Set in Boston, All You Have to Do presents two parallel stories of 16-year-old Black students navigating predominantly white schools. In 1968, in the immediate aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Kevin joins a student led protest at his university and faces harsh ramifications for his choices. In 1995, Gibran faces similar challenges as he navigates microaggressions and the controversy and consequences of his choice to honor the Million Man March. Both teens must confront the complexities of race, privilege, and belonging as they struggle to find their voices and fight for justice. This powerful, dual-timeline novel explores themes of racial identity, social justice, and the enduring impact of history. It will move readers and resonate deeply with contemporary issues of race and equality.

Set in 1990s Los Angeles, Chasing Pacquiao follows 15-year-old Bobby, a Filipino-American queer teen, who faces relentless bullying in high school. After Bobby is viscously attacked by a trio of bullies and badly injured, he takes up boxing in the hopes of fighting back. As Bobby immerses himself in the world of boxing, he discovers that true strength comes from more than just physical power—it comes from persistence, self-acceptance, and community. But when Bobby’s hero, world champion fighter Manny Pacquiao makes his views opposition to homosexuality public, Bobby is deeply shaken. This compelling coming-of-age story touches on themes of homophobia, fallen heroes, and more with nuance and sensitivity. Readers will connect with Bobby’s authenticity and root for him too!

Set in a dystopian New Beijing, where society is divided into class based rings, Kingdom of Without follows 17-year-old Zhong Ning’er, a Sixth-Ring thief. After her addict father empties her bank account, Zhong starts working with Red Yaksha, a Robin Hoodesque masked hero, and his crew of rebels to earn some much needed money. Zhong’s first assignment? To free a rebel leader trapped inside a secret lab. In the face of dangerous and daunting assignments as well as widespread political corruption, Zhong, a reluctant rebel, finds unexpected friendships, purpose, and perhaps most importantly, hope. With its gripping plot and strong, complex protagonist, Kingdom of Without is a perfect choice for fans of dystopian tales who love a mix of technology, intrigue, and ethical dilemmas!

After her mum dies leaving her an orphan, Rosie Frost, a spirited, ginger-haired 13-year-old, is sent to a school with ties to the Tudors located on the mysterious Bloodstone Island. As Rosie begins to discover secrets and connections to her family’s past, her most prized possession (a red case of her mum’s) is taken by the headmaster and Rosie suddenly finds herself uncovering a disturbing plot that threatens Bloodstone Island’s incredible endangered animals. In the hopes of reclaiming her beloved red case and exposing this sinister plot, Rosie enters the infamous Falcon Queen Games and competes in three dangerous and daunting physical and mental challenges. This fast-paced adventure is filled with mystery, historical and royal intrigue, and a touch of magic. Rosie is a deeply relatable and empowering protagonist whom readers will eagerly root for!

In this thoughtful and heartfelt novel, a young girl grapples with big questions about life, religion, and her own beliefs. The story follows Agnes, an inquisitive 12-year-old, who grapples with the image of God as an old white man. As she wrestles with big questions, Agnes forms a friendship with her anthropologist neighbor, who helps confirm her curiosity and helps expand her thinking and she identifies with opossums’ survival strategy of “playing dead” in her confirmation class. With nuance and a pitch perfect mix of humor and heart, Opinions and Opossums encourages young minds to think critically and embrace the courage it takes to ask questions and seek their own truths. A short, powerful, resonant read!

Driven by a desire to ensure that her beloved late grandmother, Babi, is truly at peace, 6th grader Helena Novak has been leaving gifts at Babi’s grave in the hopes of luring her spirit back to the world of the living. While investigating the sudden disappearance of these gifts, Helena and best friend Ben discover a passage which plunges them into an eerie and extensive underworld full of creepy forests and shady characters. Helena and Ben’s presence in the underworld is perilous (getting lost is not an option!) and even with their new found guide, Grumbones, they are ill at ease, but determined to find Babi. 

Bennett creates a palpable, powerful, and fantastical sense of place in this story; the underworld is truly an enticingly and fascinatingly weird and wonderful realm. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as Helena and Ben journey through the underworld and will be mesmerized by the equally mysterious and suspicious Grumbones. And while the chilling and eerie aspects of the underworld will initially hook middle school readers, Helena’s love and care for Babi and her steadfast friendship with Ben, will resonate with readers long after the last page. A perfect paranormal fantasy with plenty of intrigue and heartfelt feeling. 

In a series of super relatable and laugh out loud funny letters steeped in sarcasm, Sister makes her case for being America’s Overlooked Sibling. She uses her family photo album as evidence: Brother is always front and center, the smiling, shining star, while Sister (to her most expressive displeasure), is relegated to the background. As America’s Overlooked Sibling, Sister does all the work while Brother receives (and laps up!) all the praise and accolades. When Brother goes to music camp, Sister has to take care of Brother’s bearded dragon, Frightful, the pet that’s about as far from the dog she wanted as possible. Initially outraged, Sister surprises herself by actually enjoying her bearded dragon pet sitting duties and when Brother returns, there a heartfelt and uplifting shift takes place between the siblings. 

McGhee’s hilarious, sincere exploration of the complex relationship of this Sister-Brother pair is delightful and deeply relatable. The illustrations are incredibly expressive and pair perfectly with Sister’s case for being America’s Overlooked Sibling. Dear Brother makes for a fun and funny romp of a read for all middle schoolers with siblings.

After an injury brings her gymnastics career to an abrupt end, Eden (13) is feeling lost – that is, until a school suspension alongside her classmate and friend Maribel, results in the discovery of an impassioned, innovative, and generous community that includes Maribel and her family, Will, a trans boy, and his mom, Raven. As Eden learns about poverty, inequity, and many women’s lack of access to menstruation products, she unearths a passion for helping people as well as a knack for sewing that she uses to sew reusable cloth menstrual pads that are freely distributed by the small nonprofit Raven runs. As Eden finds her passion, purpose, and explores period related aspects of social justice, however, her relationship with her mother, Heather, a super successful business woman who makes menstruation products for profit, becomes increasingly strained. 

Readers will root for Eden as she navigates shifting perspectives and priorities with nuance and authenticity and will feel empowered by this thought-provoking and inspiring storyline centering on the hardships and rewards of taking thoughtful and empathic action. McCullough skillfully touches upon complex issues of poverty, inequity, mother-daughter relationships, middle school friendships, and social justice through well rounded, highly likable characters in moving and relatable ways, offering readers a powerful narrative of resilience and determination. Often funny and hugely heartfelt, Code Red is a highly recommended and timely read for all middle school audiences.