Books offer readers pages of opportunities to find themselves in books…and to find new ways of thinking, being and living, too.
This middle grade book collection invites readers to find themselves, and some new possibilities, within the covers.
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A Song Called Home by Sara Zarr
Lou and her family don’t have much, but for Lou it’s enough. Mom. Her sister, Casey. Their apartment in the city. Her best friend, Beth. It would be better if Dad could stop drinking and be there for her and Casey, and if they didn’t have to worry about money all the time. But Lou doesn’t need better–she only needs enough.
What’s enough for Lou, however, is not enough for Mom. Steve, Mom’s boyfriend, isn’t a bad guy, he’s just…not what Lou is used to. And now, he and Mom are getting married, and that means moving. Packing up life as they’ve known it and storing it in Steve’s garage. Lou will be separated from everything in her small but predictable life, farther from Dad than ever.
This book checked all the boxes for me. Relatable characters? Check. Real-life events to connect to? Check. Beautiful themes of friendship, family and growing forward? Check, check, check. And while this book gave me a window into another family’s way of living, of being and of loving, it also gave me a mirror into my own family-is-complicated heart, a pretty impressive feat for a single book to accomplish. Hiranandani introduces readers to Ari, her family and the swirl of events they are enveloped in: the difficulties of being one religion while surrounded by another, the challenges of running a family-owned business, the heartache of a family divided, the frustration of the school system and how it supports (or doesn’t) students who might learn differently, the complications of friendship and more. I entangled myself with the characters immediately and am not quite ready to let them go, even after I turned the last page.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Ah, this book. Honestly, this book is one of the most compelling, emotional, heart-piercing books I have ever read. Lyrically told in verse, Fipps tells Ellie’s story of heartbreaking bullying for her size, her internal struggle to find her own self-worth and her quest to claim her deserved space in her family and in the world. This book will make you think, make you cry, make you cheer and make you rethink everything you’ve ever known about how the world works. I still need Kleenex and will be sifting through my collection of beautiful quotes from this book from days to come.
The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Barcarcel
This book is everything you could ever want in a middle grade novel: completely relatable characters, situations and experiences that ring true for many and writing that invites you to stay a while. But this book had so much more. Balcarcel introduces us to Quijanita, a twelve year old girl who doesn’t know where she fits in at home, at school and in her own skin. She struggles to make friends and fit in at her new school, to connect with her Guatemalan family, to make sense of her new feelings for a boy and to deal with her worry for her brother and grandmother. But most of all, she struggles to express what she feels on the inside to those that matter most and makes regretful choices in the process, something all readers, young and old, can relate to. This is my new favorite middle grade novel.
Sticky Notes by Dianne Touchell
I found this book on an unexpected trip to the bookstore. It wasn’t displayed, but instead, a single copy was tucked into the shelves just waiting to be discovered. As a lover of all things sticky notes, the title caught my eye, so I picked it up. And I haven’t put it out of my sight since. This book has touched my heart. It’s about a young boy living through his father’s early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. And while written from only his perspective, we learn how the disease impacts the patient, the caregivers, the family and more. Touchell so beautifully captured a painful journey of truth: the confusion, the fear, the fatigue, the shame. All of it. But in doing so, she gave us a glimpse into the perspectives of all stakeholders involved, perspectives we might not be able to see when living through the reality of this disease. Everyone needs to read this book, but especially those who have been impacted by the disease and need to know they are not alone. It will change the way you see things. I promise.
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Watson never fails to invite me into the pages of her book to experience AND to learn. Her beautiful prose and artful use of chapters pieces the story together as the main character, Jade, pieces herself together through language, art and love. As she moves through her days as a Black teenager, we learn what deconstructs her identity and ability to fully love herself. But we also learn of the family and bonds of love that piece her back together and remind her she has the power to make change if she only uses her voice. This book was beautiful, stirring and inspirational and I’ve been obsessed with the power and true meaning of collage art ever since, something I failed to appreciate before.
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.”
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too.
When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy’s pregnancy, Sebastian’s coming out, the cute boys, her father’s meth habit, and the food she craves.
And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity.
I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.
But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.
Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family.
Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn’t stick out more if she tried.
Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black T-shirts, headphones, head in a book—he thinks he’s made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor… never to Eleanor.
Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you’re young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose.
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
Zero is a big round number. When she looks at herself, she just sees a hole right in her center. Every day she watches the other numbers line up to count: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 . . . !” “Those numbers have value. That’s why they count,” she thinks. But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero feels empty inside. As budding young readers learn about numbers and counting, they are also introduced to accepting different body types, developing social skills and character, and learning what it means to find value in yourself and in others.
Ish by Peter Reynolds
Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon’s older brother, Leon, turns Ramon’s carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just “right.” Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When mommy does Zuri’s hair, she feels like a superhero. But when mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to step in! And even though daddy has a lot to learn, he LOVES his Zuri. And he’ll do anything to make her—and her hair—happy.
Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair—and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.
Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
Journey through the beautifully hand-lettered messages by award-winning illustrator Jessica Hische. This uplifting and positive book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow, they will try new things, do their best, and be brave.
Tomorrow I’ll be all the things I tried to be today:
Adventurous, Strong, Smart, Curious, Creative, Confident, & Brave.
And if I wasn’t one of them, I know that it’s OK.
As this book reminds readers, tomorrow is another day, full of endless opportunities–all you have to do is decide to make the day yours.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
The Other, Better Me by Antony John
This middle grade novel shows the power of family, of found family, of second chances and the power reading can have to bring us together. In it, we meet Lola, a fifth grader who lives with her mom, desperately wonders about her dad and struggles with a bully at school. But a school assignment, a team of faithful friends and a book that changed her whole perspective is just what she needs to find what matters most. This book will have readers thinking about the other, better version of ourselves and how we might get there. It’s a must read.
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt
This middle grade novel is the book every teacher, every parent and every reader needs to read. In it, we met four students stuck in summer school because they’ve failed the language arts portion of the high-stakes Florida state test. These bright, divergent thinkers experience difficulty reading, but they don’t need more of the same…they need a change of pace, a dose of confidence and the chance to feel seen. That is just what their teacher, Ms. J, delivers. She agrees to play one minute of the video game Sandbox for every minute of reading they complete…and that’s a game changer for them all. Each student has their own unique challenges they are working through and find their own way forward, together. A mixture of verse, game chat transcripts and sketchnotes, this book will pull on your heartstrings, make you rethink what you think you know about learning and invite all readers to keep going. I highly recommend it.
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Gracefully Grayson so beautifully embodies the journey of finding yourself inside yourself. Grayson is a middle grade student who has been holding onto a deep secret for a long time: he feels that his true self is a girl. He silences that voice and packs it all down in his heart under the weight of his emotions. His parents died when he was young and he struggles to find his true place in the world without them. But when his grandmother leaves him the letters she saved from his mother, everything starts to click into place and Grayson makes bold moves to believe in himself and let the real version shine through. We’ll see how the power of believing in yourself, along with the support of important adults in our lives, can make all the difference in the world.
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff
Well, this was a VERY unexpected book. Very. I am always seeking out books that can help me with what I do not understand or have not experienced for myself. I learn through story and this book provided a compelling story that will take space in my reading heart for a while. Lukoff introduces us to Annabelle, a sixth grade student in a small town hoping for a bit of excitement in her final year of elementary school. And excitement she gets: a new friend, a family shocker, a new identity for herself and a realization that the world does not work in favor of all who live in it. This book explores gender and gender identity in a way that children (and adults) can understand and embrace. Gone are the linear categories and labels in favor of simply knowing who you are and celebrating that is enough. Ah, this book.
Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
I love reading new middle grade advanced copies of books, but I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d love a book about wrestling. I did. The book starts off with a bang as 12-year old Adela’s step-father asks for permission to adopt her. This single question sets off an avalanche of new questions and emotions, including the desire to know more about her biological father. Forced to find out for herself, Adela discovers who her father is….and who he isn’t. This book explores the definition of family, the need to know our familial roots and how to make space for new people, traditions and emotions. It was a roller coaster of a ride and I’m shocked at how much I got into the wrestling aspects, too. I may have googled a few things to bring this book to life. =) It’s a must read.
Elvia and the Gift of Passion by Ruthy Ballard
This delightfully whimsical book that tackles deep topics in a way that meets the needs of children AND adults. I haven’t read anything like it before. In it, we meet Elivia and her overprotective parents. Convinced she’s not really their daughter, she sets off to find her true family on an African Safari her parents won. There, she sneaks off for the adventure she so longs for and ends up in Urth in another world completely, ready to complete a mission to quite possibly set her life on a new course. This is a book written for middle grade readers, but honestly, I think every adult needs to read this book to soak up the life and parenting lessons inside. It gave me the warm ginger cookie feeling. Read the book. You’ll know what I mean.
Opinions and Opossums by Ann Braden
I loved Ann’s previous two books so much they have a permanent spot on my top bookshelf. And now, this book does too. It is a delightful, yet serious, glimpse into the world of Agness, a middle grade child grappling with how the world works around her. Living with her single mother, she’s been conditioned to follow the rules and stay quiet in hopes of reaching for a better life. Say the right things. Wear the right things. Think the right things…including how to think about God. But interactions with her 70 year old anthropologist neighbor has set her mind on fire. Why are things the way they are? Why do we believe certain things over others? Why does it matter who told our stories and how they were captured? These questions send Agnes on a journey of self-discovery so powerful that she cannot help bring her best friend and mother along for the ride, too. That’s what I love most about this book: the feeling of finding your voice and learning how not to place others’ opinions above your own truth is contagious for readers, too.
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly
Apple has always felt a little different from her classmates. She and her mother moved to Louisiana from the Philippines when she was little, and her mother still cooks Filipino foods, makes mistakes with her English, and chastises Apple for becoming “too American.” It becomes unbearable in middle school, when the boys—the stupid, stupid boys—in Apple’s class put her name on the Dog Log, the list of the most unpopular girls in school. When Apple’s friends turn on her and everything about her life starts to seem weird and embarrassing, Apple turns to music. If she can just save enough to buy a guitar and learn to play, maybe she can change herself. It might be the music that saves her . . . or it might be her two new friends, who show how special she really is.
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
Whether we articulate it or not, I think most of us would agree that we want to be heard and to know our voice matters. Amina, a middle schooler, is not so sure that hers does. Her friends are changing, her family is changing and an act of violence against her mosque sends her reeling. But she keeps it all bottled inside until her feelings are too big to contain. And that’s when things start to change as Amina slowly realizes that she can and should use her voice to stay true to who she is and share her gifts with others. This is an inspiring book about family, friendship, love and the ties that bind a community together.
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school–you can’t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (Maria Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself.
The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). And when she assembles a group of like-minded misfits at school and starts a band, Malú finally begins to feel at home. She’ll do anything to preserve this, which includes standing up to an anti-punk school administration to fight for her right to express herself!
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
I’d been hearing about Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga for a while now and finally moved it to the stop of my stack. If only I did that sooner. =) This was a beautiful, lyrical and touching story told in verse that will have you ignoring everything else until the last page is turned. The story follows Jude and her mother as they leave their beloved Syria to stay with family in Cincinnati to escape the growing violence in their hometown. You feel Jude’s confusion, you feel her fear, you fear her sadness, but above all, you feel her hope. I only wish there were more to read so I could continue following Jude’s story….and learning from it.
