2020 MEMORABLE MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS
2020 may not have been the year we anticipated, but it was a great year for MG fiction! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve posted many of these 5 star books, but with the craziness of the year some may have slipped your mind. To help you find your favorites for your holiday shopping list, here are my top MG picks of 2020. You may also want to keep the list handy for your next trip to the library. With winter coming (at least where I am!) there will be lots of extra time to curl up with a good book. Finally, be sure to check out my post from last month to find some more five star MG books, ALL KIDS CAN BE HEROES.
Look for part 2 of my 2020 favorite MG books tomorrow!
The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane 
By Kate O’Shaughnessy
First of all, let’s talk about the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous?! It offers a small peek into Maybelle’s story and gently asks you to step into her life. When you do, you’ll find your heart breaking a bit time and time again, but you’ll also find yourself cheering for every character as each one searches for the courage to face their fears and follow their dreams.
Next, let’s talk about the characters. I loved every one!
💙Gemma, Maybelle’s mom who works two jobs to keep a rickety roof over their head, and loves Maybelle with all her heart, while all along dreaming of a singing career.
💙Maybelle, who has an amazing voice of her own, spends her lonely hours recording the everyday sounds we shouldn’t ever forget and dreaming of meeting the daddy she’s never laid eyes on. She’s a girl who shares her mama’s kindness, patience and understanding of others.
💙Mrs. Boggs, Maybelle’s neighbor who lives in a Winnebago, is a teacher with a strict and gray exterior, but a heart of gold. She desperately misses her young husband, who died recently, and thoughtfully steps up to help when she is needed by her young neighbors.
💙Tommy, Maybelle’s neighbor and classmate, hangs out with the mean kids and tries to hide the bruises that mysteriously appear whenever his dad is out of town and he stays with his stepmom. But he’s also the boy who can secretly fix anything, reads engineering textbooks for fun and is kind to Maybelle when she really needs a friend.
When Maybelle, Mrs. Boggs and Tommy take off in her Winnebago on a road trip to Nashville to find Maybelle’s dad, the fun really begins. Not only was it an adventure for two kids who had never left their state, but it gave them all an opportunity to thoughtfully help one another gather their courage to face their obstacles and dream their dreams. They all learned some important lessons during their long trip, but none more important than the understanding that taking care of someone else not only helps the recipient, but also yourself.
This is a book you’ll both race through to see what happens next, but also read slowly knowing it’s going to end before you’re ready to say goodbye. It’s a book you’ll remember for a long time.
T
he Space Between Lost and Found
By Sandy Stark-McGinnis
My mom, who had Altzheimer’s disease, died nine years ago, but those difficult years are still a fresh memory. It was so hard watching the caring, independent woman fade away. However, it is so much worse for Cassie, because she is just twelve years old and her mom, who is a vivacious woman with a courageous bucket list, has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.
🐬This awful news means Cassie’s family must struggle to find a new normal. Her Dad’s objective is to keep her mom safe, while Cassie’s main objective is to keep her mom happy. However, in the process she pushes her best friend away and loses the inspiration for her artwork. Finally, the day her mom forget’s Cassie’s name, Cassie decides no matter what the danger involved, she must help her mom achieve at least one goal on her list.
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This is a powerful story about courage, determination, families, friendship and love. It is about Cassie’s growth and bravery as she supports her mom and fights for what she is certain is best for her. It is about the fragile friendship between Cassie and her best friend and how that friendship, not only with Bailey, but also with Bailey’s family gives her the support and understanding she so badly needs. It is a story about Cassie’s dad’s love for both Cassie and her mom and his struggle to do what is best for both of them. It’s a story that will break your heart, but will offer hope in the end.
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This story helps us to understand those diagnosed with Alzheimers, and how it affects everyone in the family. It helps us understand the frustration, the anger and the grief felt by all involved. It’s such an important story for MG and middle school students. Hopefully, few will experience a parent with this diagnosis, but unfortunately many will have grandparents who suffer from Alzheimers, and this book will give them both understanding and comfort.
The Boy at the Back of the Class
By Onjali Q. Rauf
Suddenly there’s a new boy, Ahmet, in their class and the rumors are swirling. Why doesn’t he speak? Why doesn’t he go to recess? Why doesn’t he go to lunch? Does he have a super contagious disease? Is he too dangerous to be with the other students? This doesn’t stop four best friends decide to be his friends. And they have no idea what that decision will mean in the weeks to come.
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This amazing book offers a child’s perspective of the refugee crisis. It’s about bravery, compassion, empathy and friendship, inspiration and most of all hope. It’s a book that needs to be read aloud and discussed in classrooms across the country, as well as shared in parent child book clubs. It’s a book that will cause tears, cheering and frustration. It’s a book that will help all who read it to understand the meaning of what a refugee truly is and how important it is that refugees are treated with respect and kindness. It’s a book that will make you thankful there are so many compassionate and kind people in the world, and make you angry how a few loud voices can sometimes drown out the kindness. And finally it’s a book that is great for ages 8 – 98!
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Teachers and librarians, please make certain this is part of your collection, share it with your students and staff and encourage read alouds and discussion. Parents, please share it with your children! And please, whatever your age, read this book! You’ll be so glad you did.
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Finally, Ahmet’s poignant drawings describing his journey from Syria to London are the turning point in the story; the point when Ahmet’s classmates begin to understand and support him. Everyone, that is, except the class bullies. There are always bullies though aren’t there, no matter their age?
D
an Unmasked
By Chris Negron
This is a story about comic books, superheroes, baseball, grief and most of all the power of friendship. Dan, his best friend, Nate and their baseball team are on their way to winning the championship. There are several games yet to go in the tournament, but with the team’s great playing, Nate’s amazing pitching and Nate and Dan’s uncanny ability to always know what each other is thinking (they know they’re on the same page when each lays a finger next to his nose) it seems they can’t miss.
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Not only does the team share the love of baseball, but they also share the love of comics, especially the Captain Nexus series. In fact when a new issue comes out, they all gather in Nate’s basement, along with his brother Ollie to read it together. Each issue ends with a cliffhanger, which gives everyone lots to theorize about what will happen next.
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The next day at practice that’s exactly what Dan and Nate are doing; brainstorming about the next issue when they should really be watching the ball; the ball that changes everyone’s lives.
Nate is suddenly in a coma and Dan is certain it’s all his fault. Dan is convinced the only way Nate will wake up, is if he, Ollie and Ollie’s friend, Courtney, write a comic starring Nate.
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This story had me on the edge of my seat, as it also brought tears to my eyes. Dan’s determination to find a way to save his friend was inspiring, but the fear and loneliness he felt as he faced the real possibility of losing Nate, broke my heart. At the same time, the supportive friendships and the kindness which surrounded Dan and his friends filled me with warmth as I read.
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DAN UNMASKED is for the baseball lover, the comic book geek and especially for anyone who wants to read a story which fills them with hope. Grades 4+.
Don’t Check Out This Book! 
By Kate Klise
This story had me grinning from page one! It was full of fun, puns and fighting for what’s right. It’s all about a caring librarian who wants what’s best for her kids, even if it means going against the school board and the principal. She’s all about finding the most enticing book for her students; one that will lead them to staying up way way past their bedtime or one which enables them to research topics questioned by the school board president. (my kind of librarian!!) It’s also about some determined fifth grade sleuths, a caring and supportive school secretary (who actually runs the school, OF COURSE!) and the wacky school board president who is just a wee bit shady. 📚
I flew through this mystery, which is written in a series of letters, notes, texts and newspaper articles. It’s the perfect book for those kids who come into the library asking for a funny book or for the reluctant readers who aren’t really sure they’ll ever find a book they like. I’m certain almost anyone in grades 3+ will have a great time curling up with this story and being transported to the craziness of Appleton, Illinois, population of 83!
W
e Could Be Heroes
By Margaret Finnegan
Oh, WE COULD BE HEROES is one of those stories you’ll be thinking about for a very long time. This memorable tale, about two delightful neurodivergent children who find friendship for the first time, will grab your heart. It allows us to view the world through their eyes and to experience their feelings as they struggle to understand it.
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It also allows us to meet their parents who are supportive, loving and firm. Your heart will break a bit when you witness the surprise and joy they all feel when Hank and Maisie become friends. And you’ll admire them as they gently guide their children to understand how to be a good friend. Most of all you’ll love the way they teach their children “different is not less”.
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Then there is the story of how the kids work together to save Booler, a neighbor dog with seizures who is tied to a tree 24 hours a day “for his own protection”. Hank, who has autism, and can tell you anything you’d ever want to know about rocks, has learned to know the “a’a” feeling when he’s losing control and tries his best to use his coping strategies. Maisie, the girl who just moved to Hank’s Montana town has decided she and Hank are going to be friends and save Booler, no matter the cost. And the costs turn out to be huge!
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This is a #windowsandmirrors story for all of us. It’s a great one to read aloud and will lead to lots of good discussions about some of the decisions Hank and Maisie make, as well as their feelings. You’ll also have lots of fun talking about all of the idioms Maisie uses. I was laughing out loud more than once!
WE COULD BE HEROES is for grade 3+ and is sure to become a favorite!
The List of Things that Will Not Change
By Rebecca Stead
Bea’s parents are divorced, but when they first shared the news, they gave Bea a green notebook and a green pen (her favorite color) containing a list of the things that would not change. These things would never change, even though her mom and dad wouldn’t be living together anymore and she would spend half her time with her mom and half with her dad. That happened two years ago when she was eight. She still carried that notebook everywhere and through the years the list of things had grown, but nothing had changed. But now something WAS changing. Her dad was marrying Jesse and she would soon have two dads AND a sister because Jesse has a daughter just her age! more
This story came at just the right time for me. I was struggling to find a book I really loved; since I’m a mood reader, that happens to me, though not often. When I read the first page, I was at peace once again. I found a story to love. It’s a story I didn’t want to put down and one I didn’t want to end. Here’s some of the reasons why.
- I loved the supportive adults in Bea’s life; her parents, her dad’s fiance; her babysitter, her teacher and her therapist. I especially loved Miriam, her therapist. We all need a Miriam in our lives. I wanted to take notes about the advice and tidbits of wisdom she kindly offered to Bea.
- I loved Bea’s joy and optimism, and also identified with her worries about both the small and large things in her life.I also loved how we were allowed to see her anger and her guilt
- l loved how kids will see themselves in Bea, whether their parents are divorced or are gay; whether they share some of her fears or whether they, too, feel anger or guilt about something in their lives.
I loved how Bea’s friends supported her and forgave her mistakes. There’s an extra special moment with her best friend and an oyster. Be sure and look for that one!
I’m certain you, too, will love this book.
T
he Popularity Pact: Camp Clique: Book One
Camp Clique is story told in two voices. It’s the story of Bea and Maisy who have been friends since pre-school, until Maisy mysteriously ghosted Bea at the beginning of sixth grade. This led to a year of extreme loneliness for Bea, while it was a full year for Maisy who became a member of the popular girls group, the M&Ms.
Now it’s summer and Bea is on the bus with her BFFs enroute to the camp she has gone to every summer, Camp Amelia. Then Maisy steps on the bus. Maisy, the least adventurous girl Bea knows, is going to adventure camp, because her dad wants her safe and busy for the next six weeks. AND it turns out not only is Maisy going to be at camp, but will also be her bunkmate.
Bea and her bunkmates are not in the least bit happy to have Maisy join their group and perhaps ruin their chances of winning the all important bunk tournament at the end of the summer. Maisy is miserable and willing to do almost anything to be accepted by her bunkmates. In fact she’s so desperate, she offers a deal to Bea. If Bea helps her fit in at camp, she’ll make sure Bea is a part of the M&Ms. Bea accepts and the summer begins.
Eileen Moskowitz-Palma’s story immediately transported me back to 7th grade (a VERY LONG time ago!), which tells me twelve year old girls haven’t really changed. They are still desperate to be accepted and to be part of a group. This desperation makes them willing to do almost ANYTHING to make that happen, even if it means going against what they know in their hearts is wrong. This is the foundation of this great story.
This story about friendship, acceptance and trust is one that will pull you in and not let go. Here are a few reasons why:
- Dr. Beth, the hippy camp psychologist who kindly helps Maisy work through some of her many fears and to talk about the reason she doesn’t read her mom’s letters.
- The bunkmates respect and admiration for each other’s talents.
- Bea’s mom for her understanding, her support and her honesty.
- Maisy’s bravery and determination to overcome her fears and to become a better athlete.
- Bea and Maisy’s memories they can’t ignore.
This book is first in the POPULARITY PACT series. School Squad is out now, too. These are great choices for grades 3+
Here in the Real World
By Sara Pennypacker
Ware can’t wait for summer. He’ll be spending it with his beloved grandmother and will be swimming everyday. His plans suddenly change when Grandma, “Big Deal”, falls and breaks both hips. This means Ware has to return to the dreaded Rec Center for another boring summer full of “meaningful social interactions” which will hopefully turn him into his mom and dad’s version of a “normal kid”; one who loves sports and wants to spend every waking minute with friends. On the first day of Rec Center, Ware climbs a tree and discovers another world beyond the fence. He meets a fiercely proud and determined girl, Jolene, who is creating an urban garden with the seeds from rotten fruit, amongst the ruins of a church. Slowly, together they create a refuge out of the ruins; a true urban oasis.
Sara Pennypacker, the author who brought us the memorable story of PAX a few years ago, has created a touching tale of friendship, family, the knights’ code of chivalry and heroes. She slowly introduces us to Jolene and Ware, two twelve year old children who desperately need each other, even though they would never admit it.
I loved Ware’s endless energy and creativity as he worked to build a castle from the remnants of the old church, and his vow to always follow the knight’s code of chivalry “thou shalt do battle against unfairness whenever faced with it” even when it leads Jolene to accuse him of living in “magic fairness land”. I was thrilled when, after days and weeks of hearing this accusation, Ware finally realized “I don’t want things to be magically what they’re not. I want them to be what they could be. And somebody has to want that, or nothing bad will ever get better.”
I loved seeing Jolene’s resourcefulness and determination as she created her urban garden. I admired her when she found the courage to allow Ware a glimpse into her life and to understand she not only needed a friend, but she needed help. In other words, she needed a hero. She needed someone to teach her the real world could be more than she thought. She needed to understand “bad stuff happens. But the real world is also all the things we do about the bad stuff. We’re the real world, too.”
I’ll be thinking about Ware and Jolene for a very long time. Their story is one that grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. It’s the book so many of us are looking for right now. Please read this book and please share it with anyone in grades 3+. You’ll be so glad you did!
watch for part 2 of my list of
favorite mg books tomorrow!
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