Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Liar & Spy
Rebecca Stead
Wendy Lamb Books
180 pgs.

Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.

Wonder by RJ Palacio

Wonder by RJ Palacio
Alfred Knopf
315 pg.


Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.

Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Lions of Little Rock
Kristin Levine
GP Putnam and Sons
298 pgs.

In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy twelve-year-old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration, but her friendship with Liz, a new student, helps her find her voice and fight against racism. 

Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani

Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani
Veera Hiranandani
Delacorte Press
211 pgs.


When Sonia's father loses his job and she must move from her small, supportive private school to a public middle school, the half-Jewish half-Indian sixth-grader experiences culture shock as she tries to navigate the school's unfamiliar social scene, and after her father is diagnosed with clinical depression, she finds herself becoming even more confused about herself and her family.

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz
Candlewick Press
2011
226p.

Everything changes for thirteen-year-old Travis, a new student who is trying to hide his illiteracy, when he meets a sassy classmate with her own secrets and a remarkable teacher.

Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur

Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur
Wendy Lamb Books
2011
216p.

When twelve-year-old Elise, orphaned since age three, becomes disheartened by middle school, with its bullies, changing relationships, and higher expectations, keys to long-locked rooms and messages from her late father help her cope.

Addie on the Inside by James Howe

Addie on the Inside by James Howe
Atheneum Books for Children
2011
206p.

Outspoken thirteen-year-old Addie Carle learns about love, loss, and staying true to herself as she navigates seventh grade, enjoys a visit from her grandmother, fights with her boyfriend, and endures gossip and meanness from her former best friend.

War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

War & Watermelon by Rich Wallace
Viking Children's Books
2011
186p.

As the summer of 1969 turns to fall in their New Jersey town, twelve-year-old Brody plays football in his first year at junior high while his older brother's protest of the war in Vietnam causes tension with their father.

Silhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones

Silhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones
Farrar Strauss Giroux
2011
200p.

After the death of her mother in an automobile accident, seventh-grader Serena, who has gotten the lead in her middle school play, is left to handle the day-to-day challenges of caring for herself and her younger brother when their father cannot pull himself out of his depression.

Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen

Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Deception by Gary Paulsen
Wendy Lamb Books
2011
120p.

Fourteen-year-old Kevin is very good at lying and doing so makes life easier, but when he finds himself in big trouble with his friends, family, and teachers, he must find a way to end his lies forever.

Warp Speed by Lisa Yee

Warp Speed by Lisa Yee

Arthur A. Levine

2011

310p.

Marley Sandelski has always felt invisible at school when he is not facing bullies, but a series of unexpected events gives him a taste of popularity and insights into some classmates, well-liked or greatly-feared.

Hard Kind of Promise by Gina Willner-Pardo

Hard Kind of Promise by Gina Willner-Pardo

Clarion Books
2010
200 pgs.

Summary

California seventh-graders Sarah and Marjorie made a promise in kindergarten to always be friends, but Marjorie is weird and Sarah, wanting to be at least somewhat popular, makes friends with a fellow choir member.