Middle-Grade Novels
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
by Betty MacDonald
Have a child who talks back? Know a kid who refuses to take a bath? Need to get a picky eater to swallow what's on his plate? Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, the eccentric widow who lives in the upside-down house, is the perfect person to call. She has a clever way of managing even the most spirited children, curing them of their impertinence and childish antics. Each chapter is a stand-alone story of whimsy, adventure, and hilarity that is sure to delight.
Sled Dog School
by Terry Lynn Johnson
Eleven-year-old Matt is struggling in class. He has to do well on an extra credit project or face remedial math. The assignment? To launch an after-school business and keep track of all profits and losses. When all his classmates opt for more traditional entrepreneurial paths, Matt decides to go off the grid and give sled dog lessons. Mushing is what he knows. It's what he loves. Trouble is, he has to have at least three clients to turn a profit, and he's only got two. To make matters worse, the class bully seems to be doing great with his recycling business and wants everyone to know it.
In the end, Matt learns two valuable lessons. First, bullies often bully at school because they are being bullied at home. In other words, hurt people hurt people. And second, a test can't measure some of the most important things in life like perseverance, kindness, and effort.
Please know: Matt's client Alex lies twice. She is never caught in her lie and goes unpunished.
Sweep
by Jonathan Auxier
This is the story of an orphaned sweep named Nan who carries around the last remaining evidence of her father, a charred piece of soot. One day while cleaning a chimney, Nan gets stuck. The only way to get her out is to set the chimney ablaze. Before being rescued, she passes out and later awakens only to find that her special soot has transformed into a kind golem. This new friend is determined to protect her against Wilkie Crudd, the ruthless sweep who controls most of London's "climbing boys" and who will stop at nothing to get rid of Nan and her monster.
War Stories
by Gordon Korman
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, Trevor Firestone and his dad board a plane alongside his great-grandfather, the last surviving member of the battalion who liberated a small French village during WWII. They are headed to France to retrace the steps of his hero--his GG--and to attend a ceremony in his honor. When they receive mysterious threats on social media, they learn that not everyone is happy about their arrival. Perhaps, his great-grandfather is not the war hero Trevor's always believed him to be.
This is a powerful story about the importance of forgiving grudges. Every other chapter takes place in modern time with the alternating chapters jumping back to 1944 and 1945. Because of the complicated and sometimes graphic nature of war, this book is best suited for 10+.
Please note: In one scene, a soldier jokes, "In my next life, I'm coming back as a general." Additionally, there are two instances where someone declares the war to be "hell on earth."
Parents, Be Aware
Manatee Summer
by Evan Griffith
Before the summer ends, Peter and his best friend Tommy are determined to finish their discovery journals, homemade field guides filled with information on 100 different species of Florida wildlife. But Peter's dad has abandoned the family. To make ends meet, his mom must take on extra hours at work, leaving Peter to watch over his grandfather who suffers from dementia. One day, the boys stumble upon an injured manatee. They are determined to protect it. When Peter learns that his mom's biggest client is responsible for the reckless accident that has left irreparable scars on the animal's back, however, the situation becomes quite a bit more complicated.
Things to know: There are many uses of God's name in vain in this book. Additionally, in a typical "kids know best" tone, Peter lies to and then directly disobeys his mother for the sake of "the greater good." Peter is encouraged to tell his truest truth and will do so even at the risk of his relationships. While there are a few redemptive qualities in the book, some may find its "save the animals at all costs" anthem a bit off-putting.
Just for you, Mom
Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys
When four civilian refugees on the German side of WWII converge along the docks trying to gain passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German military troop transporter, their lives intertwine in ways that will affect generations to come. Based on the sinking of a ship that was six times more deadly than the Titanic, this was a fascinating look at the other side of a horrific war--a side that is not often talked about.
I highly recommend listening to this one on audio as I don't think the nuances of all the different dialects would come through as well in the print version.