Pearl by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie

 

This captivating graphic novel follows a 13-year-old girl from Hawaii to Hiroshima and back again. The year is 1941 and Amy's parents, who are Japanese American, send Amy on a ship to Japan to meet her dying grandmother. Amy's grandma, whom she calls Sosobo, was a pearl diver in her younger years and Amy grows close to her in the months she lives in Japan on her family's farm. But it is 1941, and when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, the world is at war and Amy can't go back home to Hawaii. Amy soon discovers that America is imprisoning Japanese Americans, including Amy's family. And when the Japanese army finds an American in their midst, they take teenage Amy to spy on American radio broadcasts. So much happens to this young girl, and middle schoolers will be engrossed in Amy's story and they will learn quite a bit about world history, including the atomic bomb that is destined to fall on Hiroshima. This is a quick read with a lot to think about, and one that should be in all middle school libraries. 

Faker by Gordon Norman

 

Gordon Korman's 104th book is another winning middle school story. This time it's about a kid whose dad runs an elaborate scheme in every town they live in. People invest in his sham businesses, and then Trey, his dad, and his little sister leave town in the middle of the night. They always befriend rich people who can afford to be cheated out of their money, so that's how Trey rationalizes the family business, which he is being groomed to take part in on a larger scale. Now they are in a new town and his dad has created a prototype electric vehicle that has everyone wanting to invest in the secretive new company. But Trey is making connections and realizing he doesn't want to run this time. I was unsure how Gordon Korman was going to get them out of this difficult bind--after all, Trey's dad is probably a felon at this point and it wouldn't be a fun ending for him to end up in prison. But as always, Korman manages to keep his endearing characters out of serious trouble while making sure they learn a little lesson along the way. Another Gordon Korman book that will be enjoyed by middle school students.  

If Anything Happens to Me by Luann Rice

 

Young teens love murder mysteries and horror books, and it is hard to find age-appropriate titles to satisfy their interests but don't cross into being too gruesome or sexual for readers in the 13-15 year old age range. This mystery about Oli, a 16-year-old whose sister was murdered less than a year ago, is being sold at middle school Scholastic Book Fairs and is appropriate for young teen readers. Oli visits the site of her sister's murder once a month, and in the opening chapter of this book she finds a teenage girl left for dead in the same site. Her name is Iris and she insists on not notifying the police. Iris does not remember much about her situation, but she does know that she has a sister who is being held in captivity, so Iris and Oli set off to find the captor, save Iris's sister, and find the person who killed Oli's beloved sister. This book is not nearly of the same quality as The Good Girl's Guide to Murder or One of Us is Lying or The Agathas, all popular mysteries with middle school and high school students. The teen characters are poorly developed, and the kidnappings and murders are highly implausible, and the characters lack racial diversity. However, I already know an 8th grade reader who devoured this book and loved it, and that is worth a lot. 

Twelfth by Janet Key

 

If ea ever dreamed of going to theatre camp this may be the book for you. Maren is a 12-year-old who is reluctantly sent to a summer camp in the woods that her sister attended for many years. Maren isn't as outgoing or theatrical as her sister, but she becomes involved in a mystery at the camp that has her delving into Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, the history of the camp, and a long-ago story of a woman who longed for a career as a Hollywood director. It's a mystery with a chain of clues that should lead to a valuable ring that might save the camp from bankruptcy. Maren and a couple of new friends are decoding clues from the Shakespeare play they are producing that send them all over the camp (and force them to avoid camp counselors at all costs). As you would expect at theatre camp, there are kids with a variety of gender identities and precocious teenagers who recite Shakespeare. This book's target audience is definitely theatre kids and readers who enjoy intricate puzzle mysteries. The clues and connections to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night sometimes went over my head, but smart theatre kids will likely devour this mystery.  

The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry

If you've ever heard of bog people, you might find this book interesting. The Windeby Child is a 2,000 year old human body that was uncovered in 1952 in a peat bog in Germany. Due to the chemical conditions in a peat bog, ancient bodies are occasionally preserved, including their hair and clothing and skin. When modern people find them, the bodies are studied by scientists and preserved in museums. Some bog people appear to have died violent deaths, or have clearly been murdered, but not the Windeby Child. This particular body at first appeared to be a young woman with half of her head shaved and a blindfold around her eyes. Scientists later determined that the body was a young boy, and his hair had not been shaved. Lois Lowry took the interesting story of the Windeby Child and imagines the life of this child and what could have led to their death at a young age. We know very little about the people who lived in northern Germany at that time, but Lowry found out what she could and in this book she tells two possible stories to explain the puzzle of the Windeby Child. The first story assumes that she was a 13-year-old girl who meets a violent end due to her aspirations of being a warrior. The second story is one of an unloved orphan teenager who shows the curiosity of a scientist before succumbing to disease. Both stories show young teenagers living a harsh life in a society that does not treat children kindly. As a middle school librarian, I appreciate that Lowry is writing for and about young teens--there is mention of human sacrifice and adultery that makes this book more fitting for 6th-8th graders. It is not a long book and with some encouragement, it should appeal to young teens who like history, solving puzzles, and learning new things. 

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham

 

Val always loved Valentine's Day until a family secret, a mysterious spirit, and a ripped-up Valentine spoiled the day for her. The spirit tells her that she will never find love, and although she is only 17, she is ready to give up on love altogether. This graphic novel takes Val through a year in her life as she navigates serious revelations about her parents that shake her whole sense of identity as well as a love triangle involving boys who are part of a lion dancing group that performs at Asian festivals around her city. It's hard to describe how charming and fresh this story is...it's beautifully written and illustrated and the captivating storytelling will keep teens and adults reading to the end. A real treasure, and one that will be a hit with middle schoolers as well as older students. Thank you Gene Yang and Leuyen Pham!

From Here by Luma Mufleh

 

Luma Mufleh grew up in Aman, Jordan as the child of Syrian refugees. She was part of a large, close family with strong ties to each other, but she always knew she was different. As a student in an American high school in Jordan in the 1990s, she realized that she was gay and that there was no place for her in Jordan. In fact, she could be killed if her sexuality were to be discovered. She thought that going to college in the United States could be a way out for her, but did not want her identity to separate her from her beloved family. This memoir is illuminating on many levels--life in Jordan, Muslim family dynamics, the American immigrant experience, and having the courage to become your true self. These themes will resonate with high school students but also with adults. Luma has had a long journey becoming a US Citizen and creating schools and soccer teams for refugee children, and her story is powerful and empowering. Recommended for high school and adult readers. 

Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden

 

Adriana and Jon are both incarcerated at a juvenile detention center that keeps boys and girls strictly separate. Adriana has just come for a seven-month sentence and her most precious possession is her diary. When she accidentally leaves it in the facility's library, Jon finds it, reads it, and writes back to her. Thus begins a correspondence and romance between the two teenagers who connect deeply through their writing. Jon has been incarcerated since he was 13 years old, and when he turns 18 he will likely be transferred to the adult justice system. Jon and Adriana hatch a plan to meet and enlist their friends and acquaintances to pull off a heist-like operation to bring them together. However, no one knows who can be trusted and there are no fairy tales in the justice system. The adults running the center are pretty much terrible, and the other teens range from helpful to downright evil. It's a compelling and gritty glimpse into the justice system that will really speak to teens. Recommended for grades 8-up. 

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

 

The Unteachables in room 117 are (supposedly) the worst kids  in their middle school. And this year Mr. Kermit, the worst teacher in the school, is assigned to room 117. The students are separated out for not being smart, for bad behavior, and also for a scheduling error. Mr. Kermit used to care about teaching, but his career was shattered by a cheating scandal and he stopped trying years ago. In his last year before early retirement he plans to do nothing and just make it through, but the superintendent is hoping to fire him before the year is up. The Unteachables can't believe they have a teacher who cares less than they do, but as you might expect, it's a year of redemption for everyone. It sounds trite, but as usual, in Gordon Korman's hands it is funny, a little unexpected, and heartwarming in the end. Gordon Korman is the best, and this book did not disappoint. Recommended for 4th-8th graders who want a fun reading experience. 

Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert

 

Honor Lo is a reality TV star who grew up with her every move being filmed for a show called Lo and Behold featuring her and her four siblings. Her parents are influencers who care mainly about their public image as the perfect family--but this book begins with a bombshell. Honor's father is moving out and their perfect marriage is facing an image crisis. Honor has a lot going on. She is betrayed by her best friends and her mother moves the family to a new town. Honor is desperately trying to keep her siblings together and orchestrate a family reunion that will reunite her parents. Nothing is working until the family gets devastating news about her college-aged sister, which may (or may not) bring the Lo family together again. With all the family drama, Honor has a love interest back home who may just force her out of her highly regulated life and into a relationship of her own making. This book got great reviews, but I had mixed feelings. Things I liked: The world of social media influencers was inherently interesting--the parents' narcissism and the publicists swarming was kind of fascinating. Also the sibling relationships and Honor trying to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders were entirely realistic. Things I didn't like--I found the plot surrounding her sister's tragedy to be entirely unbelievable. It just couldn't have happened. The parents were one-dimensional. I didn't feel a connection to Honor's new boyfriend (and I think I was supposed to be rooting for them). Finally, some briefly mentioned sexual encounters seemed way out of character for Honor and made the book less appropriate for middle school readers for no real reason. All this being said, it is still a compelling book about the world of media influencers and I do recommend it to YA readers who like family drama and relationships. 

Hands by Torrey Maldonado

Trev is a 12-year-old kid with adult problems. His stepfather, who is in jail for hitting his mother, is scheduled to be released soon. Trev believes it is his job to protect his mom and sisters, and he decides to go to a gym and learn to fight. As you can see from the cover, Trev has two sides--he is both a fighter and an artist--and the theme of this book is Trev choosing how to use his hands. Trev lives in the projects, and even though he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, there is a village around him that advises him and tries to protect him. I love that his book is short (we need more short books!), and the chapters are only a couple of pages long which makes it very appealing to pick up and read in short bursts. I know that lots of kids are going to see themselves in this book, or they are going to gain some empathy from walking in Trev's shoes. I'm not going to spoil things, but the ending was abrupt for me and I think kids are going to wish they had a few more scenes to wrap it up. This is a great choice for upper elementary readers--I recommend it for 4th-6th graders. 

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

 

This graphic novel is the story of an ordinary looking girl having extraordinary adventures. Young Jane is kicked out of her own home after her parents' death because there is no male heir. She quickly proposes to handsome Peter, but her hopes are dashed when he is kidnapped by a mermaid. Jane goes on a wild quest to save Peter (and her own future) in a dangerous underwater adventure. Behind this fairy tale is a lot of truth about how society views girls and youth and beauty and marriage. As Jane says in the end, "Someone somewhere makes up all these stupid rules and we're just all going along with them! Even if it makes us miserable!" Vera Brosgol is absolutely BRILLIANT (see Anya's Ghost and Be Prepared) and this magnificent graphic novel is going to have huge appeal to kids of all ages. 

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

This Newbery-winning novel is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s narrated by a dog who lives on an island and roams freely, patrolling with the birds, talking with the bison, and generally keeping his eyes on the whole island, which is a public park. Johannes loves to run, and exaggerates just about everything about his speed and prowess. Humans are building something new and intriguing on the island, and he longs to see what is inside the new building. He and his friends (a seagull, raccoons, squirrels, and a new pack of goats) know that humans are to be avoided—but they are encroaching on the animals’ space and it may be necessary to plan a great escape. This book, with its first-person dog narration, has the tone of an old classic of children’s literature. However the story is original, and full of humor and sadness and relationships in which to invest. I can imagine this being an unforgettable read-aloud for elementary children. It may be on the young side for middle schoolers, but it is a delightful book and I will absolutely put it in my library and recommend it to animal lovers. 

 

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

 

I finally read this book at the urging of a well-read eighth grade girl who considers it her favorite book of all time. I was immediately wrapped up in Becky Albertalli’s realistic world of high school friend groups and all the relationships within them. Leah and her friends are seniors in high school and many of them are theatre kids. Leah herself is a drummer in a girl band, but the bonds in that group are being tested. We met her best friend and his boyfriend in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and they are going strong as a couple and enjoying being out to all of their friends. All the while that Leah supported Simon in his coming out journey, she never had the nerve to tell him that she thinks she may be bisexual. This is her story of figuring that out and dealing with a major crush on a girl who is in a messy breakup with a boy in their social circle. This is a solidly delightful realistic fiction book with scintillating dialogue. I do have it in my middle school collection for the more mature eighth grade readers, but like with most YA books these days, it is geared for older teens and I recommend it to grades 9-up. 

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

 

In this time travel graphic novel a modern teenage girl finds herself transported (or “displaced”) back in time to a World War II internment camp for Japanese Americans. Kiki knows that her grandmother spent time in a camp, but knows very little about her experiences. After a few brief displacements, Kiki becomes stuck in the past, which gives her the  opportunity to observe her relatives and maybe even get to know them. She fully lives the life of one of the captive Japanese citizens, but longs to return to her mother in the present day. It can be hard to get kids interested in nonfiction books about this time period, and this story is an excellent gateway to learning about hard history and gaining some empathy for the Japanese people who were so callously displaced. I wished that she had actually gotten to know her grandmother better in the past, but that wasn’t the direction the story took. The art is perfectly suited to the story and will draw readers in. Highly recommended for grades 7-up. 

Every Day by David Levithan, illustrated by Dion MBD (graphic novel)

 

I have long loved the novel Every Day by David Levithan with its highly unique premise. This graphic novel version brought new life to the story and got me excited about it all over again. The protagonist is A, a teen who wakes up in a different body every day. Because A only inhabits other teens’ bodies, A has no gender and no real identity. But A longs to make connections. In one incarnation, A is in the body of a teenage boy and he skips school with his girlfriend, Rhiannon. They have a lovely day at the beach together, and Rhiannon is shocked at how well her boyfriend (really A in her boyfriend’s body) treats her.  The next day A moves onto another body, but A does not forget Rhiannon. In fact, A has her email address and is able to contact her via an email that A uses in spite of all his different incarnations. A manages to meet up with Rhiannon in various bodies and convinces her of A’s changing identity. It is such an intriguing conundrum—they love each other but how can they ever be together? One major advantage of the graphic novel is seeing A in all of the different bodies—male, female, as well as different races. It is a highly effective way to bring the 2013 novel to new readers. Recommended for 8th-up. 

Just Jaime by Terri Libenson

 

This is part of a series of novels called Emma & Friends. The books are somewhere between a novel and a graphic novel. I shelve them in graphic novels in my library, but they have more text than most graphic novels. Jaime is the main character in this story and it is the last day of seventh grade. She has sensed something "off" about her best friend Maya and their other two friends, but she just can't believe that her long-time BFF would really be ending their friendship. In fact, Jaime comes to school ready to confront Maya and find out why she has been excluding her. And Maya comes to school ready to break off the friendship. The story takes place all in one day--when Jaime finds out that she's not invited to the end-of-year party and she realizes that as a newly friendless person, she's not entirely blameless in treating others poorly. It's cute and sweet and realistic...definitely a series that is enjoyed by elementary students up through sixth or seventh grade. 

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

 

Ferris is going into 5th grade and is having a weird summer that includes a sick grandma, a possible ghost, a younger sibling running wild, and adults acting strangely (and sometimes selfishly). It's an offbeat, quirky story grounded in family relationships and the love of a grandmother and granddaughter. As you can probably tell from this description, it's hard to describe the plot of this story, because it's not really about the plot. Suffice it to say, it's very much in the Kate DiCamillo style, and I love her books. The writing has moments of pure beautiful simplicity. This book is solidly for younger kids, however, and I don't see a lot of crossover appeal for middle schoolers, even though it is beautifully written. 

Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen

 

Breaking news--we need middle school books and this is one! 

Dolores has a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. It can be painful, and it can cause bladder leakage. At the end of eighth grade she suffers a humiliating incident in a classroom--she pees on the floor then slips and falls in it, giving herself a concussion. In her mind, and probably in reality, she has become a "contagious loser." It's the summer before high school and her best friend, Shae, has ghosted her. Dolores wants her friend back. And when she meets a homeschooled girl who wants to attend high school in spite of her autism and her mother's objections, she realizes that the two new friends might be able to help each other achieve their goals. 

I love many things about this book, with the number one thing being that it is truly a book for teens ages 13-15, which is a rare thing in the publishing world today. Dolores is going into 9th grade and she thinks about topics such as whether her bladder condition will one day keep her from ever having sex. She connects with (and betrays) her new autistic friend and she wrestles with the end of her friendship with Shae. Her older brother, Mateo, is gay and it's not a problem for anyone. Her parents and aunt are key players in the story as well, and their Latinx family is a big part of the story. Dolores has also got a snarky sense of humor--she rates and reviews every bathroom she ever uses, she secretly goes to Catholic confession and questions everything the priest says, and her inner dialogue is just plain hilarious. She's also not always a perfectly reliable narrator, which makes things interesting. 

Bottom line--it's poignant and real, funny at times, and is solidly written for the largely forgotten 7th-9th grade age range. Highly recommended!

This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

 

Noor Khan is reeling from her father's desertion of her family and her mother's sudden move from Chicago to a small town in Illinois. Noor has one semester left of high school, and she intends to lay low and focus on graduating and getting into college. She and her sister find themselves in a conservative community that has very few Black and brown people, and only a handful of Muslim students--so the two new students attract attention at their high school. Noor finds refuge in her school library, only to find out that books are being surreptitiously removed from the shelves. Against her better judgment, Noor decides to fight back against the book censorship that is happening. 

Romantic relationships and book banning and racism all come into play in this excellent YA novel. I will definitely be recommending this to students 8th grade-up. 

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

 

Mia is a middle schooler with two identities--her mother is Jewish and her father is a member of the Muscogee Nation. She lives with her mom and stepfather in California and attends a Jewish school. She doesn't have a lot of contact with her father, who now lives far away in Oklahoma with a new wife and children. Mia begins to have questions about her heritage and realizes that she doesn't know anything about being Muscogee. After some insensitive comments from classmates and the school's rabbi about her background, Mia hatches a plan to visit her father in Oklahoma without her mother knowing (her mom harbors a lot of resentment toward her ex-husband). The plan involves pretending to go on a school trip, but taking a taxi to a bus station and riding a bus across the country to Oklahoma. She gets away with it for a short time and makes valuable connections with her father and her relatives there, including meeting her grandmother and going to a powwow. This could have been a preachy book about a girl learning about her two identities, but in reality it's a compelling story that beautifully shows Jewish traditions and native traditions and makes connections between them. I especially liked that the adults in Mia's life are not perfect--they make mistakes and have regrets and do their best to make things right. Essential reading for middle schoolers--and it's a graphic novel which means kids will be drawn to it. 

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

 

Jake is an 8th grader with a Voice (with a capital V) in his head that tells him he is repulsive, he is worthless, he doesn't deserve to take up space. The Voice has taken over his life--and the Voice tells Jake not to eat. Jake weighs himself over and over and over and the lower the number on the scale the better he feels about himself. Jake exercises constantly, lies about his eating, and deals with almost constant bullying at school. Early on in this novel in verse, Jake is taken to Whispering Pines, a residential treatment center, to help him deal with his eating disorder. This is the story of his recovery, his love for his grandma, and his dream of seeing a Broadway show someday. It gives readers an inside look at group therapy and counseling and the long process of healing. This is a rare book that is written right at the middle school level and I think it will be devoured by 6th-8th graders whether they are curious about eating disorders or dealing with mental health issues of their own or their friends. It deals with hard topics and there is deep sadness, but it is ultimately a story of survival and hope. Readers will empathize with Jake and some lives may even be saved by this honest and direct story. It is a novel, but closely based on author John Schu's life experience, and it rings true. Highly recommended for middle schoolers. 

The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine by Katherine Marsh

 

Have you ever heard of the Holodomor? I hadn't until I read this book. And a good children's historical fiction novel is one of my favorite ways to learn something new. This story has a dual timeline--Matthew is a 13-year-old living with his mother and grandmother during the 2020 pandemic. An old photo starts him on a journey of discovering her secret past. The 1930s story is one of cousins from Ukraine who are living through a horrific famine that is being deliberately covered up by the Soviet Union. One cousin is a city girl who is well fed, but when a starving girl claiming to be her cousin shows up on her doorstep she discovers family secrets as well as the high cost of speaking truth under the communist regime. It has a lot of similarities to Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler, and also connects to Blackbird Girls by Anne Blackman and I Must Betray You by Ruth Sepetys. A great book for 4th-8th graders but also can be enjoyed by adults. 

Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Journey to Justice by Debbie Levy and Whitney Gardner

 

This outstanding biographical graphic novel not only illuminated the life of feminist legal pioneer Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but it also showed how she systematically used the law to open up opportunities for women. I was fascinated by the step-by-step progression of cases that she took on that led the courts to make decisions that bolstered the idea of gender equality. While accessible to 6th graders and older students, the graphic novel format is an ideal way for readers of any age to understand the genius of this woman who has had an affect on every American's life. Highly recommended for middle and high schoolers and adults--a great addition to nonfiction graphic novel collections and biography collections. Also should be required reading for aspiring law students. 

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

 

Robin relocates from South Korea to Huntsville, Alabama in this autobiographical graphic memoir of her teen years. In South Korea it was Robin and her mom against the world (single parent families were not well accepted there at the time), but when a trip to Alabama turns into a permanent move including a surprise marriage for her mom, Robin is hurt and angry, and school is not going well. Any middle schooler will relate to losing friends, feeling alone, and the bullying and the feeling of being an outsider that Robin experiences. Fortunately, her love of art and anime help her find a place in America, but not without years of struggle. I read several immigration memoirs this year and this was one of the best. Recommended for 7th-10th graders (and adults, too).   

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

 

Bel's mother disappeared from her car on the highway many years ago when Bel was just a toddler. No one knows if she was abducted, murdered, or simply ran away, but she has not been seen since and Bel has grown up with her father in the same small town. In order to pay for the care of her aging grandfather, Bel and her father agree to be filmed for a documentary about the disappearance of Rachel Price. In the midst of filming, a woman in a tattered red shirt and black pants shows up in town claiming to be Rachel Price and saying she was kidnapped and held in a basement for 16 years. She moves into their house and agrees to be filmed for the documentary. She wants to resume being "mom" to Bel, but Bel has doubts about her motives and her story. This super-compelling mystery is great for teenagers. It is full of F-bombs, but other than that language there is nothing inappropriate for 8th graders looking for a twisty mystery. I will definitely be recommending this to my older middle school readers. 

Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler

 

This World War II story set in Holland features two sisters, Hannie and Mila. It is 1942 and the danger to Jewish people is rapidly increasing. The girls' parents find a non-Jewish family that will take the sisters, so the book begins with Mila and Hannie saying goodbye to their parents, possibly never to see them again. It's a dual timeline story, and in the modern day, a girl named Liv is trying to get to know her grandmother "Bubbe" better when she finds a box of papers in her attic. The story goes from past to present, and in the past we see the older sister Hannie get involved in the resistance by saving Jewish children from certain death. Mila is 12 years old, and the book has a solidly middle grade feel, but traumatic things happen and the brutality of the Nazis is evident. It's a compelling story that will appeal to historical fiction readers from 4th-7th grades. It has a lot of similarities to The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh, and readers who enjoyed Blackbird Girls and The War that Saved My Life will definitely want to read it. 

Sunshine by Jarrett Krosoczka

 

Jarrett Krosoczka's book Hey Kiddo has touched many hearts (it's very popular with my 8th grade students in particular), and his follow-up also brings heart and humor and heartbreak to the world of graphic novels for middle schoolers. When Jarrett was in high school he was selected to work at Camp Sunshine, where seriously ill children were able to have some moments of fun and freedom. He was nervous and a little bit awkward, but he rose to the challenge and forged meaningful relationships with some kids and their families. The experience changed Jarrett's life more than the lives of the campers, and that is his focus in this heartfelt graphic novel. Several book clubs at my school have read it this year, and kids have been moved to tears. I even had one 6th grade boy who usually only reads manga thank me for "making him" read this book--and he said it is now his favorite book. Recommended for middle and high school collections. 

The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology by Danna Staff

I love how much I can learn from an excellent middle school nonfiction book--and this one taught me about a woman who deserves greater recognition. Jeanne Villepreux-Power was a powerhouse of scientific research in the early 1800s, when women had great difficulty being accepted as scientists. She was born in France, and lived with her wealthy husband in Sicily, where she became fascinated with sea life, in particular the type of octopus called an argonaut that lived in a shell. She made the first aquarium ever invented, but realized that it was hard to keep sea life alive in her home, so she invented a way to place an aquarium underwater and observe in the clear shallow water of Sicily. Jeanne was a pioneer in studying living sea life (rather than just looking at dead specimens) and she developed ways of testing her hypotheses that stand the test of time. She also refuted commonly held beliefs and spent hears writing up her findings and convincing scientific societies to accept her as a member. She was a pioneer in many ways and this book takes a deep dive into her life and work. It would be great for motivated kids who are really into science, but I would argue that due to its complexity, it's even better for adults.  
 

Alone by Megan E. Freeman

 

This novel in verse about a girl who is left alone in an inexplicably abandoned Colorado town is a huge hit with 6th and 7th graders. Maddie starts out as a 12-year-old who is planning a secret sleepover at her grandparents vacant house. She wakes up completely alone, and as days, weeks, and months go by, she faces all kinds of survival obstacles. (Slight spoiler--this goes on for YEARS.) Kids love survival books and real danger, and this book delivers. I've had numerous book clubs select this book and readers of a wide range of abilities have enjoyed talking about it and thinking about what they would do in similar situations. I enjoyed the book as well, but I was wishing it was a little more forthcoming about the evacuation and a little more edgy about what she faced. Publishers are aiming at 12-year-olds in their books these days, and this book would have been even better if it had been more solidly positioned as a middle school book. Highly recommended!

Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater

 

One teenage boy starts an Instagram account and posts shocking racist images and statements about his classmates including Black girls who consider him a friend. A handful of boys follow the account, some of them liking the posts and commenting on them. Not one of the boys stands up to stop the posts or to tell anyone about the account's existence. When screenshots of the racist posts go public, the victims of the account are devastated and the students in the small California town are outraged. The boys who participated are expelled, suspended, and/or left unable to attend school. Restorative circles turn violent, leaving the school open to lawsuits and lingering mistrust. All the while the victims of the hatred are shattered and living with pain and betrayal. Sasha Slater spent years following this story and interviewing the participants on all sides. This book is an absolute tour-de-force of nonfiction writing. It is compelling and engaging and written in short bursts that draw the reader in to the many perspectives she lays bare. This is absolutely one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read and it should be required reading for teenagers as well as for school administrators and teachers and people who care about what social media is doing to our society and our children. Recommended for 8th grade-up. 

Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino

I first read The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman, which got me interested in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I wanted to read more, so I picked up this action-packed book about various teenagers escaping, returning, surviving, and not surviving the famous nuclear reactor meltdown of 1986. Chernobyl was a large nuclear reactor located in what is now Ukraine, but at the time was part of the Soviet Union. The Soviet government did not want word to get out that their nuclear reactor had exploded, so rather than evacuate and try to save the lives of innocent people, they waited while pretending that there was not dangerous radiation in the air. This story follows a teen who works in the nuclear reactor as well as some others who live in the nearby city. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, but this was worth reading to learn about the Chernobyl disaster and how it affected young people. 
 

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski

 

Anna Hunt is the new girl at East Middle School and she notices that there is something strange about her classmates and how they treat Rachel Riley. Not one person claps for Rachel's birthday when it is announced in the cafeteria--which makes Anna want to find out why Rachel, a formerly popular girl, has become the class outcast. Anna, who is an aspiring podcaster, finds herself in the midst of a mystery that includes a fire, anonymous notes, and a game that no one will talk about. The changing format--including some texts and podcast interviews, keeps the story moving along. Ultimately, this is a book about standing up against harassment and how individuals can make things better. Much like Maybe He Just Likes You, I recommend this book for 5th-7th graders, and I predict that girls will want to read it even though it is boys who might benefit the most from the story. 

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

 

This missing person/murder mystery kept me reading and guessing up to the end. A small, cliff-side town in California is the setting--and when a wealthy girl goes missing, her former best friend and a classmate investigate to try and clear the name of her boyfriend, who is jailed for the crime. One of the detectives is Alice, a rich girl with neglectful parents and a history of running away. The other is Iris, who needs the reward money and has an abusive past that she doesn't want to share with anyone. Together the two girls follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, tracking down leads, sneaking around, acquiring questionable evidence, and generally being sneaky and brilliant. I will definitely recommend this to my 8th grade mystery lovers and have it in my middle school library, but there are elements that make it less appropriate for younger middle schoolers. Highly recommended for fans of The Inheritance Games, Truly Devious, and the Karen McManus mysteries.