Recommended by our community

Books for the Break

Here are a few top picks based on common reading patterns I’m seeing. Remember, as middle school bridges both middle grade and young adult (teen) literature, not all books are right for all students. Let me know if you need more information! On a mobile device, swipe left on the image to view the others.

Oh, did you mean books for adults? I got you!

• The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemison (start with The Fifth Season)
• Shadowlands by Anthony McCann
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley
• The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina: A Novel by Zoraida Córdova
• Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
• Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
• Unsettled Ground by Cassandra Tate
• Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
• and more….

Book of the Month Nominees

Here’s what students are recommending to each other!

• A Breath of Eyre by Even Mont
• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Black
• Alone by Megan Freeman *book club selection
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson *graphic novel
• The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix
• Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald *book club selection
• Ghost by Jason Reynolds *book club selection
• Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
• Heartstopper Series by Alice Osman *#5 drops December 13, graphic novel
• How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• One Piece by Eiichiro Oda *manga
• Parachute Kids by Betty Tang *graphic novel
• Posted by John David Anderson *book club selection
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson *graphic novel
• The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
• Scythe by Neal Shusterman
• Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
• Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs
• Ten Thousand Tries by Amy Makechnie
• The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin *book club selection

Wildcats Read 2023-2024

These books will be highlighted all year long at Whitman. Featured books have diverse topics, BIPoC authors and protagonists, meaningful messages along with great entertainment. These books are meant to be mirrors and windows, help us build empathy & make sense of the world. Age & grade recommendations are only a starting point, please monitor if a book is just right for you. Some titles have audio, e-book or large print versions as well – just ask!

Very Best Tween and Teen Book Recommendations

Project Lit can be found on Instagram and FaceBook and Twitter. Project Lit is used by most of the SPS Librarians as a great reference point. At Whitman, Project Lit choices are often found on our Wildcats Read books and in our ELA book clubs. 

We Need Diverse Books Book Resources

We Need Diverse Books Resources for Race, Equity and Inclusion

The Brown Bookshelf  is a wonderful resource for books, blogs, and a multitude of resources run by a group of authors and illustrators who came together to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers.

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Additional Resources