The Moon without Stars by Chanel Miller

 

Luna begins this book as a solidly bookish seventh grader who spends most of her time with her best friend Scott. When circumstances lead Luna to recommending books and making personalized zines for her classmates, she becomes swept in to a popular group of kids. She stops spending time with Scott and participates in some "mean girl" activities until her new friends inevitably turn out not to be her friends. The strength of this book is in the details. The author perfectly captures the observations of middle schoolers and the way very small things can seem so big. Readers will appreciate the straightforward talk about periods and the lengths they go to to hide their menstrual supplies, but that's not the focus of the story. It's really about how even the best kids can grow and change and do things they wish they had never done. Because it is set in 7th grade and it contains a few edgy references, this might seem like a middle school book, but I think it will have the most appeal for 5th-6th graders (or even younger kids).    

The Scott Fenwick Diaries by Kristin Nilsen

 Anyone who has ever had a crush on a real live person will see themselves in Millie, a 13-year-old girl who has only experienced love through her celebrity crush, Rory Calhoun (see Worldwide Crush by Kristin Nilsen). This book picks up exactly where the first book left off, with a note passed in social studies class. Could Scott Fenwick with the swoopy hair and beautiful lashes actually have a crush on Millie? She starts a new diary to record all of her fears and feelings and insecurities, as well as her most heartfelt acrostic poems spelling out SCOTT FENWICK. You have to trust me that this book is absolutely hilarious, yet perfectly true to the feelings of a 7th grade girl who thinks everyone else knows all about French kissing. Millie's bulldog Pringle is a big part of this book, as are Millie's friends Shauna, a Filipina girl who feels left behind by Millie's new obsession, and Tibbs, who strategizes to get Millie invited to Hebrew school just to ride in a car with Scott Fenwick. Millie's Sound of Music loving parents and her forthright, funny grandma also play key roles. There is humor on every page, including in Millie's numerous attempts to swear without actually using swear words, but there is also a lot of awkwardness, sweetness, and one tearful moment. Gen X readers, you should absolutely pick up this book. You will find references to Pa Ingalls, Barry Gibb, and Magic 8 Balls, and it will bring you back to a time of life you may have chosen to forget. I cannot recommend this book more for 5th-7th grade readers (and their moms). Don't miss this one! 

Worldwide Crush by Kristin Nilsen

Texts, song lyrics, letters, and short chapters make this breezy, funny story about a 7th grade girl with a huge celebrity crush an appealing addition to romance books for middle school (and younger middle grade) readers. The story is inspired by Nilsen's girlhood crush on Sean Cassidy and all those strong feelings are there in the story of 7th grade Millie, whose crush on teen superstar Rory Calhoun leads her on a quest for concert tickets and later on a family whale watching vacation to Rory Calhoun's hometown. The ending is utterly perfect and the audiobook read by the author is a delight. In a publishing world where humor is hard to come by, this was a fun read and kids need FUN. Truth be told, Gen X librarians will enjoy it as much as the kids. For more on Sean Cassidy crushes and Gen X culture, check out the Pop Culture Preservation Society podcast that author Kristin Nilsen co-hosts. Recommended for grades 4-7. (It has a couple of humorous uses of swear words but I think this book probably has the most appeal to the younger end of the age range.)