50+ Amazing Books for Tween Boys in Grades 3-8

Miguel lives in New York City with his Mami and Papi and wants more than anything to be an artist, even though his immigrant parents want him to have a more traditional career. The next thing on Miguel’s wishlist is a pet, so what a joy when he finds a cat near his parents’ bodega. Written from the perspectives of Lolo the cat and Miguel, we follow these two as Lolo adjusts to having a family and learning to share his space and the love he’s received and Miguel finds a way to share his artsy dreams with his family. Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect is the first in a new charming, family-first series about kids and the stray cats they find near bodegas. Grades 2+

Chance is a three-legged dog at the Dogtown shelter, where able-bodied and robot dogs compete for attention. Things start to change when a new robot dog, Metal Head, comes to the pound. First off, he’s determined to run away (return home). So he hatches a plan with Chance and her mouse best friend to help an older dog get adopted in exchange for helping him escape. But things do not go to plan, and Chance, her mouse friend, and Metal Head spend a night on the streets on an emotional adventure. As someone who isn’t into animal books, I’m shocked by how much I liked this one. It’s charming, beautifully plotted, and full of suspense, heartwarming characters, and plenty of heart. It also has sweet illustrations and concise chapters. Grades 3+

When an encounter with a thrift store blanket turns Felix Powell into a dog, he’s delighted to finally be able to talk to animals, wag his tail, and get super smell senses, but he soon realizes that being a dog isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Will he ever be a boy again? This book is so whimsical, with just the right amount of action and a lovable male protagonist. Perfect for kids who love dogs! Grades 3+

Something terrible is happening in the skies! Rats are eating the MOON! Only one hero can stop them: a cat with a microchip-enhanced brain. Along with the Moon Queen and a toe-clipping robot, the first cat in space has his work cut out for him. This book is bizarre (in the best way) but so entertaining, creative, and cinematic. Tween boys won’t be able to stop flipping the pages. Grades 3+

Meet the Vanderbeekers! They’re a biracial family living in Harlem, New York. With five kids, including a pair of twin girls, there are plenty of characters for each kid to identify with. This series is warm and cozy and each installment features the Vanderbeeker kids trying to accomplish a unique goal. The first book is all about getting their grumpy neighbor to warm up to them. This is a great family readaloud option! Grades 3+

My favorite Korman book yet. It’s about Trey and his conman father, who moves from town to town, scamming wealthy people in his orbit under the claim that the rich won’t miss their money. At first, Trey admires his father’s scamming skills, viewing him as smart, but when they move to Boxelder, a town with a rich area called The Pointe, Trey finds friends with whom he really gets along, and starts getting concerned about his father’s schemes. This is a solid, suspenseful mystery about ethics when it’s right to steal, activism, changing your mind, morality, and growing up. It will make a great discussion book and fans of Korman’s books will gobble it up. Grades 5+

In Falling Short, we meet Marco and Isaac. They’ve been besties for as long as they can remember and now they share one pain in common: both their dads aren’t in their lives as they’d like. Isaac’s dad is attentive but currently struggling with alcoholism. Marco’s dad wishes Marco were more athletic, instead of nerdy. At the start of middle school, both boys decide to help each other reach their goals. For Isaac, it’s getting better at more than just basketball — getting better grades and being more responsible. And for Marco, it’s learning a sport: basketball. Can they reach their goals? And will their friendship survive it? I loved this look at a warm friendship bond between boys. Grades 4+

This book is about Castle Crenshaw (aka Ghost), who has PTSD from a dad who tried to fire a gun at him as a child. When he meets Coach and the rest of the team, he can finally harness his talent as a sprinter and stop running away from his problems. I love how powerful these kids’ stories are (in the Track series) and that they’re super short — this one is only 185 pages long. Grades 5+

When Ash’s mom ships him off to the island to spend the summer with his dad, he’s forced to do community service at a dog shelter where he gets to know different dog breeds and personalities — as do readers. Varner includes a note about a different dog breed at the start of each chapter. As Ash makes new friends, becomes an asset to the shelter, and gets closer to his dad, stepmom, and sibling, he experiences a life-changing summer. Heads up for the death of one dog (not on the page!). I can see animal lovers ADORING this one! Grades 4+

When hyperactive kid CJ gets into his fourth-grade class, he’s terrified of Ms. Crane, his new teacher, thanks to all the rumors he’s heard about her. But Ms. Crane turns out to be refreshingly different than he expected. She’s nice to him and doesn’t get frustrated when he interrupts, blurts answers, or can’t sit still. So when he discovers that some teachers are trying to get Ms. Crane to leave the school, CJ decides to stand up for her. This book about community and the power of a teacher who believes in you is SO SWEET and will make for a terrific class readaloud (although it is on the longer side at just over 300 pages). Grades 4+

12-year-old Florian hones his excellent observational skills using a technique he calls the TOAST, (Theory of All Small Things), which helps him in social situations and other life areas. But after teaching it to a new genius friend, they end up solving an art mystery, which puts them on the FBI’s radar — but also in the line of fire of a notorious crime syndicate. I love Ponti’s City Spies series, and while this one isn’t as good, it’s a fantastic escapist read with lots of intellectual mystery-solving/detective work. Grades 5+

With a last name like Sherlock, siblings Alex and Zoe decide that the best summer job for them is starting a detective agency. With the help of their best friends, Yadi and Lina, and their former investigative journalist grandfather, the kids are set to find Al Capone’s treasure and learn more about Miami, a sunny city with shady people. But things do not quite go to plan, and instead, they find themselves thrust into an unexpected mystery. The Sherlock Society is a clever mystery — strongly reminiscent of Nancy Drew — with a surprising environmental bent. Grades 5+

Twelve-year-old Sara Martinez is a hacker bouncing from foster home to foster home in Brooklyn, New York. After getting arrested for hacking into the NYC foster care system to expose her foster parents as criminals, she meets a man named Mother somehow gets Sara released only to join a team of kid spies operating out of a base in Scotland. This is an excellent start to an exciting mystery series that both kids and adults can enjoy. Grades 5+

Ratty Barclay turned into a rat minutes after he was born, causing his parents to run away from him, leaving him in the care of his Uncle Max. But now, Max is 13 and ready to undo the curse, so he convinces his uncle Max to take him back to Fairweather Island, the home of the Barclay family where Ratty is convinced he can reverse the curse. Unfortunately, Max and Ratty meet Edweena, the rat-obsessed daughter of their caretaker whose ancestor invented the rat catcher. Ratty and his uncle must hide Ratty from Edweena as Ratty learns about the Barclay family history and their curse and figures out how to fix things. This illustrated middle grade book gripped me from the beginning, and it felt strong, like a classic fairy tale. I was worried about Ratty the whole way through and was fully invested in the story. Grades 4+

is the story of two seemingly different boys – one Indian, one American. When Ravi’s family moves to America, he is shocked at how different things are. The things he liked about himself seem to neither impress nor be appreciated by his American classmates and teachers. Joe is a quiet, sensitive American who is regularly bullied by his classmates. The story follows both boys as they find a way to a solid friendship despite their differences. With a major focus on bullying, culture, food and respecting differences, SAVE ME A SEAT is delightful, funny and inspiring. A fantastic middle grade pick for teaching young boys and girls -everyone, really – empathy. Grades 4+

It’s the 1970s, and 12-year-old Onyx’s grandmother has just died. He’s practically caring for himself alone and trying to hide the fact that his mother is grappling with the effects of early-onset dementia, worsened by the additional stress of her mother’s death. Onyx believes that if he can learn to fly, he can fly to space and find a rock that can heal his mom. As he tries to make that dream happen, he realizes that he doesn’t have to go it alone. This story is gorgeously written and heartrending but ends on a hopeful note. It is full of community love that lifts Onyx through hard times. It also includes some mentions of notable historical events like the murder of MLK, the introduction of desegregated schools, and other highlights of the Civil Rights era. The audiobook is excellent. A great verse novel for grades 5-7.

William “Scoob” Lamar is hoping to make a clean getaway with his white G-ma. Especially because his dad is mad at him after an unpleasant school incident and subsequent suspension. At first he’s happy to be spending time with this G-ma, but soon, he realizes that this isn’t quite the trip he expected. As Scoob and G-ma travel through the US South, G-ma lets him into family history: his grandfather’s life, G-ma’s misdeeds and what life was like when Black people needed the Green Book to move through the US. Clean Getaway, Nic Stone’s middle grade debut is a fast-paced, clever story full of twists and a sense of adventure. Grades 5+

Evan Park lives in Vancouver with his sisters and parents. His mom is a SAHM, and his dad works in construction. The book opens with Evan recovering from a wrist injury when his physiotherapist mentions an obstacle course competition. Determined to have a summer of fun and find his own thing despite his overly critical dad, Evan throws himself into preparing for the contest, and soon, his family gets into it, too. I found this one hilarious, especially in its portrayals of Evan’s relationships with his sisters, but also real, as we see his parents squabble over some serious issues. Overall, though, the tone is really entertaining, and readers who like books about sports, contests, and family will LOVE this one. Grades 4+

Golden Maroni is having a tough year. First, he really wants to get bigger and become the captain of his middle school soccer team. As a dedicated Messi fan, he’s working on putting in ten thousand hours of soccer practice so that he can become as good as Messi. His former-soccer-star father has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). His best friend, Lucy Littlehouse is also moving away from her home next door to Golden’s. Despite his dad’s obvious deterioration, Golden stubbornly believes that his dad will get better. How will he cope with everything on his plate — and the heartbreaking challenges ahead of his family? Ten Thousand Tries is a moving, heartwarming story about family, friendship, community, soccer, and the love of a father. Grades 5+

Isaiah’s father has died, leaving behind Isaiah, his mom, and his younger sister, Charlie. Isaiah’s mom is so depressed she’s lost her job — and started drinking too many bottles of wine. Isaiah realizes that they need money if they’ll ever move out of the motel where they’ve had to live since being unable to pay for their home. Thankfully, Isaiah has his father’s books of poems (even if his own words won’t come anymore), his best friend Sneaky, who sells candy at school (and lets Isaiah be his business partner), and the kind people who look out for him once they realize he’s in need. In the end, will Isaiah be the hero of his story? Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero is a moving, realistic portrayal of the poverty and housing insecurity that can impact a family after the death of a parent. Grades 4+

This classic about a boy who won’t stop calling a pen a frindle is full of hijinks and the audiobook is funny beyond belief. Your kids will ask you to play this story of the boy who kept calling a pen a frindle until you’re sick of it. Such a fun, fun book! Great for introducing kids to chapter books and absolutely delightful! Grades 3+

Although this story stars a middle schooler, it’s appropriate for upper elementary kids. It’s about Evan, a moody middle schooler whose days consist of trying to figure out why his mom is always grumpy, defending his besties from the school bully, and trying to bond with his artist father. Until he meets a dog, or rather, the dog finds him. Told from the perspectives of Evan and the dog, a clever border collie with a love for running, this soaring, heartwarming adventure about friendship, family, and the healing power of dogs is perfect for fans of Silvey’s The Underdogs of Upson Downs. Grades 4+

Will feels like the only chubby kid in his class and feels insecure about his weight. Add to that the bullying he faces and his observations of his mother’s attitude toward food, and he falls into a pattern of disordered eating and over-exercising. Thankfully, a budding friendship with a new classmate changes his view. This is a great book about body image issues, and it’s done in an illustrated verse format that I think kids will love. For grades 5+

Andrew is having the WORST day. His shirt’s been torn by his class bully, a basketball has slammed into his face, leaving him with a black eye, and his grandmother with dementia has gone missing — all on his class picture day. It doesn’t help that Andrew has generalized anxiety. In his trademark humor, Harrell takes readers through Andrew’s day with spot illustrations, relatable storytelling, and plenty of heart. Grades 4+

Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people. Grades 5+

This is an engaging survival story about three cousins–two sisters and their cousin, Owen–who get separated from their parents when an earthquake strikes during a hiking trip. The three kids are dealing with individual challenges in their lives, and as they try to hike a long route to reconnect with their families, they also make time for healing together. I love how much this book celebrates nature while being appropriate for younger middle grade readers, and maintaining a strong sense of adventure. Also, one of the kids loves cooking, and I just adored all the foodie scenes on the trail. Hand to kids who loved Downing’s Just Keep Walking and Lang’s Out of Range. Grades 4-7

I enjoyed this book about a boy from Ohio named Leo who loves to play soccer and gets scouted to go to a football academy in England. This is a serious sports story, meaning that much of the plot and action is on the pitch. The author squeezes in a little drama in the form of bullying, romance in the lives of the teens in Leo’s life, and some emotional stuff with Leo’s dad who’s a widower strapped for cash. I tend to prefer my sports stories with a huge helping of the real stories of the sports court/pitch, but I was invested in this one and definitely see the appeal. If you have kids who love stories by Mike Lupica, they will enjoy this series. Did I mention it’s the first in a series? It is! Grades 5+

In Dough Boys, we reunite with the kids of Pirates Cove, this time through the eyes of Rollie and Simp. The boys work as lookout boys for Coach Tez’s crew of drug dealers, but both feel differently about the gig. The disconnect between the boys’ desires eventually begins to wear on their friendship. It doesn’t help that Tai who Simp kinda likes is more into Rollie than him. But when the opportunity to audition for a popular band comes Rollie’s way, he’s forced to evaluate his current place in life. Paula Chase’s Dough Boys is an emotion-charged middle-grade novel about two boys navigating their changing friendship while caught up with a local drug ring. Grades 7+

Read this in one breathless gulp! A breathtaking graphic novel about two kids escaping North Korea. Myunghee and Yunho’s paths intersect the day before they both escape the communist regime and converge again in China, where Yunho’s mother takes Myunghee in on their arduous, perilous escape plan. My heart was in my throat throughout their journey, and I LOVED the gorgeous illustrations in this graphic novel. Interestingly, this one has fewer speech bubbles and more descriptive text that makes it feel more like a highly illustrated novel than a traditional graphic novel. Stirring, frightening, and a glimpse into a largely unseen territory of the world make this a punchy survival tale for fans of The Blackbird Girls and The Lost Year. Grades 6+

The first book in Kwame Alexander’s latest series about the journey of a family from Africa to America is a Roots retelling for the new generation. Kofi Offin lives in Upper Kwanta with his parents and siblings, warned regularly not to prowl the streets or go swimming (a pastime of his) at night. Caught up in his daily routines and preparing to contest against his cousin in a swimming match, Kofi’s life suddenly takes a scary turn when he is abducted and sold as a slave. This book has an awfully SLOW start but picks up just around the halfway mark — I hope the verse format keeps readers going (I loved the audiobook). The second half of this book is gripping and compelling and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It’s a brilliant and necessary ode to storytelling, a beautiful look at the history of many African-Americans, and a truly heartwarming celebration of African culture. Excited to follow the rest of the series. Grades 7+

Thanks to their dad, Josh and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood—he’s got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it’s all on the line. As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets a girl, the twins’ bond unravels. This is an utterly moving novel in verse. Grades 6+

14-year-old Ahmed, forced to flee his home in Syria, is all alone in Brussels. He sneaks into the home of an expatriate family, where he finds shelter in their basement, feeding off their scraps and leftovers — until their son Max, who is around the same age, discovers him. Max and Ahmed form a heartwarming friendship, but keeping Ahmed safe, without hiding him forever, proves to be a suspense-filled endeavor. I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook! Grades 6+

I LOVED this hilarious middle grade debut! Stu Truly shines a light on that awkward transition between childhood to the pubescent years. In this story, meat loving Stuart Truly’s first crush is the new girl in his class who also happens to be a vegetarian. He lies about also being vegetarian but then throughout the story, continues to get himself in hilarious circumstances as a result. Ultimately a sweet, funny story about the importance of being oneself and co-existing happily with others who make choices different from ours. Grades 6+

Friends and army brats Frank and Stanley live in Pearl Harbor, where they deal with the usual challenges of bullying and creating comic books. Until December 7th, 1941, when everything changes during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Will the boys survive the attack? How will the war change them and their friendship? Master of middle grade historical fiction, Alan Gratz, explores these in his latest novel. Heroes by Alan Gratz is an action-packed historical account about friendship and what it means to be a hero. Grades 6+

Lawrence has had the odds stacked against him for so long. He and his mom and little sister went from living in Charlotte, NC to finally moving in with his grandma while his father is incarcerated. To make matters worse, Lawrence keeps getting picked on at school and getting into fights which results in his getting expelled. While he’s home, he starts going to the town’s rec center where he learns to play chess. But a boy there keeps trying to get Lawrence to fight. Can he find a way to secure a win for once? Not an Easy Win is a heartwarming, realistic, and satisfying book about poverty, having an incarcerated parent, and finding belonging in chess. Grades 6+

12-year-old Felix Knuttson is a sweet kid whose brain soaks up trivia like a sponge. His mom, Astrid, is loving but unreliable and can’t seem to hold on to a job or a house. When they lose their apartment in Vancouver, Astrid “borrows” a camper van from an ex and moves them in there “just for August” until she finds a job. But September comes, and there’s still no job or house, and Felix needs an address to enroll in school. Astrid figures out a way to do that, but Felix can’t tell anyone about their home situation. At the new school, he makes two new friends and finds out about a trivia contest that might change their housing situation. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned. No Fixed Address is a compelling, realistic, and funny middle grade book about homelessness, poverty, friendship, and mental health. Grades 6+

Hank Hooperman has been alone with his 3-year-old sister Boo since their mother left the house a week ago. Armed with the name of someone his mother wrote as her emergency contact on his field trip form, Hank takes the bus to Lou Adler’s doorstep. There, he and his sister start to find some sort of normalcy until Hank’s 10th mistake threatens to cost him everything that means something to him. Hank is a character to love and truly one to root for every step of the way! Hand to fans of Lasagna Means I Love You and Maid for It. Grades 6+

14-year-old Quagmire Tiarello has always had to care for himself and his unstable mother. She has periods of spinning out and good seasons, but when we meet Quag, he’s in a mom-spin-out season. Cassie, the girl he likes, has also asked him to help out her friends at the Y on their stage project and just when Quag is settling into the group, his mom disappears–starting a rollercoaster chain of events. It took me a minute to get into the narration style and Quag’s obstinate, resistant-to-other-humans personality, but we do get to know him better, and readers will fall for him. I also loved that this book’s plot surprised me. I had no idea where we were going and how many wonderful characters we’d meet on Quag’s journey. An absolute heartwarming story for fans of The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman. Grades 6+

When Calvin and his parents move from Chicago to the Levittown suburbs in Pennsylvania, he’s torn between leaving his culture and older brother behind in the black neighborhoods and assimilating into the all-white neighborhood. Meeting and falling for the new black girl in his town doesn’t help as he finds himself caught up in organizing to get more Black teens into his school. But things quickly turn dangerous for him and his friends as loyalties are tested across the board. The Color of the Lie is a propulsive YA coming-of-age historical fiction/thriller that examines racial passing in the 1950s. Grades 7+

After his father dies by suicide, Drew tries to move forward with life by volunteering at the library where his mom works. But this summer, three years after his father’s death, a new girl, Audrey starts volunteering at the library too. She’s good with computers, and he’s worried she’ll steal his shine — and that’s not even the worst part of his summer. A new man, Phil, seems to have ridden into his mother’s life, and Drew isn’t sure what’s up between them. Somehow, he begins to think that Phil might be his father. If you’re looking for a book that emphasizes vulnerability in boy friendships, highlights cute sibling dynamics or set largely in a library, you’ll love this book! Grades 6+

At 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, eighth-grader Marcus Vega is hard to miss. Despite using his size to protect smaller kids who are often bullied at school, some students still don’t like him. After one of those students calls Marcus’s brother the R-word because of his Down Syndrome diagnosis, Marcus gets in a fight with him, leading to a suspension. His single mother, worn down from the stress of raising both boys, decides to take a spontaneous trip to Puerto Rico, where their father is from. Desperate to learn more about himself by getting to know his father, Marcus insists on meeting his flighty father–with life-changing results. Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish is an emotional coming-of-age tale about identity, body image, poverty, and Latine identity. Grades 6+

When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. He documents this life-changing experience in this wonderful graphic memoir. This book is so moving and includes an author’s note with pictures of the kids mentioned in the story. Grades 7+

This dystopian YA book is at once chilling, thought-provoking, and compulsively readable. Set in a world where humans have conquered sickness, death, and all threat to life but now have appointed scythes to manage the population by gleaning humans periodically, this book follows two unwilling teens selected as apprentice scythes and their journey to attaining the position — or will they? Grades 7+

I loved following Katniss, Peeta, and Gale through all three books in this series. It’s set in a dystopian world ruled by The Capitol. Each year, The Hunger Games are held where one raffle-drawn contestant from each of the surrounding poorer districts competes (fights through life-threatening challenges) to win a prize. The only problem is: losing means death. Book one kicks off with 16-year-old Katniss volunteering to take her little sister’s place in the Games. I was HOOKED to this book and the other two in the series when I read it. Grades 7+

Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she’s determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous. Grades 7+

This YA novel is set in a dystopian world where every part of the earth is living with frigid temperatures except for Snowglobe–akin to The Capitol in the Hunger Games. While residents of all the other settlements work hard to generate resources for Snowglobe, its inhabitants live life under the camera lens, their lives fodder for reality TV and controlled by prestigious directors. When the star of one of the most popular shows dies, another girl outside Snowglobe who resembles her eerily is recruited to take her place, opening a can of worms about the unethical misuse of power in Snowglobe. Snowglobe is a twisty dystopian thriller for fans of The Hunger Games series that expertly combines elements of a thriller, dystopian fiction, and a mystery subplot while also meditating on privacy, ethics, and reality television. Grades 7+

Leo, Elsa, and Max are three friends in 1930s Vienna, Austria when Hitler’s reign begins to spread through Europe. Elsa’s family flees to Prague, Leo’s family remains in Austria, and Max and his Nazi-supporting father move to Munich. Told from all three perspectives, we follow the three teens in this heartwrenching story as they navigate these turbulent times and attempt to find a way back to each other. Grades 7+

Incredible (mostly) verse novel about a boy who vandalizes a gravestone of a 46er Adirondack woman and is tasked with hiking all 46 peaks as reparations. I read this one from start to finish in a single day, and I loved the multiple formats — written in posters, pictures, text messages, letters, recipes, and yes, verse. It’s set in NY and follows a boy whose father was a firefighter during 9/11 and developed PTSD after heroically saving a woman and making front page news. His dad becomes an alcoholic and spends the rest of his fighting to stay sober amidst relapses. Finn is angry a lot, and the hike introduces him to people who knew his dad and a slobbery dog, Seymour. This one combines adventure, heart, mystery, suspense, and flashbacks beautifully. Finn’s ELA assignment is to write 20 poems of different kinds — acrostic, haiku, found poems, villanelle — making this a great book to teach poetry. It’s just really clever, has a strong kid appeal, and is full of emotional depth. Grades 6+

A most ill-fated adventure confronts young Santos upon bringing his mother and siblings from their small Italian village to New York City, where they are to meet up with his father in 1911. Soon after alighting the ferry at Ellis Island, Santos gets separated from his mother and siblings, and when he arrives in NYC, his father is nowhere to be found. Homeless, he gets in with a group of homeless boys who steal food to survive until a betrayal upsets the arrangement. There are so many twists and turns in this highly engaging book about a protagonist navigating a difficult situation with poor English language skills and no family to comfort him. Add short chapters, and you get a fantastic class discussion book that kids won’t be able to put down! Grades 6+

Five private school teen boys go target shooting, and one of them ends up dead, shot by his own gun — with the fingerprints of all four friends on the gun. All the boys claim they don’t know what happened. The story is told from two perspectives: that of the unknown killer and that of a schoolmate in the new public school the boys attend. Kate also happened to be regularly texting the boy who was killed and works at the DA’s office, where she’s helping the DA with his investigation since he has very poor eyesight. As things progress, it seems nothing is as it seems, both with Kate and with the boys in question, and Kate gets more involved as the stakes get higher in finding the killer. This Is Our Story is a gripping mystery for fans of McManus’s One of Us Is Lying that tackles pressing contemporary issues. Grades 7+

It’s 2016, and Kareem is a Syrian-American football fan who really wants to play on his school middle school team but flunks his tryouts. The coach’s son Austin then tells Kareem that he can help him get in with the team if he helps him with his homework and some schoolwork, too. Kareem also generally wants to stay on Austin’s good side and so is afraid to stand up to him when Austin starts bullying a new Syrian immigrant whose family is friends with Kareem’s. Then things go haywire when Kareem’s mother has to go to Syria to get her parents to the US, and Trump’s order bans flights from Syria and some other predominantly Muslim countries. This is a powerful coming-of-age story about standing up for what is right — featuring a flawed protagonist who is sometimes hard to root for but always relatable.

What if Nazi Germany won WWII? That’s the chilling question this time-travel thriller explores. Two set of a friendship trio — on in 2023 and the other in 1944 — discover that they can communicate over a radio device present in both timelines. As the two groups figure out the differences in their timelines while trying to avoid making any changes to history, they discover that they’ve unwittingly made an enormously impactful change with shocking consequences. This is a middle grade book with a complex, cinematic plot and storytelling that wil appeal to younger and older middle schoolers alike.