Middle School Reads!

by Ashley Herring Blake Lexile:  690 Genre:  Realistic Fiction Sunny St. James has just received a new heart and is trying to figure out if that changes who she is.  Sunny has been raised by Kate, her mom's best friend, because her dad died when she was young and her mom couldn't take care of her.  Kate hasn't heard from Sunny's mom in 8 years, but reaches out to her when Sunny gets sick.  Suddenly, Sunny's mom is back in the picture and Sunny isn't sure if she wants to get to know her or not.  At the same time, Sunny has met a new friend named Quinn.  She and Quinn decide that they are on a quest to experience their first kiss of the summer.  But as they get to know each other better and learn more about who they are, they are no longer sure who they are interested in kissing.  This will be a summer that Sunny never forgets.

by Linda Williams Jackson Lexile:  870 Genre:  Historical Fiction Rosa Lee Carter is growing up in the 1950s in the small town of Stillwater, Mississippi.  Things in her life are changing rapidly.  Parts of her family have moved north for more freedom and a different way of life.  Parts of her family are staying in Stillwater and want life to continue as it always has.  And still other parts of her family are in Stillwater, speaking up for change against the unjust Jim Crow laws.  Rose has to figure out which group she belongs too and it is not an easy decision for her to make.  Which pathway will help her shine brightly?

by Aida Salazar Lexile:  960 Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse Celi Rivera's life is changing as she grows into a young woman.  Her mom wants to celebrate it, but Celi would rather ignore the changes that are happening to her body.  Her best friend Magda is experiencing feelings of change too and is questioning who she wants to be in the future.  Both Celi and Magda will have to rely on their friendship to get them through some challenging situations.  They may not have all the answers, but they are determined to move ahead into the future and find out what lies ahead.