2024 Middle School Battle of the Books

Thirteen-year-old Rain, who struggles with low self-esteem, must overcome sadness after her older brother Xander is severely beaten up at a frat party, but through the help of an after-school circle group, Rain finds the courage to help herself and her family heal.

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. Her relatives were shot and poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more...

"The first American pilots to fight in World War I flew for the French military. France created a squadron of volunteer Americans called the Lafayette Escadrille (named after the great Marquis de Lafayette). Follow this squadron on their high-flying adventures: How they got into the French military. How they learned to fly. How they fought--and died. And how these American pilots would go down in history with other legendary flying aces, like the...

When sixth-grader Mac discovers several words of his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's 'The Devil's Arithmetic' are blacked out he is outraged, so he, his friends, and his eccentric family set out to do something about the censorship imposed by one teacher and the school board.

Newbery Honor Book
Pura Belpré Author Award
Pura Belpré Illustrator Award
Odyssey Honor Audiobook
 
A poignant, hilarious, and unforgettable graphic memoir—adapted for audio—about a Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them.
Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories...

"Cam disguises herself as a man to inherit her father's money and estate, and though she tries to keep a low profile, she ends up falling for Crown Princess Brie"-- Provided by publisher.

Twelve-and-a-half year old Emelyn Ethrige lives with her father in South Carolina, dreams of wheelchair motocross, and makes custom chair bags trying to earn enough money to buy a serious set of wheels; she has been in a wheelchair all her life, and is just fine getting around without help, but it seems that since her mother was killed in an accident everyone (father, grandparents, teachers, and classmates) have started treating her differently: urging...

As one of the only Asian Americans in her school, Christina confronts both well-meaning ignorance and cruel racism, but in middle school fitting in is important, which is why she and her best friend Megan are both excited and nervous to try out for the popular cheerleading squad.