ZENOBIA JULY by Lisa Bunker

 

Zenobia "Zen" is adjusting to the move from her old home in Arizona to her new home in Maine. After her father's death it was determined her aunts would become her legal guardians. They have made her feel welcome, but with no children of their own, they really know nothing about raising a middle schooler.

Another challenge Zenobia faces is being a trans girl. Back in Arizona everyone thought of her as a boy, but a discussion with her aunts encourages Zen to leave her old life behind and live as the girl she knows she truly is. As she starts at her new school, she is determined to make new friends, but letting them know her secret is not something she is quite ready to share.

As Zen navigates the new world of being a girl, she also continues to be intrigued by the cyberworld that filled her days in Arizona. When someone hacks the school's computer system to spread vicious rumors and comments about a couple of Zen's new classmates, she uses her accomplished hacker skills to try to catch the culprit. With the help of a new friend named Arli, she sets out to right a wrong and perhaps exact revenge for a post that is pointedly directed at her.

Author Lisa Bunker deftly describes the world of a young transgender girl. Readers will gain understanding of the emotional and physical ups and downs of someone trying to live their best life in the identity that feels truest. ZENOBIA JULY is filled with diverse characters who will leave their mark on readers of all kinds.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM by Holly Goldberg Sloan

 

What do you get when you combine a sad girl, a boy with autism, a lottery winner, and an elephant? You get a wonderful book about friendship, family, and a tale that will touch the heart.

Sila is missing her mother. She was only supposed to be gone for days, but now it has been months and there's no end in sight. Sila feels she may be the reason her mother had to leave the United States to return to Turkey to deal with questions about her immigration documents. Now it is just Sila and her father trying to make it day to day wondering when she'll be able to return.

When Sila is chosen to participate in a peer helper program at school, she isn't sure exactly what it means and why she was chosen. The last twenty minutes of the day she is supposed to meet with a quiet boy named Mateo. She knows Mateo and knows that he used to be talkative and normal. Now he is a loner and he'd rather have his nose in a book than interact with people. That's what the two do for twenty minutes, read their books silently.

Gio Gardino and his coworkers have been buying lottery tickets for years. Recently, they won the biggest jack pot ever awarded in the state. With his 1/24 winnings Gio bought a farm at the edge of town and even he was surprised the day he used some of his money to purchase an elephant from a defunct circus. Gio and Veda the elephant seem to be meant to be. 

Sila becomes acquainted with Gio and his elephant when her father is hired to repair Gio's old pickup truck. Before she knows it, Sila and Mateo are working for Gio and falling in love with the old man, his farm, and especially his elephant.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a beautiful story about how the unexpected can happen and provide needed help when it's least expected. Perfect for upper elementary and middle school, I'm definitely going to be including this in the required reading for my Children's Lit students in the fall.

FELIX YZ by Lisa Bunker

 

Felix is unique. In his case it isn't necessarily a good thing. At the age of three he was the victim of an accident in a laboratory that took the life of his father and left Felix attached to a 4th dimension being  he calls Zyx. Only Felix's family and a select group of scientists know the truth about the event. All others know is The Story Felix has been instructed to tell them.

Life hasn't been easy since the accident. His posture was deformed as a result so he sleeps in a recliner for maximum comfort. He has a difficult time speaking so relies on typing responses. When Zyx gets excited about something or wants to communicate, it often looks like Felix is having a seizure or some sort of fit. Needless to say, Felix is often teased and bullied by those who don't understand his uniqueness. 

The doctors watching over Felix have determined that he must undergo a Procedure to separate him from Zyx. If this isn't done, Felix and Zyx will both surely die. The story begins 29 days before the Procedure. Felix journals his experiences leading up to the day his life might end. 

Author Lisa Bunker's creative look at science gone wrong offers not only the story of Felix's situation, but also a bit of romance, some high level chess matches, music, and quirky characters who will leave a lasting impression. FELIX YZ is definitely one of a kind.

MONDAY'S NOT COMING by Tiffany D. Jackson

 

With some books it is necessary not to reveal too much. MONDAY'S NOT COMING by Tiffany D. Jackson is one of those books. Let me tempt you with this.

Claudia wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for her best friend Monday. Monday is bold when Claudia is hesitant. Monday is an A student while Claudia is only because of Monday's help. Monday is adventurous where Claudia stays a step behind.

When their eighth grade school year begins, Monday is nowhere to be found. Apart all summer, Claudia couldn't wait to rejoin Monday and follow through with all their plans to make this year the best and create new plans for their future in high school. But, Monday doesn't come, and no one is listening to Claudia's concerns.

Author Tiffany D. Jackson honors all the missing children of color that never make it on anyone's radar. Packed with emotion and suspense MONDAY'S NOT COMING takes readers on an unforgettable journey.

  

STARFISH by Lisa Fipps

 

Ellie has been dealing with bullying for as long as she can remember. Things at school have become even worse since her 5th grade birthday party. An awesome cannonball entry into the pool got twisted into an on-going joke that resulted in the nickname Splash and constant comparisons between her size and that of a whale. Ironically, despite the incident, Ellie considers her backyard pool to be her happy place, the place she can be her true self.

Bullying isn't just reserved for Ellie's time at school. She has learned that bullying can actually begin at home. Ellie's mother makes daily comments about Ellie's weight. She posts weight loss articles and diet plans on the refrigerator and uses Ellie's weight as a bargaining chip for any reward or privilege Ellie seeks. The constant threat of bariatric surgery looms large in any conversation between mother and daughter. 

If her mother's taunts aren't enough, Ellie's older brother is as big a bully as all the kids at school, and her older sister can't seem to find a way to defend or support Ellie during battles with their mother. The only person Ellie can count on is her father. As a psychiatrist one would think he would have giving support and advice down pat, but it is maddeningly difficult for him to stand up and defend Ellie from her mother's often vicious comments.

When Ellie begins going to see a therapist, it takes courage for her to open up and reveal just how hurtful people have been to her. Eventually, she comes to trust the doctor she at first refers to as Dr. Woodn't-You-Like-to-Know. Ellie's humor and grit could be her saving grace if she can harness her frustration and learn to direct it toward the people who hurt her most.

STARFISH is the debut middle grade novel of author Lisa Fipps. Written in verse that captures Ellie's pain and torment as well as her spunk and courage, STARFISH is sure to speak to others facing bullying both at home and beyond. Ellie's experience will open up discussion among readers and hopefully educate bullies about the damage they cause. Perhaps reading STARFISH will end the pattern of bullying or at least prevent a potential incident.

BLOOM by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau

 

Author Kevin Panetta and comic artist Savanna Ganucheau have teamed up for this emotional and romantic graphic novel. 

Ari works in his family's bakery, but he has dreams of more. Perhaps it's moving to the big city of Baltimore with his bandmates and rocking the music scene. Perhaps it's just moving away period. The bakery business isn't in his blood, but he can't get his parents to understand. If he can find someone to replace him at the bakery, maybe they will consent to letting him leave.

Hector is looking for a summer job. Getting away from school for the summer seems like a good idea. When he sees the ad for the bakery, he's sure being able to do what he loves - baking - he can recharge his battery and be ready for the stress of school in the fall.

Ari is thrilled that Hector might be just replacement he is looking for. Grumpy and emotional, Ari does his best to instruct Hector on the fine points of baking sourdough bread and making bagels. It doesn't take long to discover that Hector is already an accomplished baker which makes working together a breeze. They also start to hit it off as friends and spend time outside the bakery getting to know each other and each other's friends.

The more Ari gets to know Hector the more confused he becomes. Maybe he doesn't really want to leave. Maybe his friends are just fine with leaving him behind. 

BLOOM is a perfect read for LGBTQ+ and for anyone who appreciates a great graphic novel.

THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES by Mindy McGinnis

 

I'm not sure how I missed this early McGinnis novel since I normally snap them up as soon as they are available. Whatever the reason, it's better late than never. Find yourself a copy if you haven't already read it.

Living in a small town means everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. Jack, Alex, and Peekay have grown up in the same town and are now seniors, but it is soon obvious that they each have multiple secrets and layers that aren't out there for public view.

Everyone knows Alex since her older sister was murdered years ago. It was clear who did it, but the guy was let go without even a slap. Now Alex's mom drinks and her dad runs his trucking company from afar just depositing checks in the bank to keep Alex and her mom comfortable. The trauma has resulted in Alex withdrawing from her fellow teens. She goes to school and comes home and that's it.

Peekay is blessed with the nickname due to her father's job as a local preacher. She's a bit of a surprise with her tendency to pop off with choice cuss words, and her ability to put away beer is fairly amazing given her small stature. Her effort to befriend Alex draws the quiet, angry girl out of her shell enough to get her to join in the weekend parties and begin a relationship with Jack.

Jack is used to using the local girls for sexual pleasures without commitment, but something about Alex touches him. He knows she has a secrets and several incidents reveal her willingness to physically hurt people she believes deserve punishment. She can be scary, but Jack is attracted to her like he never has been any other girl.

Author Mindy McGinnis takes readers into the thoughts of all three characters as they ride the social and emotional roller coaster of the final months of their senior year. Typical reckless teen behavior and gasp worthy moments begin in the first chapter and will keep readers turning pages at a breakneck pace.  I'm officially putting this at the top of my list of favorites.

LIST OF TEN by Halli Gomez

 

In the interest of full disclosure, a friend of mine and I were experimenting with writing a YA novel with a character with Tourette syndrome. Both of us got distracted and busy and never followed through. After reading LIST OF TEN by Halli Gomez I have realized that we could never have done the topic justice. Gomez herself has Tourette so the detail she brings to this amazing novel makes it a truly revelatory work.

Troy's mom left years ago. Troy has never understood how she could leave him when she might have answers to his many, many questions. He inherited Tourette from her. There's a 50% chance that offspring of those with Tourette will inherit the syndrome. How could she leave when she could have helped him through the tough times?

Now Troy is a sophomore. His tics and OCD make him stand out, and it's becoming more difficult to deal with the stares, the taunts, and the physical pain he suffers from his disability. He has created a list of ten things he wants to accomplish by April 6, the tenth anniversary of his diagnosis. Among the list are things like drive a car, kiss a girl, talk to his mom, and finally, #10 commit suicide.

Surprisingly, things begin looking up for Troy. Khory, a cute girl in his math class, asks him to tutor her. If he can hold it together to be that close to her and avoid touching her lustrous hair, he might be able to complete the "kiss a girl" part of his list. During their tutoring sessions, it becomes clear that she does find Troy attractive and interesting so a budding relationship offers Troy a chance to check several things off his list. He even begins thinking about eliminating #10, but when circumstances change, he becomes even more focused on April 6 and the end.

Author Halli Gomez takes readers into the mind of a Tourette syndrome sufferer in a way that clearly illustrates the pain and embarrassment of the condition. Troy's story provides heartbreak and inspiration sure to stay with readers long after they finish the book.

THE INITIAL INSULT by Mindy McGinnis

 

Living in Amontillado means knowing everyone. Knowing if someone comes from money or has a famous last name or has nothing. Tress Montor used to be identified by her last name. It meant money and power, but then her parents mysteriously disappeared leaving her to live with her drunken uncle. Helping him hold together his crazy, roadside zoo filled with exotic animals wasn't exactly how Tress pictured her life was going to be.

Felicity Turnado has the name and the money and the concerned parents. True, maybe they are more concerned about keeping family secrets than really connecting with the community and making a difference, but looks are everything, you know.

Tress and Felicity used to be best friends. There were summer days at the local pool, sleepovers, and birthday parties, and even a friendship necklace each promised to never take off. That was until the day of Tress's sleepover. Late that night Felicity insisted she needed to go home so Mr. and Mrs. Mondor gathered her and her things into their car. Shortly after they left to take Felicity home, she was left wet and unconscious on the bank the river, and Tress's parents were nowhere to be found.

Tress is tired of living at the White Trash Zoo not knowing what happened to her parents so she has decided to force Felicity to reveal the truth or else. Will she learn what happened or will she learn there are more secrets than ever before?

Author Mindy McGinnis builds suspense through three POVs and plot lines from the king of horror Edgar Allan Poe. There are plenty of twists and turns and blood and gore to keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.