In this story, a brave fourth grader takes on her school and some overreaching parents to preserve the books that she loves so dearly. In Ban This Book, Alan Gratz helps young people understand both the reasons and the dangers behind what is, frankly, happening in schools today.
Category: 4.0-4.9
Indian No More
In this middle grade novel, Indian No More, we learn just how devastating a situation could be when the American government suddenly decides to no longer recognize a tribe. This tale of both heartbreak and resilience will educate a whole new generation of young people, even as Regina captivates the audience with her story, which is inspired by the author’s own experience.
Rescue Princesses
The Rescue Princesses combines the love of animals with the fantasy of being a princess. The series also emphasizes friendship, courage, and diversity–perfect for little girls (and hey, even boys) navigating the social structure of elementary school.
Front Desk
I highly recommend this story as something that will encourage you to think about what the American dream means, and how we can all take tough moments in our lives to overcome the biggest hurdles.
That’s Not What Happened
I came across this young adult novel while searching for thrillers. So when I started reading it, I was surprised at the plot. However, although this deals with one of our society’s greatest tragedies–school shootings–this story was urgent and moving.
A Monster Calls
I have been remiss in not giving this book a posting earlier. A Monster Calls paints a dark and beautiful narrative of what it feels like for a child to watch a parent struggle with terminal illness.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
When thinking about a good book to blog about for father’s day, this was the perfect candidate. No, the father in this story is far from perfect, but then, most father’s aren’t perfect. It’s the relationship between him and his daughter, Coyote (the main character), that makes this book a treasure.
Heartbreak Messenger
This ended up being a delightful story about first crushes, but one that really gave us a good look at a boy’s perspective. Funny situations and dialogue, in addition to a friendship that outshines any middle grade romance, puts this book in my “favorites” category.
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
I now understand why my daughter’s fifth-grade teacher recommended the Maximum Ride series to her. The series has a perfect mix of adventure, science fiction, intrigue, and romance (which is minimal, but just present enough). The story focuses on children and young teenagers who have been turned into flying mutants, and it gives X-Men franchise a run for its money.
My Life As A Potato
Hilarious and off-the-wall moments abound in this fun novel. It does talk about middle school “liking” and the drama that goes with that, which makes it a good fit for both boys and girls.
Reboot
The action in Reboot moves the book scene to scene. At the same time, Tintera builds her characters throughout, ensuring that the action scenes are not throw away, but instead keep the reader highly involved.
Holes
Whether you have had the experience of reading Holes, or you’re not sure you’ve heard of it, now is the time to pick this one up. It may be 20 years old, but it not only entertains and excites, but corresponds to some of the issues of racism we are still working to overcome. Also, its a great story for boys, and sometimes those are hard to come by.
Kid List 