SPECTACULAR POSSIBILITIES

I took a trip up to the Bay Area last weekend. It’s a 5.5 hour drive (without traffic) from LA, and I settled into the driver’s seat, automatically reaching for a familiar audiobook: Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt, read by Lincoln Hoppe. It’s a trip I’ve made several times and a story I’ve listened to several times more since its publication in 2011, yet it has never failed to elicit the same depth of emotion each time. It draws me back to a place I’d never visited and a time I’d never experienced: a small town in upstate New York in 1968, the peak of the Vietnam War era.

Fourteen year old Doug Swieteck is starting eighth grade in a new school in a new town, where his father has just secured a new job after being fired for a poor attitude and a questionable work ethic. The Dump, his family’s latest residence, is small and dingy. His father is spiteful. His older brother is a menace. His gentle mother rarely smiles anymore. And Doug can’t think of a single good thing about the stupid town they've just moved to.

You can easily envision the trajectory for a kid like that: he’ll grow up to be a bully, a thief, a liar, a victim and a victimizer. And everyone else in town thinks so too-- including Doug himself.

Until he finds unexpected solace in a public library and purpose in a rare copy of John James Audubon's Birds of America. There’s something mesmerizing about the paintings in Audubon’s book, even for Doug, who would be the first to tell you he’s no artist. Soon he’s drawn into the stories he sees in each carefully crafted bird, which become the metaphor by which he interprets his world. His spirit soars and dives throughout the novel as he faces a deluge of circumstances that test his resolve to sketch a different future for himself.

Another librarian (whose name I unfortunately cannot recall) wrote in her review of the book that it had broken her heart and put it back together a thousand times. I can certainly relate to that feeling. There’s a lot to mull over here: the tangible and intangible effects of the war on returned veterans and their families, the dichotomy of wealth and poverty, the cyclical nature of abuse, and the problematic prejudices of adults. At the same time there’s the thrilling freedom of art, the unexpected kindness of others, the gentle glow of first love, the healing found in offering compassion even when it seems undeserved, and a long lingering note of Possibility. It’s a tale of resilience and redemption.

I highly recommend listening to the audio version of book (which still counts as reading, in case you’re wondering!) Lincoln Hoppe’s reading of Okay for Now received an American Library Association Odyssey Honor in 2012 as one of the best audiobooks produced for children and young adults, available in English in the United States.

A truly rewarding read for grades 6 and up.

A TOAST TO T.O.A.S.T

Pranks are being set off throughout an elite school in Washington D.C. so Florian and Margaret are engaged as consultants by the FBI to investigate them and the perpetrator.  Everyone is brilliant and seemingly unfriendly so there's no lack of suspects among the the children of prominent Washingtonians. Every move is calculated and watched so they really have to put their T.O.A.S.T. skills to use. 

Is the president's daughter involved?
Is the school bully behind it? 
What about Victoria, the leader of the popular girls? 
Or, that gifted violinist who just appeared out of nowhere? 

The two friends have impressed the school director with their T.O.A.S.T. skills but a good first impression is not enough to solve the case.  

In this sequel Vanished!, James Ponti explores the complexity of friendships and social structure within the exclusive and intense lives of elite private middle school students.  

For readers in 5th-8th grades.

STILL SUNNY

In this graphic novel sequel to Sunny Side Up by siblings Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (reviewed by Cecile here), Sunny Lewin’s surprising summer vacation at Gramp’s retirement community in Florida is over, and she’s ready to start middle school back home. Well, sort of. Things haven’t been the same since her older brother, Dale, was sent away to boarding school for his troubled behavior.

As Sunny goes about her days, there’s a palpable emptiness in all the spaces Dale previously occupied. Memories of the gentle brother he used to be are a distressing specter, pursuing Sunny at home and school. Even when Dale returns home for the holidays, he’s different-- withdrawn and angry. Sunny loves her brother, but she doesn’t love the tense atmosphere and constant fights that his presence brings. How can love be so complicated? How do you love someone, even as you hate the things they do?

Swing it, Sunny is a poignant reflection of a family in crisis, presented in an age-appropriate and compelling format. Set in 1976, the semi-autobiographical story features plenty of contemporary pop-culture snippets within the series of vignettes. And despite its difficult premise, it features a cast of extremely supportive friends and family members. Like life itself, even amidst troubled times this middle grade tale is ultimately filled with joyful moments and always-Sunny optimism.

Grades 5-8

FRAZZLED

Abbie Wu is suffering from an extreme case of the middles.

Not only is Abbie a middle child (squarely between her amazingly good at everything older brother Peter and her annoyingly adorable younger sister Clara), she’s now starting middle school, and she’s currently in the middle of an identity crisis!

It seems like her best friends know exactly where their talents lie: Maxine is natural actress, while Logan is a young tech genius. Meanwhile, Abbie has tried plenty, but has yet to find her Thing. So when it comes time to choose the ever-important elective class, Abbie finds herself in dread study hall instead. But it’s once there that Abbie is drawn into a campus-wide underground lunch revolution that may reveal to everyone, including herself, just how much she has to offer.

With an air of dramatic doom and plenty of attractive cartoon illustrations on every page, Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat is a great read-alike to middle grade staples like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. Perfect for the humorously hyperbolic and melodramatic middle grade reader in your life.

Grades 4-6

LOCKER HERO

Max Crumbly is in 8^th grade and for the first time he is attending public school.  For all of his life he has been homeschooled so he had never experienced social issues such as bullying until now.  After an unfortunate encounter with the school bully, Doug “Thug” Thurston, Max gets trapped in a school locker and no one knows he is there. Worse, it's a three day weekend.  As he tries to get himself out, he soon finds out that his school is being robbed.  Does Max figure a way out and go home or should he stay and try to be the school hero?

Locker Hero, the first title in this new series is brought to us by Rachel Renee Russell, author of the popular Dork Diaries, and is a great read for students grades 4 and up. 

GOODBYE STRANGER

Bridge’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. How could Emily do this? Emily had promised Bridge she would consult her before sending selfies to Patrick, a boy she is crushing on. Bridge, Emily, and Tabitha had a pact since elementary school that they’d be friends forever without fighting, but now that they're in junior high this pact will be tested. Can they overcome the challenges of boys and bullying and still remain friends? 

Rebecca Stead is a Newbery Award-winning author who depicts each character carefully in Goodbye Stranger in such a way that readers can't help but to relate. Stead writes from multiple points of view about the ordinary lives of junior high schoolers living in New York City. The novel acknowledges the realities of the coming of age experience in a rapidly changing world, as these 12-year-olds learn what it's like to be true to themselves.

Ages 11 and up.

(LIFE IS) AWKWARD

On her first day as a new student, Middle schooler Penelope “Peppi” Torres will accidently catch the attention of mean-spirited students by tripping over her own feet. In a moment of panic, Peppi will push a quiet boy and scramble away, leaving him to endure the taunts of their classmates. This brief moment will be seared into Peppi’s memory as, even weeks later, she agonizes incessantly over how to apologize.

Peppi knows moving to a new town and school is rarely easy. That’s why she is horrified to break cardinal rule #1 for surviving school on her very first day: don’t get noticed by the mean kids. Luckily, there’s Art Club. There Peppi finds her place among young artists, sharing ideas, bemoaning artist’s block, and commiserating with them over their long-standing rivalry with the Science Club.

Peppi gradually develops an awkward friendship with the quiet boy, a “rival” from the science club, but finds it difficult to navigate between social groups. A highly publicized competition between the two clubs to earn a coveted spot at the annual school club fair ultimately tests her loyalties.

Though the rivalry between the two clubs can feel forced at times (I imagine there are plenty of kids who appreciate both art and science), Svetlana Chmakova’s graphic novel Awkward deftly explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and morality, while remaining true to its middle grade target audience. Give this to readers who are eagerly awaiting Raina Telgemeier's next book (Ghosts in September 2016).

Grades 4+

IT STARTED ONE SUMMER

Poor Truly Lovejoy, only 12 years old and tall beyond anyone in her class.  With a size 10 1/2 size shoes, she thought at least she would have a new perfect start, with her cousin, and the rest of her family in Texas, but everything changed when her father was hurt by an IED on his last tour of military service. The family plans are changing and now they were all packing up once again, moving to Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire, the smallest town ever and founded by her ancestors.  

Her father has changed.  There's no more jokes, no more swimming, and she has flunked math and now has to be tutored by him everyday. The only bright thing in her life in this tiny town is watching for birds. She's been a birder ever since her grandfather turned her on to the hobby.  

A great read by Heather Vogel Frederick, author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club series, Absolutely Truly:  A Pumpkin Falls Mystery is not so much a mystery as a story of changes, adapting, belonging and patience. 

For readers in 6th and up. 

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN!

Greg Heffley is back and he's as hilarious as ever in Old School, the newest installment of the Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. All the fun--and of course the trouble--begin when Greg's mom lobbies for a weekend of unplugging so everyone can get back to how things were in the "good old days." And so Greg is forced not to rely on his electronics--or even electricity--and get outside for some good old fashioned "fun" in the form of community service and making a lemonade stand. With his signature knack for turning the simple and straightforward into a slapstick comedy of errors, things go uproariously awry. 

And just when you think things can't get any more outrageous, Greg embarks on a field trip to Hardscrabble Farms, where he and his classmates must survive in the woods for an entire week without modern conveniences or junk food, not to mention the rumors of Silas Scratch, a creepy farmer who went crazy in the woods. Armed with just an old book of his grandpa's, a few packs of baby wipes, and his flair for the dramatically ridiculous, is there any way Greg will make it the whole week? 

Fans of the Wimpy Kid series won't be disappointed with this latest book in the series--the crazy antics and the laughs just keep on coming. Recommended for 4th grade and up. 

And don't forget: the Children's Room is having a Wimpy Kid Party this Saturday, December 5th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and a library hunt all week. Come join us for all the Wimpy fun! 

A SEQUEL TOLD IN STUFF

Five years after the publication of Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf, Jennifer Holm returns to Ginny Davis’s story as the now eighth-grader tackles another year of friendships, family life, and school. Ginny’s big plans for the year include, among other things, trying out for cheer, falling in love, looking good in the family holiday photo, and teaching Grandpa Joe how to email.

In this scrapbook-styled sequel told through homework assignments, photographs, notes, bills, and other “stuff,” Ginny faces new challenges with a new baby sibling on the way, her mother’s transition to stay-at-home parenting, and her step-father’s unexpected job loss. Big brother Henry is still getting into trouble; little brother Timmy is still getting into Ginny’s things. 

Those who read and enjoyed the first book will notice the updated tech: Ginny now has a cell phone, photos are higher resolution, instant messaging boxes are streamlined, and there’s nary a mention of VHS tapes anywhere. 

As in the first novel, Eighth Grade Is Making me Sick: Ginny Davis’s Year in Stuff tackles difficult, age-appropriate topics. Both funny and heartfelt, Jennifer Holm’s novel will appeal to fans of James Patterson’s Middle School series, R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, and Raina Telgemier’s Smile.

A SECRET REVEALED

From Theresa, Children’s Librarian at the Central Library

Ally, a sixth grader now at her seventh school, works hard to hide her terrible secret from her teacher and classmates. It’s not that she isn’t smart, she’s great at math and a talented artist. She’s also often in trouble and spends a lot of time in the principal’s office. When Ally inadvertently gives her teacher who was going on maternity leave a sympathy card instead of a congratulations on the birth of your baby, it wasn’t done to be mean but happened because she just does not know how to read. The kids in her class particularly a couple of “mean girls” often bully and make fun of her which makes school an even bigger challenge. When the new teacher takes over the class he is much more difficult to fool than any of the other teachers have been but fortunately for Ally he diagnoses her problem and offers to help.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullay Hunt deals with some very sensitive issues, dyslexia, bullying, friendship and courage. She does not sugar coat any of these but chooses to develop them fully in the middle school setting. In the end there is no miracle cure but there is progress brought about by small steps and lots of work. Ally is one of those characters that most readers will be glad they met. 

For readers in grades 4-6

CHRONICAL OF A SIXTH GRADE YEAR

From Theresa, Central Library / Children’s Librarian

In The Meaning of Maggie, author Megan Jean Sovern introduces a remarkable character, Magnolia Jane Mayfield. The year is 1988 and Magnolia or Maggie as she prefers to be called is getting ready for a big change in her life—sixth grade and middle school. For some kids that starting the new school year, particularly middle school is something to be dreaded but not for Maggie. She is one of those kids who loves school and is anxious for it to start again. 

This year she has decided to start writing her memoir because as an aspiring president of the United States it will come in handy. It is here that Maggie shares her story with the reader and lets us know about her love of school, reading, the big changes in her family, dad gets sick and mom goes back to work, and their love of music. Her observations are wide ranging from her dad’s multiple sclerosis, butterscotch to the unbreakable Law of Mom are sometimes serious but always entertaining. Follow along as this unforgettable character negotiates her way through a challenging year. 

For readers in grades 4-7

A TRULY FABULOUS STORY

I'm not going to lie, Heather Vogel Frederick is one of my favorite authors of all time. She is the writer of the "Mother-Daughter Book Club" series (which you should read if you haven't already), so I was so excited to see she'd written something new! Her latest book ABSOLUTELY TRULY is true to Frederick's style. It takes place with a large family in New England, and there's a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, a little comedy, a little tragedy. This book has it all! The nice thing about all of Frederick's books, but especially this one, is that it paints a picture of how different families can be, and how similar people can be to one another. 

For grades 5 and up.

JANUARY 2015

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

A review by Theresa of the Children's Room: 

It’s the start of a new school year and shy seventh grader Ellie O’Brien is under attack from her former best friend and now the school’s reigning mean girl and her new sidekick and popular eighth grader Jack Mallory is suffering from extreme overbearing fatheritis in Megan Shull’s The Swap. 

Inadvertently they both end up in the nurse’s office nursing their wounds one Friday afternoon. What happens in the short time they are together ends up being a life changing experience when the two jokingly talk about changing places. A strange rhyme uttered by the school nurse and the next thing they know, Jack has long red hair and Ellie has a shiner. Unable to find her, the two kids realize that they will just have to make it through a weekend of soccer tryouts, hockey practices and sleepovers the best they can until Monday when they hope the nurse will restore everything back to where it should be. 

What results are at times funny situations, Jack's brothers use slang that leaves Ellie clueless and Jack getting a designer haircut and do, and at times challenging when the two excellent athletes have to play unfamiliar sports. Ellie and Jack each tell their own story in alternating chapters leaving no detail untold in this hard to put down story for grades 6 to 8.

GOLDFISH ARE BARELY MENTIONED

Every once in a while, a book comes along that is like a perfectly wrapped present. THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH by Jennifer L. Holm is the big box wrapped in shiny paper with a fancy bow placed right in the center - full of anticipation of good things! Ellie is going through the usual middle school changes, with her best friend being super busy with volleyball, a cute, mysterious boy in a few of her classes, oh and of course her grandfather coming to live with her as a teenage boy! Ellie learns quite a lot about love, family, friends, and the intricate web that weaves it all together. It's a quick read that will appeal to boys and girls in the 4th-8th grades, especially those readers that like a lot of dialog.

OCTOBER 2014

STORY OF A GIRL

Here is a story of a twelve-year-old girl named Mysti Murphy who lives with her loving parents and sister. Never mind that her mother hasn't left the house for years, and her best friend Anibal Gomez is doing a social experiment where he pretends to be a hipster and not to know her so he can go out with popular girl Sandy. Mysti is determined to stay positive despite everything and think about her plans to live in Paris when she grows up. But things get worse before they get better. When Mysti's father - the only one who can leave the house and buy groceries - ends up in the hospital, Mysti has to change the story of her life. Here is a story of a girl who can muster the courage to go grocery shopping, stand up to her bullies, and make a new friend.

Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington is a book about a girl who will teach you all about courage, while telling you a joke or two. She shows us that even if things don't always end up perfect, there is always a solution.

For grades 6 and up.

BETTER OFF FRIENDS

Noah and Macallan have been friends since junior high, after Macallan takes pity on the new boy and invites him to sit with her during lunch. The two discover that they share a favorite TV show, and a new friendship is formed. But when they start high school, things get more complicated. First, things get tricky when Levi starts dating Macallan's other best friend. Then, Levi starts spending more time with the guys and having less and less time for Macallan. And through it all, they have to deal with everyone's automatic (and awkward) assumption that they are dating. Will the two manage to stay friends through the ups and downs of high school, and will they be able to prove that boys and girls can be just friends?

Elizabeth Eulberg's novel perfectly captures the transition from middle school to high school and the friendships that inevitably are made stronger or perish in the aftermath. It is a story of friendship and romance, told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Noah and Macallan that is at times heartbreaking and heartwarming, and definitely a page-turner.

For grades 7 and up.

MAKING FRIENDS OF RIVALS

Ariana thinks that things can't get much worse when her cousin, Laila, moves in with her family from Afghanistan.  Laila is the perfect daughter and a perfect lady while Ariana is... well, not.  To make it worse, their family spends a lot of time pointing out what Ariana can do to act more like Laila and when school starts, it feels like Laila is trying to steal Ariana's best friend.  

Living in the same room and working in the family store, Laila and Ariana act as rivals until a competing Afghan market opens in the same mall as their own family's store, and bad things start happening.  Is the new store undermining Kabul Corner and stealing their workers and business?  Or is there something bigger going on?  Find out in N.H. Senzai's novel for middle schoolers, Saving Kabul Corner.

NEVER AFTER CONTINUED

After Raven Queen decided not to sign the Storybook of Legends, Ever After High has been turned upside down.  It's Rebels vs. Royals, with Raven leading the rebels and Apple White leading the Royals, but neither of them can seem to get the two groups talking and getting along again.  That is, until they all have a cause to unite behind when Madeline Hatter gets into trouble and might be expelled out of Ever After High - forever!  Can Raven and Apple bring the school back together?  Can they reconcile their own differences?  Will Raven's mom, the Evil Queen make an appearance in her mirror and wreck havoc?  Find out in Shannon Hale's second installment of Ever After High, The Unfairest of Them All for kids in grades 6-8.

A KOALA KIDNAPPING MYSTERY

Poached by Stuart Gibbs, author of Belly Up, Spy School, and Spy Camp is back with another hilarious and action packed adventure/mystery set once again in FunJungle.  

This time, he's starting at  a new school and the school bully decides it would be fun to drop a fake arm in the shark tank and watch the mayhem. Teddy winds up taking the fall for the shark incident because of his past history playing pranks and Marge, now head of security.  The fake arm is one thing but when the new loan, Kazu the Koala, from Australia comes to FunJungle goes missing, Marge suspects only one person, Teddy. He has to prove his innocence and get Kazu back before he's arrested  and sent to juvie.  

For readers in 6th grade and up.