The Wednesday Wars 

by Gary Schmidt

This is another great book for middle school students. I can see why districts have this book as a novel study. The main character Holling Hoodhood enters seventh grade in 1967, and the book follows his very unique year. He grows and changes significantly while the world around him is as well. I appreciated his character and found myself always rooting for him during his many challenges like bullying, his father's idea that Holling would follow in his footsteps no matter what, his religious difference from his peers, etc. The story was funny and very heartwarming! I'm glad I finally took the time to read it as it was well worth it.

Counting by 7s
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Grade 6 and up
Realistic Fiction

Counting By 7s is the story of Willow Chance, a twelve-year old girl who has been identified at an early age as ‘gifted’. Willow lives in Bakersfield, California and comes home from school one day to the news that her parents have been killed in a traffic accident.

What follows is Willow’s search to find a place where she belongs.

In equal parts an exploration of the pain of loss and of the triumph of moving forward, the novel looks at how one person can change the lives of many, often without even trying.

A Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Grade 6 and up
Realistic Fiction

This uplifting novel will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in.

“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid."

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

A Long Walk To Water
by Linda Sue Park
Grades 5-8
Realistic Fiction

A Long Walk to Water is a novella (only 128 pages) that tells the tale of two characters, Salva and Naya. It is based on a true story of the struggles of children in war torn Sudan.  Salva's journey starts in 1985 as he is suddenly separated from his family. He travels by foot through refugee camps to Ethiopia. Salva encounters many obstacles for an 11 year old boy, but despite this his drive to survive is inspiring. Naya's story starts in 2008 and her families ongoing struggle to survive in this third world country.  In the end the two lives will cross in an amazing and uplifting finale.