Middle grade fiction

Life during wartime

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The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman (Viking Books for Young Readers, 288 pages, grades 4-7). Marta and her papa are traveling aboard the Lusitania, trying to get back to Germany with falsified documents. Just as her father’s true identity is discovered, the Lusitania is torpedoed, and the two must fight for their lives. Although they both survive, Papa is arrested immediately upon their arrival in England, while Marta manages to slip away. Hiding in a barn, she’s befriended by an Irish girl named Claire, whose family is poor but manages to find food and shelter for Marta. Marta’s talent for acting and imitating accents comes in handy to conceal her German identity and impersonate a Dutch girl. The two girls work together in a chocolate factory, and Marta saves her earnings for a train ticket to Amsterdam, where she hopes she can book passage back to Berlin. Despite having been taught to hate the British, Marta can’t help but respond to Claire’s friendship and the loving kindness of her family. When Marta’s true identity is discovered by a factory employee, Claire is horrified at first, but eventually she too realizes that their friendship is real and helps Marta escape. The last pages see Marta getting ready to travel to Amsterdam, worried but hopeful that her family will be reunited at last in Germany.

Readers will be drawn into this book right away with the tragic sinking of the Lusitania in the early chapters, followed by Marta’s struggle to survive and find her way home. I was hoping for a bit more resolution to her story, as well as finding out what happened to her father, but it’s a realistic ending given the time and place. The reflections on humanity and who is an enemy occasionally felt a little didactic but could definitely engender some interesting discussions.

Revolutionary Mary: The True Story of One Woman, The Declaration of Independence, and America’s Fight for Freedom by Karen Blumenthal and Jen McCartney, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley (Roaring Brook Press, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Mary Katharine Goddard didn’t get to go to school like her younger brother William did, but her mother taught her reading and math at home. When William decided to pursue bigger ambitions, Mary and her mother took over his print shop. After her mother died, Mary took charge, running a successful business until her brother asked her to move to Baltimore to help him with another shop. Once again, he left to pursue other interests, and Mary took over. As news of a revolution made its way through the colonies, Mary engaged in the risky business of publishing news and opinions about independence. After the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Continental Congress moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore, where they made the bold decision to send a copy of the document to each of the thirteen colonies. Mary was chosen as the printer, and she included her name on the declaration, using her full name, Mary Katharine Goddard instead of her usual M. K. Goddard signature. Includes additional information about Mary Katharine Goddard, the Declaration of Independence, and printing and publishing in colonial times; also a bibliography and an author’s note from Jen McCartney that tells how she completed this book after her mother (Karen Blumenthal) died in 2020.

This engaging story of a courageous woman deserves a place in any study of the American Revolution. The text and illustrations are lively, with action words like crank, whoosh, pound, and revolution woven into the pictures. The author’s note about completing the book after her mother passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61 adds a poignant note to the story of a woman who was inspired by her own strong mother.

Let’s hear it for the boys

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Old School by Gordon Korman (HarperCollins, 288 pages, grades 3-7). Dexter is a 12-year-old who has spent the last six years living with his grandmother in a retirement community while his diplomat parents travel the world. He’s always been homeschooled, receiving an excellent education from a variety of experienced educators in the community. Unfortunately, his grandma never officially registered him as a homeschooler, and in seventh grade, truancy officers catch up with them and force Dexter off to middle school. At first, he’s a complete fish out of water who talks and dresses like an old man, not a middle schooler. But slowly his kindness and handyman skills start to win over some of the other kids. When Dexter fixes a vending machine with his Swiss army knife and gets expelled for having a weapon, the other kids rally to his defense and start visiting him at his home, where they soon befriend many of the older residents. Young and old alike show up for Dexter’s hearing before the school committee, where a few surprise twists result in an unexpected outcome for both Dexter and his school.

Although Gordon Korman is less than two weeks older than I am, he has written over 100 books more than I have. His books, while somewhat formulaic (this one is told in chapters that alternate among several narrators in classic Korman style), are always engaging and funny, perfect for reluctant readers. The homeschooled hero winning over middle school students reminded me a lot of another Korman book, Schooled (2008) I’ve read quite a few middle grade books with girl main characters this year, so I’m glad to have a couple that feature boys.

Extra Large by Tyler Page (First Second, 208 pages, grades 4-8). The summer before seventh grade, Tyler starts to be more aware of his body size. When he wins an extra-large T-shirt, he’s told he’ll grow into it. Shopping for back-to-school clothes, he has to get “husky” jeans to be able to fit into them. His dad decides to give up sugar in an attempt to get back to his high school weight and encourages the rest of the family to join him, not always in the kindest way. Tyler notices kids get bullied for their size and for other body issues, and he’s always relieved when it’s not him, taking pains to be the last to change for gym with the hope that no one will see him with his shirt off. When a new girl gets teased about her ears, Tyler joins in, even though he doesn’t see what the big deal is. As the year goes on, Tyler notices more and more that some of his closest friends can be bullies, and he starts to hang out with other kids who are kinder and make him feel good about himself. He saves money for a new bike, enjoying the way he feels when he’s active, and even gets to enjoy some of his family’s menu changes. By the end of the story, Tyler has learned a lot about accepting himself as he is.

Tyler Page’s memoir is funny and realistic, and plenty of upper elementary and middle school readers will see themselves in the pages. It’s nice to see a graphic novel addressing bullying and body image issues with a boy main character.

Home is where the heart is

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Sea Legs by Jules Bakes, illustrated by Niki Smith (Graphix, 256 pages, grades 3-7). Janey’s lived on board her parents’ sailboat before, but it’s harder going back to that life this time, after going to public school for third grade and making a good friend named Rae. But she doesn’t have much say in the matter, as her family sets sail for the Caribbean. Life onboard is much different, with unique adventures and natural wonders every day, but also sometimes with boredom and loneliness. When they anchor at one of the islands so her parents can make some money, Janey’s excited to see another girl who looks just a little older than she is. Soon, she’s hanging out with Astrid, who seems cool and courageous, but who is sometimes mean to Janey and takes her on adventures that occasionally turn dangerous. Janey slowly realizes that Astrid is living with an abusive father, forced to take care of her younger half siblings and not allowed to go to school, and that the older girl envies Janey’s secure family and opportunity to get an education. When hurricane season hits hard, Janey is sent to live with her grandmother for several months. On her return, the ship is damaged, Astrid is gone without a trace, and Janey has to learn from her parents how to be resilient and get back out to sea once again. Includes notes from the author and illustrator, friends since the age of 12, about how Jules’s childhood at sea and their friendship inspired this book.

Who can resist the lure of a life at sea? I was curious to read this fictionalized graphic memoir about Jules Bakes’s unique childhood. It ended up surprising me, showing both the good and more difficult sides of this life, with Astrid’s story offering a particularly dark version of it. I was hoping for a little more resolution of Astrid’s story and her friendship with Janey, but the ambiguity felt very realistic.

Home by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren Long (G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 4+). As they did with their picture book Love, Matt de la Peña and Loren Long offer meditations about home. Whether it’s an apartment next to the highway, a house near the airport, Grandpa’s houseboat, or the back of Dad’s big rig, home has a feeling of familiarity, comfort, and security. But what if you lose your home? “Hurricane rains flood your streets. Or a thick black smoke blankets the sky. Or Papa’s garment factory closes down.” You may have to leave the only home you’ve ever known, but slowly you will find your way back with the help of a father or a grandma or a teacher, because it’s those people who really are your home. And when you look up into the sky at a hawk or a mountain or the stars, you’ll remember the home we all share, “promising that all life is one life and when the winds do come they will carry you home.”

I was blown away by how much is contained in this seemingly simple picture book that could be enjoyed by a preschooler or used in a college class to reflect on all the meanings of the word “home.” The text is lyrical and thought-provoking, and as for the illustrations…well, let’s get on with it already and finally give Loren Long the Caldecott recognition he deserves.

Teamwork makes the dream work

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Neecy and Nay Nay and the Tangled, Hairy Mess (Neecy and Nay Nay, book 1) by Simone Dankenbring and Syrone Harvey, illustrated by Maya Henderson (little bee books, 112 pages, grades 2-4). When Nay Nay wakes up with a big wad of gum in her hair, Big Mama takes her and her twin sister Neecy to Ms. Yvonne’s hair salon, where a spoonful of peanut butter takes care of the problem. The girls are inspired to open their own salon, which fits in nicely with the entrepreneurship project that they’re working on at school. After a successful style with one of their friends, they expand to facials and manicures, using a creative assortment of household items and producing some disastrous results. Instead of giving up, the girls learn from their mistakes and put together an A+ report on the do’s and don’ts of starting a small business. Includes Big Mama’s snickerdoodle recipe, a glossary of the big words Neecy likes to use, and a preview of book 2, which was released at the same time as this book.

Early chapter book readers will enjoy this new series. Each twin has her own distinctive personality and style, and there’s an interesting cast of supportive characters, including a close friend who lives in a foster family. The girls aren’t afraid to try new endeavors and are resilient when things don’t go as planned. Books 3 and 4 are due out by the end of the year.

Jojo vs. Middle School (Team Awkward, book 1) by Joy McCullough and Veeda Bybee (Aladdin, 192 pages, grades 3-7). Jojo’s first day of sixth grade gets off to a rough start: her mom’s embarrassing new boyfriend, online cat influencer Mr. Meow, has given Jojo a new kitten, who (unbeknownst to her) has chewed a hole in her new leggings. After she realizes that her cat-patterned underwear has been visible to the whole school all morning, Jojo retreats to an abandoned part of the school where she meets three other girls hiding from their catastrophic first mornings. A tentative friendship is born, and when they meet on the second day, they wind up sheltering in place after a bobcat sighting at the school. This results in not only a two-hour conversation that deepens their friendship, but a series of hilarious mishaps that cements it into Team Awkward. They wind up back at Mr. Meow’s with the “bobcat,” having inadvertently saved the day, and Jojo begins to see that Mr. Meow, whom she now calls Paul, may not be so bad. Book 2, featuring Team Awkward member Leah, will be out in June.

This book feels like a bit of a throwback, in a good way, since so many stories like this are being written as graphic novels these days. The chapter book format allows the introduction of many interesting characters, both at school and in each girl’s family, whom I hope we will get to see more of in upcoming books. Try it out on fans of Dork Diaries.

Graphic novels that deal with tough issues

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Crumble by Meredith McClaren, illustrated by Andrea Bell (Little, Brown Ink, 208 pages, grades 3-7). Emily’s mother is often traveling to promote the family bakery, so Aunt Gina and Emily run the shop and keep things going back home. The two of them know how to infuse their baked goods with feelings, helping people to feel happier or more relaxed when they eat them. When Aunt Gina suddenly dies in a car accident, Emily and her mom are overwhelmed by grief. The only way Emily knows how to process her feelings is to bake, but baking while sad results in terrible-tasting pastries that somehow no one can stop eating. When Emily ends up making all of her classmates sick, she has to slow down and find new ways to deal with her feelings. She and her mom slowly create a new normal, and the last chapter shows them running a new baking school, while Emily has developed more empathy for people around her who are suffering.

This cheery graphic novel takes an unexpected twist when a panel showing Aunt Gina’s wrecked car changed everything for Emily. From there, the story does an excellent job showing how she processes her grief, feeling overwhelmed by it at first, then slowly finding a way to acknowledge her feelings and move on, even though things will never be the same. The reactions from the other kids–trying to cheer Emily up, asking too many questions about her aunt’s funeral–are helpful in showing readers what may or may not be helpful to those who are grieving.

Cassi and the House of Memories by Dean Stuart (Viking Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, grades 4-7). Cassi loves spending time with her grandparents, but sometimes Grandpa’s mind wanders. When he forgets who she is, Grandma reassures her that he is still there and that he loves her. One day, Cassi goes into the backyard with him, and he disappears into the woods. When she goes in search of him, she discovers a giant structure that looks like Grandpa’s head. Inside, she discovers all kinds of memories from Grandpa’s early life. Cassi is able to put herself into those memories, and in an exciting climax, to help change one of them from a traumatizing event to one that makes Grandpa into a hero. Eventually, she meets up with her present-day grandpa, and he leads her back home, where Grandma is waiting with dinner, not worried at all, just sure that the two of them have been having fun together. An author’s note tells of his experiences with his own father’s dementia and how he created this book for kids who may be dealing with someone in a similar situation.

I saw this book described as “melancholy” in a review, and that’s a perfect word for both the story and the artwork that creates an alternate world inside Grandpa’s head, where memories come and go. Cassi’s ability to change some of the memories demonstrate how selective and imperfect all of our memories are. A thought-provoking book that will help kids see those with dementia in a new way.

Novels in verse by award-winning authors

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It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Random House Readers, 272 pages, grades 4-8). Vale is trying to get back to fencing after a serious motorbike accident that damaged one of her legs, possibly permanently. Despite the pain and weakness, Vale is driven to return to the one thing she feels like she is good at. Her quest to be the best before the accident was fueled by her parents and cost her at least one friendship, but now she feels alone and uncertain about what her parents really want for her. When she finally does get back to fencing class, she discovers that she’s been unseated by a new girl named Myrka. Despite Vale’s anger at Myrka for being a better fencer, she can’t help noticing she admires and likes Myrka in a way that may be more than just as a friend. When a hard-won victory over her rival results in intense physical pain, Vale has to come to terms with the fact that she is not the same person she was before the accident. By the end of the book, she has opened up honest communication with her parents and started to lean more on the people who care about her.

I was a little put off at first by Vale, who comes across as somewhat unlikable, pushing away the people who are trying to help her and focusing only on her return to fencing and her quest to be the best. But as the story went on, I started to sympathize more with what she was going through, not only the painful recovery from a serious accident, but grieving that she is no longer the same person and wondering if she’s now disabled. Kudos to Andrea Beatriz Arango for creating such a real and memorable character for whom you will be cheering by the end as she comes to terms with the new person she is becoming.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 208 pages, grades 5-8). Sage is dealing with the intense grief of losing her best friend in a hit-and-run accident on her birthday. She’s back at school, trying to cope with the help of a support group, but each day presents new challenges as she navigates feelings of sadness, guilt, and anger. Sometimes she lashes out at those who are trying to help her, and she has to figure out ways to make amends during calmer moments. One element of grief that surprises her is that there is still room for joy and laughter, and Sage finds herself making new friends and slowly moving toward her first romance. For most of the story, she refers to the deceased as “my best friend,” but by the end of the story, she is able to say her name, Angel Rodriguez, and she creates a poster with that name to put at a makeshift memorial that’s been created in the place where Angel died. An author’s note tells of her own experiences with grief, losing fifteen loved ones from 2020 to 2022, and how those experiences and the Covid pandemic led to her writing this book.

As I read the list of Renée Watson’s books on the back flap, I realized what a truly gifted writer she is who has given us an amazing collection of works in all different genres for both children and young adults. This book is no exception, tracing Sage’s experiences with grief in a very realistic yet beautifully written way that will help other kids who are dealing with the emotions of loss.

Feminism, past and present

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Tear This Down by Barbara Dee (Aladdin, 304 pages, grades 4-7). Freya has always liked asking lots of questions and having strong opinions, but as she’s gotten older, she’s learned to stay quiet rather than risk being made fun of. A school project leads her to the discovery that town founder Benjamin Wellstone, an outspoken abolitionist, opposed giving women the vote. Teaming up with new friend Callie, Freya embarks on a series of actions to tear down Wellstone’s statue and replace it with one of a local suffragist Octavia Padgett. After the girls sneak out of the house for some late-night statue vandalism before a big town festival, they are both grounded and forced to reconsider their tactics. Freya’s activist grandmother helps her to see that there’s room for both Benjamin and Octavia in town and leads her to come up with an idea of creating a quilt celebrating the suffragists that unites people rather than tearing them apart.

A good choice for Women’s History Month, the latest by Barbara Dee portrays an idealistic, outspoken protagonist who sometimes feels like her strong opinions need to be silenced. I always enjoy Dee’s books that tackle difficult issues with a light touch. Thanks to Aladdin Books for providing me with a free copy.

One Girl’s Vote: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Calkins Creek, 40 pages, grades 2-5). From an early age, Lucy Stone felt the unfairness of the ways she and other girls were treated as inferior to boys. Her teacher called on the boys before Lucy, even though Lucy’s hand was raised first, and her father dictated family policy, including the decision that Lucy would not attend college like her brothers. Lucy was determined, though, and earned enough money to pay her tuition at Oberlin College, the first American college to accept women. But even at Oberlin, there was inequality, and Lucy fought back, organizing a secret women’s debate society and striking for equal wages to men’s for her campus jobs. After graduation, she was hired by William Lloyd Garrison to work for the New England Anti-Slavery Society. She soon became well-known as a passionate speaker, and her work evolved to include women’s rights. The work and travel was exhausting, but Lucy Stone’s voice helped pass the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, and paved the way for women to get full voting rights 27 years after her death. Includes a timeline for Lucy Stone and the fight for women’s rights and equality for all, a couple photos, fun facts, and a bibliography.

In my experience, Lucy Stone is lesser known than fellow suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, so I’m happy to see this delightful picture book that emphasizes Lucy’s early days but gives a nod to her tireless work for abolition and women’s rights. The timeline offers quite a few milestones in women’s history. I did not know that Lucy Stone was married to Elizabeth Blackwell’s brother, and that women who kept their maiden names, as Lucy did, were sometimes called Lucy Stoners.

Two books for Ramadan

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Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi (HarperAlley, 224 pages, grades 4-7). Hassan is fasting for Ramadan in this graphic novel, and, although it’s his third year doing so, this year seems harder than before. He’s going to the mosque for nightly prayers with his father for the first time, and there’s not as much community support as there was when his family was back in Yemen. Not only is Hassan falling asleep in math class, but he’s not performing up to par on the soccer field, getting shown up by teammate and frenemy Rosie. Everywhere he goes, Hassan sees delicious food, and when some cousins talk him into sneaking off for snacks, he’s wracked with guilt. When Hassan finally tells his soccer coach why his performance is off and he’s leaving practices early, he’s happily surprised to learn that Coach is also observing Ramadan with his own fast. Finally, Eid arrives, and Hassan is rewarded for his determination with a joyous celebration that include friends and family who help him to acknowledge his perseverance and to forgive himself for mistakes.

Muslim kids observing Ramadan will relate to Hassan’s struggles and hopefully learn to open up to those around them about what is going on with them for the month; non-Muslims will learn more about Ramadan and how to support their friends. The artwork is excellent, with lots of wordless pages that move the story along at a good clip, and some funny pictures of Hassan imagining food in all kinds of contexts.

The Gift of Eid by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel (Holiday House, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Yasmine and Mama are shopping in Damascus’s Souq Al-Hamidiyeh. They’re both grieving the recent death of Yasmine’s dad, and Yasmine wishes she could find the perfect Eid gift to bring a smile to Mama’s face. When she sees a sign offering money for jewelry, she sells the chain she’s wearing around her neck. At the Masjid Al-Umawi mosque, Mama and Yasmine meet up again for prayers. At the end, they agree to exchange early Eid gifts, but when Yasmine gives Mama the beautiful box she’s bought for Mama to keep her bracelet in, Mama starts to laugh. She sold the bracelet to buy Yasmine a charm to put on her gold chain. They realize that their love for each other is the greatest gift they can give, and head for home with a charm but no chain, a box but no bracelet, and “all the love we need.” Includes an author’s note about how her childhood in Syria inspired this story.

Based on the O. Henry story The Gift of the Magi, this sweet story introduces readers to daily life in Syria, beautifully portrayed in the illustrations. It’s also a tale of grief and healing, as Yasmine and Mama look for ways to help each other through a difficult time.

Graphic novels with a STEAM theme

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Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson (HarperAlley, 240 pages, grades 4-8). Verity “Very” Nelson is an athlete, musician, popular eighth-grade class president, and ace student…except when it comes to math, which she is failing miserably. When she’s told she has to bring up her math grade to stay on student council, Very starts working with a tutor. Despite her hard work, her progress is slow, and when Very makes a costly mistake at a class fundraiser, her tutor realizes she’s transposed two numbers and diagnoses her with dyscalculia. He starts to work with her on learning strategies to help her with this disability, and by the end of the book, Very’s back on top and on her way to being successful at math. But Very is something of an activist, and she’s determined to make school a better, more just place for students with disabilities, and the last few pages show her talking to her favorite local politician about ideas she has to do just that.

I’m always happy to see a new graphic novel by Hope Larson, especially one for elementary readers, since most of her books are for young adults. This one is sure to be popular with both elementary and middle school, particularly those who are dealing with some sort of learning issue. Very is resilient and persistent in her efforts, but she also has to learn how to deal with setbacks and not making progress even with hard work. I hope we’ll see a second book to find out how she brings her fight for justice to her school.

Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna, illustrated by Alison Acton (First Second, 240 pages, grades 3-7). Five middle school students are chosen to be part of NASA’s new STEAM team program, undergoing rigorous training to prepare them for a mission into space. When that mission goes awry, three of the kids wind up on a space station with no adult supervision and must figure out what to do to save the mission…and themselves. Each of the participants brings unique skills to the program but also their own insecurities that sometimes get in the way of solving problems, particularly under pressure. When everyone’s safely back on Earth, the powers-that-be deem the program too dangerous, but the kids manage to convince them otherwise, opening the door for book 2. Includes some work-in-progress art and an author’s note.

Former astronaut Leland Melvin has written a fun space adventure with five endearing kids who get the opportunity of a lifetime. I haven’t been so nervous about the outcome of a space adventure since I watched Apollo 13, which made it hard for me to put the book down. I’ll admit it took some suspension of disbelief to believe that NASA would send middle school kids into space, but heck, if you had told me a few months ago that a 19-year-old nicknamed “Big Balls” would be a senior advisor at the State Department, I would have been pretty skeptical of that as well.

Once upon a time

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The Princess Swap: Cinderella and the Beast or Beauty and the Glass Slipper by Kim Bussing (Random House Books for Young Readers, 304 pages, grades 3-7). Ella from Cinderella and Belle from Beauty and the Beast unexpectedly switch places in this fairy tale mash-up. The bold and adventurous Belle winds up as a servant in Ella’s stepmother’s basement, while Ella, whose glass leg has always kept her on the sidelines, finds herself sharing a gloomy castle with a fearsome beast. Cinderella’s prince is just a kid named Amir in this telling, and he’s sad that his sister Anisa has mysteriously vanished for the last few years. The two stories come together as Ella learns more about the cursed beast, and each heroine has to take matters into her own hands to create a happily-ever-after ending for both of them. A preview of book two, featuring Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, is featured at the end.

I’m not really much of a fractured fairy tale fan, but this version was so clever and well-told, once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The stories are told in alternating third-person chapters, and many of the chapters ends on a cliff-hanger that will keep the reader turning the pages. Even the villains are treated with some sympathy in the end, and both girls are strong and brave, with just enough flaws to be believable.

Lily’s Dream: A Fairy Friendship by Bea Jackson (Aladdin, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Although Lily dreams of flying, so far her fairy wings haven’t worked. As a result, she knows more about beauty close to the ground, and one day she stumbles upon a beautiful fairy house. When the human creator reveals herself, Lily runs away, accidentally leaving behind her cherished gold anklet. The next day, she goes back to look for it, and the girl, who introduces herself as Willow, has found it. Willow makes Lily a fairy-sized acorn helmet, pillow, and trampoline to help her practice flying. Soon she’s taken to the air, and although she still can’t fly high, “Lily was over the moon.” Includes an author’s note that gives more of Willow’s backstory.

Those who judge books by their covers will be captivated by the picture of Lily on this one, and will undoubtedly find the rest of the story equally enchanting. I hope that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship and that Willow and Lily will have more stories, maybe told from Willow’s point of view. I enjoyed reading about her in the author’s note and wished that more of it had been incorporated into he main story.