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Gr 4–7 There's a lot going on in Emilia Torres's life. On the day her mom leaves town for a job interview, her dad gets home from a long deployment and something isn't quite right with him. Abuela is trying to run her life, Emilia has an unusual type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and, worst of all, a class assignment splits students down the middle and creates a rift between kids who have been friends for years. As difficult as it is for her to focus, can Emilia figure out how to placate her grandmother and help her dad heal while standing up against injustice?

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Gr 3-7:
Fans of spine-tingling thrillers and tales based on true stories will be sure to love this middle grade title. James and his family move from Texas to Oregon into a seemingly ideal neighborhood. Until the letters start. Letters that let James know he and his sister Ava are being watched. Letters that may have ties to other missing children. It’s up to James and Ava to discover the truth behind the letters before it’s too late.

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Gr 5-8:
Caught between his best friend Dan, and Dan’s racist cousin Chad; straddling the line between his overprotective, naive white mother and his realist, all-too-aware Black father; and doing his best to integrate his middle school friend group, biracial Stephen is finding it tricky to “stay wide in all lanes.” With his mother unwilling to admit the real perils her Black son faces outside their home, Stephen nonetheless discovers the Black Lives Matter movement at his school, and begins processing the insidious racism that he faces daily.

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Wink by Marc Harrell (realistic fiction)

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Wink by Marc Harrell (realistic fiction)

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Can cancer be funny? Is that even possible? In Wink, main character Ross really wants to have a normal 7th grade year, but that doesn't work out when he is diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. And although this book could be SUPER sad, the author finds wonderful ways to see through the sadness and find humor in even the scariest situations. If you are a fan of Wonder, DO NOT skip reading Wink.
Here is the author telling his own story!!
https://youtu.be/OVr7d5DAtbs

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

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Gr 5 and up:
The magic and power of stories and storytelling help a preteen in a terrifying future. In 2061, with Earth about to be destroyed, 12-year-old Petra Peña and her scientist parents and younger brother Javier are just barely aboard the ship that will take them to the planet Sagan when a group of zealots called the Collective, wanting absolute equality at the expense of any diversity, take over. Almost 400 years later, Petra is one of the last four “sleepers” revived, and the only one who somehow retains her memories of Earth. She uses the stories her family shared and a precious copy of Yuyi Morales’s Dreamers to try to save the others in her cohort, her newly rediscovered brother, and what seems to be the last Collective child.

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Gr 4-7 Marco Honeyman and Isaac Castillo are next-door neighbors and best friends, despite their apparent differences: Jewish-Mexican Marco is small and book-smart, while Isaac, who is also Latinx, is a gifted and hard-working basketball player who struggles to manage his homework. Part of Marco and Isaac’s bond is their desire for approval from their divorced parents. Isaac hopes his mom won’t give up on him the way she gave up on his dad because of his drinking, and Marco wishes his dad would come back and be proud of him. When they enter middle school, Marco and Isaac stand by each other, despite different classes and friend groups. When Marco decides to try out for the baseketball team to impress his father (despite never playing before), Isaac coaches him. The boys’ bond of friendship is the core of the story; they have honest conversations, admire each other’s good qualities, and support each other through anxiety attacks and family problems. After a tough tournament game, Isaac concludes, “Life is like a game of basketball...it pretty much comes down to the hustle we put in.”

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Gr 7-10-Skye Shin is plus-sized, bodypositive, and mega-talented despite the negativity her mother continually batters her with. Skye sings and dances in her audition for a spot on "You're My Shining Star," hoping to become a breakout K-pop star. When she gets in for both talents, the real challenges begin: to win and tackle prejudice because of her size and her budding relationship with celebrity Henry Cho, who is also on the show. Skye needs to navigate vitriolic social media, her mother, and her friendships while remaining true to her talents and challenging the body norms of Korean women. This rom-com is everything it needs to be: predictable, filled with a sweet new romance, and starring a heroine to root for.

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When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

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When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

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Gr 4-8 Nobody expected a tiny little virus to change the whole world in such a big way, especially not Shayla, Liam, Ai, and Ben. But when school closes to keep everyone safe, their lives turn upside down. It is one thing to learn that the outside world isn’t safe, but why does it seem that the virus is causing trouble inside their homes, too?

As they each struggle to adjust to life in quarantine, they discover they are not alone: their apartment building is full of people who need their help. Working together, they begin to see that there is power in numbers. When they cooperate, they can ease each other’s challenges and help their neighbors through tough times.

Set against the onset of COVID, When the World Turned Upside Down navigates issues of race and social justice in a heartwarming story of generosity, friendship, and the power of youth.

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Gr 4-8 Middle school student Hudi has become a regular at his local hospital, due to a variety of injuries and other health issues, including losing a lung. His doctors and parents are fearful that his weight isn’t helping his health, so, despite a lack of interest and natural ability, he finds himself thrust into the world of team sports. But Hudi’s humor and imagination keep him going—along with support from his imaginary mascot, Chunky, a chipper, furry, horned pink creature who calls himself Hudi’s “biggest fan”—as life at home with his family becomes more stressful. Drawing from his childhood experiences, Mercado’s memoir emphasizes his humor and creativity as his younger self tries to figure out who he is and how he fits in, using jokes to cope with fatphobic adults in his life. Linework is strong and steady, with tropical golden and green tones punctuated by the deep but radiant magenta hues used to illustrate Hudi’s pal Chunky. Mercado relies on a variety of panel layouts, borderless panels, and perspectives to keep the eye moving, and each chapter ends with a fun fourth-wall breaking postgame wrap-up. Hudi is Mexican and Jewish, while secondary and background characters present as Black and white.

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The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

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The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

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Gr 4-6-Part historical fiction, part critical problem-solving exercise, part suspenseful mystery, this story weaves through the past and present of one town's struggle with hatred and racism. Candice and her mother have moved temporarily from Washington, D.C., to her mother's hometown in Lambert, SC, while her parents finalize the plans of their amicable divorce. Candice is miserable until she meets Brandon and finds an old letter addressed to her from her deceased grandmother with a puzzle enclosed. Twenty years prior, her grandmother had tried unsuccessfully to solve the puzzle that would yield a great deal of money to the town and the person who solved it. Together, Candice and Brandon make their own attempt. Who were Enoch, Leanne, and Siobhan Washington? How does an illegal tennis match played in 1957 between the white Wallace School and African American Perkins School factor into the solution?

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“A heartfelt and humorous glimpse into the life of a girl with cerebral palsy who is determined to make her mark on a world that often perceives her as limited because of her disability. . . . The challenges faced by youth like Ellie are underrepresented in children’s literature; highly recommended for middle grade collections.” -- School Library Journal

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Two boys' lives intertwine in Belgium during the 2016 Paris and Brussels terror attacks. Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who lost his family, finds an unlocked house and hides for a few nights in the wine cellar. Max, an American boy living abroad in Brussels, discovers Ahmed and pledges to keep him safe. But the boys' plans are thrown into chaos when the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels occur, and the police and even Max's family become dangerously suspicious of Muslims and refugees. Marsh paints prejudice and paranoia well and gives credit to young people who work to overcome their biases and listen to others, even when it is difficult. The Belgian, American, and Syrian kids in the story might struggle to communicate with one another because of language barriers, but they nevertheless recognize one another as human beings who deserve not just safety but full, happy lives. A hopeful story about recovery, empathy, and the bravery of young people. Grades 5-8. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

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*Starred Review* When Mia joins a crew tasked with restoring abandoned space ruins, it's clear she's running from something. But between the hard work and the spirited characters of her shipmates, there's hardly time to dwell on it. Interspersed flashbacks of strong-willed Mia at her all-girls boarding school hint at her troubles-a burgeoning romance with her classmate Grace, sneaking into the gym to (disastrously) try flying a small ship-but it's not until she and her crewmates get a job restoring an ancient, strange temple that the pieces start coming together. Walden's (Spinning, 2017) swirling, atmospheric artwork is phenomenal: she plays with darkness and shadows in captivating ways perfectly in keeping with the light-poor space atmosphere, and swathes of luminous, saturated color only emphasize that darkness. There aren't many planets in the inky black, star-speckled backgrounds, but architectural structures float freely, and they're set together at weird, surprising angles, unconstrained by gravity. There's an organic, familiar quality to the spaces, with trees, rock formations, window seats, cathedral ceilings, and messy rooms, but the starry expanses outside every window are a stark reminder of their interstellar location. The sparking interplay between familiar and foreign is utterly mesmerizing, and the story carries that through as well: the sf components are inventive and compellingly strange, but the romance between Mia and Grace, not to mention the warm, teasing affection among Mia's crewmates, grounds the story in a heartening, recognizable place. A remarkable, stunning comic. Grades 8-12. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

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Gr 8 Up –This Bushwick-set, contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice tackles gentrification, Blackness, and romance with honesty, humor, and heart. Afro-Latina Zuri Benitez is proud of her Dominican and Haitian heritage, close-knit family, and bustling block. However, the teen knows that the renovation of the abandoned house across the street into a mansion portends a gentrifying trend that she’s not quite ready for. It also ushers in the arrival of the wealthy Darcy brothers—Ainsley, the charming and friendly college boy who is possibly striking up a romance with Janae, Zuri’s college freshman sister; and Darius, the too-cool-for-school younger brother, who is as handsome as he is snooty. Zoboi follows her novel American Street with this send-up of Austen’s classic, an insightful commentary on socioeconomic class, changing neighborhoods, and the pressures of growing up and falling in love as a second-generation immigrant. Janeites will appreciate the nods to the original: Mr. Collins is the nephew of the Benitezs’ Oshun-worshipping godmother and apartment building owner; the Wickham character likes to sweet-talk younger girls into taking revealing selfies; and the five sisters’ dynamic is just as memorable. But those unfamiliar with Austen’s work will also be enamored with the warmth that permeates the characters, the spellbinding storytelling, and the tender but bittersweet love letter to Brooklyn. Teens will cheer for the protagonist as she finds her passion for poetry and hesitantly falls love. School Library Journal

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Length of the String by Elissa Brent Weissman

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Length of the String by Elissa Brent Weissman

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Gr 5 Up –Morrigan Crow is cursed and doomed to die on her 11th birthday on Eventide night. She is blamed for every bit of bad luck and misfortune that plagues the residents of the town of Jackalfax in the Wintersea Republic. When Eventide arrives early, ushering in a new Age across the realm, Morrigan is faced with the prospect of her premature death—until a strange man named Jupiter North arrives. Together the two escape the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow and come to the Free State city of Nevermoor. Miraculously alive and possibly no longer cursed, Morrigan can make a fresh start. With Jupiter’s help, she has the chance to compete in a series of trials for a place in Nevermoor’s most revered group: the Wundrous Society. If she succeeds, she’ll also earn her place in Nevermoor and finally have a home and a caring family. Despite Jupiter’s assurances, Morrigan dreads the final Show Trial, where the remaining competitors will have to demonstrate their astounding talents—something Morrigan is quite certain she doesn’t possess. Morrigan will have to step boldly and learn to trust her new friends if she hopes to pass the trials and join the Wundrous Society. Townsend’s debut fantasy revolves around Morrigan’s struggle to find her place and discover her own worth, all while she completes magical tasks and investigates the strange world of Nevermoor. This dynamic title is filled with intricate world-building that brings the renowned figure of Jupiter North and the rest of Nevermoor to life. Set over the course of Morrigan’s year of trials, this entertaining and fast-paced story is filled with astonishing details, such as the Hotel Deucalion, where Morrigan’s room changes to suit her mood; the Wundrous Society grounds, which turn the weather up a notch; and even a giant talking “Magnificat” named Fenestra. VERDICT Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work. School Library Journal

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Black Boy Joy Edited by Kwame Mbalia (short story collection)

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Black Boy Joy Edited by Kwame Mbalia (short story collection)

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Short story collections are perfect for a lazy day in the summer; you can read what you want and skip the rest. Check out this GREAT book trailer so you can hear from several of the writers involved in this super book.
https://youtu.be/Rpu4oa1jtUs

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With the common theme of an ice cream machine, each story is creative and fun. Featuring original ideas, an amusing cast of characters (including a robot nanny named Kelly), and exhilarating adventures like searching for ice cream in an uninhabited forest in Peru, the book deftly illustrates how one idea can be deeply, uniquely explored. Rubin’s writing is inspired, and tweens will enjoy the wordplay. Rubin concludes with a challenge to write the seventh short story for this compilation, prompting readers to get creative and craft their own variation on the theme (a mailing address is included for receipt of said story).

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The Adventures Of A Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss

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The Adventures Of A Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss

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Gr 4-6 When she was just a young girl, Bicycle was found by Sister Wanda, a retired "Nearly Silent Nun," at the doors of the Mostly Silent Monastery in Washington, D.C. Oddly, the only word the nuns and monks may use to communicate is sandwich. Now 12, Bicycle is a magnificent rider, hence her name. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to connect with other children and has no interest in making friends. Sister Wanda signs her up for a sleepaway camp called the Friendship Factory. Bicycle, however, has other plans. Deceiving Sister Wanda, she sets out on a cross-country ride to San Francisco, imagining she will meet and befriend bicycle-riding sensation, Zbig. Drawing on the author's own bicycle trip in 1996, Uss's debut novel uses a simple narrative that mixes realistic fiction with supernatural and farfetched fantastical elements.

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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (mystery)

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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (mystery)

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Read it before it hits the streaming networks!! When your mega rich relative dies and leaves everything, I mean EVERYTHING, to a random person you might be?? Miffed? Confused? Shaking your head? Find out this summer who should really "win the cash"!!

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Gr 4–7 The complex emotional lives of young boys of color are portrayed through a nascent friendship. Bryan is constantly teased for being "soft," thanks to his preference for comics, drawing, and spending quiet moments with his mom. Through his mother's work at a Brooklyn community center, he meets Mike, an older, "harder" schoolmate whom he's never socialized with before and is apprehensive about befriending. Slowly, Bryan finds they have much in common and begins spending more time with Mike. When Bryan's recently paroled father is re-incarcerated, Mike offers him an emotional outlet in the form of ditching school, the first of several exploits the pair undertake. Pushing of boundaries as an emotional response to trauma, vulnerability, and societal pressures is an overarching theme of the novel, pressing readers to consider the impetus of what is deemed "bad behavior." Regrettably, Mike, who faces many of the same emotional struggles and home life difficulties as Bryan, is not allotted the same degree of sympathy. Maldonado, however, excels at depicting realistic and authentic interactions between middle school boys.

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NEW from DC Comics comes a "colorful" superhero. Ashley is an artist and will turn anything she can find into art. So when she comes home to a new set of paints, she thinks nothing of trying them out. But she doesn't realize the power these art supplies have. Read PRIMER this summer so you are ready for the others in the new series!

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Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

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Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

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Gr 3-6-When Jamila Waheed is dragged by her mother to a garage sale in her new neighborhood, she encounters Shirley Bones, and they bond over their mutual disgust for the summer camps that threaten to ruin their school vacation. Shirley manages to convince their moms to let them spend their summers on their preferred activities; soon, Jamila is playing basketball while Shirley carts around unusual objects and holds meetings on the side of the basketball court. As the two fifth graders spend more time together, Jamila becomes curious about Shirley's activities and learns that she is an amateur detective. Intrigued, Jamila becomes part of Shirley's investigation into a missing gecko, and the case takes the girls on a trek around their neighborhood and gives them a new understanding of friendship.

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To: Night Owl From: Dog Fish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

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To: Night Owl From: Dog Fish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

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Gr 4-6 Avery Bloom receives an e-mail entitled "You don't know me" from one Bett Devlin, informing her their fathers are in love, and that they have devised a plan for the tweens to meet at a summer camp. Initially reticent, the girls plot to sabotage their fathers' plans until they realize they may have more in common than they had realized. They find in each other a confidant with whom they can share the stresses of adolescence and they form a friendship sustained by humor and vulnerability.

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Gr 8 Up-As Boy Scout camp draws to a close and high school looms, 14-year-old Aiden Navarro, who is biracial (white and Filipino), is on high alert. Feeling self-conscious about his weight, dealing with racism from other campers, and wondering about his sexuality, he often takes preemptive action to appear unimpeachably heterosexual and unconvincingly attempts to imitate the homophobic, macho behavior of other campers-though his thoughtfulness usually wins out. Aiden's precarious balancing of identities pushed upon him and those he tries to hide starts to crumble when he begins to fantasize romantically about his tentmate Elias, a steadfast summer friend who has been unfazed by other campers' gossip about Aiden being gay. As Aiden heads into the last days of camp, his desire, self-loathing, and uncertainty come to a boiling point. Curato's incredible art conveys Aiden's point of view, his thoughts, and his reimaginings of his physical form with compelling beauty and empathy.