No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen

Interest Level: 5-8

Lexile: 620L
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Twelve-year-old Felix's appearance on a television game show reveals that he and his mother have been homeless for a while, but also restores some of his faith in other people.

A 2021 ORCA (Oregon Readers' Choice Award) nominee, this book draws attention to the homeless situation. I liked this book but I wasn't a fan of the game show aspect of the story. I think that the story would have been more relatable without that element, I think that it masked the fact that he told his friends, his friends told an adult and Felix and his mother got the help they needed.

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

Interest Level: YA

Reading Level: 5.6
Lexile: 870
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Seventh-grader Lewis "Shoe" Blake from the Tuscarora Reservation has a new friend, George Haddonfield from the local Air Force base, but in 1975 upstate New York there is a lot of tension and hatred between Native Americans and Whites--and Lewis is not sure that he can rely on friendship.

This book is a OBOB (Oregon Battle Oregon of the Books) 2021 and a book that shines a light on racial injustice. Although this book is set in the mid-70's, it doesn't mean that the situation for Native Americans and their conditions on the reservations have improved. I think it is always a good idea to read about all different races, religions and sexuality. I believe that it can assist in creating a more empathetic individuals.

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 3.0
Lexile: NR
Genre: Ghost Stories

After seventh-grader Jerome is shot by a white police officer, he observes the aftermath of his death and meets the ghosts of other fallen black boys including historical figure Emmett Till.

I chose to read this book because it is a 2020-2021 Oregon Battle of the Books book and a 2021 Oregon Readers' Choice Award nominee. As I mentioned in my review of "Front Desk", this book is a well-timed read due to the recent media focus on racial injustice. I highly recommend this book to middle school student to adults. It is a powerful read.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 3.7
Lexile: 640L
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao is a nasty skinflint who exploits them; while her mother (who was an engineer in China) does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants--not to mention being only one of two Chinese in her fifth grade class, the other being Mr. Yao's son, Jason.

Once again, I chose this book hoping to find a 3-6 interest level book that would interest 7th and 8th grade students as well. I really enjoyed this book. I think with the latest media focus on racial injustice that this book would be a great read for any middle school student. I highly recommend it.

Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: NR
Lexile: NR
Genre: Science Fiction

Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.

Since the LRMS library is no longer going to be adjacent to the Edy Ridge library, I have been looking at books with an interest level of 3rd grade to 6th grade. I was interested to see if the appeal could extend to 7th or 8th grade. I think that if the reader like animals that it could. The lesson of accepting each other for who they are is a good one. I enjoyed it and plan on buying it for the middle school library but will wait to buy book #2 once I see how it is received.

Hidden Talents by David Lubar

Interest Level: Young Adult

Reading Level: NR
Lexile: 630L
Genre: Paranormal Fiction

When thirteen-year-old Martin arrives at an alternative school for misfits and problem students, he falls in with a group of boys with psychic powers and discovers something surprising about himself.

I highly recommend this book for middle school students to adults. Lubar writes characters that you care about. Martin, the main character, learns a lot in this book. He learns some empathy and a lot about himself. I have already ordered book #2: True Talents.