Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about Possibilities of Change!!! We are exploring books that are inspirational and explore the idea and concepts of changing ourselves and the world around us; we have an incredible mixture of fiction and nonfiction titles this week which will open our eyes to others and situations around us and will inspire us to make and lead change through our example. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthinspire as well as on Libby and Hoopla.
The 2022 Summer Reading Program Oceans of Possibilities is taking place from June 4th-August 10th with a new theme and badge activities every week. Make sure to watch the Middle Grade Book Spotlight book talk video for this week as it counts towards your badge activities for the week; if you read one of the titles featured or on the tagged list, that counts as another activity as well!!! Earn the weekly themed badges to get your virtual tickets which can be turned into opportunities to win prizes! For more information--such as to sign up or to sign in to your account in order to track your books and activities--visit our Summer Reading page and click “LOG IN NOW”.
Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
Madam C.J. Walker Builds a Business by Salani Perera--Provides a fictional biography of African American businesswoman Madam C.J. Walker, who founded a successful business selling hair products at the beginning of the twentieth century. Includes color illustrations, an afterword, and writing activities.
Me and Marvin Gardens by A.S. King--When a new development springs up on farmland that once belonged to 11-year-old Obe Delvin's family, he loses more than just the open space he cherished—he loses his best friend to the kids who've moved in. More alone than ever, Obe spends his days down by the creek where one day he spots an odd creature eating plastic. Obe names his new friend Marvin Gardens and vows to keep him a secret in order to protect him. But keeping one secret might require Obe to reveal others, and he'll have to take risks that force him to be braver than he ever knew he could be.
Rising Water by Marc Aronson--Chronicles the true story of twelve boys and their coach who were trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018. Explores the events that led up to the confinement, the efforts made to free them, and their rescue three days after being trapped.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang--Mia Tang and her immigrant parents are not exactly living the American dream since moving here from China--they live in the Calivista Motel, and Mia must tend to its guests. Her parents, meanwhile, have been hiding illegal immigrants in the motel's empty rooms, risking the wrath of the owner, Mr. Yao. On the personal life front, Mia wants to become a writer, but her mother is being very discouraging because she is better at math and English is not her first language. No matter what, however, Mia vows to follow her dreams.
Dress Coded by Carrie Firestorm--Middle schooler Molly Frost starts a podcast in protest of her school's unfair dress code policies, which disproportionately affect young girls, especially those with curvy bodies. When her podcast gains notoriety, she faces not only bullying, but also the scrutiny of the local school board.
Take Back the Block by Chrystal Giles--Wes Henderson would much rather be playing video games than going to protests with his parents. But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has grown up in, the anti-gentrification protests his mom makes him march in take on a whole new meaning. Now, all the adults seem to do is argue, and the residents of the neighborhood are divided. Even Wes's friends are fighting, and some of them may be moving away. Wes realizes he finally has a cause he can believe in, and he has to find a way to save the only home he's ever known before it's too late.