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Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Release date: 4/30/19
 
THE LIBRARY OF EVER By Zeno Alexander
 
This story is a librarian and book lover’s dream! A young girl, Lenora, with aspirations of becoming a librarian, is employed in a magical library. She swears to answer any question, no matter the challenge and so begins a wild adventure involving space and time travel, shrinking and unshrinking, and assisting a variety of library patrons from robots to ants.
Lenora is a well-crafted character full of spirit and warmth. The library patrons are unique, memorable and colorful. The intensity is well paced and the evil ‘Forces of Darkness’, who seek to destroy all libraries and sources of knowledge, are just the right amount of scary.
This page-turning adventure full of facts, twists, and turns is perfect for reader’s eight years and up. Additionally, teachers will love the endless project inspiration stemming from the interesting facts Lenora accumulates during her adventures. This a must read and will certainly be flagged as a kid lit classic in years to come.

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Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Publication date: 11/6/18
 
INKLING By Kenneth Oppel (Illustrations by Sydney Smith)
 
A middle-grade novel about an inkblot might sound uninspiring but this novel is far from it! The blot, Inkling, is full of warmth and loyalty and arrives just at the right moment for a struggling single-parent family.
Oppel’s wonderfully crafted cast from Inkling to the depressed comic artist father jump off the page and straight into your heart. Even the ‘bad guys’ are multi-dimensional and layered.
Family dynamics and friendships are well portrayed and the cascade of events that follow the inkblot’s sketchbook escape are engaging and page turning.
Moral and ethical questions are also raised during the course of the book, encouraging readers to think and ponder right from wrong and everything in between.
Grab your favorite inky pen and sketchbook and enjoy!

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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Fish In A Tree
By Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Get ready to be transported back to sixth grade and the challenges of navigating class work, peers, and homework. Only, there’s a catch- undiagnosed dyslexia.

Ally is a well crafted protagonist- her strength, determination, and kindness shine encouraging readers to invest in her journey from the get go. Her teacher, Mr. Daniels, is the teacher every child hopes for and the type of educator every teacher aspires to be. 

This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever felt lonely or out of place in a room full of peers and a great snapshot of dyslexia.

Alan Cole Is Not A Coward
By Eric Bell

Get ready to be entertained, surprised, and inspired by Eric Bell's debut novel. 

The main character and narrator, Alan, is masterfully portrayed as an unpopular yet likable and relatable middle-schooler. Although plagued by self-doubt, coming-out fears, and family issues he rises above all challenges and finds the courage to stay true to himself, and the people and ideas he believes in. 

The secondary characters such as Alan's brother (Nathan) and Alan's friend (Zack) are equally memorable. And the depiction of middle school life is faultless.

This book will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, but it will be worth it for the hope and happiness you will feel in your heart at the conclusion. Suitable for middle-school readers and up.

You Go First
By Erin Entrada Kelly

This book is sure to become a classroom staple. The portrayal of middle school daily life is spot on and  the characters are well crafted.

The chapters alternate between 12-year-old Charlotte and her online Scrabble opponent 11-year-old Ben. Both are navigating social isolation at school and family difficulties.

The emotions Charlotte experiences after her Dad has a heart attack and requires emergency surgery and the emotions Ben experiences after his parents announce their divorce are explored realistically and honestly.

In addition to the fully fleshed out main characters and secondary characters, other points of interest throughout the story include the ongoing scrabble words played and the many random facts the main characters reflect on and share from the anatomy of a starfish to statistics about commuting to work.

This is a quiet book full of heart that will appeal to a broad range of middle school readers. Enjoy!

Drum Roll, Please
By Lisa Jenn Bigelow

If you are ready to be transported to summer camp, Drum Roll, Please is just what you need!

Melly attends music camp with her best friend but she experiences much more than an improvement in her drumming. As well as managing her own self doubt and learning how to survive at sleep away camp in the isolated Michigan woods, there are difficult times with her best friend, her parents impending divorce, and a surprising first crush on a girl.

Through Melly’s eyes, Bigelow paints a vivid picture of the woods, camp site, and the emotional roller coaster Melly is riding. The friendships between the characters are delicate and complex and realistically portrayed. Melly’s first crush is explored innocently without unnecessary focus or dramatization. 

A beautifully written, well executed story full of heart where each page turn brings more feels. Suitable for middle- grade readers and up. 

Embrace your inner rocker and enjoy!

The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee by Deborah Abela
(Publication date: April 2018)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
From beginning to end this contemporary middle-grade title is filled with heart (and intriguing words, complete with definitions).
 
It follows the story of India Wimple, a shy, kind spelling lover from a small town in rural Australia. India dreams of participating in a spelling bee on TV and her eccentric, supportive family do everything they can to make this happen despite financial hardships. Like India, the secondary characters are equally memorable from Nanny Flo to her severely asthmatic brother, Boo.
 
Important themes abound from the importance of determination and overcoming self-doubt, family bonds, kindness and friendship, community spirit and, of course— S.P.E.L.L.I.N.G. This page-turning book will appeal to anyone who loves splendiferous stories and will likely be a classroom staple in no time.

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 Stu Truly By Dan Richards
(On sale date: 7/3/18)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
In this hilarious middle-grade novel a sixth-grader’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of a new girl. Stu is a video game loving, meat-eating guy who has never paid attention to girls. The arrival of vegetarian Becca changes everything. Suddenly Stu finds himself doing crazy things like stapling his finger, eating raw Brussel sprouts, pretending he is vegetarian, and spending a great deal of time lost for words with his heart thumping and stomach twisting. His best friend, Ben, is also distracted by a girl— Becca’s friend, Kirsten.
 
By day, Stu finds himself helping Becca plan a protest to encourage more vegetarian lunch options at school. By night- he gets pulled into his father’s plans to create a float for the annual town parade, promoting meat consumption and his butcher shop. As expected, tension rises to a laugh-out-loud level.
 
A perfect book for middle-schoolers navigating first crushes and anyone wanting some comic relief in their life. Fast paced and delightfully witty. Enjoy!
 
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How to be a Supervillain: Born to be Good by Michael Fry
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
This follow-on tale to How To Be A Supervillain is just as quirky, hilarious, and absurd. From the tickling super skill of the narrator, Victor, to the diverse secondary characters, including The Smear, Moldy Dave, and Anvil Head!
 
Even abstracting from the humor of the superhero’s names and traits, the plot will ensure readers continue to turn pages— who wouldn’t want to know the outcome of a battle between a whole bunch of Supervillains and the alien Commodore who trapped them to use as galaxy entertainment. Oh, and if that’s not enough, the narrator wants to give up his supervillain life to become a civilian librarian and no one’s pleased about that either.
 
A great middle grade read, either as a stand-alone title or follow on from book one. The large number of illustrations provide another layer of entertainment and will be a great help for reluctant and struggling readers.

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