I love this story! Meilan is an American-born middle school girl of Chinese descent, who has had to move from Boston to a small town in Ohio because of a family dispute. This new town is nothing like Boston and the hate/intolerance she faces changes her and leaves her feeling very alone. In particular, the scene with her principal was enraging for me, and to think this still happens in our schools is both disheartening and disappointing. With the help of a friend Meilan is able to recognize her value as a human and in her community.

I had high expectations for this sequel and it lived up to all of them. Funny, touching, sad, happy, this book was a joy to read and the perfect sequel to The One and Only Ivan.

Another fabulous middle-grade. I read this last year to my class of grade fours and LOVED it. I love it for great storyline, the historical teaching, and for the new perspectives it gave both me and my students.

One of my students reminded me today of this great book. 4yrs ago Lucy was hit by lightning and becomes a math genius and savant from the accident. By the time she gets to middle school, she is ready for college. Her grandmother has different plans and insists that Lucy attends one year of middle school where she needs to make 1 friend and join 1 club. There begins her journey of self-discovery.

Still one of my favourite books of all time. Kids love it. Adults love it. Even better news is the sequel, The One and Only Bob, comes out May 5.

Considering the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11 and what is currently happening in Afghanistan, this book came to me at the perfect time. This lovely novel-in-verse begins on 9/11 when Abbey hears about the events unfolding in NYC, by her teachers at her school in Tennessee. Students are sent home, where she learns that her Aunt Rose, who works in the World Trade centre, is missing. Her mom is headed to NYC to be with her sister’s family. Not long after that she finds out her dad, who is in the army, will be headed to Afghanistan. This middle grade novel delves in the themes of loss, identity and family ties. Poignantly written and an honest reflection of what families faced that day and for a long time after 9/11.

This sweet middle grade novel is certainly one many readers will enjoy. Bett contacts Avery via email, out of the blue, to ask what she thinks about their dads' long-distance dating. This is news to Avery and difficult for her neurotic personality to comprehend. They also discover that their dads are sending them to the summer camp together with hopes that they will become quick friends, while the dads vacation together in China. Told through emails and letters from the cast of characters this story is charming, loveable, and lots of fun.

Such an important novel and not surprised at all that it is a YRCA nominee. Set in a private middle school, a young girl questions the school's dress code when the school insists all girls wear skirts. This wonderfully written story about a girl questioning her identity and where she "fits" in the world reflects the questions many young people ask themselves everyday.

When a catastrophic event upends Kemi's life and she must face the grief and sadness that surrounds her, she decides to make a Time Capsule and fill with things that are happy reminders for her and her family. This book caught me off guard with the power of Kemi's emotions about the loss she was facing and how the author conveyed a child's experience with grief.