Explore The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, a dystopian classic with powerful themes. While it’s perfect for classroom shelves, its age shows, making it less impactful as a read-aloud. A solid 4/5 stars.
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Explore The Last Apprentice: Seventh Son by Joseph Delaney, a thrilling fantasy perfect for middle school readers. Follow Tom Ward’s journey as he trains to battle witches and ghosts. Ideal for independent reading!
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Discover Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, a heart-wrenching novel perfect for middle school classrooms. This 5-star read explores themes of racism, injustice, and empathy, making it an ideal read-aloud for grade 6 and beyond.
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Discover Nancy Farmer’s The House of the Scorpion, a thought-provoking dystopian novel for middle school readers. Explore themes of identity, ethics, and power in a futuristic world of clones and “eejits.” Perfect for classroom discussions on complex topics like morality, technology, and societal structures.
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This story is one of a few i’m going to be reading to educate myself more on black lives, history, and stories. I realize that while i’ve always tried to offer a variance in my classroom library, it can be hard to find good books for tweens by black authors or about black characters; so
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When it comes to modern classics for middle schoolers, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer stands out as a unique blend of fantasy and adventure. While I didn’t dive into this series as a youth, reading it now was an intriguing experience that kept me hooked. It’s easy to see why this book has earned a
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Mike Lupica’s Fast Break is my first dive into his work, and I can see why his books are such staples in teacher libraries, especially for middle school boys. Known for his sports-centered novels, Lupica combines detailed gameplay with emotional depth, creating stories that resonate with readers who might not usually pick up a book.
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If you’re looking for a captivating fantasy series for your classroom library, look no further than Magyk by Angie Sage. This is a book I loved as a child and recently revisited, only to find it just as enchanting as I remembered. Perfectly blending whimsy, adventure, and heart, Magyk is the first installment in the
David Klass’s Grandmaster is an intriguing story that combines the intensity of competitive chess with themes of self-discovery, mental health, and family relationships. While not a book for everyone, it’s an excellent choice for middle schoolers who enjoy chess, thoughtful narratives, or stories about navigating the pressures of high achievement. The Story of Daniel and
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Ryan Smithson’s Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI is an extraordinary book that offers a deeply personal perspective on the realities of war. Written as a memoir, this powerful story recounts Smithson’s experiences as a young soldier in Afghanistan and the lasting impact it had on his life. If you’re looking
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