Back-to-School Intermediate & Middle School

(2) 4-6 Fourth grader Izzy has her share of common woes--mean girls, school anxiety, play auditions, Dad's new girlfriend, an older brother who's retreating into "the teenage nation," and a new friend with a secret (she's a cancer survivor). Our window into Izzy's world is a series of short, episodic first-person prose poems adding up to a well-rounded portrait of a thoughtful character.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(2) 4-6 An offbeat rural school's seventh graders are obsessed with what happened to charismatic class clown Paulie, who hasn't returned for the new year. Reluctant new-kid Caitlyn judges a reality show–like competition to crown Paulie's successor. Sections narrated by Caitlyn are interspersed with interviews, emails, and text messages, which makes for a breezy read. Frequently laugh-out-loud funny, the novel captures the quirks and traditions of a small community.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) 4-6 At eleven-year-old Liv's new school, boys can wear pants, but "girls must wear a black, pleated, knee-length skirt." And while narrator Liv might "look like a girl...on the inside, I'm a boy." Strong-willed, introspective Liv is a likable and relatable protagonist navigating friendships, identity, and relationships at home with his two supportive moms. A touching novel on a timely subject.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(2) 4-6 A button war ensues after sixth grader Grace acquires boxes of old buttons and Grace's classmates create a burgeoning button economy. In a scene that's a model of friendship dynamics and of how wars get started, things get ugly when Grace snares a particularly attractive button her bossy best friend wants. Clements knows the appeal of digging into details, and he's not afraid to engage characters in abstract thinking.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(4) 4-6 Tommy's father has a secret that keeps the two of them moving from town to town under different names. The new kid, again, with a new identity, "Brock Nickerson" is also an exceptionally talented pitcher. Can he pursue his love of baseball at his new school, or will that jeopardize their safety? The suspense story line isn't as developed as Green's signature sports action.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) 4-6 Shy, artistic third grader Stella Díaz, who emigrated from Mexico to Chicago, is self-conscious about her accent and occasional English blunders. She's also worried about being in a different class than best friend Jenny. Supportive family members and teachers help Stella build self-confidence. Lively black-and-white illustrations showing elements of Stella's day-to-day bicultural life and of her imagination add dimension to a rich narrative.

Reviewer: Christina L. Dobbs | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Colin Jack. Small, scruffy Waldo and big, lazy Sassy love their human Stewart (maybe even more than they love meat). Since Stewart seems unhappy at this mysterious thing called "school," the protective pooches--Waldo atop Sassy and wearing a trench coat--infiltrate Bea Arthur Memorial Elementary as its new student, befriending classmates and charming (most) teachers. Falatko's absurdist premise and laugh-out-loud humor are deepened by Jack's cartoony illustrations throughout.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Federle wraps up Nate's story (Better Nate Than Ever; Five, Six, Seven, Nate!) by taking his title character from Broadway to a new stage: high school. There he comes out as gay to his classmates and spearheads a musical production of Great Expectations. Smart and snappy prose, lighthearted drama, and great characterizations make for an entertaining and moving trilogy finale.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) 4-6 Sixth grader Sam Warren feels homework leaves no time for things he wants to do. With the help of his retired-lawyer neighbor, Sam and classmates put together Warren v. Board of Education. Once granted class-action status, the case is off to the Supreme Court. Though hardly credible, the story is entertaining, and readers will learn much about constitutional law and the legal rights of students. Glos.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) 4-6 Macy is facing a new school with a new sign-language interpreter, her mother is getting re-married, and their house is up for sale. Elderly neighbor Iris's words of wisdom--and communication through cookies--brings Macy solace and understanding. Green's free verse makes this a quick, accessible read; Macy's deafness is a feature but not the focus of this sympathetic rendering of a twelve-year-old's realistic angst.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) 4-6 After a supportive editor's note, this anthology includes pieces in prose, verse, letters, and more, all centered--some directly, some more loosely--on middle school. Gary D. Schmidt's heartwrenching story takes place during the Vietnam War; David Wiesner contributes a brief graphic-novel memoir. Each entry includes a short biography of the author and a thumbnail photo of him or her in middle school. First-day tips are appended.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(2) 4-6 Babymouse: Tales from the Locker series. Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Babymouse has a lot to learn when she gets her first smartphone. Her forays into the quagmire of social media intensify her obsession with popularity and make her vulnerable to the middle schooler's nightmare: public humiliation. Babymouse's phone troubles are LOL funny, but her misguided attempts to reinvent herself will definitely resonate with fans. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are integral to advancing the story, second in the spinoff series.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) 4-6 Colors by Kevin Czap. On the first day of middle school, popular girl Amanda recruits fifth grader Faith for the soccer team. Faith winds up on the bottom-of-the-barrel C team, along with a bunch of misfits. The teammates slowly bond and--realistically--never improve at soccer. Johnson's expressive graphic-novel panels show a diverse cast with all sorts of body types, skin colors, and sexual and gender identities.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Sophie (Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer) obtains two new chickens plus a clutch of (unusual) eggs. Meanwhile, biracial Sophie has a somewhat uneasy start in middle school, but at least her beloved cousin comes to stay with the family while attending college. This sequel's epistolary format blends the outlandish premise with Sophie's realistic concerns about her family, peers, and flock. Humorous, loose line drawings are a good match for the plucky heroine's story.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) 4-6 Across-the-street Vancouver neighbors Sara (half-white, half-Korean) and Nadine (half-white, half-Japanese) have always been together--but then Nadine skips a grade and heads to high school, leaving her best friend behind. First-person, present-tense narration sympathetically evokes Sara's convincingly complicated feelings of confusion, grief, and anger during this year of upheaval. Debut author Kim's introspective story of moving from childhood to adolescence has a bygone and memoiristic sensibility.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) YA Seventh grader Theo is devastated when his self-portrait photographs in the school art gallery are defaced. With trepidation he joins the five students suspected of committing the vandalism in a Justice Circle. The suspects' daily written assessments and Theo's introspective first-person viewpoint slowly reveal the culprit. Levy delves into sensitive, timely topics while also providing plenty of entertainment and humor in this winning school story.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(2) 4-6 Homeschooled Emma is nervous the night before starting fifth grade at a traditional school, but the lost domesticated rabbit she and her father rescue is a good distraction. Her first day goes badly; complicating matters is Jack, a special needs boy in her class. Emma's anxiety about social dynamics and her close relationships with family members are well drawn. Facts about pet rabbits divide chapters and imply broader meanings to contemplate.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(2) YA Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Charlotte (Charlie) is more interested in classmate Emile than she is in music until her teacher puts on Maria Callas. This graphic novel focuses on middle-school dynamics within the rich context of Charlie's interior life and her burgeoning passion for opera. Small panels and varied colors for different story elements play well with drama supplied by full-page pictures. A revelation regarding Emile is bittersweet--like the story as a whole. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) 4-6 Rizzlerunk Club series. "Fourth grade, first day, brand-new school, and I'm barfing in front of everyone," says Lily, protagonist of Patricelli's (known for her preschooler and board books) first intermediate novel. Copious black-and-white illustrations enhance this tale of a shy girl befriended by a quirky outcast, whose own (jealous) best friend has just moved back to town. The three-way friendship dynamic is realistic, and humorous details abound.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Xavier Bonet. Bart doesn't fit in at his new middle school and is targeted by bullies. But secretly he's been fine-tuning the code on his own interactive smartphone game, and it eventually becomes the game of the moment. When Bart orchestrates a very public revenge on his bullies, he ultimately connects with them instead. Cartoonlike black-and-white illustrations bring the game to life and add to the laughs.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(2) 4-6 Track series. While preparing for the track championship and competing in a new event--the hurdles--Defenders co-captain Lu, who has albinism, learns a secret about his father that could potentially upend their close relationship. Meanwhile, Lu also must face a nemesis from his past. Reynolds takes great care in crafting multidimensional characters who confront real dilemmas and demonstrate that our shortcomings do not ultimately define us.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(2) 4-6 This sequel to Two Naomis finds new stepsisters Naomi Marie (who's black) and Naomi E. (white) adjusting to their blended family's changing dynamic. At their Brooklyn middle school, Naomi Marie experiences racism; meanwhile, Naomi E. feels pressure to be as academically successful as her stepsister. The Naomis must learn how to advocate for themselves and each other. The story unfolds authentically through both girls' points of view in alternating first-person chapters.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) 4-6 In seven chapters, the anthropomorphized animal characters from Mr. Wolf's Class go about their school day, including forming a club to solve mysteries. Through swift shifts in perspective, each character is shown with personality and depth. The panel illustrations are straightforward and functional, and the subdued color palette spotlights the rainy Pacific Northwest–looking setting. Smart foreshadowing, true-to-life dialogue, and comedic asides make this an entertaining page-turner.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(1) 4-6 Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick, a British butler bequeathed to Carter's suburban American family, arrives on the boy's first day of middle school. He introduces Carter to the sport of cricket and the concepts of etiquette, responsibility, and knowing oneself. Schmidt lightens the otherwise tragic tale of Carter missing his deployed soldier father and dead brother by deftly incorporating comedic scenes and his trademark use of narrator-provided snark.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Erin McGuire. Eleven-year-old Lark is empathic and imaginative; her twin Iris is assertive and practical. When they are assigned to separate fifth-grade classrooms, both girls are miserable. Meanwhile, objects begin disappearing all over town after a strange antique store appears, run by a man obsessed with finding his lost sister. The book is packed with thought-provoking material, exploring such themes as girls' power, healthy versus unhealthy relationships--and the cost of magic.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(2) YA Seventh grader Tillie, isolated and friendless, acts as her school's de facto "Lost and Found," scrutinizing the myriad photos she takes to locate classmates' mislaid items. One day popular Jake asks for her help in solving the mystery of his father's disappearance. Young rolls out a suspenseful mystery that soon deepens into a nuanced coming-of-age story. Authentic middle-school dialogue, humor, and social dynamics add appeal.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018