Rick by Alex Gino

Rick's a little excited and a little nervous about starting middle school. He's been best friends with Jeff for so long they can just hangout and play videogames or sometimes its okay to just hangout. But on the very first day when Jeff starts calling out girls as "hotties," Rick feels uncomfortable because he's never really felt that way about girls....or boys. When Rick decides to visit the school's Rainbow Spectrum, he meets kids of many genders and identities, include the girl who Jeff called a "hottie," and who readers of the author's first book George, will immediately recognize. Rick finds out that it's okay to not be attracted to either boys or girls, and begins the process of discovering what he wants in his own life and making some tough decisions. He begins to see his old friend Jeff in a new light, as a bully and a homophobe, as well as getting to spend more time with his grandfather who encourages him to talk about school and his friends. Funny and surprising, this is a book about LGBTQIAP+ issues that can be read by all kids (yup, I had to look that up, too). 

It Wasn't Me by Dana Allison Levy

Six middle school students lose their midwinter vacation week because someone vandalized Theo's photography display, and the other five were the the only students in the gallery when the crime was discovered. Instead of giving them all suspensions, their teacher, Ms. Lewiston, has talked the principal into holding a Justice Circle instead. And that's when Theo's nightmare really begins. His mom talks him into joining the five suspects who all claim "It Wasn't Me." He thinks he knows everything he needs to know about these five classmates: "the Nerd," "The Princess," "The Jock," "The Weirdo," and "The Screw-Up." But after a few totally unpredictable days of yoga ball soccer, spastic sock puppets, farts, deadly flesh wounds, and lots of candy, the Justice Circle six open up to each other in ways even the unorthodox Ms. Lewiston couldn't have planned. The author admits to being inspired by The Breakfast Club, but the use of restorative justice techniques to reveal her characters is totally original and surprising.

White Bird by R. J. Palacio

 

In the sequel to Wonder called Augie & Me, we meet Julian's Grandmere. White Bird is her story in graphic novel format in answer to her grandson's questions about her mysterious childhood. Sara's village in France is taken over by Nazi soldiers during World War II and as a Jewish girl, she is already experiencing prejudice at school. When the soldiers come to round up the Jewish students, Sara's handicapped seat mate, Julien, helps her escape and his family hides her in a nearby barn. Palacio's artwork vividly shares the drama and emotion with readers.

Small Town Newspapers Rock!

 

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The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes

 

Zane's disability--one leg is shorter than the other forcing him to walk with a cane--may get him teased and into trouble at school but it doesn't prevent him from exploring the volcano in his backyard with his dog Rosie. Unfortunately he also releases the Mayan god of death and darkness, Ah-Puch, also known as the stinking one. A mysterious girl named Brooks who is a nawal, or shape-shifter, explains that Zane is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Zane learns that his mysterious father was a Mayan supernatural, though he's not sure what kind; he could be a nawal or a spirit guide, a demon or a dwarf, or he could be one of the Mayan gods. Now Zane must make a deal with Ah-Puch to save his friends.