Books In the Middle Podcast

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White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War then Rewrote the History by Ann Bausum

Fascinating look at how so much of the history surrounding the Civil War might not actually be history at all, but rather a collective, intensional misleading of what actually happened to make the South appear to be more noble in their "cause" to preserve slavery. 

Recommended for 8th grade and up. 

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Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

When Christopher finds a baby mythical creature in a lake by his grandfather's house who is injured, he has a hard time believing everything his grandfather tells him, about who Christopher really is, and that the creature he is holding is not the only creature who isn't supposed to exist. And when he disobeys his grandfather and returns to the lake, he meets a strange girl named Mal, who says someone is trying to kill her and he must go back with her to another land. Christopher feels he has no choice but to go. 

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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Hungry Bones by Louise Hung

Molly is sooo upset that her mom, Dot Tung, has move them AGAIN! Just with Molly was finally feeling like she could belong somewhere, even with her special, strange ability to "see and feel" past events from old objects. And that was why she liked their old home - for some reason, her "zaps" weren't happening that much, which was amazing! So finding herself in a new old house in Texas is not fun at all. Especially when it appears they have moved to the haunted house on the block and it comes with it's own ghost!

Recommended for grades 7 and up. 

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All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

Mariel is tired of the crazy life she and her mother, Gena are living now. Ron has had sever depression and worries that another Pandemic will exacerbate his feelings. And when Morgan gets the strangest interview of her life, she can't believe it. All because of Crown Royale - the latest virus that is sweeping the world. But this time, if you survive, you appear to be happy, content, look at the bright side and want to help others. Some people think that is wonderful and just what the planet needs, while others think it will destroy humanity. In a race to save the world - according to both sides - who will be the winner? And how do you measure what winning looks like in a world that has turned upside down? 

Recommended for 8th graders and up. 

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The Girl in Green by Laura Creedle

When Jess gets an unexpected invite to a prestigious boarding school, her mom jumps at it, but Jess is less excited. She figures she will give it a try for her mom, but then high tail it out of there at the first opportunity. However, things from the very beginning seems off, but Jess just can't put her finger on exactly what is going on. But when her new roommate gets her questioning what happened to another student, things take a dark and horrifying turn. 

Recommended for grades 8 and up. 

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Outside by Jennifer L. Holm

Razzie is still reeling from the loss of her friend, Ollie at the Refuge when it feels like the outside world is trying to creep in. Which is ironic, since Ollie was always trying to get to the Outside world. Razzie and the other kids who are left at the Refuge have only known the world inside and have made the best of it, but with Ollie gone, things feel so different. With more and more threats appearing at the Refuge, it doesn't feel as safe as it once did. What happens if the outside does get in?

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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Mixed Up by Gordon Korman

Weird things are happening. Like, why Reef can't seem to remember things in his life? Like, how did a hole get in the wall by his bed? And more alarming, why can't he seem to remember memories of his mother who died? Everything has been horrible since she died of COVID and he has had to move in with his mom's best friend's family. Jenna and her husband are nice, but their three kids, well, not so much. Especially Declan, who is just a little older than Reef, but is mean and horrible to him. 

So why can't he seem to remember even the basic things in his life? Like what happened yesterday? 

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose 

Opal is now 12 and that means a few things. In her mind, it means she might finally be old enough to live in town with friends of the family, so she can go to school with all the other kids her age and NOT live in a fire tower year round in the middle of the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. For her mother and grandmother, it means she can start learning the family trade of watching for forest fires and alerting officials if one starts and where it is. But Opal isn't sure the forest fire life is for her. 

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kaylani is not looking forward to spending her summer on Martha's Vineyard with a former best friend, named London and her older sister Cassie. While they had been good friend when they were little, after London's family moved away, they really lost touch. Still, when their grandparents offer to take Kaylani for the summer, the two girls have no choice. And Kaylani can tell, they don't like it. Right away, London wants to leave Kaylani behind, but when she is forced to bring Kaylani to a beach party that ends in tradgedy, Kaylani realizes there are things going on in this perfect family that just don't seem quite right. The only issue is, she might die trying to figure it all out!

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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X Marks the Haunt by Lindsay Currie

When Will and his classmates in 7th grade visit the cemetery his mother runs, Will is so worried that someone will find out. And when it comes out, at first it isn't as bad as he thinks! And when he gets placed on a team with his best friend Stash, and two other kids, Michelle and Henry, he even starts to have a good time. Until later when Chris, a kid that Will totally dislikes, presents a challenge that Will knows he shouldn't do, but in an effort to get more friends, decides to chance it. And things go horribly wrong. 

Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

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