Posts Tagged Jasmine Warga

Growing Hearts: 10 Middle Grade Books to Inspire Gratitude

Let’s talk gratitude!

Fall is the time of year we tend to consider the concept. I recently read Michael J Fox’s memoir No Time Like the Future. His theme: “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable” drove home the realization that gratitude isn’t just a feeling we should have (peaking sometime around Thanksgiving), it’s a practice we must have. If we want to have a forward-looking life in the midst of all the uncertainty and the curveballs life will throw at us…

We need to cultivate the practice of gratitude all year long.

For our young people growing up in this fast-changing world bombarded by sensationalist media developing gratitude is particularly important. Fortunately, developing gratitude (and empathy and kindness and hopefulness and so on) is an area where middle grade literature really rocks! A feeling of gratitude was certainly on my mind while writing my middle-grade novel, Wand. And in general the genre is rich with books to help young people develop this life-sustaining practice, without being preachy or moralistic.

Jenn Brisendine created a gorgeous post a few years back about reflection and gratitude this time of year, and about learning to appreciate what’s right in front of us. Building on that…

Here are 10 middle grade books to inspire gratitude:

Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos

Cover for Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle

The Penderwicks meets In the Heights in this sparkling middle-grade debut about a young Dominican American girl in New York City.

Her last name may mean “kings,” but Ana María Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she’s stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone’s friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they’ll have even less time for Ana María.

Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City’s best private academy. If Ana María can win a scholarship, she’ll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she’s longed for. To stand out, she’ll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters’ hijinks, the neighbors’ visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic… right up until the baby’s birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana María Reyes may not be royal, but she’s certain to come out on top.

Elvis and The World As It Stands by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough

Cover for Elvis and the World As It StandsA poignant middle-grade story about loss and finding family from the point of view of a newly adopted kitten.

Most shelter animals dream of going home with a forever family. But for Elvis, being chosen by Mrs. Pemberton is a nightmare. He’s been separated from his sister, Etta, and is determined to get back to the shelter to find her. In spite of himself, Elvis becomes curious about 10-year-old Georgina Pemberton, who builds LEGO skyscrapers in her bedroom while navigating her parents’ separation. The longer he’s in his new home, the more he starts recognizing new feelings: admiration for Georgina’s creations, affection for the other pets, and even empathy for the Pembertons–despite their inability to listen.

As Georgina sets out to build her most important skyscrapers yet–the Twin Towers–Elvis realizes that maybe both humans and animals can take a page from Georgina’s Big Book of American Architecture and “build a world of their own choosing,” even if the choices aren’t what they’d initially expected.

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Cover for Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson’s first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories.

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat–by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for “A Room to Talk”), they discover it’s safe to talk about what’s bothering them–everything from Esteban’s father’s deportation and Haley’s father’s incarceration to Amari’s fears of racial profiling and Ashton’s adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

Homebound by John David Anderson

Cover for Homebound by John David Anderson

Leo Fender is no stranger to catastrophe, whether it’s the intergalactic war that took his mother’s life or the ongoing fight for his own. He’s seen his planet plundered, his ship attacked, his father kidnapped, and his brother go missing–and found himself stranded on a ship with a bunch of mercenary space pirates.

Still, nothing could have prepared him for the moment he and the crew tried to save his father…and discovered a dark plot that could destroy hundreds of worlds in the blink of an eye.

Now Leo is adrift. His father has sent him on a mission with nothing but a data chip and a name of someone who could help, and Captain Bastian Black and the crew of the Icarus are determined to see this through to the end with Leo, to fulfill his father’s wish and prevent further conflict.

But as Leo searches for answers, he can’t help but wonder what it would take to end the war, to track down his father and brother and return to whatever home they have left–and if the cost of doing so is one he would be able to pay.

Kat Greene Comes Clean by Melissa Roske

Cover for Kat Greene Comes Clean by Melissa Roske

Life is messy.

Kat Greene lives in New York City and attends fifth grade at Village Humanity School, an ultra-progressive private school in New York’s Greenwich Village. At the moment she has three major problems: dealing with her boy-crazy best friend; partnering with the overzealous Sam in the class production of Harriet the Spy; and coping with her divorced mom’s preoccupation with cleanliness–a symptom of her worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kat wants to tell her dad what’s going on, but he’s busy with her new family uptown.

With nowhere to turn, Kat reaches out to the free-spirited psychologist at her school, Olympia Rabinowitz, for support and guidance. Olympia encourages Kat to be honest. Eventually, Kat realizes that sometimes asking for help is the best way to clean up life’s messes.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Cover for Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives.

At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US–and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before.

But this life also brings unexpected surprises–there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.

This lyrical, life-affirming story is about losing and finding home and, most importantly, finding yourself.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Cover for Simon Sort of Says

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone–the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

Simon Sort of Says, the Newbery Honor-winning novel by Erin Bow, is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe by Jo Watson Hackl

Cover for Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe

11 days. 13 clues. And one kid who won’t give up.

How far would you go to find something that might not even exist?

All her life, Cricket’s mama has told her stories about a secret room painted by a mysterious artist. Now Mama’s run off, and Cricket thinks the room might be the answer to getting her to come back. If it exists. And if she can find it.

Cricket’s first clue is a coin from a grown-over ghost town in the woods. So with her daddy’s old guidebook and a coat full of snacks stolen from the Cash ‘n’ Carry, Cricket runs away to find the room. Surviving in the woods isn’t easy. While Cricket camps out in an old tree house and looks for clues, she meets the last resident of the ghost town, encounters a poetry-loving dog (who just might hold a key to part of the puzzle), and discovers that sometimes you have to get a little lost . . . to really find your way.

The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel

Cover for The Other Half of Happy

One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana’s Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn’t know more about her family’s heritage.

One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she’s found true friends. But she can’t help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what’s going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.

Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

Cover for When Stars are Scattered

A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It’s an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.

Let me know in the comments which other middle-grade books have inspired gratitude in your students or kids!

Finding Light After Loss: 5 MG Books Appreciating What Remains

The sparkling lights and warmth of the holiday season can cast harsh shadows for those dealing with the absence of a loved one, making the holidays a painful rather than joyous time.

Why it matters: Stories that tackle the dim chill of grief with honesty and yet point to connection and hope, can help educators and readers alike navigate the holiday season no matter what they are facing.

Go deeper: In today’s blog we will explore five middle grade titles that embrace what remains after loss, reminding us that there is much to be grateful for even when things are hard.

Read Time: 4 minutes

 

The probability of everything book cover

“The Probability of Everything” by Sarah Everett (2023)

Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter understands the world through probabilities, but nothing could prepare her for Amplus-68, an asteroid with an 84.7% chance of colliding with Earth in four days. As Kemi struggles to make sense of her unraveling world and an unwelcoming new town, she decides to create a time capsule to preserve her family’s truth. Through this journey, Kemi must confront the hardest part of life: learning to say goodbye.

Perfect for: readers who feel like their world is ending (either literally or figuratively) and want help navigating uncertainty and finding meaning during deeply challenging times.

aniana del mar jumps in book cover

“Aniana del Mar Jumps In” by Jasminne Mendez (2023)

Aniana del Mar feels at home in the water, but when a chronic illness forces her to reveal her love of swimming to her overprotective mother, she’s forbidden from returning to the sea. Believing swimming is key to managing her disease, Ani must find her voice and fight for her passion. In the process, she learns to let go of who she once was and embrace the person she’s becoming.

Perfect for: readers experiencing a loss of personal identity or ability and want help feeling resilient and empowered in the face of physical and emotional challenges.

the shape of thunder book cover

“The Shape of Thunder” by Jasmine Warga (2021)

Twelve-year-old Cora and her former best friend Quinn, separated by grief and guilt, reconnect on a mission to undo the tragedy that tore their lives apart. As they attempt to open a wormhole to rewrite the past, they discover that healing may come from mending their friendship instead. Together, they learn that moving forward is sometimes the most powerful way to honor the past.

Perfect for: readers rebuilding a life after loss or community tragedy and want help moving forward and restoring a sense of connection and safety.

hope in the holler book cover

“Hope in the Holler” by Lisa Lewis Tyre (2018)

After her mother’s death, Wavie returns to Conley Hollow, a place her mother wanted to leave behind, and ends up living with a cruel aunt. Despite her challenging circumstances, Wavie finds solace in the Appalachian mountains, her mother’s memory, and new friendships with kindhearted kids her aunt dismisses. With their help and her mother’s words of encouragement, Wavie discovers the courage to uncover a family secret and fight for the good life she deserves.

Perfect for: readers who feel displaced after losing a core family member or home and want help recovering a sense of belonging.

dear mothman book cover
“Dear Mothman” by Robin Gow (2023)

After the loss of his best friend Lewis, Noah, a lonely trans boy, begins writing letters to Mothman, Lewis’s favorite cryptid, seeking understanding. As he delves into the mystery for his science fair project, Noah makes unexpected friends and starts to find his place, even while facing skepticism and prejudice. Determined to honor Lewis’s memory and prove Mothman’s existence, Noah takes a brave journey into the woods, risking everything for a connection that might finally help him heal.

Perfect for: readers who have lost that person who really “gets them” and need help finding the courage to build a new support system and find acceptance.

As we go into the holidays, let’s lead with empathy and remember that not everyone is in a place to feel the “holiday spirit” but with these books, they might just find a spark of hope in the darkness after all.

Until next time, remember: 💔+ 📚 = ❤️‍🩹

Telling Immigrant Stories Through Verse Novels

Did you know that novels in verse have super powers?

  • These stories, told in lyrical narratives, are immersive.
  • They appeal to young readers looking for shorter books.
  • The visual qualities of the text on the page often evoke the meaning of the words.
  • Many novels in verse have won literary awards.

Using blank space, line breaks, shapes and inventive forms, authors give readers x-ray vision straight into the hearts and minds of their characters.

Now, more than ever, is a good time to empathize with immigrant characters.

Novels in verse have a super power. Author use of blank space, line breaks, shapes and inventive forms give readers x-ray vision straight into the heart and mind of their characters.

Check out these recent stories about young immigrants who are faced with typical middle school challenges such as crushes, friendship, fitting in, and bullying while trying to belong in a country where they are not always made to feel welcome. The main characters in these novels also face the difficulties (and joys) of living between two cultures. The lens of lyrical language allows readers to understand and empathize with an immigrant character.

Call Me Adnan by Reem Faruqui

Ping pong is Adnan’s passion. After many exciting matches, he and his family go to Florida for his championship where a tragedy occurs. This story portrays how one boy’s loving Pakistani Muslim family deals with grief.

 

 

 

When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai

In this sequel to the award winning Inside Out and Back Again, Vietnamese-American Ha and her family are moving again – from Texas to Alabama. Ha is determined to make money to help her family out. She shows resilience and humor as she tries to make new friends and is confronted with prejudice.

 

 

 

 

Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jaminne Mendez

Dominican American Aniana is at home in the water, but her mother, whose brother drowned during a hurricane, forbids her to be a part of the swim team. Ani sneaks off to swim practices, with the help of her dad, until she is prevented by her stiff swollen joints. Mendez’s poems describe Ani’s journey with her chronic illness and the growing understanding of her family.

 

 

 

 

 

I Am Kavi by Thushanthi Ponweera

Kavi worked hard for the scholarship that takes her out of her poverty stricken village and into  a fancy school in the city. It’s 1998 and this young Sri Lankan girl is affected by the country’s Civil War. She’s also at war within herself trying to fit in at her school, decide between right and wrong and discover where she belongs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respico

Moving from the Philippines to California isn’t easy for Isabel. She has to make new friends in a new country and she has to get to know her mother all over again since they have lived separately for years. Her grandmother and her green thumb come to the rescue. The special garden project creates builds a community where she belongs.

 

 

 

 

Kareem in Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi.

The story of how Kareem, a football-loving Syrian American stuck between two cultures, is riveting and poetic. This boy is desperate to make the team and new friends. When the QB makes a proposition, Kareem has to decide between right and

wrong. His family problems revolve around trying to get his very ill grandfather out of Syria during the 2017 Muslim Ban.

 

 

You also won’t want to miss these award winning novels in verse, written prior to 2023.

Red White and Whole by Rajani La Rocca

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhan Lai

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga.

 

Jen Kraar grew up chasing lizards in India, making up stories about the residents of the spirit houses in Thailand, and riding retired racehorses in Singapore. Jen explores themes of finding home in the middle grade novels and picture books she writes. As a manager at Pittsburgh’s beloved City of Asylum Bookstore, she builds a diverse collection of books and talks about kid lit with customers young and old.