The Thing About Jellyfish

The Thing About Jellyfish

After the death of Suzy's "former" best friend during summer vacation Suzy decides that she needs to figure out why her death occurred.  Suzy's not alright with the explanation given by many, "sometimes things just happen." Suzy also makes the decision that words are mostly meaningless and spends the majority of time listening to people and the world around her, instead of talking.  It is through her silent exploration and the death of her friend that she finds information about a rare jellyfish that she feels could be the cause of Suzy's death.  This books opened my eyes to the world of jellyfish, which I had never thought a whole lot about before.  It also made me realize the different ways in which people, especially children grieve for people and moments they have lost.  

Flunked

Flunked by Jen Calonita

Imagine a world where the villains of you favorite Disney movie go to be transformed, this would be that book.  Fairy Tale Reform School, otherwise referred to as FTRS is run by Flora, Cinderella's formerly evil step-mother.  She has seen the error in her ways and decided that it was her duty to help turn the villains of Enchantasia into upstanding citizens.  Gilly, is a thief who steals to help keep money on her parents table is sent to FTRS after one too many incidents with the law. Once she enters FTRS she starts to realize that there are some secrets in this reform school.  This book is great for readers who enjoy fairytales and for anyone who might be interested in what happened to all the villains from their favorite stories. 

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Esperanza Rising is a novel based on a the true-life story of the author's grandmother, named Esperanza.  The story explains how Esperanza has grown up on a ranch, daughter of the wealthy ranch owner.  Then, due to several unfortunate circumstances, Esperanza has to move to the the United States and lives the life of a migrant worker.  The difference between living in Mexico as a wealthy citizen and living in the United States as a migrant worker is shocking to Esperanza, but she soon realizes what's most important in her life.  This is a book that touches on a topic that many students don't know much about, but that they'll find it interesting and touching.

Colin Fisher

Colin Fisher by Ashley Edward Miller

Colin doesn't like to be touched nor can he read others facials expressions, but what he can do is investigate and investigate well.  When a gun is brought into a school cafeteria and accidently goes off Colin wants to solve the crime and make sure the correct suspect is found.  Wayne, the school bully is the most likely suspect, but Colin can prove it wasn't him, now he just has to find out who it really was.  

Students that enjoy mystery and trying to connect the dots will enjoy this book, it will also show them that not all people feel and think the same way.  

Absolutely Almost

 Absolutely Almost By Lisa Graff

Albie is a boy who sees himself as being almost there.  He's never been the best at anything, and everyone tells him "almost."  Throughout the book Albie's struggles are seen, but he is lucky enough to find a great friend in his babysitter, Calista.  Calista teaches Albie how to navigate through life in a more light-hearted way.  Albie ultimately learns how to take pride in himself.

Fish

Fish by L.S. Matthews

Tiger, the child of humanitarian aid workers live in a country where famine and drought is prevalent. The family must leave the country and head back home, however before they leave Tiger rescues a fish that he finds swimming in a muddy pond that will soon dry up.  The family is only able to take what they can carry with them, however Tiger decides that he must take fish along.  The parallels between Tiger and fish are striking while reading the book.  This book is about never given up, which is something we all need to read about.

Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson

For anyone interested in history this book is surely going to be enjoyable. Written for the middle school level this book gives the perfect amount of detail for students 7th grade and up.  I was so intrigued by this book that I read it in one sitting, staying up much later than I expected.  Even though the ending is already know so much additional information that is given which makes this a hard book to put down.

Ungifted

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Donovan Curtis is a middle school student who seems to find trouble, and boy did he find trouble in this book.  Due to a strange mix-up Donovan ends up in the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a school for gifted and talented students.  Even though Donovan doesn't quite fit in, he helps change the ideas and perception of some staff and students that he encounters.  This book will make you realize that most people don't fit into specific categorizes and that everyone is gifted in their own way.

Paperboy

Paperboy by Vince Vawter

I wasn't sure what to expect out of this book, but I have to tell you it was a delightful tale of a young boy who struggled with stuttering.  This book, based on the author's life was set in the late 1950's.  He takes over a paper route for a friend during the summer knowing that this will force him to speak with people as he collects money.  What he finds throughout the summer is that he is more capable than he thought and that the people in his neighborhood lead interesting lives.  What I like most about this book was the tale of Vince and his elderly neighbor, it make you realize that we all can learn from each other.

Rain Reign

Rain Reign by Ann. M. Martin

This was an excellent book that was told through the perspective of Rose Howard, a middle-school girl with Asperger's syndrome.  Rose loves prime numbers, following the rules, and homonyms, which is why she names her dog Rain.  Rose has to deal with a devastating hurricane in her city, as well as feeling misunderstood.  This book is one that touches on what it is like to be brave and do the right thing.  I highly recommend this book to middle school readers and adults alike.

Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt

What can I say about this incredible book, except read it.  Fish in a Tree is about a middle school girl named Ally who gets in trouble in school mainly because she's trying to divert attention from herself because she has trouble with reading.  However, when Ally's newest teachers sees the bright, creative student that Ally is she begins to open up and discovers why reading is so hard for her.

This book is not only about Ally struggle to read, but about friendships that are made as well.  The characters in this book will make you laugh, cry, and get mad.  If you're looking for an excellent realistic fiction book, check this one out.

The Crossover

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

With a bolt of lightning on my kicks...The court is SIZZLING.  My sweat is DRIZZLING.  Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," says 12-year-old Josh. Bell.  This poetic book is a perfect read for middle school students.  It is not only beautiful to read and/or listen to, but the story will keep students and adults wanting to read more.  As someone who is not a lover of basketball, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this book.  What I found is that this book is not just about basketball, but about family, making decisions, loss, and growing up.

Michael Vey

Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25

By: Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey seems like a "typical" student to everyone, however he holds a secret....he has electrical powers.  Michael believes he is the only person with these powers, but he soon finds out he is wrong. The Michael Vey is a series that the middle schools students have found and loved. The students keep asking when the next book will be out, and I have to tell them that there is no official release date yet. I feel the same way as the students.  I found this book and series so far interesting, exciting, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.  There are many of us looking forward to finishing this series.

Chains

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

This is a book about 13-year-old Isabel who is promised freedom upon the death of her owner, however what was suppose to happen does not happen.  The story takes place at the beginning of the Revolutionary War and her new owners have no sympathy for the war or for Isabel and her younger sister.  This is a fantastic historical fiction book.  The background on the Revolutionary War is excellent and will captive middle school readers right away.  The is one of my top five favorite young adult books.

Counting by 7's

Counting by 7'sby Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow is a young girl who deals with the heartache of the death of her parents.  She is thrown into an unknown world and must learn to adapt.  She finds comfort in grouping things by 7's.  Willow's journey is sad, yet sweet.  She shows the resilience that people have in life, even when dealing with difficult situations.  Willow is a quirky and inspirational character that many young adults can relate to.