Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Interest Level: 5-8

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 4.2

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like? But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus, in the halls and during band practice—the one place Mila could always escape. It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others—and herself.

For the first quarter of this book, I was furious. I couldn't believe that none of her friends were listening to Mila when she said that the boys in her class were making her uncomfortable. I was disappointed that Mila felt has had to do something big in order for someone to listen to what she was saying. That being said, this book is a must read. The plot assumes that the boys didn't know that what they were doing was sexual harassment. If that were the case then their parents and the school's curriculum had done these boys a disservice. I would have liked the author to have mentioned some kind of counseling for Mila. I am unsure what moved me to give this book 4 and not 5 stars, maybe it was the topic. 

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Interest Level: 5-8

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 6.3

Jude never thought she'd be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven't quite prepared her for starting school in the US --and her new label of 'Middle Eastern,' an identity she's never known before.

I enjoyed "Other Words for Home". I liked the character Jude and cared about her struggles. The story moved along nicely and I found myself looking forward to reading it. I would recommend this book to any middle school student.

I Can Make This Promise By Christine Day

Interest Level: 5-8

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 6.2

When twelve-year-old Edie finds letters and photographs in her attic that change everything she thought she knew about her Native American mother's adoption, she realizes she has a lot to learn about her family's history and her own identity.

I choose to read this book because it is a nominee for the 2022 Oregon Readers Choice Award. After reading all of the nominated books. This is my vote for the award. I loved the main character Edie. I cared about her journey to find out about her heritage. The plot kept moving. I was compelled to keep reading. I would definitely recommend this book to middle schoolers.