Foster Community Library

Tag: middle grade

  • “The Best at It” by Maulik Pancholy

    Audrey recommends: The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

    Genre: Realistic fiction

    Reading level: Middle grade

    Summary: Rahul enters seventh grade with one mission: to find one activity that he can be the BEST at.

    Audrey says: This quick read was packed with more heart and character than I thought possible. Rahul, a gay Indian-American with OCD, has a lot of reasons he feels like he’ll never fit in, and he believes the only way to overcome these “shortcomings” is to achieve some kind of wild success. Luckily, Rahul has a fun-loving grandfather and a loyal best friend, who both advocate for Rahul when he would rather erase himself. Readers with perfectionist leanings will see themselves in Rahul’s absurd, accomplishment-based logic, and learn to give themselves the grace that a friend would extend.

  • “Sweet and Sour” by Debbi Michiko Florence

    Audrey recommends: Sweet and Sour by Debbi Michiko Florence

    Genre: Contemporary fiction

    Reading Level: Middle grade

    Summary: Mai is furious with her best friend Zach for his awful behavior two summers ago… only problem is, he has no idea what he did.

    Audrey says: Debbi Michiko Florence’s novels are the best if you love complex characters and nuanced relationships. Mai and Zach’s memories of the past are different, but neither is wrong for feeling the way they do. The reader might feel compelled to take a side when they’re working with limited information, just like the characters do. When the full truth is revealed, it’s surprising to learn how many bad assumptions you’ve made. As an added bonus, this story takes place in Mystic, CT. Anyone who’s been to the seaport will instantly recognize all the locations in this book!

    This book is available at Foster Public Library.

  • “The Haymeadow” by Gary Paulsen

    Audrey recommends: The Haymeadow by Gary Paulsen

    Genre: Western adventure

    Reading Level: Middle grade

    Summary: 14-year-old John Barron is tasked with herding his family’s 6000 sheep up to a grazing meadow high in the mountains, all by himself, for an entire summer.

    Audrey says: Most people my age read Hatchet in school when they were in 5th or 6th grade. The Haymeadow is a much less famous book, but it has the exact same emotional core. Nobody writes loneliness like Paulsen; though this survival story is packed with action, there are also plenty of quiet moments for John to reflect on how to live up to his family legacy of rugged pioneers and lone cowboys. I was surprised and delighted at the ways this book challenged the myths of masculinity. By the end, John and the reader realize that independence is a great skill to learn, but true strength comes from making connections. Whether you loved Hatchet as a child or not, this is an impactful story for readers of all ages.

    This book is available at Tyler Free Library.

  • “Answers in the Pages” by David Levithan

    Audrey recommends: Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

    Genre: Contemporary fiction

    Reading Level: Middle grade

    Summary: Donovan’s mom leads a crusade to ban a fifth-grade book assignment that features LGBTQ+ themes… but Donovan finds himself on the opposing side to fight back against censorship.

    Audrey says: This is one of my favorite new releases of 2022! The story follows three interconnected storylines, following unwitting community leader Donovan, gay student Gideon, and the text of the banned book itself. Each storyline is fascinating on its own, and watching them all click together is so satisfying. Everyone in the book had their own voice and opinion, creating a whole fleshed-out community. Even the characters who I thought would never be redeemed were given the time and sympathy to explain their motivations, which made them less “villain” and more “human.” I was pleasantly surprised to find myself forgiving them. And I can’t even describe how much the romance made me smile! Add this to your to-read shelf if you have an interest in contemporary issues, want to teach a lesson on censorship, or just want a really enjoyable short read.

    This title is available at Foster Public Library.