Middle grade fiction

Family: it’s complicated

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Danilo Was Here by Tamika Burgess (HarperCollins, 304 pages, grades 5-8). Danilo’s family has gone through tough times since his beloved Papá left for the United States to try to find work, shortly before the U.S. bombed his Panamanian neighborhood in December, 1989. Papá has stopped writing and sending money, and Danilo is determined to find out what’s happened to him. When he gets recruited for a California baseball clinic shortly after his family has been forced to move into a refugee camp, he decides to go and try to find his father. Danilo inherited his baseball talent from Papá, and when he discovers his dad lives less than an hour away, he writes a letter inviting him to come watch the team play. But things don’t go as planned, and Danilo finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being the worst player on the team, with PTSD and worries about his mother and sister distracting him from the game. When he finally does connect with Papá, he learns that his dad has moved on, and Danilo and his family can’t count on him for support. Fortunately, Danilo finds caring friends and adults in the U.S., and with their help he’s able to figure out what his dreams are and how best to support his family when he returns to Panamá.

In her second middle-grade novel, Tamika Burgess takes a look at the recent history of Panamá, and the effects the U.S. involvement there had on ordinary Panamanians. Readers will relate to Danilo and his struggles with family, friends, and uncertainty about what he wants to do with his life, even though his experiences are likely to be very different from theirs. I hope this will be considered for a Belpré Award.

Kickturn by Brie Spangler (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 192 pages, grades 3-6). Ten-year-old Lindy is worn out and jaded after spending two years on a converted school bus, posing for photo shoots for her wellness influencer mom and watching her dad grow increasingly frustrated with the issues of the rundown bus that he quit his tech job for. When the bus completely gives out in San Jose, Lindy is excited to have a place to stay for a while and thrilled to meet some other kids who share her passion for skateboarding. Her hopes for putting down roots are dashed when the local garage is able to miraculously patch the bus together. When her parents start making plans for going back on the road, ignoring their daughter’s pleas, Lindy decides the only way to get their attention is to sabotage the bus. Although they’re furious with her, Lindy’s parents eventually calm down long enough to listen to her concerns (which include failing her fifth-grade homeschool curriculum) and to make a plan that allows them to settle down long enough to make a new plan. Includes sketches and Instagram usernames of real-life kids who love skateboarding.

With its appealing journal format that includes lined pages and lots of sketches and doodles, Lindy provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to embrace van life and influencer culture. Although she occasionally sounds a little jaded and world-weary for a fifth grader, her voice is genuine and funny. Even kids who have lived in the same place all their lives will relate to her desires to fit in with friends as well as her struggles to get her parents to listen to what she needs.

Learning Black history through historical fiction

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Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 320 pages, grades 4-7). Fifth grader Cooper Dale is ashamed of the fact that she sometimes wishes she were white, but she can’t help feeling that it would make her life easier at school where she’s the only Black student. While she shares events like grieving the assassination of President Kennedy and excitement about the Beatles with some of her classmates, she’s also the target of racist bullying by other kids, especially Wade. When Cooper’s mom gets a cleaning job with Wade’s family, Cooper finds out that his mother is dying of cancer. Although it’s hard for her to be compassionate, she learns from those around her, including her parents and older siblings, members of her church, and the new Black boy who is dealing with the loss of his own mother. By the end of the book, Cooper has realized that she and Wade may never be friends, but her empathy can help him get through a difficult time and may even change how he sees her and her family.

This novel in verse does an excellent job of weaving historical events of 1963 into a story that today’s readers will relate to. Cooper’s honest voice expresses both her wish to live up to her parents expectations of being “radiant” and her very human emotions in response to some of the difficult situations she encounters.

Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 208 pages, grades 4-7). Will’s family is barely making it as sharecroppers on a cotton farm in Texas when Father hears about the chance for free land in Oklahoma–if they can win the race to get there. Despite the risks of the journey, Father decides it’s worth a try, and 12-year-old Will successfully makes the case to join him. Along the way they encounter a rattlesnake, a rushing river that must be crossed to get to Oklahoma, and a mysterious ex-Civil War soldier named Caesar with some dangerous enemies. Caesar and his horse Midnight join Father and Will, and the three work together to survive and overcome the racism that threatens to derail their plans. When Caesar gets shot, it’s up to Will to ride Midnight all night, covering the last leg of their trip and making his family’s dream of owning land a reality. Includes an author’s note giving more historical context, particularly on the removal of indigenous groups from the land being claimed in the story and the Tulsa Race Massacre that took place in Oklahoma a generation after Will and his family settled there.

Fans of the I Survived series will enjoy this action-packed adventure featuring a courageous hero committed to helping his family. The author’s note addressed some of the more troubling aspects of the land rush, as well as the fact that the story for Black people settling in Oklahoma was unfortunately not as happily-ever-after as Will’s seems to be. I’m guessing both of these books will receive consideration for Newbery and Coretta Scott King awards.

Ghostly graphic novels

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Ghost Town by Eric Colossal (Harry N. Abrams, 256 pages, grades 4-7). Lily’s been accepted to a prestigious science academy, which means a move to another town, but she’s sure she doesn’t want her life to change. After purposely failing her science final in an attempt to lose her scholarship, she’s grounded and assigned to volunteer at the library every morning, but that doesn’t stop her from sneaking out to play baseball with her friends. When their ball goes through the window of an old mansion, the kids stumble upon a ghost and a trap for catching other ghosts. As they go through town, cleaning up ghosts and restoring the power that those ghosts have been sucking up, they slowly unravel a mystery involving an old family from town, and one member in particular, who, like Lily, didn’t want anything to change. As she begins to see the destruction his resistance has caused, Lily realizes that change is inevitable, and it’s okay for her to embrace the new things in her life.

This is a fun tween ghostbusters story with the whole gang taking on the task of trapping ghosts and finding out about their past lives, which they accidentally discover can be done by swallowing the ghost and initiating a flashback of its past life. There’s lots of humor, like when some of the ghosts turn out to be animals, but there’s also a pretty serious message conveyed in the big final showdown.

Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 256 pages, grades 5-8). Margot loves playing the ukulele and writing songs, but everyone around her seems more concerned with getting likes and follows on social media. Her dad goes off to L.A. to pursue his musical dreams and his goal of 10,000 followers, while her two best friends are getting more action on their channel smashing things from a tree house than Margot gets with her music. When she finds an old synthesizer keyboard with a sign reading “Free Piano (Not Haunted),” she thinks it may be just the thing to help her connect with her dad. Instead, it starts making weird sounds, even when it’s not plugged in, and eventually the ghost of ’80’s pop star Vision appears. Vision encourages Margot to embrace her own talents, and together, the two of them exorcise an evil spirit from Vision’s past who’s been haunting the keyboard. The ghost eventually has to move on, but its clear that her influence has changed the way Margot sees herself and her talents. Includes additional information about the Prophet-5 keyboard featured in the story.

This is sure to be a popular choice for middle school kids struggling with their own identities and parental issues, and it never hurts to throw a ghost or two into the mix. The brilliantly colored artwork conjures up Vision’s 1980’s vibe, with the portrayals of ghosts and the haunted keyboard especially effective.

We can never have too many middle school graphic novels

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Reel Life by Kane Lynch (Graphix, 240 pages, grades 4-7). Galen’s upset when his friend Kyle pulls away from him, but their mutual friend Luna explains that Kyle’s going through a tough divorce and a custody battle with his parents. Galen doesn’t really get it until his own dad announces that he’s leaving Galen’s mom and has a new girlfriend, Jasmine. Galen and Luna use their movie making skills to try to understand not only what’s going on with Galen’s family, but also Luna’s constantly bickering parents. As the kids navigate these difficult relationships, they learn the importance of love, support, and communication. As they wrap up their movie, Galen declares, “It’s OUR story. We get to choose how it ends.”

There’s a lot to love about this graphic novel, including the artwork that resembles an animated film, but especially the underlying upbeat tone that shows kids’ resilience in the face of changing families and friendships. Galen is a kind kid who doesn’t shy away from difficult emotions, is willing to give the new people in his life a chance, but is still–for the most part–able to figure out how to take care of himself.

On Guard!: a Marshall Middle School graphic novel by Cassidy Wasserman (Random House Graphic, 256 pages, grades 4-7). Grace isn’t excited about starting seventh grade after her best friend Ava dumped her at the end of sixth grade and her parents got divorced over the summer. Due to a custody agreement, she’s forced to spend every other week with her self-absorbed mother who makes no effort to understand her daughter. When Grace sneaks into the gym at lunchtime to avoid the cafeteria, she discovers the fencing team practicing there. Although she’s fascinated, she’s sure she’s too much of a klutz to try it. After trying and failing at several other clubs, she finally reluctantly signs up for fencing. To her surprise, she finds out that she has a talent for it and that the team is a surprisingly good source of friendship and support. Using the lessons she learns through fencing, Grace slowly begins to learn how to stand up to her mother and advocate for herself with both of her parents.

I’m hoping the subtitle of this book indicates that there will be other Marshall Middle School graphic novels, as this is sure to be popular with fans of authors like Raina Telgemeier, Kayla Miller, and Maria Scrivan, as well as a good choice for those who enjoyed another fencing graphic novel, Duel. Grace’s struggles with her mother are heartbreaking but ring true, and I like how fencing subtly teachers her skills that she can use in her real life.

Two brave girls

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta (Scholastic Press, released August 5, 320 pages, grades 4-8). Simi has a happy life in Northern India, where she’s surrounded by friends and family who celebrate her accomplishments at school and on the hockey field. But when a right-wing group comes to power, her Sikh father and Muslim mother become targets. After her father is badly beaten, he’s able to illegally immigrate to the United States, where he’s granted asylum and starts working as a taxi driver in New York. By the time he’s saved enough to send for Simi and her mother, though, immigration policies have changed in the US. The two of them have to make a dangerous desert crossing in Mexico, and they wind up getting separated. Simi makes it to a detention center but has to endure weeks of crowded, prison-like conditions and the agony of not knowing what has happened to her mother. Drawing on her experience as a leader in school and in sports, Simi finds ways to help herself. She’s eventually able to connect with her father, and the two of them work together to find her mom. Simi’s courage and kindness to others helps her to survive and finally bring her family together again.

This book puts a face on the phrase “illegal immigrant,” showing how families must make the difficult decision to leave their homelands, friends, and extended families to escape violence, and the incredibly harsh conditions that they endure in their quest to find a place where they can live in safety. Simi’s voice is compelling, as are the stories of others she meets on the journey, and once I got to about page 100, I had to keep going until I knew she and her family were going to make it. While advanced fourth and fifth grade readers would enjoy this, I think middle school kids would perhaps get more from the story. Thanks to Scholastic for providing me with an advance copy.

The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose (Nancy Paulsen Books, 256 pages, grades 4-7). On Opal’s twelfth birthday, she starts her training with Gran, continuing the tradition of women in her family who have served as fire lookouts deep in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. Although Opal loves her life with Gran and Mom and their small home in a lookout tower, she yearns to move to town and go to middle school like other kids. She also guards a deep secret–she’s afraid of fire, which killed her dad and almost took the rest of the family during a huge wildfire a few years back. When her mom gets stranded in town after a fierce storm and Gran gets injured in the woods, Opal comes face to face with a fire that threatens Gran and their home. Despite her own injuries, she must overcome her fears and fight the fire alone. Opal discovers that sometimes bravery means doing the very thing you’re afraid of and that protecting those you love can give you courage. Includes a seven-page author’s note with additional information about wildfires and the history of fire management.

This novel-in-verse kept me riveted from the first page with its unusual setting and strong characters living a happy if somewhat bare bones life in the middle of the wilderness. The action really picks up when Mom leaves for supplies and they don’t hear from her for several days, then continues when Opal accidentally breaks their only pair of binoculars and Gran gets hurt. Opal’s favorite books are Gary Paulsen’s Brian series, and this story is an homage to their combination of nail-biting survival story and wilderness setting.

Teamwork makes the dream work

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Chess Club: The Winning Move by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by Isabelle Duffy (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 208 pages, grades 3-6). Halima loves playing chess online with her Somalian cousin, but she wishes she had the opportunity to play with kids in real life. When her best friend Jem suggests that she start a chess club at school, Halima is hesitant, but Jem offers to join and provide refreshments, even though her baking skills are much stronger than her chess ones. They manage to recruit two boys to join them: Parker, who’s never enjoyed sports the way his athletic older siblings do, and Daniel, who loves art but is struggling to fit in at middle school. Although they have a slightly bumpy start, Halima rises to the role of leader, and the others start to learn more about chess, enjoying both the game and their new friendships. When they have the opportunity to play in a tournament, they find themselves in a difficult situation involving cheating and have to work together to do what’s right. The promise of a rematch paves the way for a sequel.

A sweet series opener told from the alternating perspectives of four slightly quirky kids who find each other through chess. The appeal of friendship is at least as great as the appeal of the game, but each one grows as both a person and a chess player. A series of mysterious notes helps bring them together and advance their friendship, and the final chapter reveals the slightly supernatural events behind those notes. The illustrations add a nice touch, especially those showing the chess board in various games.

Growing Home by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, grades 2-5. Meet the team: Ivy the ivy plant, Toasty the goldfish, Ollie the violet plant, and Arthur the spider, with occasional appearances by Louise the bee and Sunny the canary. The four main characters live at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive with Mr. and Mrs. Tupper and their young daughter Jillian. The humans are, for the most part, unaware of the activity going on in their home, although all of them get occasional glimpses, especially Jillian. The four start out as rivals, but events dictate that they work together, and in the end, they are able to save the Tuppers from becoming victims of a crime that would most likely ruin their antiques business. By the final pages, all six plant and animal characters–even grumpy Toasty–have come to appreciate their friendship and the special skills each one brings to the team.

This is a charming story by one of my favorite picture book authors, filled with black and white drawings by two of my favorite illustrators. It would be a good chapter book for precocious primary grade readers, and I could also see it being enjoyed as a class read-aloud. Having said all that, it didn’t quite meet my high expectations. It felt like things got off to a meandering start, although the action picked up in the second half. I wasn’t a huge fan of the gentle educational asides addressed to the reader, and it made me appreciate how Beth Ferry is able to impart messages in her picture books with more subtlety. I did love the illustrations, although I missed the colors and sweeping vistas that often characterize the Fan Brothers’ work.

Beach reading

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Meet Me at Sunset by Lee Heart (Simon Spotlight, 145 pages, grades 3-7). Julie’s told all her friends at school about James, the cute boy she knows from her summer vacations. Although she’s only talked to him once, she may have led the other kids believe he’s her boyfriend, which is why it’s incredibly awkward when her mom invites Sophia to join them for this year’s vacation. Sophia proves understanding, though, and is on board to help Julie with her Love Plan. Sophia confides in Julie about the boy from her old school in California whom she’s been texting, and before long the two girls are on their way to becoming BFF’s. But when Sophia starts to gently point out that James is kind of a jerk, and that his friend Liam is a lot nicer, Julie is sure there’s something going on between Sophia and James. A little communication goes a long way, though, and by the last page, both Sophia and Julie have dumped James and each has found the beginnings of a kinder, gentler summer romance.

This is a perfect beach read for tweens who are starting to be curious about romances but who may not be quite ready for YA. The steamiest action is exchanging phone numbers and making plans to get together during the school year, and the insane sixth-grade insecurity-fueled drama that it takes to get there is spot on. I love the short length, which should really be more common with books for this demographic. Enthusiastic readers can look for other titles in this new Spotlight Sprinkles series.

The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun by Wendy Wan-Long Shang (Scholastic Press, 224 pages, grades 3-7). Esme’s ready to chill out at the local pool after another disappointing year of unsuccessfully competing with her three accomplished older sisters for their mother’s attention. Swim team has been a fun part of Esme’s summer for years, but this year she discovers that her growth spurt has made her a real contender, particularly in freestyle. She still enjoys the social aspect of the team, though, particularly a new friendship with Kaya, a girl whom Esme enjoys helping with her flip turns. When Esme’s mom gets wind of Esme’s successes at the pool, she starts showing up for meets. At first, Esme is thrilled, but when Mom starts making derogatory–and in the case of Kaya, racist–comments about her teammates, Esme’s not sure what to think. She enjoys winning and would love to set a pool record, but she also likes being part of a team and helping her friends succeed. Slowly, Esme starts to realize that being the best doesn’t always bring happiness and begins to seek out her own way of competing.

This book drew me in right away, and anyone who has spent time at the pool in the summer will find a sense of familiarity in the descriptions. Esme’s struggles with finding a balance between personal success and cheering on teammates are also very relatable, and I liked how the ending was ambiguous, leaving those questions still somewhat open. Although there were some hints to explain her mom’s behavior (her Chinese culture, her husband deserting her), she was a bit too much of a tiger mom stereotype and just came off as mean. I wish that portrayal had been softened a bit, but it’s also perhaps somewhat accurate coming from a 12-year-old narrator.

Exploring loss and grief

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Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola, illustrated by Barbara McClintock (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 4-8). The opening spread shows Tomie dePaola looking at a picture of a dog in a heart frame. Turn the page, and Tomie uses a second-person narration that addresses his dog Brontë to show readers how he met his puppy, and how that puppy grew into an adorable dog who loved his toys, his pink collar, and most of all, Tomie. Even after Brontë goes blind, he learns how to find his way and enjoy life. When he dies, Tomie grieves, holding an empty pink collar, drawing a broken heart, and gazing at a vacant dog bed. Seeing a rainbow, the artist is inspired to go home and draw a picture of Brontë, which he puts into the heart-shaped frame, knowing that his beloved dog will always live in his heart. Includes an illustrator’s note about how she created the art for this story that Tomie dePaola left when he passed away in 2020.

Is someone chopping onions in here? Not only is this about the death of a beloved dog, but it’s a reminder of the loss of the beloved Tomie dePaola. The story is simple, but beautiful, with different chapters of Brontë’s life shown, each beginning with the question, “Where are you, Brontë?” Barbara McClintock’s art is a lovely homage that feels very much inspired by dePaola’s work. The ending felt a bit too easy to me but probably just right for the intended young audience.

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico (Tundra Books, 224 pages, grades 4-7). Adara and her father are almost overwhelmed by the death of Adara’s mother. Her dad decides to move them from California to Michigan where they move in with her grandmother. There, much to her amazement, Adara learns that she has inherited her mother’s ability to talk to plants, starting with a small succulent named Perle that her grandmother buys for her. Talking to plants makes Adara feel closer to her mom, but the rest of life still feels overwhelming, and sometimes her own needs mean that she neglects those of others, including Perle and a new friend named Winnie. Meanwhile, Dad is having a hard time seeing what Adara needs, and everyone–Adara, Perle, and Winnie–learn some lessons about advocating for themselves. By the end, Adara and her father are slowly embracing a new normal, which is shown in the photo of them together on the last page with the caption “Light after the dark.” Includes an author’s note, photos of some of the inspirations for the artwork, information on how the book was created, and instructions for propagating succulents.

This is a moving and endearing exploration of grief, with the interesting twist of Adara’s ability to talk to plants. I liked how the author showed how grief can close you off to those around you, and how it’s okay to ask for what you need. The artwork is truly amazing, particularly the depictions of the plants coming to life.

Independence Day reading

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien (Clarion Books, 44 pages, ages 4-8). Two children describe a summer day in the city, from the sun rising between the buildings on their block, to an open fire hydrant that helps them beat the heat, to the sweet juiciness of a slice of watermelon. This summer day is special, though, and after dinner, they climb to the roof and wait for darkness to fall. An explosion of color and sound lights up the night sky as the fireworks begin. And just when you think the show is over–ka-boom!–a foldout page shows the brilliant grand finale. A few sparks and a sharp burning smell linger in the night air as the kids return home and get ready for bed.

The poetic text and brilliant illustrations, highlighted with fluorescent pink, engage all the senses to bring an urban summer day to life. I’m sure that grand finale page won’t last long in a public library, but it is truly spectacular. A perfect read-aloud for a July 4th celebration.

Miss Liberty by Erin Moonyeen Haley (Storytide, 224 pages, grades 4-7). Savvy’s greatest wish is to someday be Miss Liberty in her town’s Fourth of July celebration. This year for the first time, she’s one of the Liberty Line dancers backing up her sister Levi, who’s been Miss Liberty for three years in a row. But this year, things are happening that make Savvy’s anxiety kick into high gear. For starters, people around town are starting to say the Fourth of July celebration isn’t what it used to be, and that maybe it’s time to call it quits. Then Levi starts using her platform to speak out for voting rights…when everyone knows Miss Liberty is supposed to be silent and just look beautiful! Savvy and her aunt, another diehard Miss Liberty fan, take it upon themselves to save the big event, but as the summer goes on, Savvy starts to see that there is more than one side to a story and that sometimes it’s okay to live with uncertainty about what’s going to happen next.

This debut novel is filled with memorable characters: not only Savvy, but Levi, Aunt Bobbi, and her good friends Seymour, the only boy dancer in the Liberty Line and a budding fashion designer, and Dulce, an aspiring journalist and historian who has her own blog. I liked the way Savvy comes to terms with her anxiety and learns to express herself in ways that work for her, and how she learns to let go of the need for a definite outcome.

Creature features

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Creaky Acres by Calista Brill, illustrated by Nilah Magruder (Kokila, 272 pages, grades 3-7). Nora is happiest winning ribbons at shows with her horse Hay Fever, but when her mom gets a new job, the family moves to a small rural town where the only barn around is Creaky Acres. Filled with quirky humans and animals, including a bunch of opossums and an instructor who doesn’t believe in competing, Creaky Acres feels like a huge disappointment to Nora. On top of that, she’s the only Black kid at her school and finds herself dealing with microaggressions from both students and teachers. But Nora’s love for riding remains strong, and before long, she’s made some tentative connections with the other kids at Creaky Acres. When she hears about an upcoming riding event, she’s determined to compete. Her fellow riders, having heard about Nora’s experiences and seen her ribbons, beg to let them join her, and before she knows it, Nora is coaching a Creaky Acres team. On the day of the event, the results are mixed and sometimes hilarious, but when Nora reunites with friends from her old riding school, she realizes she has found her new place at Creaky Acres.

Give this to fans of Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks, who will enjoy another graphic novel about a group of underdogs who find their own ways in the elite world of horseback riding. It’s a cheery story with endearingly quirky characters, but it also deals with the more serious topics of dealing with racism and learning to be yourself in a new place.

Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than (First Second, 224 pages, grades 3-7). Creature Clinic, run by the imperious Dr. Orc, treats all kinds of creatures: trolls, unicorns, griffins, and more. But when an injured human boy is discovered on the bottom of an unconscious giant’s shoe, Dr. Orc refuses treatment, stating that humans are nothing but trouble. Her long-suffering daughter, Dr. Kara Orc, takes pity on the human and secretly helps him on the condition that he leaves the next day. But Mitch, the boy, is fascinated by the clinic, and a sympathetic custodian hides him in a trash bin and wheels him around for a tour. Mitch is able to show Kara and some of the others how his empathetic listening skills can help the patients, but when the senior Dr. Orc discovers Mitch and learns that Kara has been harboring a fugitive, she is furious. Some of the other creatures intercede, reminding the doctor how she defied her father to do what she thought was right, even though it damaged their relationship. Eventually, Dr. Orc sees the error of her ways, lets Mitch stay, and mends things with her daughter. And they all live happily ever after, unless, of course, there’s a sequel in the works. Includes an author’s note and seven illustrated steps that explain how the book was created.

I would love to see that sequel to this imaginative, funny, and original graphic novel that I know kids will love. The world building of the clinic is so clever and detailed, and the issues the various creatures deal with make them seem, well, human. The author’s note relating how the time his daughter spent in the NICU inspired the story adds an extra dimension.