Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Please nominate a book that you would like to read and discuss in February.

Theme: Friendship.

Reminder: Please limit nominations to middle grade books, which are meant to be read by 8-12 year olds. (If you are interested in YA, there are several active GoodReads groups discussing teen books). We also ask that the copyright be earlier than 2010 and widely available in libraries, so that more members are able to participate without the need to purchase a book. Thanks for understanding!

I would like to nominate:

NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society by Michael Buckley

and

School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari.

While both nominations address the topic of friendship in a roundabout way, the theme is there. NERDS is particularly good at this in that it highlights the ramifications of bullying - the antithesis of friendship.

This is one of my daughters favorite books.

I think this might be my favourite Kate DiCamillo, although she's so good it's hard to decide.

I have never yet had a class that didn't fall in love with Winn-Dixie

Bridge to Terabithia
The Apprentices
Words of Stone
The Incredible Journey
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy -- A Newberry Honor historical fiction about a minister's son who befriends a girl from a poor community founded by former slaves and finds himself at odds with the town around him.

I should say, of the books I nominated, if I had to pick one to be included in the poll it would be Words of Stone. One of my favorite authors - the blurb reminds me a little bit of Bridge to Terabithia, at least in the friendship itself - and I haven't already read it.

Anything by E.L. Konigsburg would probably work for this theme, actually. Mixed-Up Files would be especially fun to discuss - but I won't vote for it because I've already re-read recently. ;)

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I should say, of the books I nominated, if I had to pick one to be included in the poll it would be Words of Stone. One of my favorite authors - the blurb reminds me a little bit of ..."

I love Konigsburg -- a brilliant writer. Had also thought of Bridge to Terabithia, but now you have me curious about Words of Stone : ) So many books, so little time!!