers whose dad has left town for a few days. When the power goes out and doesn't come back on, they are forced to make a 96 mile journey to a place where they hope they can find help. The boys have a little bit of food and water, but not enough to survive long in the desert sun. The journey along with another pair of siblings that is on the road and desperate for food and water. After being robbed twice the children know that strange adults are not going to help them--they are the enemy. This is a gripping survival story with some twists and turns to surprise you at the end. Recommended for middle schoolers who like adventure/survival books. Fans of Dry by Neal Shusterman and Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer should pick this book up next.