This is a book that is uplifting, funny, charming, hopeful, and HELPFUL to tweens! The main character, Yumi, wants to do stand-up comedy. Her parents want her to go to SSAT tutoring to get into a private school and earn a scholarship. But when a bizarre opportunity that just requires some identity theft and a …
This wonderful new middle grade novel is something of a hybrid. It is autobiographical fiction. Or, rather, it is the creative way that the author tells his own story. And Nayeri’s work is compelling and compassionate. Written with great heart and humor— and with a genuine flair for the art of storytelling— Everything Sad Is …
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance is the story of a twelve-year-old girl who doesn’t want to do something. Pretty universal. But Lupe’s journey isn’t just about one girl trying to weasel out of square dancing in P.E. with comedic results. It’s a book about how it feels to be twelve-years-old, and told you have to do …
In Black Brother, Black Brother, Rhodes looks at colorism, prejudice in schooling systems against people of color, and whitewashing in history all in a brilliant sports narrative. After being falsely accused of disrupting class at his private school and then arrested for being angry that no one would listen to him, Donte is encouraged to …
I REALLY enjoyed Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. While it’s listed as middle grade (8-12), it’s the upper end of that age range and one that readers of ALL ages should read (good life insights for young and old). It is beautifully written and has an extremely strong female character. She has …
I adored this debut middle grade novel. Narrated by young Arturo, it tells the story of how he tried to save his family’s restaurant and his neighborhood from alluring yet ultimately devastating gentrification at the hands of a smarmy real estate developer. There’s some light romance, a touch of bittersweet sadness, a ton of hilarious …
