Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Shannon wrote: Hi - I have read more than 200 middle grade books in 2021, most through audio. I have found only one middle grade book actually set in the COVID pandemic - Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac which I thought excellent as are all of Bruchac's books about the Native American experience. Does anyone know of any other middle grade books set during the Covid pandemic? I just finished reading All about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin (2015) which I thought an excellent exploration of how a twelve year old navigates grief and very relevant today as so many have lost loved ones this year.

Shannon wrote: Hi - I have read more than 200 middle grade books in 2021, most through audio. I have found only one middle grade book actually set in the COVID pandemic - Rez Dogs b..."

I read two books by Clare O’Beara which I’ve recommended in other threads, A Pony For Quarantine and A Dog For Lockdown. Both excellent, and demonstrate the very strict Irish response.

Given the time it takes for traditional authors to get through the publishing process, I expect you’ll see more out in 2022. I know the next Elly Griffiths (adult crime) is set during COVID.

If you’re mainly reading audiobooks there’s little chance of even fast-publishing indie authors being on there yet. Have a look through the Goodreads lists and see if you can find more.

There's a book out, written in collaboration with a science education expert I'm friends with, that's about COVID and about the science we use to understand it. I've only read parts of it, but it's at least good on the science end.
The Case of the Covid Crisis

This would be a cool category to pick our monthly book from sometime!

TBH I have no desire to read a book about Covid while I'm still living through it. I'd prefer to wait on that for a monthly topic. Plus there's only 4 books in this thread.

I highly recommend When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura, This excellent middle grade novel describes how young people coped with Covid through helping others and how these youngsters dealt with racial violence by finding their voice. The book also discusses sensitively with mental health challenges describing how a depressed mother was encouraged to seek help from her doctor after her children showed her how important she was to them and to the world. This novel also shows how the young people themselvesAlso dealt with their mental health challenges through therapy and the use of techniques such as worry beads. I hope this book is shared widely and receives awards. Thank you, K. Ibura

Together, Apart is a collection of short stories by YA authors. I enjoyed it!

Kelly Yang has a new one set during covid called New from Here. I just borrowed it from our public library.

I read Kelly Yang's book, New From Here, and thought it excellent, as it showed the resilience of an Asian American family separated due to Covid. As racism skyrockets during COVID. The family tries to fight against racism while striving to find their place in the US.

Eric Walters has a book about Covid too. The book is titled "Don't Stand Too Close To Me".