★★★★ Eleven year old Birdy, and her seven year old brother, Mouse, are orphaned when their mom passes away from cancer. They leave NYC to live with distant, elderly cousins in Upstate New York for six-months while social workers figure out a more permanent living situation for them. While living in this wholly unfamiliar situation,… Continue reading Book Review: Birdy by N. West Moss
Tag: 7th grade readers
Book Recommendation: The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
Middle grade literature loves World War II, and many of the books written about it are incredible. But The Teacher of Nomad Land stands out among the crowd for its unique and under-represented perspective. That is, what was going on in countries not directly involved in the war, but tremendously affected by it - in… Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri
Book Recommendation: Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Starfish is a moving, honest, and hilarious novel-in-verse about a beautiful, vibrant, talented 11-year-old girl, Ellie, who also happens to be large bodied. She doesn't mind how she looks, but the others around her make sure to let her know that she is less-than because of her size. In this Printz Honor Book, we follow… Continue reading Book Recommendation: Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Book Recommendation: Whale Eyes by James Robinson
Whale Eyes is a beautiful, engaging, and interactive memoir sharing James's childhood as a kid with misaligned eyes. With interactive illustrations by Brian Rea, readers get to see how James sees; where books are held upside down, words jump across the page, strings are held up to eyes to look for an 'X'. Whale Eyes… Continue reading Book Recommendation: Whale Eyes by James Robinson
Book Review: The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
★★★★ My 4th grade daughter just finished The Lost Year and announced it was her new favorite book. So I thought it was about time I got around to reading this 2023 National Book Award Finalist, and it didn't disappoint! The Lost Year tells the story of the Holodomor - the horrific famine that killed… Continue reading Book Review: The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
Book Review: All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson
★★★★★ UPDATE: All the Blues in the Sky is the 2026 John Newbery Award Winner!! Wow, this is a beautifully written, incredibly moving novel in verse about 13-year-old Sage who has just lost her best friend. Renee Watson's ability to put into words the feelings, the confusion, the conflicting and raw emotions surrounding the death… Continue reading Book Review: All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson
Book Recommendation: Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
Louder Than Hunger took my breath away. It is a heartbreaking but inspiring novel in verse. It was a 2025 Schneider Family Book Award Honor, and I think it is a great read that leads to better understanding and compassion for kids who are having mental health struggles. I will read it with my children… Continue reading Book Recommendation: Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
Book Recommendation: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Freewater is the 2023 John Newbery Award and Coretta Scott King Book Award winning novel that I wholeheartedly recommend to upper elementary and middle grade readers. It is a beautifully written and inspiring story about two young runaway slaves who escape deep into the swamp and find a hidden community of formerly enslaved people called… Continue reading Book Recommendation: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Birdie's Bookshelf 