TOP HEAVY by Rhonda DeChambeau

 

Esme's life revolves around dance. She and her best friend are only sophomores, but they have moved up to the Elite dance group. Some of the older girls haven't been exactly welcoming, but at least Esme and Mia have each other.

Esme's family struggles financially. They are very supportive, but money is always tight. Grammy Jean helps out as much as she can and she's always reminding Esme how strong she is. Another area Grammy understands is Esme's body issues. Her breasts have been growing, and they don't seem to stop. She has back pain, and her shoulders are rubbed raw by her bra straps. Grammy makes an appointment with a specialist so Esme can find out her options. Surgery isn't one of the options because she is still growing, but the doctor offers emotional support and suggests Esme wear better bras. Again, Grammy steps up with her credit card so Esme can order new bras.

In the meantime, some of the girls in dance bully Esme, and while she is at a club, a guy actually grabs one of her breasts. Esme is horrified and becomes withdrawn until she is encouraged by some new friends and Todd, a new boyfriend.

TOP HEAVY is a novel in verse by Rhonda DeChambeau. She highlights the issues of self-esteem, personal value, and dealing with family/friends, and being accepted for who you are. As colorful as its cover, I highly recommend it to every teen girl.

THE GOLDFISH BOY by Lisa Thompson

Matthew Corbin washes his hands. He washes them constantly because he fears the germs he is sure are everywhere. Sometimes he wears latex gloves, but he knows his father doesn't approve. His father doesn't understand the fear and guilt Matthew lives with every day.

Because of this OCD behavior and the constant fear and worry, Matthew hasn't been going to school. Instead, he sits at an upstairs window where he has a view of all the houses and activities on his cul-de-sac. One day he observes two young children arriving at his neighbor's, an elderly man named Mr. Charles. He watches them playing in the neighboring garden.

One day Matthew sees Teddy, the toddler, wander among the flowers throwing petals to the ground. The next thing he knows, Teddy wanders through the gate and disappears. The police are summoned, and the search for young Teddy begins.

Matthew answers questions from the authorities, but he doesn't have any idea where Teddy may have gone or who may have taken him. Soon Matthew joins forces with a girl from the neighborhood, and together, they investigate the disappearance.

Author Lisa Thompson weaves a complex tale involving a small neighborhood, a missing toddler, OCD, and the importance of observation.

 

SOMEONE'S GONNA END UP CRYING by Jo Knowles

 

Maple is getting ready for what she hopes will be a great summer. She hopes her dad will follow through on his promise to build her a treehouse in the big maple tree she was named after. He promised last summer, but then he ended up being too busy. 

It seems like Maple's parents are always fighting. When the arguing starts, everyone knows that Dad will eventually take off for parts unknown and return at some point no one can guess. Maple's siblings Rory and Gabe never seem too worried. This last time though, their dad said he was going to get ice cream and now it's been long enough that Maple fears he might never be coming back.

Maple uses her sketchbook to express her frustrations. She also has a couple of great friends, but it's difficult to open up and reveal what's happening in her family when she isn't even sure herself.

SOMEONE'S GONNA END UP CRYING by Jo Knowles explores family dynamics, promises broken, and uncertainty. Illustrator Glynnis Fawkes provides pictures that represent Maple's sketchbook feelings. Knowles has created a novel perfect for middle grade readers who need help understanding the complexities of family and emotional ups and downs. 

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION by Jamie Sumner

 

Bea was born early with cerebral palsy. A nurse in the hospital adopted her and became the center of Bea's life. Bea is telling the before and after of her story. This story involves a school shooting in a school much like The Covenant School in Nashville, TN. Author Jamie Sumner uses the school shooting in her community as an inspiration for Bea story.

Bea is a sixth grader. She loves her school, especially how the older students are role models for the littles. Bea has been paired with a little girl named Josie. Josie is very nervous about school. She reluctantly comes each day, but it takes quite a bit of convincing from Bea to get the little girl to take part.

The day of the shooting is traumatic for all the students. Bea realizes that her wheelchair makes it nearly impossible for her to escape during this terrible event. In the days that follow, Bea learns who was hurt and who died. She also realizes that she didn't even think about Josie who fortunately survived. Guilt causes sleepless nights for Bea and a fear that something else will happen that she won't be able to escape.

Through horseback riding therapy, Bea begins to recover and discover she has a voice that might be able to change things if she speaks up and demands people listen to the issues of gun control.

DAN IN GREEN GABLES by Rey Terciero

 

DAN IN GREEN GABLES is a modern reimagining of the classic ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. This graphic novel is written by Rey Terciero aka Rex Ogle and illustrated by Claudia Aguirre.

All Dan has known is traveling from one place to another with his mother. They have lived in apartments, shelters, and even their car from time to time. This time fifteen-year-old Dan is heading somewhere new. His mother drives to rural Tennessee and drops Dan off at a farm owned by grandparents he has never met. Dan's mother leaves with no indication of when she will return.

Dan's Mawmaw is welcoming. She helps him settle in and enrolls him in school. This is where his father grew up, so Dan hopes to learn more about the man who died before he got to know him. 

Adjusting to the country life isn't easy. Dan's grandfather doesn't approve of the fact that Dan is gay. He is constantly criticizing him and insisting Dan change. There are some accepting friends at school, but Dan is also faced with bullies who berate him and challenge him for being who he is.

Can Dan find a way to fit in? Can he earn his grandfather's respect? Much like Anne learned to fit in with the Cuthbert's, Dan will also need to figure out what works for him in this new environment.

As a graphic novel, DAN IN GREEN GABLES provides intriguing dialogue and wonderful illustrations that are sure to grab readers as the pages turn.

INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden

 

INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden is a fast-paced, survival story perfect for Hatchet fans. Addy lives in a remote cabin with her mother. Her father died years ago when Addy was so young she hardly remembers him. She and her mother keep to themselves most of the time. Addy goes to the local school, but she doesn't really have friends. Her mother has battled depression and panic attacks since the death of Addy's father.

Addy has one goal - to attend survivor camp and pass all the tests to become certified. The camp is where her parents met, and Addy thinks if she can survive the difficult tests, she will make her parents proud.

Just days before she leaves for camp, a huge superstorm hits the area. The bridge she needs to cross to get to camp is washed out and who knows if it will be repaired in time. Addy heads up the mountain to find a cell phone signal. Her mother has fallen into depression, and Addy hopes to contact her mother's therapist for advice.

Caleb, a neighbor, has a similar idea to find cell phone reception. The two begin to talk. When Caleb hears about Addy's concerns about not getting to survivor camp, he comes up with a way to organize a series of rides to get Addy there on time. When Caleb's plan begins to fall apart, Addy takes matters into her own hands and embarks on a dangerous downriver trip to the camp.

Author Ann Braden takes readers on the adventure with Addy. They will learn about loss, friendship, and the importance of asking for help even when you don't think you need it.

THE GIRL IN THE WALLS by Meg Eden Kuyatt

V has been sent to Grandma Jojo's for the summer. She's glad to get away, but she would rather go somewhere else. Grandma Jojo is always critical of V - her clothes (this time it's her socks), her behavior, and her personality. V is what she likes to call neurodivergent, but that's something Grandma Jojo doesn't believe in.

Everything at Jojo's is neat and tidy. Neatness isn't one of V's better skills so she's sure this will be the worst summer ever. 

As V tries to get settled, she begins hearing voices and noises in the walls. She can't talk with Jojo about it because according to her grandma, there's no such thing as ghosts. The more she hears the noises, the more determined she is to find out what's going on. A trip to the attic reveals a girl who might just be a ghost. The ghost convinces V that they should play tricks on Grandma Jojo.

If you are fascinated by secrets and family drama, THE GIRL IN THE WALLS by Meg Eden Kyuatt is the middle grade book for you.

RENEGADE GIRLS by Nora Neus, art by Julie Robine

 

Helena "Nell" Cusack is used to leaving Chicago each summer to visit her aunt and uncle in New York City. This summer promises to be different in several ways. One, the adults in her life believe this is the summer Nell should be looking for a fine young man to marry, but that's not what Nell wants. Two, with the recommendation of her uncle and aunt, Nell will be working this summer. It's not a huge job, but it should be interesting. Three, Nell comes to recognize things about herself that she has long kept hidden.

Nell will be writing a society column for the New York Chronicle. She doesn't think her articles are very important. She wants to be more of a journalist. Nell sets her sights on being a stunt-girl reporter uncovering topics that will make a change in the world.

For her first article she goes undercover in a garment factory to reveal the horrible working conditions, child labor, and low pay. The article begins to convince those in the middle and upper classes that things like the making of their clothes is taking a toll on the underprivileged working class. As Nell continues to write her articles, she invites a new friend to act as photographer to add proof to the stories. 

In her graphic novel author Nora Neus highlights the history of the real-life stunt girl Nell Nelson and photographer Alice Austen. Set in the 1800s, this book reveals a piece of history most readers will find fascinating.

WHEN WE GO MISSING by April Henry

 

Willow has been volunteering at Finding Home, an animal shelter. for quite a while. She enjoys helping Mrs. P the elderly woman who created and runs the place. It also gives Willow a chance to get away from her ailing mother and her domineering stepfather. 

Dare is a new volunteer at Finding Home. His hours are required by the court after an incident involving his father's car. He would have gone to jail if it wasn't for his lawyer mother and a forgiving victim. Dare isn't fond of animals, so he's nervous and a bit stand-offish when he first arrives.

Eventually, Willow begins to warm up to Dare. He is willing to walk the dogs and take them to a nearby dog park which leaves Willow free to do other chores. As the days pass, the two begin to revamp the shelter's website with suggestions from Dare. The changes result in more adoptions than before he arrived.

When Willow stumbles across a camera memory card, she realizes she has discovered a mystery. When she opens the card on her computer, she is shocking to find hundreds of pictures of young girls. Some seem posed, others caught by surprise, and some look terrified. When the police appear to be doing nothing, Willow enlists Dare's help to unravel the mystery.

WHEN WE GO MISSING by April Henry will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each character has a secret they are reluctant to share. The suspense Henry creates is typical of her many mystery novels for teens.