8th Grade Superzero

8th Grade Superzero
By Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

This is a book about middle school, and all that is middle school--the good, the bad, and the ugly: friendships, embarrassing moments (like throwing up on the Principal's shoes in front of the whole school!), romance, bullying, class elections, popularity, and invisibility. Reggie McKnight is dealing with a lot during his 8th grade year, especially since he earned the nickname "Pukey" on the first day of school. Reggie's dad can't find a job, his older sister is mean, his comic book isn't coming together like he wants, and he has questions about a lot of big things like homelessness, and God. Luckily, he has great friends. And some surprising experiences--like being a Big Brother to a kid at a local homeless shelter--inspire him to do the impossible: stand up on a cafeteria table and announce he's running for class president!

The Haunted Playground

The Haunted Playground
By Shaun Tan

 

I'm a big fan of Shaun Tan's books and artwork (I was excited to find out we were actually born the same year!) so after reading Tales from Outer Suburbia, I thought I'd check out this other little book I found, also by Tan.  It's an easier read, a short and spooky ghost story which takes place in a giant playground.  Gavin, who starts off hunting for lost coins and jewelry in the sand with his new metal detector, ends up discovering something else entirely...and the "ghost" children who hang out at night in the playground decide they want him to stay and play with them--forever!

Tales from Outer Suburbia

Tales from Outer Suburbia
By Shaun Tan

Review from www.arthuralevinebooks.com :

You thought you knew suburbia.
Then you meet an exchange student from another world, discover a secret room that lets you escape to a place of perfect beauty, find a neighborhood where brightly painted missiles decorate every yard, and wait for a blind reindeer who demands a very special offering. . . . These are the odd, magical details of everyday suburban life that might forever go unnoticed, were they not finally brought to light by Shaun Tan, author and illustrator of award-winning New York Times bestseller The Arrival.
Outer Suburbia.
It's closer than you think.

The Westing Game

The Westing Game
By Ellen Raskin


I decided to reread this oldie-but-goodie (won the Newbery Medal in 1979), and it was just as great as I remember it was when I was in 6th grade!
A clever, who-done-it murder mystery, this book is both funny and kind of creepy.  I think it would especially appeal to anyone who loves puzzles, riddles, logic games, and mysteries...a great one to read in the summer, say around the Fourth of July (hint, hint!).
Enjoy!

Speak

Speak
By Laurie Halse Anderson

After a horrible experience at a summertime party, Melinda spends her 9th grade year practically silent, and seriously depressed.  She has lost all of her friends, and is treated like an outcast in her cliquey high school.  Hiding out in a janitor's closet, and spending time in art class help her figure out how to overcome her fear and figure out how to speak up about what happened.
Such a powerful, beautifully written story...Every middle school girl, especially, should read this one in my opinion.
Recommended for ages 12 and up.