Grin by D. W. Gillespie

 

Danny is a seventh grader who loves video games, and he is understandably thrilled to spend a week with his Uncle Bill, the owner of PixelWorks, a huge video game arcade. Danny has heard of a rare game called Grin from his favorite video game streamer, and he is shocked to find his Uncle Bill unboxing the game in his warehouse. Rumor has it that everyone who has ever played the game has died tragically, but that doesn't stop Danny and his uncle from trying it out. When the game takes over Uncle Bill, Danny risks his own life to save his uncle and himself. Middle schoolers are always asking for horror books, and this is a rare title that will not disappoint (while also being completely appropriate for young teens). Highly recommended for middle school libraries. 

Slay by Brittney Morris

 

Kiera is an honor student by day and a game developer by night. No one knows that she developed the multiplayer card-based online gaming world called Slay--not even her sister or her parents or her boyfriend Malcolm. Slay is a safe space for Black gamers from around the world, and is based on Black culture, cameraderie, and excellence. Kiera is proud of the world she has developed along with a virtual partner in Paris, and is devastated to hear that a Black teen is murdered over a dispute relating to the game. Now Slay is in the news and it's only a matter of time untli the game's developers are publically outed and potentially even sued. All the while, Kiera deals with a white best friend who doesn't always understand her difficulties, a Black boyfriend who becomes controlling and insular, and a sister who she has never been close with. Slay spoke to me on multiple levels--the story is riveting and enjoyable on its own. But what makes it really special is the honest discussion of race and privilege, and the many ways that Black young people express their culture. This book will build empathy among non-Black readers, and will also be enjoyed as a good story. Recommended to 8th graders-up due to some mature content.