Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith

This heartfelt middle grade novel blends wildlife conservation with friendship and family changes in a touching summer story. Readers will connect with its emotional warmth and love for Florida’s gentle manatees.

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Holes by Louis Sachar

Louis Sachar’s Holes is a funny, heartfelt mystery about fate, friendship, and second chances. Stanley Yelnats’s journey from unlucky teen to unexpected hero is filled with clever twists and meaningful lessons about perseverance and justice. With humor and depth, Sachar creates a story that appeals to both kids and adults, making this a must-read classic for middle-grade classrooms.

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And Then, Boom by Lisa Fipps

Featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him. Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home.

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