Category Archives: Middle Grades (5-8)

MG – Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life

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Steinkellner, Emma. Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life. Labyrinth Road, 2023. 978-0-593-57066-1. 220 p. $21.99. Grades 4-8.

12 year-old Nell Starkeeper lives in the magical town of Gumbling where her friends are fairies and centaurs. Her dad runs a magic star farm, and she has dreams of becoming an artist. It is her 7th grade year, and all students are assigned an apprenticeship. Nell is hoping to be assigned to Wiz Bravo – an artist. Unfortunately, she gets the “worst” assignment possible. Though that is not the only problem she is facing…the town of Gumbling is about to be sold to become an upscale resort. Will this graphic novel have a happy ending for the town and for Nell?

THOUGHTS: Such a great graphic novel. The illustrations are so vivid and fun! The students will get lost in the images looking at all the clever details.

Graphic Novel

Elem./MG – Green

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Gino, Alex. Green. Scholastic, 2023. 978-1-33877-614-0. $17.99. 224 p. Grades 3-6.

Green Gibson, a non binary student at Jung Middle School, is excited about the upcoming musical The Wizard of Oz.  The students in Spectrum, the LGBTQIA+ club, have even convinced the director to cast the roles without regard to gender to give more students a chance. Green is thrilled to be part of the stage crew, especially when they find out their crush Ronnie is also on the crew. Green and Ronnie have a blast when they hang out together in Spectrum and at play rehearsals, but Green thinks Ronnie identifies as straight, and Green is not exactly sure how to broach that subject. While Green is trying to figure out Ronnie, their body is going through its own changes, and Green isn’t sure how they feel about them. These are changes that typically happen to females, but Green doesn’t identify as either gender, so it sometimes feels like their body is betraying them. Green has to figure out where they stand with Ronnie while also embracing the complexity of puberty and the challenges that brings to a nonbinary tween.

THOUGHTS: Fans of Gino’s Melissa and Rick will enjoy revisiting the same characters found in those two books. Green’s internal dialogue can sometimes feel a little forced, but it is still a feel-good story. Gino handles the topic of gender identity with gentle care and without any graphic details.

Realistic Fiction

Elem./MG – Project F.

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DuPrau, Jeanne. Project F. Random House, 2023. 978-0-593-64380-8. $17.99. 213 p. Grades 3-7.

Keith is thirteen and living in a world where fossil fuels are no longer used for power and electricity. After all, fossil fuels destroyed the Earth, and now, hundreds of years later, Keith and his friends and family enjoy the simple pleasures of life without the destructive conveniences fossil fuels afforded their ancestors long ago. Keith learns that his aunt and uncle have passed away and his cousin, Lulu, is coming to live with his family. His parents cannot get away from work, so Keith takes the train to meet her and plans on accompanying her back to his home. On the train, he meets a man named Malcolm who gets off at a station before the stop where Lulu is waiting for him. Later, Keith realizes he has accidentally switched bags with Malcolm. Inside Malcolm’s bag, he finds written pages about something called Project F. Once he picks up Lulu, he decides to take a quick detour at Malcolm’s stop to return his bag… and possibly find out what Project F is all about. Once there, he and Lulu find out that Project F might allow people to fly! Keith is certain this will change the world. Imagine if people could fly from place to place! Seeing Keith’s enthusiasm for the invention, Malcolm decides to do a special demonstration of Project F in Keith’s hometown. Once Keith and Lulu get home, they keep Project F a secret so as not to ruin the special demonstration. But then, Keith learns what Project F uses as fuel for flying, and suddenly he is not sure if the progress of this invention is worth the destruction it may bring.

THOUGHTS: This cautionary tale about climate change and the cost of modern conveniences is timely. Students who are fans of DuPrau’s City of Ember will enjoy this book. It is a must-buy for librarians serving upper elementary and middle grade patrons.

Science Fiction

MG – Ultraviolet

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Salazar, Aida. Ultraviolet. Scholastic Press, 2024. 978-1-338-77565-5. 304 p. $18.99. Grades 6-8.

Eighth grader Elio Solis falls in love with fellow classmate Camelia, but Elio doesn’t know quite what to do with his burgeoning feelings…and his hormones. Coming from several generations of ‘machismo’ Latino men, Elio struggles to reconcile his new unregulated emotions with the need to be traditionally ‘masculine’: stoic and strong. Elio is kind and caring toward Camelia. He is the best new boyfriend he can possibly be. When Elio discovers Camelia has also started to text with a rival classmate, Chava, he seethes with anger and sorrow. Then, to make matters worse, Chava sends Elio bikini pictures of Camelia to further taunt him. Elio has a decision to make: will he fight Chava, make Camelia also feel the hurt he feels, or will Elio learn to forgive and move forward?

THOUGHTS: Ultraviolet is a fresh novel-in-verse examining the dangers of toxic masculinity, navigating romantic relationships, consent, and friendship. I truly empathize with Elio—first, with his feelings of bursting love, and later, with his angst. Salazar includes a number of timely and relevant teen topics without ever feeling didactic: lots of Elio’s thoughts are about physical changes associated with puberty, consent, social media, and gender. Yes: the words ‘cap’ and ‘rizz’ are also in there. The story is written from Elio’s sole perspective, which means we miss out on knowing exactly what Camelia is feeling except through her direct dialogue. However, standing (in discomfort) in Elio’s shoes with his conflicting feelings is quite effective. I can’t recall having read many other stories that cover these topics from a middle school cisgender boy’s perspective, and certainly not in this accessible verse format. Recommended for addition to middle school collections.

Realistic Fiction

Elem./MG – Wires Crossed

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Fantaskey, Beth. Wires Crossed. Illustrated by Oneill Jones. Clarion Books, 2024. 978-0-358-39621-5. Unpaged. $24.99. Grades 3-6.

Mia and Tariq are best friends at a STEM summer sleepaway camp. Tariq surprises Mia in the fall by moving to her hometown after his mom gets a new job. What Mia thinks will be an awesome transition takes a turn when Tariq arrives and seems…different. He’s confident and super athletic, but Tariq is still the same science-loving Tariq on the inside. Mia doesn’t know how to cope with this unexpected twist. Mia’s friendships with other classmates are also changing. Mia feels like she is in danger of being left behind. Will anything ever be the same for Mia and Tariq again?

THOUGHTS: Wires Crossed is a new graphic novel perfect for fans of stories like Awkward and Raina Telgemeier’s Smile. This new realistic graphic novel is about those little growing pains of middle school: shifting friendships, crushes, braces, and living with quirky (and let’s face it, embarrassing) family members. Nothing outlandish happens in this book aside from those middle school growing pains, and this coming-of-age simplicity will make the novel relatable to many current middle grade readers. Recommended for addition to upper elementary and middle school collections where realistic graphic format titles are popular.

Graphic Novel

MG – Imagine a Garden: Stories of Courage Changing the World

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Singh, Rina. Imagine a Garden: Stories of Courage Changing the World. Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi. Greystone Kids, 2023. 978-1-771-64713-7. Unpaged. $18.95. Grades 3-6.

Thoughtful, detailed illustrations of paper overlays accompany author Rina Singh’s verses extolling the ingenuity, compassion, and hopefulness of seven global figures who are lights burning in dark times. In an afterword, she names each one and explains in prose how their acts of selflessness helped less fortunate people; but in the body of the book, Singh weaves a verse tale about their actions and Hadadi describes it in her art. The Palestinian mother who uses grenades to hold flowers in memory of her son; the Brazilian dancer who had to forgo a promising career but opened a free ballet school; the would-be engineer who turned his talents toward teaching children in India; the South African man who shared his love of soccer with poor boys in his township; the Canadian Anishinaabe water activist advocating for clean water for indigenous peoples; the Mexican artist who melts down and transforms guns into beautiful art; the Greek restaurant owner who opened her doors to hungry Syrian refugees.This book would be difficult for younger students to read independently. It requires an awareness of suffering and a broad worldview. The relative obscurity of the book’s heroes paves the way for readers to look for their own hidden heroes. Students can extend the book through biographical searches, ideas for service learning projects, interpretation of facts into verse, or depiction of scenes of people doing good works in the paper medium. Teachers can use this book in lessons highlighting peace and social justice.

THOUGHTS: This book is beautiful to behold; the illustrations tell a story on their own. The true stories of the featured people following the verses may need to be read first for young readers to comprehend the verse’s meaning. Creative teachers can link current events to these varied geographical, contemporary settings. A specialized addition to a school library collection. 

302 Social Communities

MG – Saving Chupie

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Ortiz, Amparo. Saving Chupie. Illustrated by Ronnie Garcia. HarperAlley, 2023. 978-0-06-295028-4. 224 pp. $19.99. Gr. 3-7.

Violeta and her family have just touched down in Puerto Rico to spend the summer helping her grandmother (“Abuela”) re-open her restaurant, La Casita, post-Hurricane Maria. The adults have more than enough work to keep them busy, but they will not accept Violeta’s help. Frustrated, she longs to feel useful and a little less lonely. When Abuela learns from her butcher, Amanda, that their meat supplier’s animals have been viciously attacked, Violeta is more interested in the opportunity for a new friend in Amanda’s son, Diego. Diego soon reveals that he suspects “El Chupacabra” is behind the attacks, but Violeta knows that monsters aren’t real. At least, she thinks they aren’t real … until she finds a baby “Chupie” in the woods while on chupacabra patrol with Diego and his friend, Lorena. When Chupie saves her from a trap, Violeta realizes that he is not a fearsome beast but just a youngster in need of protection. She secretly hides Chupie in her Abuela’s shed, but not everyone agrees with her decision to shelter a cryptid. Can Violeta and her new friends come together to save Chupie from a bigger danger than chupacabras? Author Amparo Ortiz has created a stand-out middle grade graphic novel that blends the fantastical with the all-too-real. Artist Ronnie Garcia colorfully depicts the Puerto Rican setting through lush greens and sparkling blues. And of course, winsome Chupie (and his adorable underbite) are the star of the show!

THOUGHTS: Themes of family, friendship, and bravery ground this exciting tale of magical creatures!

Graphic Novel

MG – Mexikid

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Martín, Pedro. Mexikid. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-593-46228-7. 309 p. $24.99. Grades 5-8.

In this graphic memoir, a Mexican-American family goes on an adventure-filled road trip to Mexico to bring their Abuelito to live in California. Martín identifies himself as a Mexikid–Martín’s term for himself as first-generation American child of Mexican immigrants with “one heart belonging to both sides.” Mexikid takes place in the late 1970s, and is filled with nostalgic family memories: the Winnebago, a brother’s cassette recorder, and shows like Happy Days. Martín is one of nine children. The sibling interactions and intergenerational interactions are the heart (and the humor!) of this tale. Along the way, the siblings meet many of Abuelito’s friends and extended family members. By the end, Martín grows a great deal from this experience, and Abuelito settles into California life with the family.

THOUGHTS: I couldn’t stop laughing out loud while reading this book—particularly the first half. This memoir has a great mix of humor and heart. Mexikid is a wonderful window into the realistic dynamics of a family. Pieces of the memoir’s second half are incredibly sad (at one point, the family must recover and move their Abuelita’s grave to save it from being washed away). By the time I got to the growing pains and the stories of this second half, I had become so close to this story’s subjects, I felt like they were extended family. I won’t spoil ‘the deer story’ for you. Middle school students will love Martín’s humor. A few readers may struggle with the Spanish language included in the book, but it is just one of the many things that makes this story authentic (and of course, a window for readers not from this similar heritage). This story highlights culture while also underscoring the universality of families. Highly recommended for all middle school graphic format collections: Martín’s story belongs right alongside recent award-winning graphic memoirs like When Stars Are Scattered and A First Time for Everything.

Graphic Novel
Graphic Memoir

MG – Mascot

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Waters, Charles, and Traci Sorell. Mascot. Charlesbridge, 2023. 978-1-623-54380-8. 248 p. $17.99. Grades 5-8.

In the greater D.C metro area, eighth grade students grapple over an English assignment where they must debate the pros and cons of indigenous mascots. Callie, one of the students involved, catalyzes the debate project after sharing her original poem. The poem disparages the school’s indigenous mascot and the offensive “tomahawk chants” students perform (and, in turn, must endure) at school sporting events. All perspectives and feelings about this issue are represented. During the course of the multiple-perspective verse novel, each stakeholder develops their argument, and some change their minds in the process. The students are also empowered to take action by addressing the school board.

THOUGHTS: After reading this verse novel in its entirety, I am moved by how Charles Waters and Traci Sorell use diverse character perspectives to artfully build an argument against the use of indigenous mascots. The plot itself takes its time building through exposition because Waters and Sorell use the diverse character perspectives to weave in necessary historical context for middle grade readers. It’s worth the wait. Mascot contains a diverse cast of characters with different opinions about the issue. I was concerned that the teacher in this novel would assign a debate project about such a triggering issue, but my fears were put to rest almost immediately through the novel’s carefully planned development. Recommended as a relevant addition to all middle school realistic fiction collections. 

Realistic Fiction

Elem./MG – Wildfire

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Bard, Breena. Wildfire. Little, Brown Ink, 2023. 978-0-316-27768-6. 288 p. $24.99. Grades 3-8.

Wildfire opens with rural Oregon tween Julianna heading home from her 4-H meeting and encountering three boys, including her childhood friend Carson, lighting fireworks despite a strict “burn ban.” Later that afternoon, as she and her younger sister are feeding their goats and chickens, their dad rushes home to tell them that they must evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire started by those very fireworks. Their home is destroyed in the fire, and Julianna must begin her eighth grade year in a new school and a new city: Portland, Oregon. Julianna keeps the reason for her move to Portland a secret so that no one will pity her, but Carson’s arrival at her new school makes it especially difficult to make a fresh start. At the urging of some new friends, Julianna joins the Conservation Club and participates in a riverside clean-up, tree planting, letter writing, and an environmental protest. At the protest, suppressed emotions overwhelm her, and she must finally reckon with her deep grief for the home she and her family lost. Julianna’s (and her family’s) grieving process is realistically and sensitively portrayed in this compelling graphic novel. Bright, earthy colors appealingly represent Julianna’s connection with nature and the outdoors. Note that some of the family’s farm animals perish in the fire.

THOUGHTS: As wildfires continue to dominate the news cycle, books such as this one provide middle grade readers with a relatable perspective on their devastating toll. Some may even be inspired to take action against climate change, and author/illustrator Breena Bard provides some tips in her Author’s Note!

Graphic Novel