The Next Great Paulie Fink

Title: The Next Great Paulie Fink

Author: Ali Benjamin
Publisher: Little Brown
ISBN: 9780316380881

Thoughts:  An amazing book about philosophy and fitting in that all middle graders should read.

Rating: 5/5

Something Like Gravity

Title: Something Like Gravity

Author: Amber Smith
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
ISBN: 9781534437180

Thoughts:  Complicated story about first love while having lots of baggage.

Rating: 4/5

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

Title: The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

Author: Juliet Grames
Publisher: Ecco
ISBN: 9780062862822

Thoughts:  Highly detailed saga that is just a bit too long.

Rating: 3/5

Pie in the Sky

Title: Pie in the Sky

Author: Remy Lai
Publisher: Henry Holt
ISBN: 9781250314093

Thoughts:  Very well executed novel about grief and learning to fit in that expertly mixes words and graphics.

Rating: 5/5

Tru & Nelle

Title: Tru & Nelle

Author: G. Neri
Publisher: HMH
ISBN: 9780544699601

Thoughts:  Fun story based on the real-life friendship of Capote and Lee that feels very nostalgic.

Rating: 3/5

Midsummer Mayhem

Title: Midsummer's Mayhem

Author: Rejani LaRocca
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
ISBN: 978149980889

Thoughts:  Fun MG retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Rating: 4/5

A Swirl of Ocean

Title: A Swirl of Ocean

Author: Melissa Sarno
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN: 9781524720124

Thoughts:  Beautiful magical realism for MG-readers with a hint of mystery.

Rating: 4/5