Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is the first part of a series we are starting! Over the next few weeks, we will be working our way through the alphabet as we use letters for inspiration as each title starts with the next letter in order. To get us started, we are exploring books that start with an A through F giving us six amazing books to explore; we have everything from nonfiction to novels in verse, some of my favorites, and some page turning fantasy adventures. Next week, we will pick up with the letter G. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthatoz 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!!
American Murderer by Gail Jarrow--Chronicles the discovery of American hookworm disease in the American South by scientist Charles Stiles, and discusses Stiles's work to implement public health standards to eradicate the disease. Explores the factors that led to people being infected with hookworm, and examines its effect on society during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander--Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper in the mythical kingdom of Prydain, sets out with the warrior Gwydion to save his country from evil.
Chasing King’s Killer by James L. Swanson--Profiles the life and times of James Earl Ray--the man who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Examines the politics of the time that influenced Ray, the crime itself, and the massive manhunt that ensued.
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander--Eleven-year-old Kofi Offin lives in the West African Asante Kingdom in 1860. Besides his family and friends, Kofi loves swimming in the nearby river and endeavors to impress a local girl named Ama. When a local festival known as the Kings Festival takes place, young boys from the villages take part in wrestling contests. Kofi's older brother Kwasi is chosen to represent their village, but during the match, something goes terribly wrong. Soon Kofi finds his life drastically changed and his happy life a thing of the past.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein--We meet 12-year-old Kyle Keeley, whose winning essay lands him a spot at an overnight lock-in at Alexandriaville's new library. The library has been designed by Kyle's hero, the famous gamemaker, Luigi Lemoncello, and contains an assortment of technological gadgets that is bound to enthrall Kyle, who loves all kinds of games. Kyle and the other winners enjoy a night of game-centered fun, but in the morning the library's doors do not open. He and his new friends are presented one last challenge: They must find their "way out of the library using only what's in the library."
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros--Best friends and neighbors Isaac and Marco are opposite in looks--Isaac is tall and Marco is short--and in abilities--Isaac excels at basketball, while Marco excels at schoolwork. However, that doesn't stop the sixth graders from having each other's back and helping each other get better. Isaac wants to finally take his schoolwork seriously while Marco wants to make the basketball team to make his dad proud of him. As they each work through difficulties at home and at school the pair learn important lessons in growing up.