MORE 'MIND-THE-MIDDLE' POSTS
Distilled down to their most essential, these books were the perfect package: engaging stories that held my attention and beautiful language that took my breath away.
A seventh grader sets her sights on a prestigious art program in New York, but needs to raise money, navigate sticky friendship situations, and convince her parents that being an artist is a worthwhile pursuit along the way.
Not an easy read, my friends, not an easy read at all. But with Winston's typical stellar writing and vibrant characters, this rough look at the reality of life for so many kids is important and full of love.
I’d start off with an intro paragraph here, but you’d probably just skip it. Let me just say that these rules only apply to me.
Kids surviving adversity. Kids surviving in spite of their lives, in spite of the adults, in spite of the lack of resources.
Some books start with a character, some with an image, some with a memory. Light and Air began with a place: the ruins of a real life tuberculosis sanatorium.
Uncovered family secrets and a growing feminist consciousness propel a seventh grader to cause good trouble and start a school-wide revolution.
Let’s let strong Filipino girls be. Let’s let every strong kid be. Every child has a story to tell, and they all deserve to see themselves in the books they read, just like you and me.
Middle school is the toughest age to build a collection for readers as a school librarian. Yes, I said it.
What I wouldn't give to see this used as a book club selection or a read aloud at school and then be a fly on the wall for discussions. There is so much to talk about in this deeply affecting look at racism, segregation, activism, and violence.
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