3 Contemporary Middle-Grade Books You Should Read

Okay, you guys, Saturdays are perfect for book binge-reading!! And today I’m sharing about three middle-grade, contemporary novels I have enjoyed recently!

Quick disclaimer: I’m really bad at writing real reviews so this is more of a fangirl’s ramble. XD

Let’s jump in. 😀

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Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

This contemporary book made me smile (and maybe cry a little) practically every page! There is some sneaking around parents and strained family relationships– which do both get resolved– but otherwise, I loved the entire thing! ❤ Each character felt 100% real. I adored the music aspect. And their friendship is just perfect– hard sometimes but sweet and loyal still. ~A

On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.
On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she’s trying to become even more perfect―she’s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.

What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship. Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.
From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heart­breaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together.

Restart by Gordon Korman

This book. While it had a few sad, modern problems (bullies + broken family) it was a surprisingly good, contemporary read. Just look at that cover for starters!! At first I wasn’t relating to Chase at all, but as the story went on I got more and more interested in what would happen and how he would handle this chance at a new start in life. This book deals with ugly life things while delivering a hopeful message of healing and changing for the better! ~A

(read Kate’s fun&content review here)

Chase’s memory just went out the window.

Chase doesn’t remember falling off the roof. He doesn’t remember hitting his head. He doesn’t, in fact, remember anything. He wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly has to learn his whole life all over again . . . starting with his own name.
He knows he’s Chase. But who is Chase? When he gets back to school, he sees that different kids have very different reactions to his return. Some kids treat him like a hero. Some kids are clearly afraid of him. One girl in particular is so angry with him that she pours her frozen yogurt on his head the first chance she gets.

Pretty soon, it’s not only a question of who Chase is–it’s a question of who he was . . . and who he’s going to be.

From #1 bestselling author, Restart is the spectacular story of a kid with a messy past who has to figure out what it means to get a clean start.

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney

I picked up this book because I was bored one day and wanted to read something lightish/hopeful with ZERO romance, because I was in a #mood. 😛 😉 Dear, ordinary Annie did not disappoint!! In some ways I related a little too well with her struggles, but that only made me so ready for the happy conclusion! ~A

(read Kate’s fun&content review here)

Annie’s a shy fifth grader with an incredible memory and a love of making lists. It helps her keep track of things when they can seem a little out of control, like her family, her friends, and her life in a new place.

Annie has:
1. An incredible memory (really, it’s almost photographic) that can get her in trouble
2. A desire to overcome her shyness
3. A brother who is mad at her because he thinks she is the reason they had to move to Clover Gap, population 8,432.
4. A best friend who she is (almost) certain will always be her best friend.
5. New classmates, some of whom are nicer than others.
6. A rocky start finding her place in her new home.

Annie’s Life in Lists introduces a sweet new voice that finds that even amid the chaos of everyday life, it’s important to put things in order.

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I hope you enjoyed this post, and please tell me if any of these books look interesting to you or you’ve read them! Ttyl, Anna 🙂