Middle School Reads!

by Renee Watson Lexile:  680 Genre:  Realistic Fiction Jade attends St. Francis High School on a scholarship and she is tired of people thinking that she needs help if she is going to "make it" in the world.  She has to get up very early and take the city bus out of her neighborhood to attend the mostly white high school.  Her counselor recommends her for a mentorship program that could result in a college scholarship if she completes the program.  Jade has some reservations about accepting yet another offer of "help",  and when she meets her mentee, Maxine, she has even more concerns.  Is Maxine another person who thinks she needs saving?

by Pam Munoz Ryan Lexile:  680 Genre:  Historical Fiction Friedrich, Micheal, and Ivy are all growing up in different times and in different places.  The one thing they have in common:  a harmonica.  This harmonica has a long life and story as it passes from one person to the next.  It's journey begins in Germany, then moves to Pennsylvania, and eventually ends up in California.  It changes the lives of many and eventually brings these three people together. This book is a most amazing way to tell a story.

by Rachel Vail Lexile:  620 Genre:  Realistic Fiction Gracie is trying to navigate the challenges of 8th grade.  There are boys who are friends and boys who maybe she is starting to think about as being more than friends.  And then there is her group of girl friends and their interests are changing too.  On top of that Gracie's parents are over the top protective of her and because her older sister died before she was born, Gracie is struggling to be the perfect daughter that she thinks her parents expect her to be.  8th grade is tough, but Gracie is going to make it through.