REENI'S TURN
By Carol Coven Grannick

On Sale Date: 9/13/2020

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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REENI'S TURN follows the journey of shy ballet enthusiast, Reeni, as she prepares for her first solo ballet performance. But preparing for the limelight isn't the only thing that's new in eleven-year-old Reeni's life—her womanly figure is emerging and it isn't at all like she imagined. Encouraged by her newly image-conscious friends, Reeni spirals into a world of dieting, binge eating, lies, and obsessing about her appearance and weight.

Grannick is a master poet and each line of this award-worthy novel-in-verse about identity and self-acceptance is brimming with raw emotion and intensity. From line one, readers are sure to be swept up in Reeni's journey and are likely to be left thinking about Reeni long after the final page.

A perfect conversation starter for addressing body image issues with tweens and teens, whether they are dancers or not. Find a cozy spot, settle in, and prepare to be twirled into Reeni's world.

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CAN YOU SEE ME?
By Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

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

This middle-grade novel centers around sixth-grader Tally and her experiences starting middle school. But as well as adjusting to life in a new school and her "friends" changing before her eyes (becoming boy-crazy and into make-up), Tally has the added challenge of managing her autism and keeping the struggle silent.

Tally's journey is based on Ms. Scott's own experiences with autism and is a moving story about what it means to be "normal." It is told in close third person with interspersed diary entries written by Tally.

No doubt this book will prove to be an integral part of any school and library collection and an important conversation-starter for communities seeking to better understand autism and provide accommodations for autistic members.

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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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Polly Diamond and the Super Stunning Spectacular School Fair
by Alice Kuipers (Illustrated by Diana Toledano)

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

This fun chapter book series continues to delight readers with this installment (book 2). 

In this story, Polly and her magic book (a book which makes anything written in it a reality) get into trouble and out again at the school book fair. Polly’s spunky personality jumps of the page and the magic book premise is fun for readers. With simple language, page turning action, and great illustrations, this is a perfect read for the chapter book crowd. 

Pair with popcorn and cotton candy for the ultimate experience! (read the book to find out why)

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MEENA MEETS HER MATCH by Karla Manternach

MEENA MEETS HER MATCH is a cute early middle-grade novel about friendship and life in the third grade. The protagonist (Meena) jumps off the page and her love of recycling trash into art and craft projects is refreshing and fun. 

While this book is largely an exploration of a falling out between friends, Meena also experiences a medical issue—seizures. She is diagnosed with epilepsy during the course of the story and experiences seizures and attends tests such as MRI scanning. An author's note provides more information on this condition and also relates Meena's medical issues to that of the author's daughter. 

A great transition book for readers stepping up from chapter books with an interesting and unique subplot of epilepsy. Follow reading with your favorite recycled craft activity for the complete 'Meena' experience. Enjoy!

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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!

Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker: Incognito By Shelley Johannes

Publication date: 9/18/18

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

This is the second book in the Beatrice Zinker series and it is an absolute delight. Readers will love journeying with Beatrice undercover as she tries to solve school life issues and mysteries. Throughout the book, Beatrice’s energy jumps off the page and each chapter ending brims with suspense— a combination which ensures the book is impossible to put down!
 
The secondary characters are just as unique and fascinating as Beatrice: from Sam, a shy fellow student who reads about Morse code, through to the class teacher, Mrs. Tamarack, whom Beatrice creates a “most strict” award for.
 
Johannes illustrations are as fun as her text, especially all the depictions of Beatrice’s upside-down poses. Chapter book readers in grade 2-5 will have a blast reading this.  

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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.