Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is focused on books that have recently been added to our collection meaning they are new!!!! New books are the best; they have a new book smell and there is just something about being one of the first people to read it. There is a great mix of realistic, nonfiction, and graphic novels this week; there is literally something for everyone! These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #2021youthnewbooks as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new Middle Grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt--When Izzy's father comes out as a transgender woman named Danielle, Izzy doesn't understand and retreats into herself, worrying that her family will fall apart. As her family tries to cope and deal with what happens next, Izzy's classmates find out and a whole other world of stress descends upon Izzy. But with supportive adults and friends, Izzy learns important lessons about acceptance and gender differentiation.
Doodleville by Chad Sell--Drew loves to draw, and she has created an entire town, Doodleville, for her doodles to live in. But little does Drew know how much her doodles and her emotions are connected when her doodle, Leviathan or Levi for short, turns evil. As Drew becomes more and more upset, Levi causes more chaos. Her friends want to eliminate Levi because of his destruction, but Drew can't bring herself to destroy one of her creations. Drew believes that she can make him good again on her own, but she learns that with the help of her friends, she might be able to tame Levi and save Doodleville.
It’s Outta Here! by Matt Doeden--Explains the lore and history of baseball's home run hit, offers statistics and facts about it, profiles professional baseball's most famous home run plays, and outlines the cheating methods players have used to hit more of them.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps--Ellie, a plus-size teenager has been bullied and fat-shamed for her weight since she was five years old. As a result, she's developed rules for public behavior to avoid embarrassment, such as walking slowly to avoid jiggling and not eating in public. The one place Ellie truly feels at home is in her swimming pool where she feels weightless and can spread out as far as she wants. With the help of her supportive therapist and father, Ellie grows tired of feeling shame and endeavors to live unapologetically.
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner--Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush is obsessed with all things witch, which means she's a bit of an outcast in school. Then one day some bullies cause her to lash out with magic powers she never knew she had. Her mother tells her that she comes from a long line of witches and that their town, Founder's Bluff, has a long history of witch drama, especially with the Kramer family who've been at war with witches for centuries. Moth and a Kramer boy become best friends, and along with a talking cat and a magic diary, Moth sets out to discover her true identity.
How To Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby--After being diagnosed with depression, Pluto's situation is made worse when she continually skips her medication and school. When her father intervenes and wants her to move away from her mother and with him to New York City, Pluto realizes she must act fast to get back to her old self. But even with the help of a new friend named Fallon, a new therapist, and a new tutor, Pluto learns that her depression isn't something she can cure.