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Summer Reading Prep – From the Classroom

By on April 28, 2025   /   For Parents, For Teachers, From the Classroom  

It’s that time of year when testing is winding down, classroom celebrations are taking hold, and the whiffs of summer are permeating the air. What better time to talk about summer reading with all your favorite middle grade books!

Why Summer Reading?

Experts agree that summer reading is a great way to prevent the summer slide – where students have the potential to lose the academic gains they’ve made over the school year. This is especially true for students who may struggle with reading and writing. Specifically, by sixth grade, the cumulative effect of summer reading loss creates a gap of 18 months or more between struggling and proficient readers. Over time, this summer reading loss accounts for about two-thirds of the gap between economically disadvantaged students and their wealthier peers. Summer Reading, therefore, is great for building vocabulary, comprehension, strengthening writing skills, and building background knowledge.

Most importantly, it can be fun!

Inspiring Students and Kids to Read This Summer!

While students are still in school, Rebecca Alber recommends the following ideas to drum up excitement for summer reading:

  1.  Invite students to give booktalks to the class. Want a great way to have students celebrate what they’ve read all year? Have them share their favorite books to inspire summer reading lists.
  2. Introduce students to book series. Banish the “I don’t know what to read next” whining with great book series that students can race through.
  3. Consider setting up a social media platform for students to share their favorite summer reads. Middle schoolers are probably all talking to each other anyway, so why not steer their conversations towards great summer reads?
  4. Advise families to take their kids to bookstores and the library. Send a note home with a list of libraries and bookstores (independent if possible) in the area and region. Have them travel to someplace new to check out a new bookstore!

At home, Reading Rockets recommends the following ideas:

  1. Read with your child every day. Whether this is family reading time or sitting down and reading aloud to your kid (please, please, please read aloud to your middle schooler!), having a daily reading schedule should be part of the routine!
  2. Start a kid’s book club. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and encourage reflection. Check out Read Across America’s tips for book clubs.  
  3. Connect the reading to real life. You might already have a vacation planned this summer or you might want to explore somewhere new. Either way, find ways to reinforce what your children are reading about through all your trips and activities this summer.

 

Finding Books

Chances are your library already has a summer reading list ready to go for children. They are the first and best resource for you. If you want more ideas on where to find books to read, check out the following.

  1. Best of Book Lists. Here is School Library Journal’s Best of Middle Grade Books 2024 list. Browse their archives for more books!
  2. Children’s Literature Expert Maria Salvadore has booklists from 2008 until present along with more book ideas on her popular blog.
  3. Check out the classics. There are amazing new middle grade books all the time, many featured on this blog. There are also books that have been recommended throughout the ages. Diversify your reading list as best as you can!

 

What are your plans for summer reading with students and kids?  Share in the comments below!

 

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Author Interview with Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel

By on April 24, 2025   /   Author Interviews  

cover of book: The Secrets of Lovelace AcademyWe’re excited to have Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel on here today to talk about her new release. Let’s start with learning a bit more about you, and then we’ll talk more about The Secrets of Lovelace Academy.

Did you love to read as children? If so, can you tell us some favorite books?

Courtney and Marie both loved, loved, loved to read as children. While Marie has too many favorite childhood books to list, she does have special book from middle school that put her on the path to writing historical fiction about women, although she didn’t know it at the time. The Mists of Avalon, a female-centric retelling of the Arthurian legend, that opened her eyes to women’s stories hidden in the past. Courtney’s favorite childhood book was the now out-of-print The Littlest Rabbit by Robert Kraus.

girl with dog

Courtney with her dog Brandy

What was your biggest fear when you were young? Did you get over it?

Marie’s biggest fear (aside from playing dodgeball, see the below answer to a question about embarrassing grade school moments) was probably pursuing her interests, even if they were uncool. This leads to the answer to the next question…

What advice would you give to your younger selves?

Be brave sooner.

Are your pasts woven into the story? If so, how?

Elements of both Courtney and Marie’s lives can be found in THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY. For example, as former attorneys, they know what it’s like to be the only woman or girl in the room, which is something that they drew upon in crafting the experiences of the main characters, Lainey Philips and Mileva Maric Einstein.

childhood pic

Marie as a child

Would you be willing to share an embarrassing grade school moment?

Marie has no problem sharing that she could never, ever climb to the top of the rope in elementary school gym class. And she still has nightmares about being pummeled in dodgeball.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

While Courtney has always known she’d like to be a children’s book writer, Marie was more of a history lover, who didn’t realize that she could uncover the hidden voices in history through fiction until she already an attorney.

What is your favorite or most challenging part of being a writer?

Staying patient as the book nears its end!

Can you tell us a little about the novel?

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is a historical adventure about a young girl plucked from a London orphanage to begin attending the prestigious Lovelace Academy. Fitting in amongst the many privileged students within the schools’ ivy-covered walls presents challenges unlike the ones Lainey has faced in the past — as well as more secrets than she could have ever imagined. Terrified she’ll be cast out of the academy, Lainey grabs at her chance to prove herself by traveling to Switzerland to meet a female scientist crafting a groundbreaking theory, none other than physicist Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.

How did you come up with the idea for Lovelace Academy?

Courtney and Marie were looking for a way to engage younger readers in the stories of historical women who’ve left behind important legacies. After a series of fits and starts, they created the world of Lovelace Academy, where girls and young women are encouraged to study math and the sciences — very rare for the early 1900s — and where they have the opportunity to encounter some of these incredible women from the past.

Is there a special reason you chose to write about orphans and homeless children?

sisters

Courtney with her sister

Courtney and Marie were intrigued by the notion of a brilliant girl from difficult circumstances who was propelled by a desire to prove herself — in the classroom and outside of it. This dovetailed with their interest in sharing the hardships endured by these unfortunate children during this time period, as a way to offer a unique view on the past and some perspective on our present.

How did you come up with the character of Lainey Philipps?

Courtney was inspired by her own dear mother. She had been a stellar math student as a child, at a time when that subject was challenging for young girls to pursue.

Are your other characters based on anyone you know?

Although, of course, Marie never met Mileva Maric Einstein (she lived from 1874-1948), she has spent so much time researching her that she feels like she knows her.

What parts of the story of Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein are true?

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy contains part of the story of Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein and the manner in which their collaboration and marriage led to some of the most important theories in modern physics. This tale is shared in full in The Other Einstein, which is Marie’s heavily researched novel inspired by the real-life relationship of Mileva and Albert and the work they did together.

What historical research did you do to make the 1900s setting accurate and to detail the life of the Einsteins?Einstein information

Marie, who loves nothing more than getting lost in the rabbit holes of history, spent an enormous time researching Mileva Maric Einstein, the early years of Albert Einstein, and the time period in which she and Albert lived. This involved locating and studying the existing letters between Mileva and Albert as well as letters exchanged between Mileva and her best friend, researching early physics theories, understanding the many goings-on in Eastern Europe and Switzerland during the early 1900s, and traveling through many of the pertinent areas, including the apartment Mileva and Albert shared (and that Lainey visits in our book) which is currently a museum.

Do you have any message or advice for the teachers and parents who will be sharing your book with their students and families? What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Courtney and Marie hope that readers — whether they be teachers, parents, or younger readers — find inspiration in Lainey and Mileva’s perseverance in a time period that wasn’t encouraging to bright young women and girls, and that helps them build the confidence to prevail in our own.

What are you working on now?

Together, Marie and Courtney are working away on something special to follow THE SECRETS OF THE LOVELACE ACADEMY. The moment when they are allowed to discuss it, they’ll share! 

Can’t wait to discover that secret! Please keep us posted. For now, you’ve made us all eager to read The Secrets of Lovelace Academy. Thanks so much for joining us, Marie and Courtney. And we look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lainey Philipps has lived at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children since she was three years old. Now nearly a teenager, her life is hard, and she doesn’t expect it to get better—until a chance encounter during an open house changes everything when Lainey meets a woman who invites her to attend the prestigious Lovelace Academy.

Fitting in amongst the many privileged students within the ivy-covered walls of Lovelace Academy presents challenges unlike the ones Lainey has faced in the past. Her life of drudgery has hardly prepared her for the aristocratic airs and cutthroat academic ambition of the other girls. Terrified she’ll be cast out of the academy, Lainey grabs at her chance to prove herself by traveling to Switzerland to meet a female scientist crafting a groundbreaking theory.

Determined to prove her capability and reach her destination, Lainey must rely on her own wit—as well as a mysterious boy who has yet to prove himself as friend or foe. But the real test is what awaits her in Switzerland, at the home of Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years of experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms. She found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex, and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present day where readers can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. Marie is the author of many books for adults including the New York Times bestseller The First Ladies. The Secrets of Lovelace Academy, written with Courtney Sheinmel, is her first book for kids. Visit her online at AuthorMarieBenedict.com.

Courtney Sheinmel is a chocolate-lover, mac and cheese expert, mom to Archer, and the author of nearly thirty books for kids and teens, including the acclaimed Stella Batts and My Pet Slime series for young readers. Her book She Persisted: Helen Keller was part of Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted series. Courtney received a National Scholastic Educator Award for her work as a writing instructor at the nonprofit Writopia Lab. Visit her online at CourtneySheinmel.com.

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More than a Buzzword: Inclusion in Middle Grade (a very short list!)

By on April 23, 2025   /   Articles, Book Lists  

When you work in a school, there are some topics that permeate conversations and crop up in every

corner of life as an educator. Usually, they’re tangled up with buzzwords: engagement, data-driven instruction, differentiation… you could make a pretty long list. My fellow teacher-authors are probably making one even now as they read these words.

Sometimes we get so deep into the weeds on topics like this that we forget why we’re talking about them in the first place. That can definitely happen with my all-time favorite buzzword: inclusion.

 

There’s a lot to unpack in that word. As a special educator, I’ve been a part of panels, focus groups, school-wide initiatives—and I have at least three t-shirts (because if you don’t get a t-shirt, did it even really happen?). But the human side of inclusion—the story—can sometimes get lost in all the planning and coordinating.

That’s when the author in me turns back to the books that, in recent years, have tackled this delicate subject so beautifully and honestly. It’s a long list, but I’ve pared it down to my current top five. Whether you work in education, have a child with special needs, or just like being a good human, these are all worth a look (even if you don’t get a t-shirt).

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, by Stacy McAnulty

What it’s about: After a lightning strike grants Lucy Callahan genius-level math abilities and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, she’s been homeschooled and is ready for college at 12. However, her grandmother insists she attend middle school for a year to experience life beyond numbers. Lucy navigates the challenges of public school, friendships, and a community service project at a dog shelter, all while managing her OCD and hiding her extraordinary intellect. Through these experiences, she learns that some problems can’t be solved with equations alone.

Why it’s great for inclusion: This story explores the incredibly challenging landscape of social interactions in school and the nature of friendship. There are a lot of layers, and in some ways, the book raises more questions than it answers—but that’s exactly why it’s such a strong choice for sparking conversation about inclusion.

 

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper 

What it’s about: Melody Brooks is an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy who cannot walk or speak, but she possesses a photographic memory and a brilliant mind. Despite her intelligence, she’s often underestimated due to her physical limitations. When she gains access to a communication device, Melody finally has the opportunity to express herself and prove her capabilities. 

Why it’s great for inclusion: There’s an idea in the special education world we often call presumed competence. At its core, it’s the belief that, regardless of how someone presents or the assumptions others make about them, it’s always best to operate on the assumption that they’re just as capable as anyone else. It also pushes back against the notion that if someone can’t communicate, they must not have anything to say. There are so many kids still learning how to use their voice effectively, and Melody’s transformation in this book is a case study in the power of expression and self-advocacy.

 

Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

What it’s about: Portico Reeves, a spirited and imaginative boy, adopts the alter ego “Stuntboy” to navigate the challenges of his daily life. Living in a bustling apartment complex he views as a castle, Portico uses his superhero persona to protect those around him, especially as he grapples with his parents’ escalating arguments and the anxiety they cause. With the support of his best friend Zola, Portico learns coping mechanisms to manage his “frets” and discovers that true heroism lies in resilience and empathy. This illustrated novel combines humor, heart, and a unique narrative style to explore themes of family, mental health, and community.​

Why it’s great for inclusion: In many respects, schools across the country are just beginning to grapple with the growing needs related to anxiety and other mental health challenges in children. Jonathan Haidt’s recent book The Anxious Generation is one of many that explore this issue in depth, backed by compelling research on the rise of mental health struggles in young people.

Recognizing these challenges in the classroom—and building supports to effectively include kids who are navigating them—isn’t easy. But Jason Reynolds introduces the topic with a fun, accessible tone that still deals honestly with the struggle.

Another great read on this subject is Carla Naumburg’s How to Stop Freaking Out: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cool When Life Feels Chaotic. I actually interviewed her about the book last year—check that out here if you’re interested in digging a little deeper!

 

Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt 

What it’s about: Selah Godfrey has always followed her personal “rules for being normal,” masking her true self to fit in. But when sensory overload leads to an outburst at school, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Told in poignant verse, this novel explores Selah’s journey toward self-acceptance and advocacy, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of embracing one’s neurodivergence. An empowering read that underscores the importance of understanding and inclusion.

Why it’s great for inclusion: The concept of masking is generating a lot of conversation right now—especially around how much an autistic child should be expected to change in order to fit into the world around them. Selah’s story offers a powerful lens on that topic. It encourages discussion about the nature of acceptance, neurodivergence, and what true inclusion can (and should) look like in a school setting.

 

Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

What it’s about: Set in 1986, this story follows twelve-year-old Nova, a nonverbal autistic girl with a deep passion for space exploration. Recently placed in a new foster home, Nova eagerly anticipates the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, a moment she and her missing sister, Bridget, had planned to watch together. As the countdown to the launch progresses, Nova’s new foster family and teachers begin to recognize her intelligence and potential, challenging their initial perceptions. Through Nova’s perspective, the story explores themes of understanding, resilience, and the profound impact of being truly seen and valued.​

Why it’s great for inclusion: For many years, I’d spend part of September visiting classrooms and showing neurotypical students how to use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). My goal was to help them understand that different methods of communication are equally valid—and that students who use them deserve to be heard.

Planet Earth Is Blue is a powerful example of this idea in action. Nova is a thoughtful and passionate girl who happens to be nonverbal. In my opinion, nonverbal characters are still underrepresented in books about neurodivergent kids, so it’s refreshing to see a story so fully centered on someone like her.

 

For more great recommendations on the broader topic of diversity in middle grade, absolutely check out our diversity series, which is full of great recommendations, many of which address themes like neurodiversity and inclusion (check out this recent list, for example!). 

What are you reading on this topic? Feel free to leave a comment, and let’s keep the conversation going!

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