raethereviewer's reviews
825 reviews

Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed the way this story drew from West African culture, particularly the Igbo, to create such a full world. The author’s note about fairy tales tied things together well and gave me a new perspective on an element of the story that I originally thought happened a little too quickly. This would be great for reluctant readers, especially since it’s right at the 200-page mark and the chapters are fairly short. It’s also great for kids transitioning from early chapter books to longer ones. I’d recommend this for 4th - 6th grade.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and War

The Chainbreakers by Julian Randall

adventurous mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a super action-packed adventure steeped in magic. I love the way this novel worked as an allegory for saving enslaved people. The characters felt like pirates on a race against the evil Chainmakers. The magic system was fun and used quite frequently.

My only qualms were that there were, at times, a lot of characters to follow. I also think the world of different Heavens was really cool and I wish that was explored more. I hope this ends up being a series so it can be expanded. 

I'd recommend this one for upper elementary (mainly 5th grade) and lower middle school.

(I was between a 4 and 5 so I rounded up

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen

challenging emotional sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This was such an incredibly emotionally riveting and evocative novel. There were several points where I had to take a break because of how much it made me cry. It’s such a well told story and one I’ll be recommending often. I’d recommend this for middle school classrooms.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident

The Cookie Crumbles by Alechia Dow, Tracy Badua

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was such a fun mystery. The Knives Out comp is spot on. This would be perfect for upper elementary and lower middle school.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was amazing! Sherri Winston does an excellent job of portraying parentification and the emotional turmoil of a child who’s being neglected. Sharkita’s struggles were ones that many kids are going through quietly and having this story reach those who need it will most certainly make an huge impact. 

Clutch Time: A Shot Clock Novel by Caron Butler, Justin A. Reynolds

challenging hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I haven’t read the first book in the series but this works great as a stand-alone. It’s perfect for helping fill that much needed space of Black boy protagonists in middle grade. I’d definitely add this to a middle school classroom library.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This was such a great, gothic horror. I think the characterization was really strong in this one and the atmospheric writing was done very well. The house truly felt like its own character within the novel. Definitely a good one for 4th - 6th graders.P

The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was excellently written. I like the way the newspaper articles and scientific studies were added to the novel in a way that made sense for the story. It breaks it up but keeps things engaging. This topic is particularly important for middle grade and it’s addressed really well. The growth that we see from Rylee brings things together in a full circle way. This is definitely one I’d add to middle school classrooms.

A Place to Shine by Marie Arnold

5.0

I’ve read Marie Arnold’s debut, The Year I Flew Away, and I went in expecting the vivid writing but I was not expecting to cry as much as I did. This was such a beautifully told story of family, loss, and community. The way that Sunny, Miles, and Mr. Evens grow together over the course of the novel is beautiful and absolutely needed in classrooms and home libraries. The main character is 10 but I think this could work for the 6th and 7th grade end of middle grade too due to how these heavier topics are covered. This is definitely one I’ll be recommending.

Project Mercury by Ronald L. Smith

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a really interesting sci-fi story. I wasn’t expecting the turn that the novel took rather than just focusing on aliens but I think the future element made it a lot more fun. Time travel is always tricky to play with and there are a few parts that I questioned but overall, this would be great for 5th - 7th graders with a love of science.