Every year I do a wrap-up post of my favourite books I reviewed from the past year. It’s good to remind myself about all I’ve done, as well as to really pick through the best of them. So without further delay here are my top new middle school reads for you today.
I will provide links to my reviews, and affiliate quick links if you are intrigued. Helps my blog, doesn’t affect your bottom-line.
Non-Fiction Books
Fever year, Graphic novel style about the Spanish Flue that hit during World War 1. Well done, very informative, without being icky.
On the Horizon. Another World War book, this one of poetry. Covering both sides of the war. World War 2 hard-fought, pain on both sides of the equation. Worth reading.
This Light Between Us. Fiction, yet, not-fiction. A weaving between the two. An excellent read about Japanese internment camps and the Nazi death camps. Such a good book.
How the moon landing affected people around the world. For all Humankind. An interesting read.
The Radium Girls, such a fascinating read. Such a dangerous substance, new laws needing to be made, hardship for these girls. A hard read, but sometimes it’s necessary to read hard things.
Another WW2 book, Displacement draws us into the life of Japanese internment camps in a different way than the book above. Graphic novel style.
Fiction
Some subjects are difficult to address. Child Trafficking is one of them. Invisible Boy sensitively addresses this issue.
The last lie. This book made me ask lots of questions, making me wonder about language and how it all works together.
Fly on the Wall. Caught between worlds, learning to be seen for who you are. A combination book part graphic novel, part chapter book. Worth reading indeed.
In the mood for a doggie based mystery? A Dog-friendly town might suit your needs perfectly.
The Space between Lost and Found. Dealing with a parent lost without being gone. A tough thing for a child. A story about how a young lady learns to cope with Alzheimer’s in her mom.
A place at the table. Girls, competition, cross-cultural challenges, and baking. All make for an excellent middle school read.
Lupe Wong won’t dance is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Might be something your middle schoolers might enjoy as well. 🙂 Strong-willed young lady tackles big (and small) issues.
Middle School boys can be a lot of fun, Boys in the Back Row is all about those boys, music, and middle school struggles.
My last book today might not appeal to all audiences based on the pandemic we are currently in. The possible end scenario might alarm some people. But Cleo Porter and the Body Electric showcases a young lady with a lot of determination. It’s worth reading to see her action.
How about you? What top new middle school reads have you discovered this year? It’s great to read new books and discover new authors to brighten our days and enliven our minds.
Help with Novel Studies
One of the things I love about having good books for middle schoolers to read is that it gives you the opportunity to lightly start novel studies. SchoolhouseTeachers.com has an analyzing, understanding and exploring literature course that you could take the bones of and help your children dig deeper into the books they love.
With over 450 courses covering all grades from PreK through highschool, and four different ways to approach using this on-line resource. It’s well worth looking into ST for all your homeschooling needs.
I loved This Light Between Us. Such an unexpectedly sweet book!
i know, a rather great book wasn’t it? 🙂
I still haven’t gotten around the Radium Girls but plan on it.
oh, I hope you find it a good read.