NEPTUNE RISING by Scott Reintgen

Neptune Rising by Scott Reintgen
Book 2 Dragonships

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Dragons, Friendship

2025; 419 pages

Description

As Neptune's ships launch a surprise attack on Mars, Lunar and his Dread Knights must uncover the mysterious truths behind their divided enemy before those secrets lead to Mars' destruction.

School Library Journal (October 1, 2025)

Gr 5 Up-Earth and Mars have renewed an alliance that allows 500 Earthers to begin a new life on the red planet. A shuttle arrives carrying one too many passengers and the story takes off from there. With an obvious connection and appeal to fans of mythology and science fiction, this title will please readers of diverse genres and offers an invitation to tackle such universal issues as war, colonization, and immigration. Scenes full of force fields, shape-shifters, and dragons that can manipulate time and space will take readers on a roller-coaster ride of interplanetary competition. Triton is an evil and crafty foe who makes keeping Mars safe from Neptune an exciting, extraterrestrial challenge. At over 400 pages, the action is plentiful, and the humor breaks up the tension to keep readers at ease. Those unfamiliar with the series may find the combination of dragon lore and science fiction a little tough to follow, but the relationship between Lunar and Dread will win them over. VERDICT This will be a hit with sci-fi and fantasy fans. At this installment's close, they'll be clamoring for more. © Copyright 2025. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments
Another winner. I'm waiting for the next book!

 

THE LAST DRAGON ON MARS by Scott Reintgen

 

The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen

Book 1 Dragonships

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Dragons, Friendship

2024; 378 pages
 

Description

"Thirteen-year-old Lunar Jones was born on Mars, with every day a struggle, until he stumbles into a restricted military zone where he learns dragons are real and a new dragon has chosen him as a rider--a role he needs to embrace quickly because this dragon could save the Martian colony"--OCLC.

Publishers Weekly starred (July 22, 2024)

In this rip-roaring series launch from Reintgen (the Celia Cleary series), dragons are the living embodiment of celestial bodies; Earth is only habitable because its dragon, Gaia, sacrificed herself. A century before the tale’s start, people headed for Mars, assuming its dragon, Ares, would be similarly selfless. Ares refused, however, sparking a war that ended when the dragons of Mars’s moons killed Ares. With his dying breath, Ares turned Mars’s plants, animals, and weather against humans. Now Martian society is nearing collapse, and orphaned 13-year-old Lunar Jones must risk his life salvaging scrap to support himself. While hiding from murderous rivals, Lunar finds a secret bunker that’s home to juvenile dragon Dread and a squadron of kids training to be his flight crew. Dread has the potential to help save Mars-and wants resourceful Lunar to be the crew’s new captain. Reintgen’s latest balances fraught interpersonal drama with expertly choreographed action and gleefully imaginative worldbuilding. The keenly rendered, racially diverse cast boasts jocularity, heart, and derring-do, enthralling readers while illustrating the revolutionary power of forgiveness and teamwork. Ages 10-up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

My Comments

Fantastic! Fast paced action. Great middle school read. Loved!

BOY, EVERYWHERE by A.M. Dassu

Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu

Realistic Fiction, Immigration & Emigration, Refugees, Syria, Family, Friendship, courage

2021; 397 pages
 

Description

Sami loves his life in Damascus, Syria, but when war breaks out his parents decide they must flee their home for the safety of the UK.

School Library Journal Xpress (February 12, 2021)

Gr 5 Up-"I didn't realize how good life was until it all went wrong" Eighth grader Sami al-Hafez leads a privileged life in Damascus, Syria. His biggest concern used to be whether he and his best friend would make the soccer team. But when his mother and younger sister are injured in a bombing of a local shopping mall, Sami and his family realize that the Syrian civil war is now at their doorstep and they must leave their home. The author not only chronicles Sami's perilous journey from Syria, through Turkey and Greece, and eventually to England, but the difficulty of leaving loved ones behind and starting anew in a country where the laws and people aren't so welcoming. Short chapters help keep the pace of this first-person narrative moving, even when we see Sami waiting for circumstances to change-a situation that is reinforced throughout the story as common to being a refugee. For readers who enjoyed Katherine Marsh's Nowhere Boy or Jasmine Warga's Other Words for Home, this book also offers a fresh perspective and a relatable main character. The text could be paired with Don Brown's graphic nonfiction title The Unwanted for academic purposes. VERDICT Dassu provides a fresh perspective on the Syrian refugee experience, giving readers a glimpse at a range of ordeals. Recommended for purchase.-Monisha Blair, formerly at Rutgers Univ., NJ © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

This is a page-turner with an important perspective. Highly recommended.

ORBITING JUPITER by

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt

Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Bullying, Friendship, Compassion,
Families, Overcoming Adversity

2015, 183 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (July 15, 2015) Jackson Hurd's family has taken in a new foster child, and Jackson will have to find the meanings of love and loyalty as he befriends his foster brother. Joseph Brook looks like an average eighth-grader at Eastham Middle School, but he's not. He became a father at age 13, spent time in juvie, and has an abusive father. Living with Jack's family on their Maine farm could mean a normal life for him, but he is obsessed with finding Jupiter, the daughter he's not allowed to see. He finds love within Jack's family and support from some teachers at school--including Coach Swieteck, whom some readers might remember from Okay for Now (2011)--who appreciate his skills in math and gymnastics, but one teacher warns Jack of Joseph's bad influence, and other students call Joseph "Psycho." Schmidt writes with an elegant simplicity in this paean to the power of love. But there's a snake in the garden--Joseph's father--and it is the uncoiling of fate, rooted in the tale from the beginning, that leads to the novel's devastating conclusion.Readers will not soon forget either Joseph Brook or this spare novel written with love and grace. (Fiction. 10-14)

My Comments

Gripping, tragic story. Great for classroom discussions and reluctant readers. Kids will love this one. Grades 7 and up.

THE SEASON OF STYX MALONE by Kekla Magoon

 

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon

Realistic Fiction, African American, Adventure, Foster Children, Friendship

297 pages; 2018

ALA Notable Book, Coretta Scott King Honor, Hornbook starred review
NPR, HornBook, Kirkus Reviews, SLJ, Shelf Awareness
Five starred reviews

Description
Meet Caleb and Bobby Gene, two brothers embarking on a madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure in which friendships are forged, loyalties are tested . . . and miracles just might happen.

Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house. But Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town. 

Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade--exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. Styx has secrets--secrets so big they could ruin everything. 

Comments

High action, fast-moving plot encompasses serious issues such as foster children, family life, friendship, and much more. It reminds me a bit of Maniac Magee. This would be a fantastic book for group discussions. So glad this was recommended to me by our elementary librarian, Stephanie Spierings!

MOUSE AND HIS DOG by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko with illustrations by Wallace West

 

Mouse and His Dog by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Illustrations by Wallace West

Science Fiction, Animal Fiction, Dog Shelters, Friendship

435 pages; 2024

Description

From Follett

"In Dogtown, a shelter for real and robot dogs, Mouse helps his big-hearted but trouble-attracting best friend Buster find a forever home, and embarks on an adventure with Stewie, a misunderstood dog, and Smokey, a malfunctioning robot dog"--Provided by publisher.

From the Publisher

An Instant NEW YORK TIMES and Indie Bestseller!

Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur.

Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown's "unadoptables": Buster, Stewie--a huge, lovable dog whose ex-owner said he was mean, and Smokey--a robot dog hardwired with a smoke alarm he can't control.

But Mouse is just a mouse, and the world is big and complicated. How's a little guy supposed to find homes for the dogs he loves?

My Comments

An adorable, heartfelt adventure with a message about responsibility and the importance of caring for pets. It is a bit heartbreaking how Buster is constantly returned to the dog shelter, but his big-hearted mouse knows the importance of friendship, loyalty, and determination. Give to upper elementary and animal lovers of all ages. Another favorite!

GAME CHANGER by Tommy Greenwald

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Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald

Sports, Football, Hazing, Coma, Feelings, Friendship

287 pages; 2017

Book Trailer

Description

"Thirteen-year-old Teddy Youngblood is in a coma fighting for his life after an unspecified football injury at training camp. His family and friends flock to his bedside to support his recovery--and to discuss the events leading up to the tragic accident. Was this an inevitable result of playing a violent sport, or was something more sinister happening on the field that day? Told in an innovative, multimedia format combining dialogue, texts, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy's inner thoughts, Game Changer explores the joyous thrills and terrifying risks of America's most popular sport." - Amazon

My Comments

The format is engaging and portrays what feel like realistic interactions between friends, teachers, and parents. The story is chilling, especially since I have a son who played football through 4 years of college. I don't know if I would have supported that after reading this book. An excellent recommendation for all readers.

I AM NUMBER FOUR by Pittacus Lore

 

I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, Book One) by Pittacus Lore

Science Fiction, Extraterrestrial Beings, Friendship, Romance

440 pages; 2010

Description
Extraterrestrials-they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who fled from their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorians. They scattered on Earth & went into hiding until the day they would be ready to strike back. They look just like ordinary teenagers, but they have extraordinary abilities known amongst their people as Legacies. The Mogadorians still hunt the Loric survivors here on Earth. They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. Number Three in Kenya. And they killed them all. They tried to capture Number Four, John Smith--but failed. Now the teenagers are beginning to find each other. And they must all reunite before it is too late.

From Follett

In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other six surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet, Lorien.

My Comments

This is an oldie, but a classic sci-fi adventure. Recommend this to anyone who likes Legend by Marie Lu, The Divergents by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Maze Runner, and others! Couldn't put this down and just ordered a fresh copy for the shelves!

EAGLE DRUMS by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson

Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson

Fantasy, Mythology, Native Americans, Indigenous People, Survival, Nature, Animals, Alaska, Friendship

Newbery Honor 2024

2023; 245 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (August 1, 2023)

The Iñupiaq origin story of the Messenger Feast and a boy who was kidnapped by eagles. Throughout Piŋa’s childhood, he was told haunting stories about the dangers of strangers, an unknown presence in the mountains near his family’s sod house, and his missing older brothers, Atau and Maliġu. His mother’s projection of his brothers’ successes onto him combined with his father’s silence, both expressions of their grieving, leave Piŋa wondering, “How can you compete with someone’s memories, anyway?” One day, Savik, who shape-shifts between man and golden eagle, offers Piŋa a choice: death or captivity. Piŋa reflects on the pain his death would cause his parents. He decides to go with Savik and try to return someday. The eagles teach Piŋa singing, drumming, and dancing. He also learns how to build a giant sod house and host a huge feast. The lessons aren’t easy, and his ego is challenged: “I learned not to lead with demands. I learned to lead with connections.” Piŋa struggles with fear and distrust instilled by his family, overcomes self-doubt, and becomes both “creator and learner.” This orally transmitted tale, once banned like the feast it describes, offers a deep connection to rich cultural teachings. Iñupiaq author and illustrator Hopson enhances the story with full-page color illustrations that visually connect readers with Piŋa’s journey and emphasize the importance of connections to nature, spiritual beings, and human relatives. A captivating tale filled with enduring lessons about overcoming the fear of others. (author’s note) (Folklore. 8-12)

My Comments

The beginning of this story is quiet, describing an Inupiaq family, their home, and the emotions following the disappearance of Pinja's two older brothers while hunting in the mountains. It quickly picks up, however, once the boy is captured by an eagle. Every detail from the story's beginning ties into the plot and the boy's feelings throughout the book.

The message of respect for life and community is emphasized, as well as the importance of creating a vision, setting goals, perseverance, and believing in oneself.

This story would lend itself well as a read-aloud and discussion book.

THE FORT by Gordon Korman

The Fort by Gordon Korman

Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Air Raid Shelters, Bullying, Domestic Abuse, Secrecy

2022; 239 pages

Description

When a tight-knit group of middle school friends discover a trap door in the woods that leads to a completely intact bomb shelter, they vow to keep the place a secret while sharing their individual secrets to build the safest space possible.

"Five friends who need to stick together after they set up a hideout in an abandoned bomb shelter and discover that the only way to be true friends is to reveal their secrets and help each other out.

The morning after Hurricane Leo rips through the town of Canaan, residents awaken to widespread destruction -- power outages, downed branches, uprooted trees, broken windows and damaged roofs. Four eighth-grade friends -- Evan, Jason, Mitchell, and CJ -- meet to explore the devastation. The tight-knit group is dismayed to find that Evan has brought along a stray -- Ricky, who is new to their town and school, and doesn't have any friends yet.

Ricky is the one to find the strange trap door that's appeared in the middle of the woods -- the door to an old bomb shelter, unearthed by the hurricane. Inside, the boys find a completely intact underground lair, complete with electricity, food, and entertainment (in the form of videocassettes). The boys vow to keep the place's existence to themselves.

Things soon get tense. Some bad locals keep snooping around. And what started out as a fun place to escape soon becomes a serious refuge for one of the kids who is trying to avoid an abusive home situation. In order to save the shelter, the friends must keep its secret... and in order to save themselves, they're going to have to share their individual secrets, and build the safest place they can." - The Publisher

My Comments

I was hooked the minute the boys discovered the bomb shelter which is a club house on steroids. The bonds of friendship ring true as do the secrets. There is a subplot of abuse by a stepfather that is realistic but written with sensitivity for this age group. it is especially poignant how the abused boy's friends were unaware for so long, but then found ways to help him once they understood the situation. Korman skillfully portrays the importance of friendship as well as the excitement and difficulties of being a young teen.

SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow

 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Grief, PTSD, Humor

2023; 305 pages

Newbery Honor

Description

Booklist (March 15, 2023 (Online))

"Grades 5-8. Author of Stand on the Sky (2019) Bow delivers another middle-grade page turner. Seventh-grader Simon O’Keefe moves with his parents to the small town of Grin And Bear It, Nebraska. Hoping to help their son forget a traumatic event, his dad, a Catholic deacon (and sackbut player), and mom, an undertaker, help Simon adjust. Though the townspeople are thirsty to find out more about the O’Keefes, Simon wants to get through the school year by remaining incognito. That plan becomes moot when he befriends a girl named Agate and a boy named Kevin. All seems normal until the reason for the O'Keefes' move is exposed, causing anxieties to flare in Simon that result in conflicts among the trio. Bow diffuses the story's serious topics, ranging from parental and social issues to mental and emotional health, with humor and a silly scheme. Middle-grade students will resonate with the worries and pressures attached to making friends and meeting one another’s families. A tale of healing that serves as an excellent reminder to never assume we know what plights another friend is going through."

My Comments

This is a tough subject but author, Bow skillfully entwines trauma with humor and suspense. Unfortunately, school violence can be too close to home these days, so the topic won't be a surprise to students no matter how much we want to protect them. Most young people can relate to Simon's insecurities about being the new kid and making a place for himself. In that way, Bow helps the reader be sensitive to the fact that families may be dealing with more than meets the eye.

THE EYES & THE IMPOSSIBLE by Dave Eggers

 

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

Fantasy, Animals, Adventure, Friendship

2023; 249 pages

Description

Booklist starred (February 15, 2023 (Vol. 119, No. 12))

Grades 4-7. Johannes has always lived his life as a free dog in a vast park by the sea. Three captive elderly bison are the Keepers of the Equilibrium and overseers of the land, and they’ve dubbed Johannes “the Eyes,” as his agility and observant gaze allow him to notice the park’s happenings and report back to the bison. An assortment of wild animals assists Johannes on his daily intel gatherings, and he’s content in his dear friendships and freedom. But change is afoot: an enormous building containing mesmerizing rectangles is being built, a herd of mysterious creatures has set up shop in a field, and a heroic act brings Johannes intense human scrutiny that impedes his duties as the Eyes. It will require all of Johannes’ ingenuity, kindness, and speed to navigate the new developments while maintaining his precious independence. The utterly delightful book is narrated by a distinctly canine voice similar to the narrator’s in Eggers’ short story “After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned,” and though Johannes is prone to matter-of-fact bragging and hilarious exaggeration, he’s also capable of profound introspection and appreciation of life’s wonders. Eggers touches on deep topics with a light hand, effortlessly building suspense and a wonderful sense of adventure. A merry reminder to face the truth about the world and ourselves with compassion, curiosity, and joy.

My Comments

One of the BEST books I've ever read. Johannes is the embodiment of joy, curiosity, passion, creativity, and loyalty. He is pure love and innocence. There are so many wonderful parts, but one special thread is his obsession with artwork. He becomes hypnotized whenever he looks at the rectangles in the park and new museum (his word for artwork). The story is heart wrenching, but thankfully the plot ends with an unexpected new opportunity. This would be a special read aloud for elementary level kids and a magical read for ALL ages. A wonderful gift. I am still under the spell. Sequel, please!

THE EPIC FAIL OF ARTURO ZAMORA by Pablo Cartaya

 

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Realistic Fiction, Hispanic Latino, Adventure, Family, Community, Humor, Friendship, Romance

236 pages

Description
Booklist starred (April 1, 2017 (Vol. 113, No. 15))

Grades 4-7. Arturo is looking forward to a Miami summer filled with friends, ice cream, and working at his family’s popular restaurant, La Cocina de la Isla, but his plans get derailed from the start. Carmen, his mother’s goddaughter, comes to visit, and Arturo doesn’t understand why his stomach can’t settle down around her. His job at the restaurant is harder than he thought, and worst of all, his family’s plan to expand into an adjacent empty lot seems hopeless when flashy real-estate developer Wilfrido Pipo comes to town with plans of his own. Arturo hopes the community his abuela and abuelo loved for so long will support them, and with the help of his family, friends, and the work of Cuban poet and revolutionary hero José Martí, Arturo finds the strength to fight for what he believes in. Cartaya’s lively debut, filled with kind, dynamic characters and interspersed with letters, poems, and Twitter messages, offers a timely tale of a community steeped in tradition and multiculturalism, working together against encroaching gentrification, and Arturo’s inviting first-person narrative is the perfect entry point for middle-grade readers. Unitalicized Spanish phrases appear throughout, always with enough context clues that non-Spanish speakers will have no trouble following along. At turns funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking, this engrossing story will get kids cheering.

My Comments
A good choice for all middle school students. Family chaos with love, community values, and love. Funny and tender. A lovely read.

THE SHAPE OF THUNDER by Jasmine Warga

 

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

Realistic Fiction, Grief, Forgiveness, Friendship, Families, School Shootings, Wormholes

275 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (May/June, 2021)

A dual-perspective novel follows two girls in the aftermath of a school shooting. Almost a year after her older sister was killed in that shooting by a classmate, twelve-year-old Cora still struggles to make sense of life without her. Cora also misses her now estranged best friend Quinn, whose brother, also dead, was the shooter. In alternating chapters, both girls deal with processing their grief and defining their roles at school and at home. Academically focused Cora tries to connect with her Quiz Bowl teammates and her Lebanese heritage, while Quinn latches on to the idea of traveling back in time to prevent the shooting from happening. Quinn persuades Cora to join her in trying to create a wormhole that will allow them to time-travel, but Cora continues keeping her distance until a minor crisis leads them to reconnect and gives both girls the chance to explain to their families what they need in order to make peace with their losses. Warga (Newbery honoree for Other Words for Home, rev. 7/19) skillfully develops unique voices for her narrators, and the novel's alternating-perspective structure works well. Emotions run high throughout the book without weighing down the plot, and the portrayal of middle-school life is utterly authentic. Warga tells a quiet story despite the dramatic events that led up to it, presenting a sad but not overwhelming narrative. Sarah Rettger May/June 2021 p.145

My Comments

At first I wasn't so keen on reading what appeared to be an incredibly depressing book, but I changed my mind as I was drawn into the rich perspective of each character. I sympathized with the girls' desperation to go back in time to make right what went wrong, I felt the regrets, the  anger, and the loneliness of each family member. I was also swept forward by the impossible dream of time travel, this dream that ultimately served to heal. This is an important topic that is unfortunately relevant today. Warga handles it with great sensitivity in an age appropriate way.

VIOLETS ARE BLUE by Barbara Dee

 

Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee

Realistic Fiction, Divorce, Addiction (mother), Parent-Child Relationships, Friendship, Make-Up Artistry

286 pages

Description

Booklist (August 2021 (Vol. 117, No. 22))

Grades 4-7. In this story for young teens struggling to find themselves, readers enter the jumbled world of Wren—a girl whose father recently left and is now expecting twins with his new partner, whose nurse mother is behaving increasingly strangely, and who is, herself, trying as best as she can to give voice to her feelings and ideas. Wren is not great at cultivating friendships, but she’s developing a real talent for creating visual transformations using makeup. Behind the colorful layers she applies, she doesn’t feel inadequate or “unfriendable,” and when the opportunity arises, she throws herself into doing makeup for the school play. Meanwhile her mother’s behavior becomes more erratic, with the ultimate reveal that she’s addicted to painkillers. As her mother heals and her own self-understanding deepens, Wren relies on the help of family and new friends to move toward a fresh start. Dee (My Life in the Fish Tank, 2020) again successfully tackles tough topics, making them relatable for middle-grade readers.

My Comments
Barbara Dee is hands down one of my favorite authors. She manages to address difficult issues in a realistic and age appropriate way. Highly recommended!

ANSWERS IN THE PAGES by David Levithan

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

Realistic Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Schools, Friendship, Mothers & Sons

170 pages

Description

School Library Journal starred (May 1, 2022)

Gr 5 Up-A timely and relevant release from prolific author Levithan, this slim tale showcases the turbulence and confusion of fifth grade as a school community tackles a classroom book challenge. The challenge is mainly rooted in a single sentence at the end of the assigned book that a mother happens to read when her son leaves it on the counter. Suddenly the classroom is in an uproar, with readers getting the play-by-play from a number of sources: Donovan, the kid who left the book out and whose mother is challenging it; Gideon and Roberto, two students paired up for a language arts project; and Rick and Oliver, the main characters in the controversial book. The interpretation of the novel and the nature of the challenge become a philosophical quagmire that the school leaders, parents, and students have to traverse, leaving family and friends on both sides of the issue. Levithan deftly addresses the heart of the problem with the words and mind of a student, "We are who we are...and we'll be who we'll be. A book can make us feel that, but it can't invent that. It's already inside us." The alternating points of view gives readers varying perspectives in the chaos. It is a swift ride highlighting the disconnect between students and adults, seemingly unbreakable alliances, and what happens when the weight of history enters the conversation. This heartfelt treatise on book banning and equality showcases how it feels to be stuck in the middle of a generational fight. Levithan has crafted a story that provides a window into a uniquely transitory age, one ripe for exploring the nuance of identity and the nature of personal prohibition, and which ultimately celebrates the messiness of being human, no matter the age. VERDICT An essential purchase for middle school libraries.-Rachel Joiner © Copyright 2022. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

A short book with a strong message conveying the important message of acceptance and caring on all sides. Beautifully done. I appreciate how Gideon's mother tries to understand her son and how their relationship deepens. Gideon and Roberto's relationship parallels the book challenge story thread. Levithan writes with tenderness, but with strong conviction. This is a short book that packs a punch. Share it thoughtfully.

THE SCIENCE OF BREAKABLE THINGS by Tae Keller

 

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller

Realistic Fiction, School Stories, Friendship, Depression, Mental Health, Scientific Method, Racially Mixed People

298 pages

Description

Publishers Weekly (January 8, 2018)

Natalie Napoli's seventh-grade science class is working on a yearlong experiment, recording their findings in "Wonderings journals." The text of Natalie's journal comprises Keller's moving debut novel. Natalie used to like science and spent much of her childhood in her botanist mother's laboratory. But her mother, suffering from severe depression, has barely left her bedroom in months. Natalie and her best friend Twig collaborate with new student Dari to win an egg drop contest for their experiment, and Natalie imagines using the prize money to fly with her mother to New Mexico, home to a striking cobalt blue orchid, born out of a toxic chemical spill, that her mother had been studying. Natalie's Korean heritage is sensitively explored, as is the central issue of depression and its impact; Keller draws thoughtful parallels between Natalie's mother's struggles and the fragility of orchids and eggs. Natalie's fraught relationship with her mother, and her friendships with Twig and Dari, are the heart of the book, but science is its soul. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

My Comments

This is a good book to recommend to 6th-8th kids looking for realistic fiction. Although a major part of the book is about Natalie coping with her mother's depression, it's also about so much more; her relationship with her father, her emerging awareness of her Korean identity, friendship, trust, and the scientific method. A great book, a great author. Highly recommend!

NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Jacqueline Davies

 

Nothing But Trouble by Jacqueline 

Realistic Fiction, Creativity, Hacks, Comedy, Girls and Arts/Engineering

314 pages

Description

From Follett

"Two smart girls in one small town use their combined genius to liven up their world--one prank at a time"--Provided by publisher.

From the Publisher

From the acclaimed author of The Lemonade War comes a new book starring two smart girls determined to liven up their town'one epic prank at a time. Odawahaka has always been too small for Maggie's big scientific ideas. Between her stuck-in-a-rut mom, her grumpy grandpop, and the lifetime supply of sludgy soda in the fridge, it's hard for Maggie to imagine a change.  But when Lena moves in with her creative spirit and outrageous perspective, middle school takes off with a bang. Someone starts pulling the kind of pranks that send their rule-loving new principal into an uproar'complete with purple puffs of smoke, parachuting mice, and a scavenger hunt that leads to secret passageways. Suddenly the same-old football games, election for class president, and embarrassing stories feel almost exciting. And for the first time in her life, Maggie begins to wonder if there might be more to Odawahaka than she ever saw coming! Humorous, smart, and full of small-town heart, Nothing But Trouble will have mischief-loving readers caught up in the cleverness and determination of two girls who can't be held down.

My Comments

Good depiction of middle school, friends and family. Funny, clever story that encourages curiosity and determination. Could be good for grades 6-8 except that it is specifically about 6th grade.

THE WALK ON (Series: The Triple Threat Book 1) by John Feinstein

 

The Walk On by John Feinstein
Series: The Triple Threat Book 1)

Realistic Fiction, Sports, Perseverance, Conduct of Life

359 pages

Description
Alex Myers, a student athlete who tries to take on the sports establishment in his new town, is a triple-threat athlete, great at football, basketball, and baseball. But he'll have to fight for a spot on the varsity team. Alex is a quarterback, but from the first day of football practice, it's clear that that position is very much filled by the coach's son, Matt. Alex has the better arm, but Matt has more experience and the coach's loyalty. But just as his star is rising, Alex gets blindsided, the state has started drug testing, and Alex's test come back positive for steroids. Alex know that's not right. But he doesn't know if it's a mistake or if someone wants to make sure he can't play.

My Comments
Great page turner not only for football fans. This is a sure bet for a wide range of kids. Not a difficult read even though the number of pages may seem daunting for some readers. Middle to high school.

SAINT IVY: KIND AT ALL COSTS by Laurie Morrison

Saint Ivy: Kind At All Costs by Laurie Morrison

Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Social-Emotional

329 pages

Description

School Library Journal (July 1, 2021)

Thirteen-year-old Ivy knows what she is good at: being kind to others. Like many middle schoolers, Ivy is grasping for an identity, and has decided that being kind is her "thing," the way sports or academics are for other kids. Ivy is not so good at being kind to herself, however, and her relationships with her family and friends suffer. Ivy is always ready to help others, but won't share or let herself be helped in turn. The lively narrative projects an authentic middle school voice and the Philadelphia setting is vivid, populated by nuanced characters and situations. Ivy's caring mother regularly asks Ivy to share her feelings, but then hides the risks of her surrogate pregnancy. One of Ivy's oldest friends, alienated by her determination not to share any vulnerabilities, decides that their friendship has run its course. Ivy is Jewish; her father has a male partner while her friend Lila has two mothers, and Ivy has Black and Latinx friends at school. The story shows the benefits of living in such a diverse community: Ivy's Nana encourages her to "embrace all the parts of herself," and Ivy embraces this in others too. When she first encounters Lila's blended family and wonders about their history, she quickly understands that she "doesn't need to understand the inner workings of Lila's family." Surrounded by all sorts of loving families and community members, it's no wonder that Ivy has found a knack for being kind. VERDICT Relatable realistic fiction for upper elementary and middle school readers navigating friendships, boundaries, and identity, with appeal for fans of similarly themed stories such as Varian Johnson's Twins, Shannon Hale's Real Friends, and Celia C. Pérez's Strange Birds.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn P.L. © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

Plot moves along well. Good depiction of middle school friendships. I would give this to 7th and 8th graders and some sixth graders depending on maturity level. Liked this one!