Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
John Cho’s Troublemaker delivers a gripping, heartfelt look at the 1992 LA Riots through the eyes of a 12-year-old Korean American boy. Written with accessible language and deep emotional resonance, it explores themes of racial injustice, family expectations, and personal growth. A must-have 5-star addition to middle school libraries that perfectly bridges historical fiction with essential conversations about empathy, equity, and community resilience.
K.B. Jackson’s The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary is a fast-paced, heart-warming mystery that brilliantly balances regional folklore with the real-world trials of middle school life. Featuring a captivating plot twist and a lovable trio of young detectives, this high-energy adventure about friendship, family, and forgiveness is a must-have page-turner for elementary and middle school libraries. Perfect for fans of flashlight reading!
Natalie Lloyd’s Hummingbird is a luminous, unforgettable middle-grade masterpiece exploring identity, disability, and belonging. Infused with enchanting magical realism and written with own-voices authenticity, Olive’s journey in her bedazzled wheelchair will capture the hearts of readers who loved Wonder. Highly recommended for middle school librarians and educators seeking a powerful, inspiring story centered on self-acceptance, resilience, and the beauty of our fragile places.
Lolo’s Light is a poignant, unforgettable middle-grade novel that navigates the messy, complicated layers of grief and unfair guilt. When a babysitting job turns into an unexpected tragedy, young Millie must find her way out of the dark. Masterfully written and deeply empathetic, this text is an essential, healing addition for middle school library collections, book clubs, and social-emotional learning spaces.
Award-winning author Reem Faruqi delivers a heartbreakingly beautiful, hope-filled middle grade novel in verse with Call Me Adnan. Following a young Pakistani-American table tennis prodigy navigating an unthinkable family tragedy, this poignant story explores cultural identity, heavy grief, and ultimate healing. Written in evocative, accessible poetry, it provides profound emotional insights and vital Muslim representation for middle and junior high school library collections.