Middle-Grade Novels
The Toothpaste Millionaire
by Jean Merrill
With lots of spunk, imagination, and some basic math skills, sixth grader Rufus Mayflower concocts a plan to become a millionaire. He joins forces with two friends to create, package, and sell homemade toothpaste at a fraction of the cost of the store-bought brands. The entrepreneurial trio face several setbacks along the way including racial discrimination, but they persevere despite the odds stacked against them.
Please note: At one point, one of the secondary characters mentions that she thinks adults are annoying because they don't believe kids are capable enough to tackle hard things.
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow
by Katherine Woodfine
Someone has stolen the Clockwork Sparrow from Sinclair's Department Store in London's Piccadilly Circus. All fingers point to Sophie Taylor, a young orphan girl newly employed in the millinery department. But when the formidable Barron and his boys begin to surface around town, Sophie knows there's more to the story than just a simple frame job. Will she be able to prove her innocence? Or will she take the blame for this underground crime ring?
The first in a 4-part series, this story is Nancy Drew meets Edwardian England.
Please note: As part of the internal artwork of one of the flyleaf pages of the book, the publishers inserted a newspaper clipping that reports the facts of an unsolved murder. One line of the fictitious article reads, "The body of Mr. Daniel Mendel, 52, Clockmaker, was found at his workshop on Hoxton Square on Saturday morning last, his throat having been cut." While there is no mention of this "murder" in the actual text of the book, be aware that the clipping is read aloud at the beginning of the audio version. Additionally, since the book was originally published and recorded in the UK, chapter 20 of the audio version contains the word "a*s" which is not considered an obscene word in some parts of Europe. The publisher replaced it with the word "fool" in the printed American edition. One character says, "For God's sake..."
Old Wolf
by Avi
It is March--the starving time--in the mountains of Colorado. Nashoba must find food for his pack. But rival Garby is young and power-hungry. He longs to overthrow the older wolf and take control.
Casey is a 13-year-old boy who loves playing video games. His favorite is Bow Hunter, a hunting simulator that tracks kills, not deaths. Hunting seems harmless. But when Casey gets a real bow for his birthday, the game isn't quite as fascinating as real life.
Despite what it may seem on the surface, this book does not take either a "for" or "against" stance on hunting. It just seeks to show the viewpoint of long-time predator Nashoba who now finds himself as prey.
Please note: One line reads, "Old Lady Nature is making fun of us." In addition, "Oh my God!" is mentioned twice.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead
by Avi
What could be worse than being orphaned and poverty-stricken? Being orphaned, poverty-stricken, and hunted for a crime you did not commit. To escape the evil clutches of John Aycliffe, the Steward of Stromford, Asta's son leaves the only home he's ever known. With the help of Bear, a traveling minstrel with a chip on his shoulder, the boy is determined to prove his innocence and learn why Aycliffe wants to arrest him. But in doing so, will he learn too much?
Please note: While not necessarily graphic or overtly violent, this story is about a manhunt and may be difficult for sensitive kids. Further, when the boy discovers his true identity, it's clear (although not explicitly mentioned) that he was conceived out of wedlock. In keeping with historical accuracy, the text includes several mentions of the superstitions and state religious practices of 14th-century England. For these reasons, Crispin and its sequels are more suitable for older middle-grade readers and young teens.
Parents, Be Aware
An Elephant in the Garden
by Michael Morpurgo
Inspired by true events, this is the story of how a mother and her two children rescue an orphaned elephant from the Dresden Zoo in order to protect it from the impending air raids of WWII. Not knowing the exact whereabouts of their husband/father who is fighting on the frontlines, the family must flee to the country. But how does one travel with an elephant? When they meet a Canadian navigator who'd been sheltering in an abandoned home, they make the choice to help the enemy. Now they must hide more than just an elephant.
Things to know: While this is a relatively clean book, its heavy theme of war makes it more appropriate for readers 10 and up. That said, I would not hesitate to recommend it to older tweens and young teens.
There are two instances of language in the final chapter of the book. An American soldier uses the words, "hell" and "d*mned."
Just for you, Mom
Famous for a Living
by Melissa Ferguson
From the writer of Meet Me in the Margins comes another clean, contemporary Rom-Com for the Instagram age. Cat Cranwell is a social media influencer. With millions of followers, she's the natural "it" girl for all the major lifestyle brands. Until one day, an app partnership goes awry. She's accused of financial fraud and becomes a social pariah almost overnight. Needing both a place of escape and a steady income, she agrees to leave her Manhattan apartment and work for her uncle as the new social media manager of Kannery National Park in Montana. Will she survive the rustic conditions of wilderness living? And more importantly, will she survive working alongside, Zaiah, the ruggedly handsome park ranger each and every day?