Josie Hanneman, Bookshelf

School is back in session and it’s time to find some great books for our students! It can be particularly challenging to find the right book for a child or teen as some are reading above grade level, some below; some children are mature beyond their years, and others are late bloomers and prefer to stay in childhood. Each child is unique in their interests and desired reading format. Because of this there is no one perfect book that will work for every child in a class, or in a grade level. We recommend that parents talk to their children, their children’s teachers, and their librarians to find a great book for their child, regardless of age, reading level, or interest. The conversation between parent and child is a building block to lifelong reading and learning.

Here are a few new titles that we recommend, with a middle grade focus:

“Unfadeable” by Maurice Broaddus

Bella Fades is trying to lay low for the summer. She’s a graffiti artist, but she’s keeping her tagging quiet since she doesn’t want anyone in social services to know she’s basically taking care of herself. But when she finds out that powerful people are taking money from her Indianapolis, Indiana neighborhood, she has to start trusting her neighbors in order to fight back. This story covers some serious topics like homelessness, schizophrenia, and racism, but they are part of the story, not lecture-y. If you like Kelly Yang’s Front Desk, or anything by Jason Reynolds, this might be a great book for you! School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 4-7.

“The Prisoner of Shiverstone” by Linette Moore

Helga arrives at Utley Island under slightly suspicious circumstances, but convinces the guards that she’s been shipwrecked. Her secret mission is make contact with the imprisoned scientists held there, and rescue one of them. This is not a straight up mystery—it’s a bit adventure, a bit science fiction, a little fantasy, and definitely a graphic novel. There’s even a bit of humor. School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 4-7.

“The Lucky Ones” by Linda Williams Jackson

Ellis Earl Brown has big dreams—he’d like to grow up to be a teacher, or a lawyer, or maybe both! But his family with 8 siblings, plus a cousin, struggles. Ellis loves school, his teacher, and reading. When he discovers a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he’s amazed to find a family worse off than his own. Their happy ending give him hope. When Senator Robert F Kenney plans on visiting Ellis’ state and he’s invited to be part of the welcoming party, he wonders if his family’s luck might be turning around. Will he be one of the lucky ones? If you like more modern historical fiction, you can also try Countdown by Deborah Wiles, or One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 3-6.

“Nura and the Immortal Palace” by M.T. Khan

12-year-old Nura must work in a mine to help her family survive. When it collapses, her friends are given up for dead, no one will search for them. Nura takes it upon herself to keep digging, and she eventually discovers the Sijj Palace, a place from Pakistani legend that is home to djinn (genies). They seem friendly and helpful, at first, but Nura has heard tales of their treacherous ways and she must use her every last wit to find her friends and escape their magical grasp. If they can’t escape, the children will be servants to the djinn for all of eternity! Publishers Weekly recommends this book for ages 8-12.

“Cress Watercress” by Gregory Maguire

Young Cress is a rabbit, living comfortably in a warren along a riverbank with his mama, papa, and baby brother. When Cress’s father doesn’t return one night from a foraging expedition, the family assumes the worst. Did a fox get Papa? The family has to move to a rundown tree high rise, but can it ever be home when the owl landlord is scary, and the neighbors include a rowdy squirrels, gossiping songbirds, and a nosy mouse? The illustrations in this one are lovely, but it’s not a full graphic novel. If you liked Wind in the Willows, or Stuart Little, this might be a good book for you. Publishers Weekly recommends this book for ages 8-12.