Middle School Reads!

 by Tony Weaver, Jr. illustrated by Jes and Cin Wibowo Tony Weaver loves comic books, superheroes and video games, but not everyone in 7th grade feels the same way.  Some kids think he is a weirdo and they bully him every chance they get.  His parents have tried several different schools in hopes that he will find one where the kids will accept him just the way he is.  With the help of his family and a therapist, Tony begins to feel more confident in showing the world who he is and being seen for the amazing person that he is now and hopes to be in the future.

by Cece Bell Genre:  Memoir, Graphic Novel Cece Bell is starting a new school and she is worried about what others will think about her.  Cece is deaf and has to wear hearing aids that are clearly visible to everyone else and her teacher has to wear a special microphone that works in conjunction with her hearing aid.  Cece feels like everyone looks at her strangely and she isn't sure if kids will want to be friends with her.  All Cece wants is to fit in and make new friends.  Will it be possible or will she need to develop a superpower to overcome her problems?

by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell Lexile:  850 Genre:  Memoir/Graphic Novel John Lewis continues his memoir about his role in the Civil Rights Movement in  March, Book Two . The story picks up with John's involvement with the nonviolence movement through peaceful sit-ins and freedom bus rides.  John and his fellow protestors are repeatedly attacked, punished, and jailed, but they refuse to post bond and pay their fees.  They remain determined in their quest for equal rights.

by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell Lexile:  760 Genre:  Memoir/Graphic Novel Growing up, John Lewis loved chickens and wanted to become a pastor.  He lived in the South and grew up experiencing the injustices in society between whites and blacks.  His uncle took him on a trip to the North where is eyes were opened even further to the different ways in which people were treated. He met Martin Luther King, Jr. and started to learn about nonviolent methods.  He became involved with the Civl Rights Movement because he wanted his voice to be heard and he wanted to become part of the movement to bring about change.

by:  Malala Yousafzai Lexile:  810 Genre:  Memoir I am Malala  tells the story of how one girl decided to take a stand and speak up for the right of all girls to have an education.  Malala was growing up in Pakistan and attended her father's school until the Taliban took over and declared that all girls over the age of 10 would no longer be allowed to go to school.  Malala spoke out against this injustice to anyone who would listen and soon began to be recognized as an international spokesperson on peace and educational rights.  This attention brought awareness to the plight of many young people in Pakistan, but it also drew the attention of the Taliban who were willing to go to great lengths to silence Malala's message.

by Jacqueline Woodson Lexile:  990 Genre:  Memoir/Novel in Verse Jacqueline Woodson shares her story of growing up in the '60s and '70s in both the North and the South.  The story of her childhood emerges through a collection of poems that details the struggles her family faced.  Jacqueline knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer, but school was difficult for her and not everyone believed she could achieve.  But with the strong support of her family, she can to believe that anything is possible.

by Dave Pelzer Lexile:  850 Genre:  Memoir Dave Pelzer recalls the terrifying moments of his childhood when he lived with an abusive mother and a father who stood by and watched it happen.  At first it was just little things, like being excluded from family activities, but over time, the abuse increased and became life threatening.  Dave's story is one of courage and survival that you will never forget.

by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton Lexile:  ??? Genre:  Memoir Margaret is an Inuit girl growing up in the High Arctic.  She begs her father to let her go live with the "outsiders" so that she can go to school and learn to read.  Her father and older sister caution her that living with the "outsiders" is no easy thing.  But Margaret is determined.  She wants an education and is willing to sacrifice whatever she has to, to get one.

by Gary Paulson Lexile: 1180 Genre: Memoir Gary Paulson dedicated this book to "all boys in their thirteenth year; the miracle is that we live through it." This book shares several memories of Gary Paulson's adventures as a teenager growing up in small town Minnesota. You'll read several tales of outrageous extreme sports stunts and come a way feeling amazed that these boys lived to tell the tales!