Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that that were published in 2012 and are celebrating their 10th birthday! I do not know what was in the water, air, or universe that year but there were so many amazing titles and authors to come out of that year of publishing that books we read today are still inspired by those groundbreaking works. Many have been adapted into movies we were clamoring to see in the theaters since 2012 and some titles we are still talking about and recommending to others. There is a mixture of stand alone titles as well as firsts in a series to fantasy, realistic, mystery, and a bit of humor These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youth10years as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
Wonder by R.J. Palacio--Born with facial defects, Auggie Pullman has had 27 surgeries to correct the problems but still looks vastly different from other children. As such, his parents have homeschooled him his entire life; now, Auggie is ready to begin fifth grade at Beecher Prep. Although Auggie's father feels that sending him out into the real world is tantamount to bringing “a lamb to the slaughter,” Auggie holds his head up high and allows his smart, funny, and brave personality to lead the way. By dividing the narrative among Auggie, his parents, and his peers, author Palacio provides additional perspective on the story, revealing how this transition affects not only Auggie but those around him as well.
Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities by Mike Jung--Vincent Wu's superpower is knowing the most trivia about superheroes out of anyone else in his school. He is also the leader, along with his friends Max and George, of the unofficial Captain Stupendous Fan Club. So, when Captain Stupendous, the evil Professor Mayhem, a giant indestructible robot, Vincent's parents, and Polly Winnicott-Lee--the girl Vincent has a crush on--all collide together in a big mess, it will be up to Vincent to become a real superhero and save the day.
May B. by Caroline Rose Starr--Living on the Kansas prairie in the late 19th century, Mavis Elizabeth Betterly, May B. for short, knows just how much her family needs money. Because of this, she begrudgingly plays along when she is told she will be hired out to live with and help a family of homesteaders living 15 miles away – but only until Christmas, her father promises. Things start out well enough, but take a dangerous turn when May realizes she has been abandoned in the family's sod house with winter fast approaching. As her food supplies begin to run out, May realizes she must prepare on her own if she will survive and make her way back home.
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead--When seventh-grader Georges' father loses his job as an architect, his parents are forced to sell their home and move into an apartment building. Adding to Georges' stress is the fact that Jason, his best friend, has begun sitting at the "cool" table at lunch and no longer intervenes when bullies harass Georges. Relief (or some form of it) comes in Georges' introduction to Safer, a homeschooled boy who lives in his building. Safer describes himself as an amateur spy and enlists Georges' help in discerning the true nature of their unusual and possibly evil neighbor, Mr. X. As Georges and Safer become closer, their spy mission not only sheds light on their situation at home, but also gives Georges the fuel he needs to work through his problems at school.
The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver--Accompanied by an eccentric, human-sized rat, Liza embarks on a perilous quest through an underground realm to save her brother Patrick, whose soul has been stolen by the evilest of creatures--the spider-like spindlers.
Dead City by James Ponti--Seventh-grader Molly has always been an outsider, even at New York City's elite Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology, but that changes when she is recruited to join the Omegas, a secret group that polices and protects zombies.