Category: 8th Grade

Miles Morales Spider-Man

9/10/2020

Miles Morales is done being Spider-Man. His spidey sense has gone haywire and got him in trouble at school. He has enough to worry about with a confederacy-obsessed history teacher who has it out for him and the nightmares about his uncle that have been plaguing Miles ever since his death. His best friend thinks he should just use his powers to pull stunts and make money. But when people from his neighborhood start disappearing, he discovers a supernatural conspiracy designed to keep Miles and his family down. Miles knows he has to don the suit once more and fight for what's right.

I love how this story has a solid grounding in real-life issues that teens can relate to. As an educator, I hated every moment reading about Miles's awful history teacher obsessed with teaching the lost-cause propaganda of the civil war. Unfortunately, teachers like that do exist and I love how Miles and his fellow students stand up to him. I love all the supporting characters from Miles's mom to his best friend Ganke. A great mix of real-world social justice and super hero justice.

Miles Morales Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
Erica's Picks
5th - 8th
Tags: adventure, family life, friendship, issues fiction, people of color, school stories, social justice, supernatural

The Tiger at Midnight

9/10/2020

Esha and Kunal are fighting on different sides of the war. Kunal is the nephew of the general and has always made him proud. He's a good soldier with a great future ahead of him. The legendary viper is a hero to the rebels. Her acts of sabotage and assassination are known to all, but only a handful know her real name is Esha, or even that she's a woman. When the Viper is framed for a high-profile assassination, both Esha and Kunal want to uncover the truth, but for very different reasons. Their search will lead them down unexpected paths and leave them questioning everything.

This lush fantasy novel is laced with aspects of Hindu mythology and full of twists and turns. The story flips between Esha and Kunal's perspectives and keeps you on your toes. They chase each other through jungles, deserts, and cities and the plot never lets up. A great read for fans of fantasy adventure and political intrigue.

The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Erica's Picks
8th
Tags: adventure, fantasy, global perspectives, people of color, romance

Never Caught

9/2/2020

Ona Judge was born into slavery, the property of George and Martha Washington. Her mother was an enslaved seamstress owned by Martha Washington and her father was a white indentured servant who would eventually leave them both behind. When she was twenty two, Martha decided to give Ona to her granddaughter as a wedding gift, tearing Ona away from her family and putting her at the mercy of people Ona knew to be cruel. Before she could be handed over like a piece of china, Ona took matters into her own hands and boldy planned her escape.

"Like her mother, Betty, Ona learned how to persevere in the face of extreme hardship. Like her father, Ona would eventually free herself no matter who she left behind. Finally, like America itself, Ona would risk everything so that she, too, could achieve those rights written in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

This is a much-needed perspective on American history, and I'm so glad that it came out in an edition for young readers. While the subject matter is by nature difficult, it is accessible and told in an engaging style. I strongly recommend it.

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar & Kathleen Van Cleve
Erica's Picks
5th - 8th
tags: biography, history, nonfiction, people of color

Mirage

9/2/2020

Amani knows what it means to live in fear. Ever since the Vathek empire came, her people have known fear as a constant companion: fear of hunger, fear of brutal Vathek droids, and the twin fears of losing their culture and being discovered if they dare to keep it alive. But nothing prepared her for the night of her majority celebration when she's kidnapped by imperial droids. When she learns she's to be a body-double for the princess, she doesn't want to cooperate--until the price of dissent becomes clear. Now despite her luxurious clothes and accomodations she's a prisoner and the life of her and her family depends on her fooling the court and playing the part of the cruel princess convincingly. The only bright spot is when she gets to spend time with the princess's fiance. But as the resistance grows, her loyalty is split and the danger increases. If she isn't killed for not playing her part well enough, she just might die for playing it too well and falling victim to an assassin.

I loved getting lost in the world of this novel. Even though it uses many familiar tropes, the unique context made me see them in a new light. I liked the way the princess's character is rounded out as the novel progresses and her struggles with identity are explored. An engrossing science fiction story of resistance to a corrupt government and staying true to yourself.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
Tags: character driven, dystopian, global perspectives, people of color, science fiction, romance

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr

9/2/2020

Mona is not excited about facing the new school year after her best friend moves away to Hawaii. With him gone, her depression gets worse and it's harder to make new friends. In the midst of this, she develops a mysterious back pain that won't go away. When everything threatens to overwhelm her, she discovers that she's stronger than she thinks. With the help of her art, her friends, her family, and her therapist she might be able to pull an amazing year out of the jaws of disaster.

This book gets mental illness. I love Gulledge's art and the way she can depict intangibles in a way that makes them instantly recognizable, providing a satisfying mirror for readers with mental illness and an insightful window for those without. At the back she shares her self-care plan and provides a space for readers to create their own.

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge
Erica's Pick
6th - 8th
tags: art, character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, friendship, mental illness

Binti

9/2/2020

The Himba are close-knit and don't stray far from home. They certainly don't fly across the universe to attend university on other planets. Which is why Binti had to sneak out before her family woke. She always felt like she didn't belong, so when her skill with math earned her a full scholarship, she accepted it. She knew her decision would make her a pariah, but she didn't know that it would put her life in danger. What should have been a simple trip ended in tragedy and Binti is forever transformed by her contact with an alien species. As Binti continues to change she wonders if she'll ever be able to return home, or if she'll survive long enough to find out.

This is one of the most unique and immersive stories I have ever read. When I was reading, I left behind every scrap of the familiar world that I know. It was easy to love and root for the tenacious, empathic Binti but I did not anticipate growing to care so much for Okwu, a militaristic jellyfish-like creature. The book has so many twists that I completely gave up on trying to predict what would happen and just sat back and enjoyed the ride. It was easy to do with so many varied characters, landscapes, and thought-provoking situations. Strongly recommended for all sci-fi fans.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Erica's Picks
8th grade
Tags: character driven, global perspectives, people of color, science fiction.

The Candle and the Flame

9/2/2020

Years ago, shayateen djinn attacked the city of Noor and killed all the humans except three: Fatima, her adopted sister, and their elderly neighbor. Fatima discovered on that day that her blood can repel the creatures, but she has no idea why. Her past is a complete mystery to her. After the attack, Fatima and her sister forget the mystery in the daily struggle to get by. Until Noor once again becomes the victim of supernatural attacks, and Fatima is caught up in palace intrigue and the world of supernatural creatures. Could a girl from the slums be the city's only hope for survival? Or will the secrets from her past consume her?

I loved this fantasy novel set in a world based on Middle Eastern history and mythology. I was completely immersed in the world and enjoyed each twist and turn of the plot.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
Tags: character driven, family life, fantasy, global perspectives, people of color, romance, supernatural

Forward Me Back to You

9/2/2020

Kat is a jiu-jitsu champion, so when one of her classmates tries to assault her, she's able to fight him off. But because her attacker is injured as well, no one believes her story.
Robin was adopted from an Indian orphanage by two wealthy, white parents. He loves them, but he yearns to learn more about his heritage and where he came from.
When their church organizes a service trip to help victims of human trafficking, both are eager to sign up. Kat sees an opportunity to teach other girls how to fight back and Robin sees a chance to go back to the orphanage and find out more about his past. The trip does not go as planned for either of them, but both their lives are changed forever.

This is such a moving novel that touches on so many important issues. The topics of sexual assault and human trafficking are both by nature disturbing, but neither are discussed with graphic detail. The story is more about the after-effects and healing process that follows. Their story switches between Kat and Robin/Ravi's perspectives but there is a large cast of characters beyond them and all are well-drawn and have their own engrossing stories and unique perspective. Highly recommended.

Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins
8th grade
Erica's Picks
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My Brigadista Year

9/2/2020

"The home of a family of campesinos who cannot read or write is waiting for you now. Don't let them down!" When Lora saw the poster in her high school, she knew she was being called upon to help. Her country had a bold plan to eliminate illiteracy and she wanted to be a part of it. Her parents weren't so sure though. Sending their beloved, sheltered daughter out to live in a shack in the middle of nowhere among armed rebel groups sounded like utter madness. After Lora succeeds in convincing them and arrives in the countryside, it starts to sound like madness to her too. How can she be expected to teach proud, adult men and what does she know about life on a farm? When another young literacy worker is killed, her resolve is tested. Will she succeed in her mission, or return home a failure?

This is a great historical fiction novel that illustrates an example of young people fighting for a cause and making a difference in their country. I had no knowledge of Cuba's literacy campaign before this, and I'm glad I got the chance to learn about it. It presents the era in a way that's accessible with a gripping, high-stakes plot.

My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson
Erica's Picks
5th - 8th
Tags: Fast-paced, global perspectives, historical fiction, people of color

Free Lunch

8/31/2020

Rex is looking forward to his first day of 6th grade. He prepares with a checklist to make sure he's ready for anything. But he isn't counting on getting a black eye the night before. Now all his new teachers think he's trouble. At lunch he's even more mortified when he has to yell that he's in the free lunch program to get the lunch lady to hear him. Now the whole school knows his mom can't afford to pay for his lunch. It's hard to imagine that his life could get any worse, until it does.

This memoir depicts the author's childhood experiences with poverty and abuse. There are some bright spots like friendships, a loving grandmother, and a love of comics. Rex Ogle actually grew up to work in the comic book industry. A moving, and powerful story.

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
5th - 8th
Tags: biography, family life, mental illness, nonfiction, SEL