Middle School Book Life
Welcome to the Middle School Book Life newsletter, a weekly newsletter for middle school teachers who want to figure out the best books for teaching their students. Join us as we chat about Book Clubs, whole class novels, classroom libraries, and independent reading.
Are you ready to honor Native American Heritage Month?
Read and teach diverse books. Dear Reader, October is a wonderful month for learning (routines are set, relationships are being built, the "basics" have been covered), but what I really want to chat about is November. November is Native American Heritage Month and I have books for you to highlight next month and then continue to read all year long. Keep reading for a brand-new teacher guide on We Still Belong by Christine Day plus previously shared teacher guides for two other books offering...
"Dinged" by Tommy Greenwald
Featuring: Dinged by Tommy Greenwald Most Friday nights in the fall, we can hear the cheering from our local high school's football games. It's a nostalgic and heart-warming experience and I often catch our 85-year old neighbor standing on his front stoop, just listening. This week's book pays tribute to the tradition of high school football while examining the critical question: are we keeping our athletes safe when they play contact sports? Title: Dinged Author: Tommy Greenwald Genre:...
Featuring: Caprice
Dear Reader, I expect you'll really like this week's book—especially if you're a health teacher or a counselor. Anyone who works with 7th to 9th graders* should snag a copy as this story shares (amongst many rich storylines) a "how to" guide for speaking up in the face of sexual assault. I hope none of your students need it. But let's make it accessible, just in case. *For younger readers who need age-appropriate guidance on this topic, offer "Chirp" by Kate Messner. For older readers, "Dear...
Featuring: 6 Books for Black History Month
Dear Reader, Welcome to Black History Month! I implore you to do two things. First, please honor and acknowledge Black History Month in your classroom as often as you can. Second, please continue to teach about Black excellence and read books by Black authors every month of the year. Your students, of all identities, deserve it. Whatever else you have planned for the month, add in a fun challenge with Black History Month BINGO. I've got two boards for you—one for middle school, one for high...
Featuring: A Bit of Earth
Dear Reader, If looking out your window reveals snow, ice, or (like here in western Washington) pouring rain, then find your escape in this week's book, A Bit of Earth. Reading about young teenagers learning to garden and cultivate beauty will be a bit like time traveling to the promising warmth of spring. If you and your students need a mood boost, bring A Bit of Earth into your classroom. A Bit of Earth Title: A Bit of Earth Author: Karuna Riazi Genre: Realistic fiction Age range: 10+ (best...
Featuring: Eli Over Easy
Dear Reader, Happy 2024! We're starting the year with another book that's great for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Even if you don't teach those grades, I'd check it out as it's one of a new wave of books that explicitly takes place in a world that knows COVID. Your high schoolers might benefit from using this story to reflect on their middle school COVID years. Happy reading! Eli Over Easy by Phil Stamper Title: Eli Over Easy Author: Phil Stamper Genre: Realistic Fiction Age range: 9+ (Best for...
My Top 5 Picks for Your High School Classroom Library
Dear Reader, Everyone loves a little refresh of their classroom library. A new book on the shelves to welcome students back. A new author to spotlight. A new story to feature. If you'd like to do that when you return in January, try one of these titles. They're my 5 favorite books from 2023 for high schoolers (and make for great teacher reading over winter break!). Rez Ball by Byron Graves: Own voices. Native stories. Basketball. Grief. Determining your future. Navigating romance. This book...
My Top 5 Picks for Your Middle School Classroom Library
Dear Reader, Of the 64 middle grade and young adult books I have read in 2023 (so far), I selected 23 of the best ones to feature in this newsletter. Now I'm taking it a step further: here are the 5 books that are absolute must-haves for your middle school classroom library. Don't worry high school teachers—your curated list is coming next week. Without further ado, 5 books to add to your classroom library... Hands by Torrey Maldonado: Your secret weapon for engaging reluctant readers. 136...
Featuring: Hope in the Valley
Dear Reader, Welcome new subscribers! It was a pleasure connecting with so many book-loving educators last week during our raffle. I'm glad you have found your way here. Today's featured book is yet another one meant for our young teens—an age group that doesn't seem to be getting enough attention in the publishing world. Read on for why Pandita's story of grief and courage are worthy of shelf space in your classroom. "Hope in the Valley" Title: Hope in the Valley Author: Mitali Perkins...
But what should our 13-15 year olds read?
Dear Reader, I'm on a book quest. I've read nearly 300 middle grade and young adult books in the last 5ish years—mostly titles published in the last decade—and I've detected a trend. There are lots of great middle grade titles for 10-12 year olds. And a host of excellent young adult books for 16-18 year olds. But our 13-15 year olds? There's a bit of a gap. Because while I believe titles like Other Words for Home or New Kid have a place on all middle school shelves, they're going to feel a...
Welcome to the Middle School Book Life newsletter, a weekly newsletter for middle school teachers who want to figure out the best books for teaching their students. Join us as we chat about Book Clubs, whole class novels, classroom libraries, and independent reading.