Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about Possibilities of Exploration!!! We are taking a look at stories that feature hobbies, games, and activities that you may be doing right now or may be inspired to explore and try this summer or in the future. Because of all of the possibilities, there is a little bit of something for everyone--some are more serious than others while we have some fiction and nonfiction as well as others that combine different types of genres. You may be inspired to try something new and the book you read may be the jumping off point you need. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthbasketball, #youthlandofsugar, #youthgaming, #youthsports, #youthbookworms, #youthfootballstories, #youthartists, and #youthmusicalstories 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!!
Dream, Annie, Dream by Waka T. Brown--In 1987 Kansas, Japanese American middle school student Aoi Inoue dreams of playing professional basketball and becoming a superstar. But first, she'll have to make the basketball team and land a role in a play. Things are looking up at the beginning of seventh grade when she makes the basketball team and lands a role in a school production of "The King and I." However, she overhears hurtful comments that she only got the part because she's Asian and begins to notice other opinions and assumptions about her by others. Determined not to let these attitudes limit her, Aoi forges ahead with her dreams, determined to prove everyone wrong.
Undefeated by Steve Sheinkin--Features the underdog story of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School football team which under the leadership of coach Pop Warner and player Jim Thorpe became known as "the team that invented football." Highlights the systematic governmental persecution by the government and the players' determination and grit, on and off the field, that led them to defeat more privileged schools like Army and Harvard.
Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes--Twelve-year-old June Harper, shocked when her parents go on a campaign to clear the Dogwood Middle School library of objectionable books, starts a secret banned books library in an empty locker.
Homerooms & Hall Passes by Tom O’Donnell--In the fantasy realm of Bríandalör, Thromdurr the barbarian, Devis the thief, Vela the paladin, Sorrowshade the Gloom Elf assassin, and Albiorix the wizard take a break from their hectic adventuring to play the "fantasy" role-playing game Homerooms & Hall Passes in which they are average American eighth graders.
A Batch Made in Heaven by Suzanne Nelson--Aspiring baker Mina starts her mentorship at the local bakery, A Batch Made in Heaven. However, Flynn, the bakery owner's son, won't let Mina into the top-secret kitchen. If Mina can't bake, she has no chance of winning a big cookie competition and using the prize money to help her dad open the restaurant of his dreams. Mina must find a way to make her family and herself happy.
A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser--Sixth grader June Yang and her Chinese American family move into a homeless shelter after her father's death. Resident Tyrell, who also is in sixth grade, offers to show June the ropes, since he's lived there for three years and thinks being there is much better than living alone with his unreliable mother. June is devastated to learn she isn't allowed to play her viola, the instrument her father purchased for her from his tip money, but learns that Tyrell also has a love of classical music and together they listen to a mysterious neighbor practice their violin in the evenings. When the pair hear their families may be forced out of the shelter, they decide to take action to save their home.