Restart by Gordon Korman

After a fall wipes his memory clean, a middle schooler uncovers the truth about his past behavior and faces the consequences of who he used to be.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Unable to speak or walk, a brilliant girl with cerebral palsy fights to be heard and recognized for the intelligence everyone around her overlooks.

⭐ El Deafo by Cece Bell

Armed with hearing aids, a powerful imagination, and an alter ego named El Deafo, a young girl turns everyday events into a superhero origin story; a graphic novel featuring a funny, honest story about fitting in.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Grief sends a seventh grader on a late-night, science-driven quest to uncover the truth behind the death of her best friend.

Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

When a lonely boy discovers a caged tiger hidden in the woods, the dangerous secret forces him to confront his grief, anger, and the memories he’s been trying to keep locked away.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Convinced that she’s a failure of a student (and being told as much her whole life), a misunderstood seventh grader discovers her voice when a teacher finally sees her for who she is.

⭐ Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

A determined boy raises and hunts with his two loyal dogs, learning about love, perseverance, and loss as he comes of age in the Ozark Mountains.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

After a plane crash strands him alone in the Canadian wilderness, a thirteen-year-old boy must rely on resilience and ingenuity to survive, armed with only a hatchet.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

A new kid in Florida teams up with unlikely allies to save a colony of endangered owls, learning how to stand up for what’s right in this fast-paced mystery.

⭐ The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

A rowdy crew of “lost causes”: rule-breakers, class clowns, and a burned-out teacher – slowly transform each other’s lives in this sharp, funny, and deeply heartfelt story.

Frindle by Andrew Clements

A clever fifth grader’s playful rebellion – renaming a pen – spirals into a nationwide phenomenon, showing how imagination can challenge even the rules of the adult world.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

A shy boy finds his voice and wrestles with grief through the pages of his poetry journal; a quietly powerful story told in verse.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

A silverback gorilla in captivity quietly dreams of freedom, discovering hope, friendship, and the courage to make a difference.

⭐ Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Torn from his beloved fox, a boy embarks on a journey to reunite with him, learning that love often comes with painful sacrifices and impossible choices.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Four misfit kids’ lives intersect in unexpected ways, teaching them courage, friendship, and the quiet power of believing in themselves.

⭐ Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

A secret, high-stakes scramble across nations, fumbling to control a weapon powerful enough to end the world; a spellbinding narrative account of the global race to build the world’s first atomic bomb.

After becoming a target of school bullying and racism, a Filipino American girl turns to music and new friendships for answers as she struggles to fit in and stay true to herself.