LONG DISTANCE by Whitney Gardner

 

Vega is perfectly happy with one BFF, but when she has to move from Portland to Seattle she knows things will change. She and Halley promise to keep in touch and see each other whenever possible, but long distance friendship is sure to be a challenge.

Now Vega's dads are insisting she attend a sleepaway camp specially designed for making new friends. The camp is deep in the woods with little if any cellphone service, and it is going to be filled with kids who need help connecting and making friends. Great! (That's a sarcastic "great" by the way.)

Forced into activities with the other strange kids, Vega begins to hang out with a few others determined to avoid friendship by any means necessary. When unusual things begin to happen with the camp counselors, the weird weather, and the food, Vega and the others decide to investigate. Something is definitely going on, but it's hard to say just what.

LONG DISTANCE is a graphic novel by Whitney Gardner. It is perfect for readers looking for mystery and intrigue and a little bit of advice on exactly what makes a friend.

ANA ON THE EDGE by A. J. Sass

 

Figure skating is Ana's world. She spends almost every waking moment either practicing or thinking about skating. Although, lately, she has been thinking about something else. Ana isn't sure who she is.

After winning in the juvenile nationals and moving up to the intermediate level, Ana must adjust to a new choreographer hired to create a long program and a new costume for Ana. Ana hasn't thought too much about the moves in her programs because Alex, her coach, knows her likes and dislikes and her skill level. This new choreographer has Ana skating to music that is soft and quiet, and the moves she plans are not what Ana is used to. The real upsetting thing is her new costume. It is a princess dress in sparkly blue and definitely not in Ana comfort zone.

As Ana begins working on her new program she realizes what bothers her is that people will immediately see her as a girl when she steps on the ice. She doesn't feel like a girl. She isn't sure she feels like a boy either.

When Ana meets a new skater named Hayden who is transgender, she is introduced to the idea of non-binary. This new way of thinking of herself feels comfortable. Now, what does this mean for her skating and for her mother and her coach? Ana may feel comfortable, but what will others think?

Author A. J. Sass takes on a complicated subject in ANA ON THE EDGE. He/they has experience in the figure skating world that will make Ana's world come alive for readers. Sass's personal sexuality questions also make Ana's experience real and informative for questioning readers.

THE HISTORY OF THE TITANIC by Kelly Milner Halls

 

THE HISTORY OF THE TITANIC by Kelly Milner Halls targets early readers as it reveals the story of the famous ocean liner. Easy to follow text combined with bold illustrations make this an attractive book for young readers. It is great for classrooms and for libraries, and the perfect gift for inspiring a love of history.

Divided into 8 well-researched chapters, it gives readers a look into the beginning of the age of ocean liners as a method of transportation for travelers of all financial backgrounds. There is information about the White Star Line and the building of the Titanic in Ireland. The excitement for its maiden voyage reached far and wide where it was known as the "unsinkable" ship.

The Titanic set sail on April 10, 1912. A mere 4 days later disaster struck when the ship hit an iceberg causing 5 of the furnace rooms that powered the ship to fill with water. Readers will learn about the lack of lifeboats and emergency procedures that resulted in the death of many of the over 2,000 passengers and crew.

The Titanic remains fascinating for history buffs and when the wreckage was finally found in 1985, an expedition to see what remained thrilled explorers who hope to return to the site before the ship is lost to the elements forever. Included in the book is a glossary for highlighted vocabulary found throughout the book, and quiz questions are included for readers interested in testing their knowledge about the facts presented.

The Titanic is a piece of history sure to live on as new readers discover and rediscover it with the help of Kelly Milner Halls and THE HISTORY OF THE TITANIC.

TAKING UP SPACE by Alyson Gerber

 

In TAKING UP SPACE author Alyson Gerber tackles the subject of confidence when it comes to body image and speaking up for what feels right. Adults are so much in charge when it comes to middle grade kids, they sometimes forget that individuals have their own needs and they don't always mesh with the wants of even well-meaning parents.

Basketball is everything for Sarah. Her father plays pick up games with her whenever his schedule allows and her mother makes it a point to attend her games and cheer her on. When Sarah starts feeling sluggish and out of control on the court, she decides it's because her body has changed. Her clothes don't seem to fit the way they used it. Even she sports bra cuts into her shoulders and back in a way that doesn't feel normal. When her on-court speed comes into question, Sarah decides she should go on a diet.

Her coach is also her health teacher, and when the subject of healthy eating comes up, Sarah starts choosing her meals carefully. That has always been something her mother has emphasized, too. In fact Sarah's mother keeps very limited food on hand at home. She has always had rules for Sarah about what is healthy and how much she should eat. It sort of felt normal until Sarah realizes that her mother sometimes forgets to shop or have dinner prepared. Food becomes an issue that fills Sarah every thought.

Benny, Sarah's partner in health class, asks her to work with him in the Chef Junior contest with the hope of winning a spot on the show's YouTube channel. As they work together, Sarah learns that Benny's sister is in a treatment center for an eating disorder. This makes Sarah question her own food issues and those she has observed in her mother. She starts seeing her basketball performance as well as some of her friendships crumble, and it all seems to revolve around food.

TAKING UP SPACE will have readers taking a look at how they view food, family, and friendship. This novel is definitely worth adding to classroom and library collections.

TWO GIRLS STARING AT THE CEILING by Lucy Frank

 

This uniquely written novel in verse explores the often whispered illness known as Crohn's disease. Medications have improved for this autoimmune condition in recent years, but its unpredictable nature and debilitating symptoms leave sufferers not only with pain, but also embarrassment.

Chess has recently had an embarrassing attack of Crohn's. Uncontrolled diarrhea in the middle of a romantic encounter lands her in the hospital receiving mega doses of steroids to reduce inflammation and hopefully trigger remission. Chess doesn't want to relive even a moment of the horrible situation that ruined her date, and she is refusing to see any of her friends and relatives.

Shannon is admitted to the bed next to Chess. She also suffers from Crohn's and has had multiple surgeries during her short life. She is tough and doesn't shy away from showing it. A conversation with Shannon usually includes cursing and criticism aimed at whoever dares try to communicate.

The two girls do begin to chat through the closed curtain drawn between their beds. Shannon's long term experience with the disease makes Chess both fearful and hopeful. How will her life change? Will things always be unpredictable? Shannon's tough act may be hiding her true feelings, but it does help Chess regain confidence that life can go on.

On the first page readers are given instructions on how to read this novel in verse. As they become comfortable with the text structure, reading will become the same as being right in the hospital room with Chess and Shannon. This is perfect for anyone suffering from an autoimmune condition or anyone interested in understanding this illness.

IN YOUR SHOES by Donna Gephart

 

When Amy must move from Chicago to Philadelphia, she's sure her life is over. She's leaving behind her best friend, her beloved dog, and memories of her mother. She knows her father needs the new job waiting for him, but why does it have to be in a funeral home, and why do they have to actually live in this house of death? Since her mother died, Amy has no idea how she will learn about the important things in life.

Miles loves that his family owns and operates a bowling alley. He is determined he will bowl a perfect game and that he will do it soon. Unfortunately, worries are constantly distracting Miles. He worries about his grandfather having another heart attack. He worries a frozen limb might fall from a tree and instantly kill him. He is obsessed with strange deaths and shares the stories he reads with anyone who will listen.

Starting in a new school in January means making new friends is very difficult. Amy is completely surprised when getting hit in the head by a falling bowling shoe results in the beginning of several special friendships. Miles may not have thrown the shoe, but it is interesting that the shoe belongs to him, and especially that he is wearing bowling shoes outside a bowling alley. Miles and Amy may just find out they have a lot in common.

Author Donna Gephart takes readers on an emotional ride in IN YOUR SHOES. Laughing one page and tearing up on the next means this read is full of surprises. I love the inclusion of a well-stocked school library and the name dropping of popular titles readers are sure to recognize or want to check out of their own libraries. IN YOUR SHOES is a perfect addition to any middle grade collection.

CHUNKY by Yehudi Mercado

 

Yehudi "Hudi" Mercado shares stories from his younger years in hopes that readers will "find their chunky. " Growing up in Texas as a Mexican Jewish kid definitely provided some challenges. The story begins when his parents began nagging him about his weight, claiming that lung surgery when he was only six years old required that he work toward a healthier body. Hudi tells the tales of his less than successful athletic pursuits resulting in reaffirming his love of art. Fortunately, for readers that art talent fills this graphic novel with colorful versions of Hudi's escapades.

Baseball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and finally football prove to be mostly beyond Hudi's skill level. With the help of Chunky, his imaginary cheerleader, Hudi manages to survive with only a few trips to the hospital and numerous frustrated teammates and coaches.

Hudi faces other challenges as his family deals with financial issues and his father's layoff and work requiring travel across the country. All the while Hudi maintains his sense of humor, although his jokes aren't everyone's cup of tea. 

Readers will enjoy Hudi's love of Saturday Night Live, his crazy art, and his never-ending determination to find his place in life.

JUST LIKE THAT by Gary D. Schmidt

 

Meryl Lee and Matt form an unlikely friendship at a boarding school in Maine. Meryl Lee hopes to get a fresh start at the school. Making friends is not one of her strengths, but with her parents' encouragement she hopes to fit in at St. Elene's and at the same time move on after the sudden death of her best friend Holling.

Matt has been on his own for longer than he wants to remember. On the city streets he used his wits and questionable talents he learned from an unsavory character by the name of Leonidas Shug. When Matt parted ways with his "boss" he took a pillowcase filled with cash so now he is on the run. St. Elene's might also be the answer to Matt's problems.

Set in the late 1960s, the Vietnam War fills the backdrop of the story as Meryl Lee and Matt reveal their stories. With the help of a lobster fisherman and the sympathetic headmistress of St. Elene's, the two confused young people may just find the hope and direction they both crave.

Author Gary D. Schmidt is known for THE WEDNESDAY WARS and ORBITING JUPITER. His storytelling includes graceful elements and quick turns of phase that make reading a pure joy.  

REZ DOGS by Joseph Bruchac

 

As the Covid-19 pandemic stretched on, I was interested when TV commercials and programs began showing evidence of the times as characters began wearing masks and mentions were made of social distancing and other of the many changes in our world. REZ DOGS by Joseph Bruchac is the first book I've read where the pandemic is front and center. I'm hoping there will be more.

Malian is visiting her grandparents on the Wabanaki reservation when travel is suspended. Her parents are back in Boston, and she must stay where she is. They are able to stay isolated and safe which is especially important since Covid-19 is proving to be a devastating illness for Indigenous people. 

Malian deals with the challenges of missing her parents, trying to stay connected online with her school despite the intermittent Internet connections on the reservation, and helping her grandparents as much as she can. Some positives of her experience include befriending a rez dog she calls Malsum and listening to stories of her ancestry as told by her grandmother and grandfather. 

Author Joseph Bruchac, well-known for his book CODE TALKER, takes readers along for the journey as Malian learns about some of the painful memories of her people's past as well as stories of their beliefs. REZ DOGS is written in verse and is a must have for middle school and high school collections.