THE DERBY DAREDEVILS: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team
By Kit Rosewater (Illustrations by Sophie Escabasse)

On Sale Date: March 2020

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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This new chapter book/early middle-grade series set in Austin, Texas, features the sport of Roller Derby and a diverse cast of characters. The reader follows Kenzie on her mission to put together a roller-derby team as mighty as the one her Mom plays on. With the help of her best friend, Shelly, Kenzie unites a group of eccentric individuals and teaches them the basics of the sport just in time for try-outs. She also admits to herself that she may have feelings for one of the girls she enlists.

This straightforward story carries important themes including friendship, self-acceptance, and balancing individuality with teamwork and team spirit. The short chapters and simple language are well-pitched for the intended audience and the character's voices read as authentic and age-appropriate.

Lace your skates and enjoy!

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NOT IF I CAN HELP IT
By Carolyn Mackler

This is a sweet middle-grade story featuring Willa, a dog-loving girl with Sensory Processing Disorder. 

Willa lives with her father and brother in a New York City apartment during the week and visits her mother and step-father on the weekends. She has regular sessions with a therapist and a reliable best friend, Ruby, who keeps her grounded at school. But Willa's world is flipped upside down when she discovers her father has fallen in love with Ruby's mom and intends to marry her.

Readers will quickly connect with likable Willa and empathize with her need for stability and her dislike of change. The detailed aspects of her disorder are well integrated into the story without them overtaking the plot or Willa's character development.

Strong themes of friendship, family, self-acceptance, and honesty abound as Willa grapples with disclosing her diagnosis to Ruby and contemplates how she will function with a new sister and step-mom in her daily life. 

Grab some gummy bears (Willa's favorite candy!) and enjoy.

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A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you've been searching for a middle-grade read full of inspiration and the power of small kindnesses, this is it. Set in a struggling small town, the story follows multiple sixth graders and their interactions with an old well said to grant wishes. Each character is as unique and memorable as the next and the way their stories and experiences interweave is brilliantly crafted. 

This is a page-turning read told from multiple points of view. Suitable for grades three and up. Get ready for intrigue, tension, adventure, and your heart to fill with hope and happiness.

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FOCUSED By Alyson Gerber

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

​From the author of Braced, which sheds light on scoliosis, comes Focused - a middle-grade novel about ADHD.

The main character, chess-obsessed Clea, has been struggling with school and her relationships with others. When she is diagnosed with ADHD, her life slowly begins to change as strategies are implemented to help her find ways to concentrate and manage her school work and daily tasks.

Clea is a well-crafted character whose seventh-grade challenges (homework, friendship issues, bullies, and first crushes) are relatable and believable. The first-person narrative gives the reader unique insight into her thought processes as she struggles with her ADHD, and juggles academic and social pressures. Readers will become cheerleaders - wanting Clea to try, try, and try again to strive for her goals and dreams. 

This is an ideal read for ADHD sufferers and anyone interested in learning more about it. A helpful author's note follows to supplement the informative details included in the story.

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​Captain Superlative By J. S. Puller

A mysterious cape, mask, and wig wearing middle-school student is changing the mood at school one good deed at a time. Quiet, friendless Janey is intrigued...

This middle-grade novel full of heart is sure to leave the reader inspired to be a better person and let their inner superhero shine.

The protagonist, Janey, is well characterized and the emotional journey she travels during the story feels genuine and believable. Her inspiration for change, a fellow student with leukemia who prefers to be known as Captain Superlative, is an equally strong character. Even the school bully, Dagmar, is complex and well crafted.

This is a great story for all middle graders- for bullies, the bullied, those dealing with loss or the prospect of loss, and anyone struggling to fit in.  

Get ready for happy tears, sad tears, and change-the-world inspiration. Enjoy!

GOOD ENOUGH by Jen Petro-Roy

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This middle-grade story about Riley, a twelve-year-old anorexic, will tug at your heartstrings.

The journal format allows the reader the privilege of seeing into Riley’s head - a head filled with changing thoughts and feelings, both helpful and dysfunctional, as she journies through inpatient treatment for her disordered eating. Insights into the experiences of other patients (ones who Riley forms friendships with) are also included. It's an emotionally difficult read but worth the reader heartache.

The accompanying guide You Are Enough: An Inclusive Guide to Body Image and Eating Disorder Recovery is a helpful add-on book for those who want more in-depth support and information on eating disorders beyond the scope of the novel.

This is an ideal read for body-conscious pre-teens, eating disorder patients, and anyone wanting to learn more about eating disorders, their impact, and treatment.

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Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING JILLY P
By Alex Gino

This new middle-grade title filled with heart, the latest from the awarding-winning author of George, is jam-packed with action, tension, and important social issues. It follows the story of Jilly, a book-loving hearing white girl (with hearing parents) in California whose baby sister is born Deaf. As well as journeying with Jilly and her parents as they navigate how best to support and raise the newest member of their family, the reader also sees Jilly dealing with race discrimination between members of her own extended family and also toward a friend she cares about.

The complex social issues raised in this story including Deaf culture, racism, and police violence make it an important read for middle-schoolers as they mature and begin to learn about the world around them. Hopefully, the book will provide a platform for caregivers, teachers, and peers to delve deeper into these subjects and ensure open-dialogue and conversations (even if uncomfortable) continue.

Gino's Author Notes at the end of the book are an important addition, providing more background and context for readers and educators.

Your heart might feel heavy with worry after reading this book but you'll be glad you did. 

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