Book Reviews
Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem [Blue Stars] by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith; illus. by Molly Murakami Intermediate, Middle School Candlewick 176 pp. 3/24 9781536204995 $22.99 Paper ed. 9781536228663 $12.99 e-book ed. 9781536237368 $12.99 In their first graphic novel collaboration, Magoon and Smith introduce readers to cousins Riley...
Next Stop by Debbie Fong; illus. by the authorIntermediate, Middle School RH Graphic/Random 272 pp.3/24 9780593425206 $21.99Library ed. 9780593425213 $24.99Paper ed. 9780593425183 $13.99e-book ed. 9780593425190 $8.99Fong’s deeply moving graphic novel opens with an intriguing premise: Pia Xing, a reserved and lonely middle schooler, says goodbye to her father and embarks...
Henry and the Something New by Jenn Bailey; illus. by Mika SongPrimary Chronicle 56 pp.3/24 9781797213903 $14.99In his second early-chapter-book outing (Henry, like Always, rev. 3/23), Henry—a sensitive child who presents as being on the autism spectrum—is ambivalent about a field trip to the natural history museum. “Henry was excited....
Ferris by Kate DiCamilloIntermediate Candlewick 240 pp.3/24 9781536231052 $18.99e-book ed. 9781536237375 $18.99Returning to her literary roots in Florida (see: Because of Winn-Dixie, rev. 7/00; Raymie Nightingale, rev. 3/16), DiCamillo again explores bonds of family, friends, and community. Ferris Winkey finds the summer before fifth grade a puzzling one. Much turbulence...
Not the Worst Friend in the World by Anne RellihanIntermediate Holiday 272 pp.2/24 9780823454792 $17.99e-book ed. 9780823457663 $10.99In this pitch-perfect middle-grade novel, Lou (short for Louise) copes with her deep shame over some unkind words she said in anger to Francie, her (now former) best friend. Lou can hardly believe...
Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto; illus. by the authorIntermediate Groundwood 216 pp.2/24 9781773068626 $22.99e-book ed. 9781773068633 $16.99In this gorgeous graphic novel with minimal text, it’s an ordinary day as Poppy takes her dog, Pepper, out for a walk, all the while listening to music, scrolling mindlessly through her cell phone. Pepper,...
The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson Intermediate, Middle School Labyrinth Road/Random 304 pp. 2/24 9780593646298 $17.99 Library ed. 9780593646304 $20.99 e-book ed. 9780593646311 $10.99 Hutchinson’s (Howl, rev. 7/22) middle-grade debut is a captivating combination of dark fantasy and tween drama built on a cast of nuanced characters,...
Shark Teeth by Sherri WinstonMiddle School Bloomsbury 304 pp.1/24 9781547608508 $17.99e-book ed. 9781547608515 $12.59Sharkita is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, although her life finally feels like it is on the right track. Her mom is now employed and sober, and Kita has been reunited with her two...
Alterations by Ray Xu; illus. by the authorIntermediate, Middle School Union Square 240 pp.1/24 9781454945840 $24.99Paper ed. 9781454945857 $14.99Kevin Lee, a 1990s Chinese Canadian boy, struggles with being invisible among his peers, but somehow lands in the spotlight at the most embarrassing moments. When he brings preserved eggs to middle...
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