LOOK BOTH WAYS by Jason Reynolds

In LOOK BOTH WAYS author Jason Reynolds was inspired by his own experiences while walking home from school each day. The characters in his latest book tell the story of a neighborhood as each of them head home after school.

Ten stories are told about ten blocks and the kids who live in the neighborhood around their middle school. Their stories reflect adventure, tragedy, fear, and every experience in between. There are stories about boogers, jokes, hand shakes, and Rottweilers. There are stories about illness and money. The stories are all connected just as the kids are all connected as friends, fellow students, bullies, and more.

Reynolds captures the reality of life as the kids' experiences reflect the experiences of all who have walked home from school and dealt with whatever life hands them. This unique tale will touch the hearts of readers both young and old.

RUNAWAY by Wendelin Van Draanen

Holly doesn't want to be used and abused in foster homes anymore. She makes a plan and then makes a break for it. It isn't as easy as it looks, but it's better than being a twelve year old orphan at the mercy of people who don't really care about her.

As the days crawl by, Holly digs through the garbage for food, sleeps on the cold ground, and steals what she needs to survive. Her goals are to stay alive and make it to the ocean. She imagines herself as a Sea Gypsy and longs to watch dolphins play.

Getting to the ocean requires transportation. Braving possible death, Holly jumps a train to make part of her journey. She also becomes a stowaway in the luggage compartment of a bus. Eventually, she arrives on the West Coast and finally to the ocean. Survival continues to be a challenge and takes Holly to lengths she never thought possible.

Readers learn about Holly's ordeal through the runaway's personal journal. Holly first begins logging her thoughts and addressing them to the teacher who gave her the journal. Through entries and poems, Holly uses writing to express her fears, her successes, and her failures until she finally finds a security she didn't think she'd ever have again.

Author Wendelin Van Draanen is also known for THE RUNNING DREAM, FLIPPED, and SWEAR TO HOWDY among others. Published in 2006, RUNAWAY still rings true today.

REDWOOD AND PONYTAIL by K.A. Holt

According to author K.A. Holt this book is for "her twelve-year-old self" and "other twelve-year-old selves" figuring out their place in the world. REDWOOD AND PONYTAIL is for all those in search of their true selves.

Kate "Ponytail" and Tam "Redwood" meet the first day of school. Tam sees cute, little Kate with her red hair bow cheering with her squad on the gym floor. Something about Kate connects with Tam. Kate feels the same way when she sees the extremely tall volleyball player from across the gym. 

Tam is pretty secure in her world as an athlete and friend of the diminutive Levi. She understands her attraction to Kate because she already recognizes that she is attracted to girls. Kate on the other hand is confused. It's not just about her attraction to Tam, but also about her place on the cheerleading squad and life in general. 

Kate and her mother have agreed on a plan. Kate will become captain of the cheerleading squad which will open doors for her from now until college and beyond. Her mother has told her she has great potential and she expects Kate to take full advantage. But, when Kate agrees to substitute until a new school mascot is chosen, she doesn't realize how things will change when she slips on the mascot costume.

Now Kate must come to terms with her feelings as a cheerleader vs a mascot and her mother's certain disapproval. If being the mascot instead of the squad captain will disappoint her mother, just think what will happen if she tells her mother she's gay.

Author K.A. Holt writes in her trademark verse as she introduces two interesting twelve-year-olds. Perfect for soul searching tweens and teens and anyone else who remembers trying to find where they fit.

THE CLASS by Frances O'Roark Dowell

As a reader who enjoys multiple points of view, I found THE CLASS to be a fun, fast-paced read. Each chapter features the POV of one the twenty sixth graders in Mrs. Herrera's class.

Ellie starts the adventure as she contemplates writing a book about her classmates. She has already finished one book she is sure she could get published if she could only find someone in the publishing business. In the meantime, she decides to focus on her sixth grade classroom. She begins to fill her latest notebook with observations of her fellow students. 

It quickly becomes obvious to Ellie that just seeing the outside of a person doesn't mean you understand the inside. She makes note of who seems nice, who seems mean, and those like Henry who seem a bit crazy. Ellie also observes Mrs. Herrera as she hears whispers that their teacher might be "on thin ice" when it comes to her teaching position.

As the story unfolds, each of Ellie's classmates "speak" enabling the reader to get a glimpse into each of their lives and what makes each of them unique. Ellie isn't the only one interested and concerned about the fate of Mrs. Herrera and the mystery of some missing items and a former classmate's strange return.

Author Frances O'Roark Dowell has been a favorite of mine since I read CHICKEN BOY years ago. I was excited to see this new novel and even more excited that it is an awesome read.

MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU by Barbara Dee

There has been a lot of buzz about this book. I've seen it advertised as a #MeToo book for the middle grades. It truly lived up to all the positive comments for this reader. MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU by Barbara Dee needs to be in every middle and high school library. It needs to be read by students and adults. It needs to be discussed by everyone. It totally answers the question printed on the cover - "How do you know when someone crosses the line?"

Looking forward to seventh grade, Mila is excited about her friend Omi's birthday. She and her other friends have planned a surprise during lunch. Mila knows Omi will love it. 

All goes well until several of the seventh grade basketball players try to join the celebration. They insist on hugging the birthday girl, but their hugs actually seem focused on Mila instead. Feeling incredibly uncomfortable as they squeeze her and rub her fuzzy, green sweater, Mila escapes their embraces as soon as possible.

For some reason the boys continue the physical contact during other chance meetings with Mila. In the hallway, on the bus, and even in her favorite spot, the band room. When Mila mentions the odd behavior, her friend Zara brushes it off as flirting and asks Mila what she is doing to attract the attention.

Mila would love to bring up the uncomfortable situation when she talks to her mother, but when her mother breaks the news that she has lost her job, Mila doesn't want to cause more stress. Overhearing an angry phone call between her divorced parents convinces Mila that she needs to keep things to herself.

Author Barbara Dee tells the story of all too familiar behavior identified as sexual harassment. Many readers will be shocked to learn that this harassment takes place in the world of our children. The topic seems an accepted part of our daily lives as the media covers its presence in even the highest office in the land. The time has come to eliminate this harassment, and Barbara Dee's newest book is the perfect vehicle to introduce the subject and encourage discussion.

THAT NIGHT by Cyn Balog

Hailey and Kane have been best friends forever. When Kane's father suddenly remarries, Declan enters the picture. Declan is Kane stepbrother and soon becomes Hailey's boy friend. Their relationship ends with Declan's death, and now Hailey is looking for answers.

It's senior year and one year since Declan died. Hailey's friends, family, and her therapist think it's time she moves on. Her grades are dropping, she skips school, and she has no plans for her future. Hailey's attention is focused on that night. Even though the night Declan's life ended in that shed is etched in her mind, the details remain foggy. Hailey can't escape the fact that she somehow had something to do with his tragic end.

Author Cyn Balog takes readers on a wild ride in THAT NIGHT. She details how a girl's friends and family may think they have the best intentions, but they don't have the answers Hailey needs, even though the answers she desperately seeks may not be what she expects.