Middle School Reads!

 by Natalia Sylvester Genre:  Realistic Fiction For as long as she can remember, Veronica has wanted to be a mermaid.  She loves to swim and that has been helpful for her rehabilitation from hip surgery.  She was born with hip dysplasia so has had to endure many painful surgeries, but this time she is determined to get what she wants.  Her parents do not think that becoming a professional mermaid makes any sense, but it is what Veronica has always wanted to do.  When a rare opening occurs to work at Mermaid Cove, Veronica decides to secretly audition for the part.  If she gets it, she will figure out a way to convince her parents that being a professional mermaid is worth her time and effort.

 by Alex Gino Genre:  Realistic Fiction Green is lucky in many ways.  They have a supportive family and friend group, but the confusing thing is that they might have a crush on Ronnie and they aren't sure how Ronnie feels about them.  When the school announces that they will be doing the Wizard of Oz play, Green asks Ronnie to join the crew.  Green and Ronnie are having fun working behind the scenes, but Green still isn't sure how Ronnie feels about them.  Will Green work up the courage to ask?  Growing up is so confusing!

 by Donna Gephart Genre:  Realistic Fiction Lily has known from a young age that she is a girl, but her father is insistent that she grow up as a boy even though she has tried to explain to him how she feels.  The older she gets, the harder it is to pretend to be something she is not.  Dunkin is new in town and he is dealing with his own secrets. He is trying to make new friends, but is struggling with whether or not he wants to be part of the basketball team who seem to have a lot of fun together, some of which includes bullying Lily.  Dunkin knows it is wrong, but he also likes being part of the group for once.  Maybe if these two figure out who they truly are, they will be able to work together to make life better for everyone.

 by Hannah Reynolds Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Romance Shira wants a boyfriend more than anything and she has found the perfect candidate - Isaac.  He is interning at her family's company and is going to spend Hanukkah with her family in Nantucket.  Shira has all kinds of ideas about how she might get Isaac's attention, but she is terrible at flirting and doesn't want to mess up this opportunity.  She turns to her next door neighbor, Tyler, whom she had a crush on for many years when she was younger.  Tyler seems to have no problem attracting the interests of lots of girls so Shira convinces him to help her.  He agrees to give her flirting lessons in exchange for an introduction to Shira's great uncle who could get Tyler an internship.  Will Shira's grand scheme work?

 by Marcia Argueta Mickelson Genre: Realistic Fiction Millie Vargas knows that after she graduates from high school, her life is going to change.  She has a full ride scholarship to Stanford University, but hasn't worked up the courage to tell her mother yet because her mom depends on her to help the family stay together.  Her mom works long hours as a housekeeper for the wealthy Wheeler family who is in the midst of a senate race.  When Mr. Wheeler turns his campaign focus on immigration, he unknowingly places Millie's family in a tough situation.  Millie's family came across the border illegally and worked hard to earn their citizenship.  Millie wants to stay out of the conversation, but her mom and others, feel that she should get involved and do whatever she can to support others who have not been as fortunate as her family.  

 by Ellen Hagen Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse Beatrice Miller is getting ready to be a 7th grader and she has lots of questions.  Who is she?  Who will she become?  Will her two best friends stay her best friends? Will they be popular?  All of these questions prove to have tricky answers and Beatrice will have to struggle to find the right answers for herself.  One thing is certain..being a 7th grader is not easy.