Published by Dial Books

Summary:  Ross just wants to slink through seventh grade with as little attention as possible, but the diagnosis of a rare, aggressive form of cancer in his eye makes that impossible.  The story opens with his first radiation treatment, then brings the reader up to date with a series of flashbacks that describe his diagnosis and surgery.  Thanks to the radiation, he has to wear a hat at all times and constantly apply a goopy ointment to the eye that no longer has tear ducts.  One of his best friends has stopped talking to him and the other one, Abby, finds out that her family is moving in just a few weeks.  Music saves Ross, as he’s introduced to a whole new way of listening by one of his radiation technicians, Frank, who turns out to be an excellent guitar teacher and mentor.  When Ross, Abby, and an unlikely third kid form a band, Ross gets a chance to express everything he’s been feeling about the changes in his life, and learns not to shrink from the spotlight.  The author’s acknowledgements mention his own experiences with the kind of cancer Ross has.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  From the cover to the irreverent middle-school voice to the illustrations (including some full-page comics), this is a book that will appeal to reluctant upper elementary and middle school readers.  There’s plenty of substance, though, as Ross overcomes a life-threatening illness and finds his own voice and talents.

Cons:  Having witnessed my own guitar-enthusiast daughters taking months to learn to play simple songs, it seemed unlikely that Ross would be performing with a band after just a few weeks.

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Published by Quill Tree Books (Released October 6)

Summary:  Mimi’s not thrilled to be visiting the grandparents she’s never met in Karachi, Pakistan, but her mom has decided it’s time to go back after a long estrangement.  Sakima helps her father cook in Mimi’s grandparents’ house, but dreams of going to school if she can improve her English.  At first, Sakima can’t imagine being friendly to the wealthy, spoiled visitor from America, but slowly the girls begin to find ways to communicate in broken English and Urdu.  Mimi offers to tutor Sakina in English, and in return, Sakina helps Mimi find the father who left her several years ago.  As the weeks go by, the two families’ lives become intertwined.  By the end of the summer, much has changed for both Mimi and Sakina, but their new friendship promises to last even when they are living half a world away from each other.  Includes an author’s note about Karachi, where she grew up and a glossary.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Kids will learn a lot about life in Pakistan, and the inequities between the rich and the poor.  The characters are interesting and well-developed, not only the two girls, but their family members as well.

Cons:  The girls seemed to communicate remarkably well, considering neither one of them was particularly fluent in the other’s language.

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Published by Balzer+Bray

Summary:  Jenae is starting middle school expecting it to be a lot like elementary school: no friends, keeping to herself, and desperately struggling to get out of any kind of public speaking.  When a new boy, Aubrey, refuses to give up on his friendly overtures, Jenae isn’t sure how to handle it, alternately pushing him away and welcoming his friendship.  Things at home are also difficult for her, with a brother who’s suffered an injury that may have ended his basketball dreams, a grandfather who’s just had a stroke, and a harried mother who doesn’t have much time or sympathy for Jenae.  Jenae’s new English teacher is big on public speaking, and Aubrey eagerly invites her to pair up with him for a debate.  Their topic is a controversy that has their whole school buzzing: whether to keep the school’s current namesake John Wayne, or to change the name to honor Sylvia Mendez.  There’s a lot going on for Jenae, but she slowly faces her fears one by one and learns to bravely embrace the changes that middle school brings.  304 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Lisa Moore Ramée’s shares in a note at the beginning of the book that she experienced many of the same anxieties as Jenae when she was a girl.  Jenae’s insecurities and beliefs that she caused her brother’s and grandfather’s health issues are a bit frustrating at times, but also very realistic.  Introverts everywhere will understand her dual urges to push away and embrace a new friend.  

Cons:  The quick resolution of Jenae’s deep fear of public speaking didn’t really ring true.

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Published by Amulet Books

Summary:  15 Muslim author have created 14 stories about Eid al-Fitr, the holiday celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan.  Although the kids in the stories are experiencing divorce, the sickness of a parent, being a refugee, and other struggles, the stories are upbeat, celebrating family, friendship, and food.  Non-Muslim readers who finish all 14 stories will learn a lot about Ramadan, Eid, and Islam.  Eleven of the stories are in a traditional short story format, with one graphic-novel style tale, a story in verse, and a poem rounding out the collection.  Includes an editors’ introduction and biographical information about all the authors.

Pros:  A much-needed addition to the small number of American books featuring Muslim characters.  I’m not usually much of a short story fan, but I zipped through these pretty quickly, mostly because each one took me right into the action and presented interesting characters.  Even though the characters have a wide variety of heritages and are in some cases living outside the U.S., American kids will find plenty here to enjoy.

Cons:  I didn’t get to see any of the illustrations in my advance reader copy.

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Published by Aladdin (Released September 15)

Summary:  Zinnia (Zinny) has a pretty normal life with her three siblings and two best friends until her brother is involved in a car accident at college.  The hospital staff notices erratic behavior, and Gabriel is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation and counseling.  Zinny’s family is thrown into turmoil–her mother takes a leave of absence from her job, her father starts working longer hours, and neither parent is doing much for Zinny or her other brother and sister.  The kids are told to keep Gabriel’s issues “private”.  Zinny finds herself drifting away from her friends and not sure what to tell the caring adults who reach out to her.  Her interest in science attracts the notice of her favorite teacher, who offers Zinny an amazing summer opportunity, but Zinny’s not sure she should be away from her family.  Zinny is finally forced to confront her own emotions and to learn that loving her brother doesn’t preclude taking care of herself.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  As I read this book, it occurred to me that Barbara Dee is becoming kind of a Judy Blume of the 21st century.  Her recent books have taken on the issues of sexual harassment, eating disorders, childhood cancer, and now mental illness, but she does it with a light touch and with characters that middle-grade readers readily identify with.  I always find her books easy to book talk with upper elementary and middle school readers, yet they could also serve as bibliotherapy for kids who have experienced the challenges she writes about.

Cons:  The title made me think I was getting a first-person narration, which I wasn’t.

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Published by Scholastic

Summary:  Rick and his best friend Jeff (from Gino’s 2015 book George) take the center stage in this book as they start middle school.  Rick is starting to be more aware of the fact that Jeff is kind of a jerk, and also that kids around him are starting to be interested in dating.  Rick’s not sure if he’s straight or gay, since he doesn’t feel particularly attracted to either boys or girls.  Although he feels uncomfortable and worried that Jeff might find out, Rick attends a Rainbow Spectrum meeting for kids exploring their genders and sexualities.  When he learns about asexuality, he thinks that might be the right identity for him.  He finds support through new relationships with kids in the group and a closer bond with his grandfather who turns out to have some secrets of his own.  Rick’s newfound confidence helps him to stand up to Jeff and feel more comfortable about expressing himself in public.  240 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Rick’s search for an identity he feels comfortable with feels like an authentic middle school experience.  The Rainbow Spectrum cast of characters provides a vehicle to introduce readers to different genders, sexualities, and pronouns.  Kids who have read George will enjoy catching up with the kids from that story a few years later, and will be happy to find out that George is entering middle school as Melissa.

Cons:  Like another book of Alex’s, You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P., this one felt very agenda-driven.  Too often the characters tell instead of show, and appear unusually “woke” for middle school kids as young as 11, e.g., this from a sixth grade boy: “Rick, if we’re gonna be friends, you’ve got to share how you’re feeling.  Otherwise I’ll never know you.”  

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