#33 -- Chrissa

This book by Mary Casanova is part of the widely-popular American Girl series.  Chrissa and her family have just moved to a new town so her mother, who is a doctor, can work at a bigger hospital.  On Chrissa's first day of school she is seated beside a group of girls that everyone calls the "mean bees".  These girls make Chrissa's life miserable from the first day.  They write ugly notes to her, lie about everything, and steal her permission form for swimming class.  It all comes to a boil when they mean girls cut Chrissa's friend Gwen's hair and blame it on Chrissa.  Will Chrissa stand up for herself and tell what really happened?  Will one of the girls confess?  You will have to read to find out.

These popular books are more appealing for the younger middle school crowd.  I would say they are most appropriate for 3rd grade to 6th grade girls, or any girl who loves American Girl.

#32 -- Seventh-Grade Tango

This book by Elizabeth Levy is a very funny look at young love and friendship with a little bit of dancing thrown in to make it exciting.  Rebecca finds out that they are starting a dance class at her school.  She is paired with her friend Scott.  As they dance, they discover that they are actually pretty good.  Will dancing bring them closer together?  Will they become more than friends?  Or will he choose another girl instead?  You will have to read to find out!

This was a very cute book.  Even though the title is Seventh-Grade Tango, I feel it would be suited for all middle school grade levels (5-8).  It is a great read for all girls!

#31 - Rewind

This book by William Sleator starts out with the main character, Peter, watching his own funeral.  As he is being lain to rest, he sees a bright light and a voice tells him that he has the ability to redo his life from any point.  He chooses to go back to the night before and relive his life, but he dies again!  He is then given a second chance, and chooses another time to go back to.  The same thing happens.  He then gets a third chance and must make all new decisions.  What decisions does he make?  Do those decisions help him stay alive?  Or will he die a fourth time?  You will have to read to find out.

This was a very quick read, but one that I feel that most middle school students would enjoy.

#30 -- Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

This book by Tommy Greenwald is a funny look at one middle school boy's quest to never read a book. He pays people off with ice cream to read his books for him, he guilts his sister into reading books for him, he comes up with a system of only reading the first and last chapters of the books, and many other crazy schemes. What does he eventually learn about his quest to not read?  Does it pay off in the end?

This was a very good book told from a middle school boy's prospective. It is about middle school life in general and not just about not reading. I feel this book will be a big hit with boys from 4th grade and up who are reluctant readers since they will understand where Charlie Joe is coming from. 

#29 -- Ashes, Ashes

This book by Jo Treggiari is very similar to The Eleventh Plague. The world has been hit with multiple natural disasters then a plague that kills of all but 1% of the population. The survivors are hunted by a group called the Sweepers who want to do tests on these survivors to see how and why they survived. Lucy was never infected with the plague and has survived on her own since the outbreak. A close call sends her running and she eventually teams up with a group of scavengers. The Sweepers keep getting closer and closer. Who is it they are searching for?  Is it Lucy?  What do they want?  You will have to read to find out!!

This was a great book of survival that would appeal to grades six and up. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down. I assume it is the first in a series since many plot lines were left open at the end. I can't wait for book two!

#28 -- Lunch Walks Among Us

This is book #1 in the extremely popular Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton.  Franny is a little strange.  She has bats in her room, she eats weird lunches, she is always making potions, and she dresses funny.  When she moves to a new town the other kids at school don't know how to take her and her weirdness.  Franny decides to change herself to be like everyone else.  She even decides to take a sandwich for lunch!  But Franny just cannot be like everyone else.  Eventually one of her experiments goes very wrong.  What happens with the experiment?  You will have to read to find out.

I had to read this book to see what all of the fuss was about and why the series always stays checked out from the library.  It was an extremely quick read (with a lot of pictures), but very entertaining - especially to the middle school aged brain!

#27 -- Skipping Christmas

This book by John Grisham was originally written for adults, but has a theme that would appeal to anyone.  The Kranks have decided that since their only child will be away on Christmas they will skip the holiday and go on a cruise instead.  Their neighbors find out about their plans and do not agree with their decision.  Everyone tried to talk them out of it.  Their neighbors even try to demand that they not skip Christmas.  Just as they are about to go on their cruise they dramatically change their minds.  What caused their abrupt decision?  You will have to read to find out!!

This was a good read about being in the holiday spirit (or in their case -- not being in the holiday spirit).  It is great for all grade levels.