Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Finished the book

Wow! Awesome! I am so definitely buying this book for the library collection. The book I read previously was good but this one was excellent. I love and hated the ending. SPOILER ALERT - it leaves you hanging. But maybe there will be more to come about Grayson. Polonsky did an amazing job of helping the reader understand what life is like for Grayson. A small share - I cried when Grayson read Finn's letter.

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Interest Level: 3-6 grade

Reading Level: 4.5

Lexile: 720
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Currently on pg. 26, chapter 5

I continue my quest for a book(s) for the middle school library with a transgender lead character. My previous post was about the book George by Alex Gino. I enjoyed that book and have put it on my list to buy. This book is written in the first person so for now I will use the pronoun 'he' in reference to Grayson. Grayson is in middle school and a loner. The new girl at the school, Amelia, reaches out to him. At this point in the book, they are starting to develop a friendship.

George by Alex Gino

Interest Level: 3-6 grade

Reading Level: 4.7

Lexile: 790
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Finished the book


I went in search of a book(s) for the middle school library that has a transgender lead character. This book is about a fourth grade boy named George and her desire to have the world see her as she truly is, a girl. The author's use of pronouns is wonderful. While the world interacts with George as a boy, Gino's use of pronouns reinforces that George sees herself as a girl. Gino does an excellent job of making you love George and route for her happiness. I am adding this book to my must buy this.

The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

Finished the book

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because it had a slow start. I grew to care about the characters. I liked the ending. Williams set herself up to write a sequel; and I hope she does. I would read it.

Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

Currently on pg. 107, chapter 13

Now it is getting good. SPOILER ALERT - Shiloh has been told the truth. Terminals are genetic clones of people that have paid for them to sit in Haven Hospital and wait. When the Whole (the person that the had the Terminal made from their DNA) needed an organ or a body party, it was taken from the Terminal. Now will Shiloh go with Abigail, Daniel, and Gideon as they try to escape.

At this point, this book will be added to the middle school's library collection. However, I will not be recommending it to the 8th grade team. It just takes too long for the story to take off.

The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

Interest Level: Young Adult
Currently on pg. 44

Reading Level: 3.6

Lexile: 430 HL
Genre: Dystopian Fiction


I originally decided to read this book for two reasons. The first reason was that the book was recommended for grades 8 and up; and I wanted to make sure it wasn't too mature for the middle school library's collection. The second reason was that it had a low lexile number. If it was any good, I could recommend it to the 8th grade language arts team for the dystopian lit circles. I won't be recommending it to the 8th grade language arts teachers. Now the question is will the book grab me before I totally give up on it. There needs to be a bit of excitement or intrigue soon. 

The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork

Finished the book

Although this book is extremely heavy, it has a powerful message. I will not be adding it to the middle school library collection but I will recommend it to the high school librarian. The author himself lives with depression and tried as a youth to commit suicide. I think if a middle school student was dealing with these same issues this book could be of a great help. As a parent, I would want to read and discuss it with my child.