The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown

 

I did it! I finished the series before we go see the movie (later today... probably just in time to catch it in the theaters honestly. I'm a little late to the party with the books and the movie)!

In book one, Roz builds a life on the island as a wild robot, communicating and befriending animals. In book two, she's taken from that life and sent to work on a farm among humans. I felt like that covered two possible worlds really well, and was unsure what book three would be about.

In this book, Roz wants to protect her island from the poison tide before realizing it impacts all ocean wildlife and much of the rest of the natural world as well. I thought that was a really good premise, and important considering everything changing in our natural world and all the impact those somewhat gradual changes are happening.

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

Well, it took me several tries over several years to read the first book, but I finished the second in about two days!

I think part of it was already knowing the characters... and maybe having the ticking clock of seeing the movie in theaters over my head. I've found different things online - it's just the first book, the ending is the same as book two, it covers all three, etc. I didn't know what to believe but also just got incredibly invested in the book and wanted to finish it!

Seeing Roz interact with humans was really interesting, especially as she grew closer to the children. And I liked seeing her in charge of other robots. I always love how she wins over the animals, too, so I felt like there was more action in this book, and more at stake.

I liked it more than the first, but it didn't really end on a cliffhanger like the first one did, so I'm really curious to read the third. Think I can finish it before Friday?

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

I first tried to read The Wild Robot years ago, not long after it came out, because I was working in the public library with children and teens and wanted to stay current.

But I couldn't get into it.

I was sure it was interesting and I loved Peter Brown's picture books, but I didn't know why this wasn't hitting right for me. However, I strongly believe in the right book at the right time, so I figured it just wasn't time for me and I could come back to it later.

I tried another time, maybe four years ago, and it still wasn't drawing me in.

My son read it over the summer and loved it. Then he read the other two books in preparation for seeing the movie (books before movies - teach 'em young!). I was going to do the same, thinking that my love for comparing and contrasting books with their movies would inspire me.

Nope. I started the book in September, read a few chapters (so short! so easy to finish!) and put it down. I read dozens of books before coming back to it, no kidding.

But when I was finally determined to finish it so we could see the movie, I was completely invested! And it wasn't just because I needed to get it done to see the movie. I got into the story and fell in love with Roz and her family and friends.

There's something just so sweet and hopeful about it, everyone coming together... such a stark contrast from our current world, I suppose. And even when bad things happened, Roz was positive and either tried to change things or accepted them. Certainly a timely message, and one I needed to read.

Now I have books two and three waiting for me, and I can't wait to dive in!

Case Closed Series by Lauren Magaziner

A bookseller recommended the Case Closed series by Lauren Magaziner when I mentioned loving both mysteries and middle grade/young adult books. I'm also a huge Choose Your Own Adventure fan, so this series was a dream come true! I'd recently been wanting to re-read Encyclopedia Brown books anyway, because I think my kid would like them, so these books were a great new treat.

Mystery in the Mansion

I actually bought the second book when I was visiting a bookstore out of town, without realizing it was the second! However, like many mystery series, you don't necessarily have to read them in order. I'm going to put my reviews in order, though.

I dove into the first book (after starting with the second) and really liked it! It’s such a fun way to kick off the series.

On the morning of a huge investigation that could save his mom's struggling detective agency, she ends up getting hit with a nasty flu. And with everything on the line, she can’t afford to drop the case.

With his best friend Eliza and her little brother Frank, Carlos takes on the investigation, which involves a quirky millionaire who’s been getting death threats. Someone’s after a buried fortune, but things get tricky with riddles, shady suspects, and a ton of secrets.

Since it's structured like a Choose Your Own Adventure book, you get to pick which suspects to interview, what questions to ask, and which clues to chase down.

Stolen from the Studio

The second book in the series has a touch of Hollywood glam when Carlos’s mom gets a big assignment to find a famous teen actress who’s gone missing. It's a serious case, so she doesn't want Carlos around, even though he solved the last mystery for her.

However, with Eliza and Frank by his side again, Carlos sneaks onto the set of the show to gather clues and interview suspects. He has to keep his detective work under wraps from his mom, who has a knack for spotting trouble.

Just like the first book, you get to choose which suspects to interview, what questions to ask, and which clues to follow.

Haunting at the Hotel

I love ghost stories, so this book had such a great premise! I was all in with the choose-your-own-adventure vibe mixed with puzzles and codes. It made the whole experience super fun.

In the third book of this interactive middle-grade series, we’re back with Carlos and his friends, but something is different... Carlos is now officially an apprentice detective at Las Pistas Detective Agency—he finally earned his mom’s trust!

Guests at a creepy mountain hotel are freaking out over strange disturbances, scary messages, and some seriously spooky howls. Carlos, Eliza, and Frank dig into what’s really going on: is it a ghost? What secrets is this haunted hotel hiding?

Danger on the Dig

This book seemed really different from the other three—maybe because they were all mostly set indoors, and this is outside on an archaeological dig? But it was still good and had some really great puzzles!

Carlos and his friends go international on an archaeological dig in Greece. But Carlos and Eliza are fighting, so they split up to tackle their own parts of the case. Still, their main goal is the same (and so is yours!): keep the booby traps from taking down their detective agency!

Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

I remember reading the Friendship Ring when I was in middle school and LOVED it. I had the tiny book versions and they were the cutest, plus Vail perfectly captured middle school awkwardness. Yet still made her characters cooler than I could ever be.

Anyway! I saw this in the YA section at the library and needed it! I was so happy to still get sucked into Vail’s awkward yet witty world. The characters were in middle school though, so I think it’s more middle grade than young adult. I read it in a day, loving the witty banter and the sweet twist at the end.

Beyond that, though, Vail absolutely killed the family vibes with this story. The dead older sister wasn’t too heavy for the book (I know, that sentence alone makes it seem like it would be!); it was handled well and came up at the right moments. I was absolutely bawling at the end, for both the parents and Gracie. SO well written.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally hates reading because the letters seem to move around, making it impossible to focus. But she loves to draw, and she imagines the words people speak as images in her mind. After years of frustration in school, a teacher finally takes the time to understand what’s going on—dyslexia—and helps her find ways to work through it.

I originally read this one in January 2016, when I was a children’s librarian. I found the story a bit overly-sentimental, but it’s so beautifully written that you can’t help but be drawn in.

I re-read this book after my kid read it for summer reading this year. With my kid being closer in age to Ally, the story hit me in a new way. My kid loved it, and I found myself more touched than before, seeing it through his eyes. There’s something special about watching a story you once thought was a bit sugary resonate with your own child, and it made me appreciate Ally’s journey even more.

Celebrating Historical Mystery Day with Robin Stevens's Murder Most Unladylike Series

September 29th is Historical Mystery Day! 

Launched in 2021 by author Sara Rosett, this day celebrates a blend of history and detective work, allowing readers to visit the past while solving mysteries. I typically read contemporary cozies, but lately, I've been reading a series that fits perfectly into today's celebration: Robin Stevens's Murder Most Unladylike series.

Set in the 1930s, Robin Stevens's Murder Most Unladylike series offers period detail, sharp wit, and gripping mystery. The series follows Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, two students at Deepdean School for Girls, as they navigate their daily school lives while solving murders on the side. The duo's detective skills, combined with their unique personalities, draw readers in - both middle-grade and young adult readers as well as adults (clearly!).

In Murder Most Unladylike (Murder is Bad Manners in the USA), the first book in the series, Hazel discovers the body of her science teacher—but when the body mysteriously disappears, Hazel and Daisy have to investigate on their own. This premise sets the tone for the rest of the series, where Stevens expertly weaves mystery elements with historical authenticity. The setting—an English boarding school in the 1930s—adds an extra layer of intrigue, as it's the golden age of detective fiction.

The second book, Arsenic for Tea (UK)/Poison is Not Polite (USA), takes place at Daisy's estate during a spring school break, bringing the murder and the suspects much closer to home, which is uncomfortable for everyone involved. The third book, First Class Murder (both UK and USA it seems), is set on the Orient Express when Hazel's father treats her and Daisy on a trip around Europe during the summer school break. I love that the setting is different in each book, though many of the same characters appear.

(Sadly, my library only has these three, so until I invest in the whole series, I can only talk about these.)

Robin Stevens's work is a fantastic example of how historical mysteries can appeal to younger audiences while still maintaining the genre's core elements. Much like the adult classics of Agatha Christie, Stevens' series mixes clever sleuthing, red herrings, and intricate plots, all set within a well-researched historical backdrop. Each book in the series immerses readers in 1930s England, where social class, gender roles, and the limits imposed on young girls are all explored realistically.

Along with a cup of tea and my favorite cozy reading spot, finishing the third book in the Murder Most Unladylike series is how I'm honoring the spirit of the day. If you've never read the series, Historical Mystery Day is the perfect excuse to start! Please recommend some other historical mystery novels in the comments - I'd love to read more!

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

 Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

My kid read this as a classroom read in 4th grade and said I would like it too. 

And I did! 

It’s pretty quick and surface-level in terms of characters, but I think that works for younger readers because they focus more on the differences between people initially, then the commonalities to learn the lesson of the book. 

I think it’s a great book to help kids remember to be kind to everyone. It's really relatable because it shows the two main characters both at home and at school, putting them in positions children will be able to relate to.

Drew Leclair Middle Grade Mysteries

 

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been on a huge mystery kick lately. After reading a couple YA mysteries and mystery series, I found Drew Leclair Gets a Clue by Katryn Bury as an ebook at the library and added it to my TBR list. There are currently two books in the series, and before I even started the first, I got an offer from Wunderkind PR to read the second! I love nothing more than reading sequels and series back to back, so I jumped at the chance.

In Drew Leclair Gets a Clue, true crime fanatic Drew (named for Nancy Drew) tackles a cyberbully that is embarrassing kids at her middle school. On top of wanting to solve the mystery, Drew also deals with her mother leaving the family for a new boyfriend---who just happens to have been the counselor at Drew's school! So she's dealing with that humiliation in her social life and also the devastation of her home life. Beyond that, Shrey, her best friend, is now romantically interested in her, and Drew just doesn't feel that way, for him or anyone. It's a lot to tackle, but Drew is 12, and that's the age when this type of problem seems to pile up.

In Drew Leclaire Crushes the Case, Drew now knows her two best friends will help her solve mysteries at school, so she has a good support system. However, her mom is swooping back into her life and messing it all up in the process, and her dad is starting to date, but hides it from Drew. Shrey has a girlfriend and Drew can't process her feelings about that development, especially because she realizes she also has feelings for someone in her friend group.

These middle-grade books seem ideal for all ages. While Drew and her friends are 12, in seventh grades, the parents are just active enough in the story to keep me interested, but not to the extent that they bog down the action for younger readers. Drew has unique relationships with both parents - her dad loves true crime and totally gets her, while her mom wants her to be something else and makes her feel abandoned. I think these are great dynamics to address in a middle-grade series.

Drew's friend group is incredibly diverse, with people of all skin tones and cultural backgrounds. Drew herself has chronic illnesses, and other characters in the books have differing abilities yet are completely accepted at school and in their social circles, which is refreshing. Above it all, Drew is bisexual and has gay and lesbian friends. There's no issue of LGBTQIA+ being acceptable in school or by parents, so I think this series is one that will empower younger children to embrace who they are, as well as those around them.

All of these elements work together to make a compelling cast of characters, but still - mysteries are the highlight of these books. Drew walks the readers through her detective process, including making notes about the case, eliminating suspects, and designing her famous crime boards. Author Katryn Bury is a true crime fanatic herself, which shows in the plotlines. I can't wait to read more in this series and see what mysteries Drew will solve next!

Best Middle Grade Fiction Read in 2020

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by Louis Sachar (2020). This book came out right as the pandemic hit the US, so the title alone made it seem perfect. I loved Wayside School as a kid, and have read it with book clubs and school groups a lot recently. I was so excited to see a new title being released but was also a little nervous that it wouldn’t be as good as the originals after so long. I was so surprised when it was better than I remembered the others being! It’s so humorous and dry and I loved it so much, I can’t wait to read it again! Re-reading this whole series might be a 2021 goal...

The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling (2020). Nora and her father go on a hike for Nora’s birthday. They’re trying to get away from it all, to forget what happened last year on Nora’s birthday, when her mother died. The whole family has always loved hiking and rock climbing, and Nora wants them to keep it up even though they’re a family of two instead of three. After climbing down into a slot canyon, Nora and her father are caught in a flash flood. Her father pushes her to safety, but as Nora watches, her father and all their supplies are swept away.
    This is a verse novel bookended by a straightforward narrative, which totally immerses the reader into the action. Nora is impressive in her fight for survival, but the book is very realistic about her situation, which adds some great suspense. This is so powerful and so emotional, and I can’t recommend it enough for middle-grade readers and up.

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy (2020). Maybelle Lane uses a tape recorder as a journal. She records quiet sounds that other people don't notice, sounds that say a lot to Maybelle. Maybelle's momma is a musician and is about to go away on tour for one long month. Mrs. Boggs, a neighbor in the trailer park, will be watching Maybelle while her mother's away. But Mrs. Boggs doesn't realize that Maybelle has plans to travel from Louisiana to Nashville.
    There's a singing contest in Nashville, and Maybelle not only entered but is determined to win. She hasn't sung for a long time, but she wants to impress the judges. One of them is her father, a man she's never met. A man she only recognizes by his laugh, which she heard on the radio one day, just by chance.
    Maybelle's momma told her not to go looking for her dad because she'd only end up getting her heart broken. But when Maybelle listens to him on the radio, he sounds kind, and Maybelle already has a lot in common with him. She knows if she can make it to Nashville and meet him, he'll want to be involved in her life.
    Mrs. Boggs is surprisingly eager to take Maybelle on a road trip. The trip is full of trouble and adventure, and even a stowaway! Maybelle learns a lot about herself and her travel companions along the way, but she can't stop worrying about what's at stake when she gets to Nashville.
    This book was beautifully written and very touching. The details about sounds Maybelle noticed and recorded inspired me to start listening more than I typically do. I love the idea of keeping a journal of sounds, and I love the library activities this brings to mind! This book is great for middle-grade readers and up, and I think it would be an excellent book club pick for small groups in classes.

Rick by Alex Gino (2020). Rick is starting middle school with one friend, but he’s starting to realize Jeff might not be the best friend. Jeff is judgmental and teases Rick for everything he is or isn’t. But when Rick decides he wants to join the school’s Rainbow Spectrum club to figure out who he really is, he realizes that Jeff is flat-out hateful. While Rick learns to accept others as they are, his relationship with his grandfather blossoms in a beautiful way. This is a wonderful middle-grade book about acceptance, questioning who you are, and finding yourself.

BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt (2020). I love K.A. Holt's verse novels, but this one is a whole new ball game! Four students, Ben B, Ben Y, Jordan J, and Javier, are in summer school because they failed their state assessment, and Ms. J is the teacher who's tasked with bringing them up to speed. These four students don't know it at first, but they have a lot in common. They hate to read. They have never finished reading a book on their own. And, most importantly, they all love the game Sandbox. After making an agreement with Ms. J, the students are allowed to read a Sandbox-themed Choose Your Own Adventure-type book, and even earn time to play Sandbox at school if they meet their time quota for reading aloud. The four students start to become friends as they open up about their struggles in the Sandbox game, along with their real lives.
    This is billed as a verse novel, but I'm excited at how many students it will appeal to because one character's chapter is told in drawings. I've known many students like this - hate reading, hate writing, but have so much to express if you let them draw. I think most middle-grade readers will be able to see themselves in at least one of these four characters while feeling empathy for them all. The characters and their struggles are real, relatable, and most of all - incredibly interesting to read about! This is definitely one to get for your home, classroom, school library, or middle-grade section of the public library - it's going to be a hit!

I can't let a middle-grade post go by without also recommending some graphic novels. These two series were big hits in the school library this year - including the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels. The Mr. Wolf series is set in a classroom with diverse students and is a quick and engaging read. Like the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, the Baby-Sitters Little Sister series is a graphic novel adaptation of the chapter books, so it's a great way to hook readers and then transition them into chapter books if they want to read "ahead" of when the graphic versions are released.

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy

Maybelle Lane uses a tape recorder as a journal. She records quiet sounds that other people don't notice, sounds that say a lot to Maybelle. Maybelle's momma is a musician and is about to go away on tour for one long month. Mrs. Boggs, a neighbor in the trailer park, will be watching Maybelle while her mother's away. But Mrs. Boggs doesn't realize that Maybelle has plans to travel from Louisiana to Nashville.

There's a singing contest in Nashville, and Maybelle not only entered but is determined to win. She hasn't sung for a long time, but she wants to impress the judges. One of them is her father, a man she's never met. A man she only recognizes by his laugh, which she heard on the radio one day, just by chance.

Maybelle's momma told her not to go looking for her dad because she'd only end up getting her heart broken. But when Maybelle listens to him on the radio, he sounds kind, and Maybelle already has a lot in common with him. She knows if she can make it to Nashville and meet him, he'll want to be involved in her life.

Mrs. Boggs is surprisingly eager to take Maybelle on a road trip. The trip is full of trouble and adventure, and even a stowaway! Maybelle learns a lot about herself and her travel companions along the way, but she can't stop worrying about what's at stake when she gets to Nashville.

This book was beautifully written and very touching. The details about sounds Maybelle noticed and recorded inspired me to start listening more than I typically do. I love the idea of keeping a journal of sounds, and I love the library activities this brings to mind! This book is great for middle grade readers and up, and I think it would be an excellent book club pick for small groups in classes.

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee

Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @simonandschuster and @barbaradeebooks for a review copy of My Life in the Fish Tank - out now! Barbara Dee is killing it with her poignant middle-grade novels, so you won't want to miss this one.

Zinny is used to her home life being pretty wild since she has three siblings, but when her older brother, Gabriel, is in a car accident, things at home completely change. Gabriel is admitted to a hospital to get his bipolar disorder under control, and Zinny feels horrible that she told an adult about Gabriel's strange behaviors. But now her parents don't want Zinny to tell anyone about Gabriel, so Zinny doesn't know what to talk to her friends about. They keep talking about boys they have crushes on, but Zinny isn't interested in that. She loves science, so she starts spending her lunch period in the science lab with Ms. Molina, her favorite teacher. Zinny starts using science as her outlet, to help her stay as calm as she possibly can, considering both her family life AND social life are in shambles. Zinny just wants Gabriel to come home, for her parents to understand, and to make it into the summer science camp her teacher nominates her for; but all of that seems like too big of a miracle.

Barbara Dee also wrote "Maybe He Just Likes You", about a middle-grade girl not liking the male attention she is getting. That book handled this age and this struggle so realistically, and "My Life in the Fish Tank" is written with that same level of reliability. Tackling the tough issues of mental health, family relationships, and changing friendships, this is a must-read for any middle-grade reader (and up!).

Stealing Mt Rushmore by Daphne Kalmar

Stealing Mt Rushmore by Daphne Kalmar is out now! Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @daphnekalmar, and #feiwelandfriends for the ARC.

Nell's dad is fascinated by Mt Rushmore; he even wanted to name his children George, Thomas, Teddy, and Abe. But after Tom came a girl, who was named after Susan B. Anthony, called Nell for short. So her dad never got his Abe, but he's determined to take the whole family to see Mt Rushmore in person. When he goes to find his stash of vacation cash, he realizes it has been stolen... kinda. Nell's mom took it when she left the family that spring. Nell has been struggling with how her family seems to be falling apart, but having the trip taken from them is the straw that broke the camel's back. Nell is determined to earn money so the family can go on the trip, even if she can't track down her mom.

I loved reading about Nell as she adjusted to everyone around her changing. Her friend Maya is becoming interested in boys, which makes Nell think of her as an alien. The family dynamics in this book are so powerful, especially with the historical context of being set in 1974. Many chapters begin with actual headlines from a Boston newspaper in July 1974, so I love that this can be paired with history/social studies/political lessons in the classroom or library.

BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt

BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt is out TODAY! Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @chroniclekidsbooks, and @kari_anne_holt for an ARC of this book.

I love K.A. Holt's verse novels, but this one is a whole new ball game! Four students, Ben B, Ben Y, Jordan J, and Javier, are in summer school because they failed their state assessment, and Ms. J is the teacher who's tasked with bringing them up to speed. These four students don't know it at first, but they have a lot in common. They hate to read. They have never finished reading a book on their own. And, most importantly, they all love the game Sandbox. After making an agreement with Ms. J, the students are allowed to read a Sandbox-themed Choose Your Own Adventure-type book, and even earn time to play Sandbox at school if they meet their time quota for reading aloud. The four students start to become friends as they open up about their struggles in the Sandbox game, along with in their real lives.

This is billed as a verse novel, but I'm excited at how many students it will appeal to because one character's chapter is told in drawings. I've known many students like this - hate reading, hate writing, but have so much to express if you let them draw. I think most middle grade readers will be able to see themselves in at least one of these four characters, while feeling empathy for them all. The characters and their struggles are real, relatable, and most of all - incredibly interesting to read about! This is definitely one to get for your home, classroom, school library, or middle grade section of the public library - it's going to be a hit!

The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling

Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @littlebrownyr, and @dustibowling for an ARC of The Canyon’s Edge (by Dusti Bowling), which is out TODAY - you have GOT to get a copy of this one!

Nora and her father go on a hike for Nora’s birthday. They’re trying to get away from it all, to forget what happened last year on Nora’s birthday, when her mother died. The whole family has always loved hiking and rock climbing, and Nora wants them to keep it up even though they’re a family of two instead of three. After climbing down into a slot canyon, Nora and her father are caught in a flash flood. Her father pushes her to safety, but as Nora watches, her father and all their supplies are swept away.

This is a verse novel bookended by straight-forward narrative, which totally immerses the reader into the action. Nora is impressive in her fight for survival, but the book is very realistic about her situation, which adds some great suspense. This is so powerful and so emotional, and I can’t recommend it enough for middle grade readers and up.

Reeni's Turn by Carol Coven Grannick

Reeni's Turn by Carol Coven Grannick

Thanks to @kidlitexchange and Fitzroy Books for sharing an ARC of this title! The book releases on September 13, 2020.

Reeni has been practicing ballet for years, but when her teacher picks Reeni to do a solo, everything changes. Reeni's sixth grade classmates are obsessed with looks, and when Reeni looks at herself, she feels too big to be a ballerina. Her friends convince her to diet, which leaves Reeni feeling emptier inside than she could have imagined. Her mother is against dieting, so hiding her eating habits has Reeni living a double life. Jules, Reeni's older sister, is a high school senior, but to Reeni, it feels like Jules is already gone. She feels alone and adrift and doesn't know who to turn to or how to act, torn between becoming who she wants to be or staying true to herself.

This novel in verse is concisely told to share what preteen girls (and often younger and older females, as well) go through as their bodies change and they try to accept who they are compared to who society wants them to be. 

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Thanks to KidLitExchange, Rebecca Stead, Random House Kids, and Wendy Lamb Books for providing a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

Bea’s parents have been divorced for two years when her father announces he’s marrying his partner, Jesse. Bea is thrilled because after ten years of being an only child, she’s getting a sister!

Sonia, her soon-to-be-sister, is also ten. She’s not used to dividing time between parents like Bea is, and Sonia’s mother lives across the country. Bea knows she needs to be understanding, but her excitement overcomes her.

Bea also struggles to keep her excitement under wraps around her mother, who still loves Bea’s father “in a way”. Bea thinks everyone should be excited to celebrate love, but she’s finding out the hard way that it’s not always the case.

Stead has the power to make the simplest statements incredibly emotional. All the pieces of Bea’s life come together to make a beautiful, powerful book.

How to Be a Girl in the World by Caela Carter

How to Be a Girl in the World by Caela Carter publishes August 11, 2020 from Harper Collins Childrens Books. Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @caelacarter, and @harpercollinsch for sharing this ARC!

Lydia wears long sleeves and long pants even though it's summer. She's tired of the comments boys were making about her body, and covering it is the only way she knows how to get them to stop. Lydia can't tell anyone how she feels, because her friends think she should be flattered by male attention. Even her telling her mom isn't an option, because Lydia feels weird when her mom's boyfriend hugs her a little too long.

It's enough to make Lydia think she's crazy, or wrong, or making it up. When her mom surprises her with a fixer-upper house after living in apartments for so long, Lydia feels a glimmer of hope, that this change will set others in motion. Once she actually visits the house, Lydia feels even better - there's magic in that house, and she's determined to harness it to keep her - and her body - safe.

Reading this book was pretty tough, because it's very real, and I think all women have stories like Lydia's. I know I do, and I never shared them with anyone because I also thought maybe I was overreacting, or wrong. It makes me hopeful that books like this exist for girls now, so they can read a story and know what they're feeling is legitimate and they should speak up and have the right to feel safe and secure wherever they are. I think this is a necessary read for everyone, especially young girls and anyone who works with them, around them, or raises them. Let's empower our youth

Rick by Alex Gino

Rick is starting middle school with one friend, but he’s starting to realize Jeff might not be the best friend. Jeff is judgmental and teases Rick for everything he is or isn’t. But when Rick decides he wants to join the school’s Rainbow Spectrum club to figure out who he really is, he realizes that Jeff is flat-out hateful. While Rick learns to accept others as they are, his relationship with his grandfather blossoms in a beautiful way. This is a wonderful middle grade book about acceptance, questioning who you are, and finding yourself.

We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan

Thanks to @kidlitexchange and @simonkids for providing a review copy of 

We Could Be Heroes by @finneganbegin.

Hank hates the book his teacher is reading to the class. It's really emotional and sad and Hank can't handle it. So he steals the book and sets it on fire in the boys' bathroom. He gets in trouble, of course, but also captures the attention of his classmate, Maisie. Maisie sees strength in Hank, and sees that he's willing to stand up for what he believes in. So she introduces him to Booler, the sweet pit bull next door who is always tied to a tree. Maisie wants Hank to help her free Booler, and as he gets swept up in her plan, Hank learns a lot about himself and friendship.

I love how this book addresses disabilities without shining a spotlight on them. Hank has autism and it's just matter of fact and handled very realistically.Maisie also has a somewhat rare condition that is hidden for much of the book, but is also handled in a realistic manner as it comes out. I think it's important for all kids to have books like this - so they can see themselves in fiction and so they can learn empathy.