The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin Fourteen-year-old Lizzie is supposed to be on her way to America from England. It’s 1940, World War II is raging on. Her father died long ago, her mother went missing, her brother is off at school. Her nineteen-year-old brother, Jakob, hasn’t answered any of Lizzie’s letters. … More The Bletchley Riddle
I Know You’re Lying by Daphne Benedis-Brab Four students, Maddie, Jack, Nora and Henry are accused of stealing another student’s bag out of her locker. Now they are stuck in the office trying to figure out who actually stole it. Everyone seems to have a reason to not like Sasha, but do they hate enough … More I Know You’re Lying
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown My school read this as part of a ‘One Book One School’ program. The kids were super excited to get their hands on this one. I was a little surprised because we are a middle school. I would have thought some would see this as too young a book, … More The Wild Robot
The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins Sona, a 12-year-old Nepali girl, lives with her mother and brother. They are doing their best to earn enough money to survive. The mother picks tea leaves on a plantation run by a horrible man. This man doesn’t pay his workers enough, and he is cruel to his niece, … More The Golden Necklace
Biggest Fake in the Universe by Johan Rundberg I found this book at a librarian conference. I was interested in reading it not only because it looked like a funny middle-grade book (I am a middle school librarian) but also because it was a book in translation. I love finding books from other countries. It’s … More Biggest Fake in the Universe
Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton I wasn’t sure about this one because I was sure I was past my vampire era. I read a lot of vampire books around the time Twilight was popular. There were just so many out there! Adam and Victor are vampire children. From past novels, I … More Don’t Want to Be Your Monster
Haunted Houses by Robert D. San Souci A collection of creepy tales. I like collections of short stories, but at the same time, they always feel so rushed. These tales are creepy, but they feel like a summary of a longer book. I will say that there are some illustrations throughout the books that help … More Haunted Houses
The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla Maudie has autism. She spends the school year with her mom and Ron, and the summers with her dad. She loves spending time with her dad, and she is more at ease with her dad. This summer is different, though. On her first day … More The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn
Final Season by Tim Green Ben comes from a football family. His dad played for the NFL, and his brothers played in college. Ben is in 6th grade and following in their footsteps as a quarterback. But then he learns that his dad has ALS. They say it might be connected to all the hits … More Final Season
Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist After a fight, Ebony “Eb” and De’Kari “Flow” are in the principal’s office learning of their 10-day suspension. The book is told in alternating voices; the reader follows the two as they are suspended. There were many things they did that reminded me of my own students. At … More Eb & Flow
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