“Sometimes being yourself is the hardest thing you‘ll ever do, but it‘s also the most important.”
“Sometimes being yourself is the hardest thing you‘ll ever do, but it‘s also the most important.”
This book would be great to include in a class library in a 5th-grade classroom and up. Graphic novels are a popular pick, and this one is great for students as they discover themselves, experience crushes, and conflict resolution.
pickPublished in 2024, this graphic novel explores themes like queer identity, first crushes, friendship conflicts, and ambition in music. It makes these mature topics accessible to preteens (ages 10–14) through age-appropriate characters and situations, a balanced tone, and relatable conflicts.
pickTony does an amazing job of balancing humor and serious topics in this middle grade graphic memoir. His character introductions and friends are hilarious, and he doesn't back down from the bullying and racism he faced or the resulting mental health struggles. It was great watching him build his support network and their efforts to save the school too. Do read the content warnings. #MiddleSchool #BIPOC #Nerds
pickAlex‘s POV of a student ready to branch outside of his self-contained classroom isn‘t one I‘ve come across before. Alex suddenly has to navigate the fallout from an old friendship, changing expectations in the classroom, and his parents‘ preconceived notions on what his education & future will look like. The story was a window into Alex‘s life and I found myself cheering for him as he learned to ask for what he wants and to stand up for himself.
I am late for #hyggehourReadathon. I‘m reading my #bookspin book and listening to folks in the neighborhood still setting off firecrackers. 🙄
@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie
pickThis was an adorable middle grade romance!
I loved the premise. It‘s the classic “popular guy helping the nerdy girl with a makeover and they up falling for each other” trope. Not a novel premise, but one that I do adore. I thought the execution of it was well done, especially for a middle grade audience.
Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/05/30/review-what-if-you-fall-for-me-fi...
pickMy library system is hitting it out of the park with this year‘s Community Read selections. Art Club is the MG pick and it is delightful! The artwork is colorful and fun. I love the story of kids forming an art club, exploring different styles of art, and proving to school administration and the community how art is important, too.
