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!