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!

 

Visit My Bitmoji Virtual Library

 

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.

So Many Books, So Little Time...

 Sometimes I get overwhelmed by good recommendations, so I'm just going to park these three great lists from Janet Dawson of Springfield, Massachusetts here--

• Persistence and Grit
  http://kidsbookaday.com/2020/08/28/10-picture-books-that-teach-persistence-and-grit/
  
  
• Community and Kindness
  https://kidsbookaday.com/2020/08/21/10-picture-books-about-kindness-and-community/
  
  
• Back-to-School
  https://kidsbookaday.com/2020/08/15/back-to-school-with-books/

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Laura Freeman

 The poet Nikki Grimes begins, "Life is a story / you write day by day. / Kamala's begins with a name / that means "lotus flower." / See how her beautiful smile / opens wide, like petals / fanning across the water's surface? / But you don't see the flower's roots. Her roots. / They grow deep, deep, deep down. / Let me show you." Combining verse from Grimes with the colorful illustrations of Laura Freeman, the book tells young people about the "roots" of the US Senator and vice-presidential nominee, about her Indian mother and Jamaican father, moving to Canada, and returning to the United States for college and a career in public service.

Woke: a Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III.

What does it mean to be "woke'? The poet tells young people "Our voice / is our greatest power .... It happens everywhere / It is active / It is energy / It is resisting to be comfortable / When we all have yet to feel safe and free." Many poems tell individual stories and slices of family life. All of the poems are "tagged" with topics, including "activism," "ableism," "ally," "body positivity," "community," "empathy," "equality," "forgiveness," "freedom fighters," "gender," "immigration," "intersectionality," "individuality," "joy," "justice," "prejudice," "privilege," "protest," "resistance," "resourcefulness," "silencing," "stereotyping," "volunteering," "woke."

we are awake

wide in our understanding

of what is so pretty and shiny

of what is dull and dim

in this world

but look here 

even wider

between our outstretched arms

a brave and growing world

look closely

don't forget 

we invited you here

to live inside

this truth

this freedom

we never sleep on what's at stake

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry; illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Zuri loves her hair even though it has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. She's tried all kinds of styles: princess braids with beads; superhero puffs; it even does magic tricks when the weather changes. But this morning is a special day and she wants to let her daddy sleep in. Zuri tries to style her hair by herself. But there's a crash in the bathroom and daddy wakes up anyway. He tries every style imaginable, but nothing is right for the big day. Finally daddy gets out the oil. He parts and he twists and he braids. Ta da! Funky puffy buns, just in time for mommy to get home.

Available on Hoopla.

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet

Vanessa is the new girl in school. You don't need words to see how anxious she is. Will she make friends? Will she be invited to play with the other kids? This is the boy who isn't ver nice to her. Why is he so angry? What is he pointing at? What does he see in Vanessa that he doesn't like? And this is the girl who helps Vanessa and who stands up for what is right. What does she think about the boy who was mean? Why is she sad when she gets home? How did she decide to go visit Vanessa on the way to school the next day? How do simple acts of kindness change everything?

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart; illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Why are people different colors? This little girl wants you to know how you can become a purple person. Purple People love to ask questions. Purple People laugh a lot. Purple People use their voice and don't stop using it. Purple People work hard. Do you need to actually paint yourself purple? Nah, just be the best you that you can be. The world needs more purple people just like you.