Book List

Author Guest Post: “Illness is a Part of Life. A Good Book Can Help Kids Cope.” by Priya Swaminathan, Author of Deepa M.D.

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“Illness is a Part of Life. A Good Book Can Help Kids Cope.”

“Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick,” Susan Sontag writes in her seminal 1978 essay Illness as a Metaphor. “Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.”

Disease is something every child will encounter, as Sontag eloquently points out. Yet it is often shrouded in taboo. An illness in the family might be kept a secret or buried under mysterious language. Our bodies can become scary, dangerous – even shameful – when we don’t understand how they work in sickness and in health. Avoiding the subject leaves kids ill equip to talk about discomfort, pain, and the swirl of emotions that come with it.

As a child, my family talked a lot about disease. My father, a surgeon, discussed tough cases and triumphant ones at the dinner table. I remember paging through his medical textbooks and marveling at anatomical drawings of my insides. But novels like Little Women and The Secret Garden gave me a deeper understanding of the experience of illness.

While the classics have much to offer, a handful of middle-grad novels have broadened my understanding of “the kingdom of the sick,” as Sontag calls it. Reading them with my 11-year-old daughter has given us a shared language to talk about illness as a part of life.

Wink by Rob Harrell

Harrell’s semi-autobiographical novel about a 7th grader diagnosed with a rare eye cancer is hilarious, heartbreaking, and life-affirming. In other words, it’s brilliant. Harrell’s deft sense of humor invites you to examine the stigma that surrounds illness and the liberating power of art and human connection.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci is a heroine for the ages. A 6th grader navigating private school as a scholarship student, her family is her rock, especially Lolo, her wise and warm grandfather.

Only Lolo’s been acting differently. An angry outburst, forgetting things, tumbling off his bike –  Merci can see Lolo changing, but no one in her family will tell her what’s going on.

Ultimately, Merci learns that her grandfather has Alzheimer’s Disease. Meg Medina offers a delicate portrait of how cognitive disorders unfold and effect families. Ultimately, Merci’s understanding of her grandfather’s condition allows her to step up and take on more responsibility. This empowering story offers a blueprint for how families can face illness together.

Dust by Dusti Bowling

In Dust, Avalyn moves to Arizona with her family in search of a climate that would prevent another asthma attack like that one that almost killed her ten years ago. Her world is thrown into chaos when dust storms kick up, coinciding with the arrival of a new student at school. Breath and the experience of having a chronic respiratory illness are at the center of this novel (at least until the source of those dust storms is revealed…no spoilers!). Bowling uses magical realism to take you inside the experience of illness in a way that will change your understanding of health.

Published May 19th, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

About the Book: A precocious seventh grader whose cancer has recently gone into remission assists her “medical detective” uncle while readjusting to life in middle school in this heartwarming and funny middle grade debut novel that’s Front Desk meets Roll with It.

Twelve-year-old Deepa is ready to un-pause her life. After spending a year in the hospital, she’s itching for things to go back to the way they were before she got sick.

Only everything’s changed. Her parents treat her like she’s made of glass, there’s a mean girl out to get her, and her best friend Renée forgot to mention she has a whole new life now.

But when her Uncle Jai, a genius doctor that patients love to hate and the “Sherlock Holmes” of medical mysteries, needs her help with a tricky case involving a teenage patient, Deepa steps up to the plate—because she knows better than anyone what it’s like to be sick.

But why, oh why, did her first patient have to be her bully’s older brother?

As the case spirals and her illness flares up, Deepa quickly learns that if she wants to save her patient, she’ll have to diagnose what’s going on inside herself first.

About the Author: Priya Swaminathan lived the dream of making movies and TV shows for 19 years. She helped launch Higher Ground productions, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, where she produced award-winning documentaries, films, and kids shows like Waffles + Mochi, Emmy-award winner Ada Twist, Scientist, and the NAACP award-winner We The People. Previously, she developed narrative films for Spike Jonze, Johnny Knoxville, George Clooney, and Bennett Miller and was the head of development at Annapurna Pictures. A few years ago, Priya decided to shake things up. She quit her job to write and go back to school. She graduates from UCLA School of Nursing in June and plans to work with oncology patients. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and hopes that someday she’ll convince her husband to get a big, fluffy dog. Deepa, M.D. is her debut middle-grade novel.

Thank you, Priya, for sharing this wonderful list and showing how books can help with tough times in kids’ lives!

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 11

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Trent read 56 books when he was 11. Here are his favorites (in his own words & in no particular order):

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

I never would have come up with the story myself; it is such a creative way to write a book–in the mind of a robot. I think it is cool that we get to see all the scientists working on Resilience as well as a rover developing human emotions over time.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I wanted to read this because it is my mom’s favorite book and now it is also my favorite book! It is just such an amazing story. The way that Jonas goes from believing that it is all normal and then when he becomes the receiver, he learns that everything is really a lie and the book becomes dystopian. The book made me feel lucky about my life because we have nature, animals, color, art, music, emotions, family, and are free.

The rest of the Giver series by Lois Lowry

I read the rest of the books because of the cliffhanger of The Giver. The rest of the series, at first, doesn’t seem like a continuation, but as you keep reading, it all weaves itself together. In the end, these three books cleared everything up, and the ending of Son was amazing. 

Wish I Was a Baller by Amar Shah

I like how Amar Shah based this graphic novel off of his real life experiences and since I have met Amar, it made me connect even more to the book. I think his life was a great idea for a book because I think that it was very cool for him to meet famous basketball players and for us to read about it. The book also had a great message: Just because you can’t DO the thing you love, doesn’t mean you can’t do SOMETHING with it. 

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

I am so glad that at an author event, Lindsay Currie talked me into getting this book! It was fun watching out everythign played out, and I liked trying to guess how to get out of the room, like being in an escape room.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

I like how this book shows the mind of a person with cerebal palsy and how it shows that it is not nice to make fun of people. Also, overall it was a great, emotional story. 

  
  

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

This is my favorite book series because Rick Riordan is so amazing at writing books because I can see what is happening in the book in my head and “watching” Percy fight in my head is very cool. The series also has some mystery, romance, and humor which makes it fun to read. This series also made me like Greek mythology and now I really like it. Ane the fifth book is just EPIC–filled with fighting, monsters, and other action. 

 

Alone and Away by Morgan E. Freeman

With Alone, I loved the poetry because it fit the character’s personality and matched the book because it shows that she is alone. It is a great book because I didn’t want to put it down as I read about her wondering about what happened and her ability to survive. Then in Away, everything gets cleared up. And just like in Alone, each character got their own way to tell their story with different formats which matched their personality.

Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti

I loved trying to guess who the killer was! It was very creative how the story was told because it was told in police interviews with the witnesses telling the police about what happened. It is just overall a good crime, mystery book.

 
  

Alex Rider books #1-#5 by Anthony Horowitz

This is one of my favorite book series ever. Me, personally, I love mystery, spy novels, so this series was amazing and interesting to read because of all the action, villains, and just Alex Rider, in general. 

 

Maus I & Maus II by Art Spiegelman

I think it is so important that the author wrote this story about the Holocaust. Also, it was interesting how the author chose to make the people animals because it was a great representation of how society was. I learned so much about the Holocaust from this book. It is astonishing that this is his father’s story.

Past “Trent’s Favorite Books” Posts

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 10
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 9
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 8
Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 6 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 5 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 4 Year Old
Ten(ish) of Trent’s Favorite Books as a 3 Year Old
Ten of Trent’s Favorite Books as a 2 Year Old
Trent’s Favorite Books as a 1 Year Old
Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Books: 9 to 12 Months
Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: 6 to 9 Months
Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First 3 Months
A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books
**Check this one ^ out if you haven’t–it is one of my favorite posts ever!**

Kellee’s 2025 Reading Recap & Stats

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And just for fun: here is Trent’s 2024 Year in Books!

Here are my five star reads from 2025:

Middle Grade

Alone by Megan E. Freeman
Giant Rays of Hope by Patricia Newman
The Liars Society: A Secret Escape by Alyson Gerber
Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
The Deadly Fates: A Conjourer Novel (Marvellers #3) by Dhonielle Clayton
Trials of Apollo #1: The Hidden Oracle and #5: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan
The Wild Robot Escapes and The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
(I also reread The Giver, Gathering Blue, The Messenger, & Son by Lois Lowry and The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, all which are 5 star reads)

Young Adult

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick by S. Isabelle
I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill
Red as Royal Blood by Elizabeth Hart
Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
Sunrise on the Reaping by Susanne Collins
Winterkeep by Kristine Cashore
(I also reread The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green; Graceling & Fire by Kristen Cashore; and The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, all which are 5 star reads.)

Happy reading in 2026, friends!!!
To see all the books I’m reading, visit my READ Goodreads shelf and feel free to follow 📖💙

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Student Voices: Recommendations from Connor A., Sami B., Bruna D., Julianna F., and Sarah C.

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Recommendations

“New Manga Recommendations for Manga Readers” by Connor A., 8th grade

Are you a manga reader that is tired of always getting the same manga recommendations? Do you always get recommendations like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball Z? In this blog post, I will be giving recommendations for new manga that are underrated and not commonly spoken of or recommended. I will venture into many different types of manga with original storylines and power systems.

  • Gachiakuta by Kei Urana: For manga readers looking for something original, that also rounds back to the impact people can have on our world, I would definitely recommend Gachiakuta. This unique story is about a boy named Rudo, who’s dad is a criminal. Rudo has always loved trash and wondered why people throw things away, while living in a socially outcast neighborhood of a floating city. After being accused of murder, Rudo is thrown into the “pit” and looks to uncover the secrets of vital instruments (Jinki), the cleaners, and the pit itself, while seeking revenge on those who cast him there.

  • DanDaDan by Yukinobu Tatsu: For manga readers looking for a new genre of manga, I would recommend DanDaDan. This series is really interesting, as it mixes sci-fi, japanese spirits, and a twisted romance. This cool story starts when a nerdy and unpopular boy who believes in aliens, meets a popular girl who believes in spirits. Both are sent to a location to prove that the thing that they believe in exists. Things take a wrong turn and both gain powers, and are sent on a mission.

  • Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro: For manga readers who are not into sports manga, but still looking for something new, I would recommend Blue Lock. This manga series is absolutely amazing. I could not see myself reading sports manga until I read this. The story takes place when a high school striker named Yoichi Isagi loses his high school match to the champions bracket because he did not have the guts to shoot, and passed instead. The next day, Isagi gets an invitation to a facility named “Blue Lock” aiming to create the world’s best striker to represent Japan in the national league. The catch is: anyone who loses at blue lock will never be able to have a soccer career in Japan.

  • Fire Force by Atsushi Ohkubo: For manga readers looking for something cool and fun to read, I would recommend Fire Force. This manga was created by the same author as Soul Eater, and his former assistant was Kei Urana who created Gachiakuta. This manga takes place in a world where the most probable cause of death is spontaneous human combustion. Shinra Kusakabe, has always dreamed to be a hero but is dubbed a devil by his peers. Shinra joins Special Fire Force Company 8, looking to fight fire monsters called infernals, and to become a hero.

  • My Hero Academia Vigilantes by Hideyuki Furuhashi: This spin-off series to My Hero Academia is actually really good! Manga readers that are looking for a cool series would love this. Our story starts with a young man named Koichi, who has a weak quirk. He learns about vigilantes, heroes that fight without licenses, and decides that even with his quirk he wants to become a hero. He meets a man named “knuckleduster” who doesn’t even have a quirk, but is acting as a vigilante, and begins to fight crime.

“Recommended Series” by Sami B., 7th grade

Throughout the school year, I saw many kids check out books. But one common thing I found was many kids preferred series books rather than ones on their own. Whenever they asked where to find books they mostly asked about books in a series. These were the most recommended from many students.


Shadow Children series

At the beginning of the story, the government created a law saying that “parents can only have two children.” When Luke Garner was born, they forced him to leave his home. He was so mad at the law, he decided to help others like him to change the law. According to “Among the Betrayed” a girl named Nina Idi who’s also an illegal child shows how she has to go through the same thing. 


Dork Diaries series

Across the series Nikki Maxwell uses her diary to explain her life in middle school. Each diary explains how Nikki goes through different problems, relationships, pains and mainly her adventures within her school year.


Raina Telgemeier memoir series

Each and all books show how Raina goes through her toughest parts of life:

Smile: After an accident with her teeth, Raina has to try to survive middle school, not so good friends and now headgear and braces. 

Sisters: Raina’s family have to go through a trip across the country but there are many fights between Raina and her sister. 

Guts: During fifth grade, Raina does not feel good. Also she tends to get nauseous when she sees or hears something that can gross her out. 

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Dog Man/ Cat Kid Comic Club series

Dog Man: Follow Dog Man, a man-dog hybrid, across many adventures that contains adventure, laffs, love and jokes that will keep you entertained and will make you keep reading others like this. Cat Kid Comic Club: Join Lil’ Petety, Molly, Flippy and his family of toads as they explore literacy in comics and their solutions to their problems.


Spy x Family series

During an important mission, Twilight has to be undercover as a family man. He has to adopt a child with telepathic powers and marry a woman who is a secret assassin. Can they live together as a fake family without getting their secrets loose

“7 Books I Read and Loved This Year” by Bruna D., 7th grade

The book Four Eyes is about Rex’s first year of middle school and he found out he has to use glasses and he was scared of people making fun of him but his mom couldn’t afford an expensive glasses so his mom had to buy this very cheap and ugly glasses and then people at school called him four eyes but in the end he found out its okay to be different.

The book Pizza Face is about Rex’s first day of 7th grade and he had a BIG pimple in the center of his forehead because of puberty and then it started growing more and more and then people started calling him pizza face until he went to the dermatologist but he didn’t only deal with acne he deals with friendships.

The book Allergic is about this girl that she dreamed of getting a puppy and then in her birthday she finally got what she wished for but little did she know she was allergic to fur pet, she got so sad and she tried  everything possible to get a dog without fur but still its didn’t work but then she had an idea what if she get a animal without fur but her mom did not let her so she had to get with her knowing.

The book Squished is about this girl who lives in a large family and she feels squished but her 6 siblings and she saves money to make her own room in the basement because she doesn’t want to share a room with her siblings.

The book I Heart You, You Haunt Me is about this girl’s boyfriend who dies but his spirit is always with her and they kiss and do everything even though he is a ghost.

The book Two Tribes is about this girl who wants to learn more about her culture and her religion so she wants to live with her dad who is very religious but did not tell her mom. 

The book Ghosts is about this girl who moves and has a hard time to get used to her new town and that town people say there are ghosts but she doesn’t believe them until she sees one.

“My Favorite Books for Middle School” by Julianna F., 7th grade

Middle school is fun, and reading awesome makes it even better!

One of my favorite books is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. It’s about a boy named Harry who finds out that he’s a wizard! He goes to Hogwarts School, where he makes friends, learns magic, and fights against bad guys. I really like how the story is all about friendship, courage and a little mystery!

Second one that I love is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s about a boy named Jonas who lives in a world where everything is the same, and there are no colors or feelings. When he becomes Receiver of Memory. He learns about real things like love and sadness, which makes him think a lot about his life. This book is different from others, but that makes it really cool!

Third, I have to share Wonder by RJ. Palacio. It’s about a boy named Auggie who looks different and is going to school for the first time. The story is told from different people’s perspectives, and it shows how some people can be really nice, while others might not be. I love this book because it tells us to appreciate our differences and be kind to everyone, no matter what. 

Fourth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is an awesome adventure about a twelve-year-old boy named Jackson. He finds out that he is actually a demigod, which means his dad is Poseidon, the god of the sea! When Percy is accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, he has to go on a super cool quest across the country to find the ral thief and stop a big fight between the gods. This book is full of action, funny moments, and it teaches us about friendship and being brave. I think it’s a must-read for everyone who loves adventures!

Lastly, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a really important story about a girl named Starr Carter. She sees her best friend, Khalil, get shot by a police officer, and it changes her life forever. Starr has to deal with tough stuff, like being in a neighborhood where things are dangerous and going to a fancy school where she feels different. This book talks about important issues like race and standing up for what is right. It makes you think and helps you understand how to be brave and find your voice. I think everyone should read it!

These are just a few of my favorite books, and I think every middle schooler should read them!

“Books I Love So Much, I’d Love to Live in Them” by Sarah C., 8th grade

Harry Potter is one of my favourite books the magical world of magic could you imagine living among witches and wizards and going to a Hogwarts studying everything about potions and magic AND I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO FLY ON A HIPPOGRIFF and get my house selected by the sorting hat. One thing I would definitely do is go to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and buy as much candy as I could!

I don’t think there is anything really special about Washington, but in folks you have the chance to live among vampires and werewolves going to the same school and the CULLENS and maybe even become a vampire or a werewolves and talk to Jacob every single day… I would definitely prefer being a vampire. Can you imagine being young forever? AMAZING!

Can you imagine going into a to a whole new country AND moving with your father that you have never met before while in the process of change falling in love,  that offers an enchanting escape into a world of romance and adventure, where everything is about to become and new experience and you life will get turned upside down.

If for one day I could live the life of lara jean that would be PERFECT. Can you imagine fake-dating PETER KAVINSKY? There is a lot of thing I would do to get a Peter Kavinsky in my life. Their love story is just the cutest thing ever. I would love falling cutely in love like Lara Jean. Plus, come on, who doesn’t wish sometimes they also had sent love letters.

Thank you so much to my student voices today and their recommendations of books they loved reading!

Student Voices: What Kellee’s Middle Schoolers are Reading, Loving, and Promoting

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My Student Literacy Leaders (students who help out in the library as their elective) recently were asked them to pick books they’ve loved that they feel should be checked out more than they are.

For these titles, they completed reading promotion projects which included Book Snaps (a snapshot of a book that is supposed to help get kids interested in the book), Title Talkers (a summary and extra info about the book to help share books with students), and Book Trailers (like a movie trailer but for a book).

Here are the titles they decided to promote (alphabetical by title) with some examples of their projects:

  • 12 to 22 by Jen Calonita
  • All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
  • A-Okay by Jarad Greene

  • Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
  • Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

  • Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
  • Baby-Sitters Little Sister: Karen’s Witch by Katy Farina, Created by Ann M. Martin
  • Bedhead Ted by Scott SanGiacomo

  • Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez
  • Blended by Sharon Draper
  • Class Act by Jerry Craft

  • Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
  • Coraline by Neil Gaiman

  • Cross Game: Vol. 1 by Mitsuru Adachi
  • Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
  • Daybreak on Raven Island by Fleur Bradley

  • Delirium by Lauren Oliver
  • The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

  • The Dirt Diary by Anna Staniszewski
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth
  • The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

  • Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone
  • The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley
  • Escape by K.R. Alexander
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

  • Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
  • Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

  • From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
  • Frost Blood by Elly Blake
  • Fruits Basket: Omnibus 1 by Natsuki Takaya

  • The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman
  • Goddess Girls: Athena the Brain by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
  • Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
  • Grace Needs Space by Benjamin A. Wilgus and Rii Abrego

  • Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
  • Holes by Louis Sachar
  • Hooky: Vol. 1 by Míriam Bonastre Tur

  • House Arrest by K.A. Holt
  • How I Became a Spy by Deborah Hopkinson

  • How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
  • Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy
  • Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

  • I Survived: The Destruction of Pompeii, 79 A.D. by Lauren Tarshis
  • I Survived: The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens, 1980 by Lauren Tarshis
  • I Survived: The Nazi Invasion, 1944 (Graphic Novel) by Lauren Tarshis and Álvaro Sarraseca
  • Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno

  • Just Roll with It by Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie
  • Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable and Stephanie Yue

  • Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
  • Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
  • Legend by Marie Lu

  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time by Akira Himekawa

  • The Lizzie Borden Ax Murders by Carla Mooney
  • Looking Up by Stephan Pastis
  • The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

  • Making Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
  • Matched by Ally Condie
  • Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte and Ann Xu

  • Midnight at the Barclay by Fleur Bradley
  • Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

  • Moo by Sharon Creech
  • The Murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls by Sue Bradford Edwards
  • No Place by Todd Strasser

  • One Punch Man by ONE
  • Orange: The Complete Collection, Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano

  • Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt
  • Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
  • Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

  • P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
  • Querido Evan Hansen by Val Emmich, Steven Levenson, Ben J. Pasek, and Justin Paul
  • Puzzled by Pan Cooke
  • Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

  • Refugee by Alan Gratz
  • Renegades by Marissa Meyers
  • Restart by Gordon Korman
  • School Trip by Jerry Craft

  • Scout is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong
  • The Selection by Kiera Cass

  • Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
  • Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
  • Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz

  • Sink or Swim by Veronica Agarwal
  • Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
  • Slacker by Gordon Korman
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

  • Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

  • Trapped by Michael Northrop
  • The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

  • Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau
  • Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright

  • Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
  • Unplugged by Gordon Korman

  • Unwind by Neal Shusterman
  • War Cross by Marie Lu
  • When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

  • White Cat by Holly Black

  • The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

  • Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
  • Wonder by R.J. Palacios
  • The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Thank you to my students for sharing their favorite books and creating these great reading promotion projects!

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 10

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Trent read 169 books while he was 10. Here are 15 of his favorites (in his own words & no particular order):


Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate & Michael Grant, Adapted by Chris Grine

This series was amazing because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It is a beautiful graphic novel series that is adventurous and unique; I’m so glad there is a graphic novel version. The books make me feel so much. For example, in the first one it was sad Tobias is changed into a hawk forever but it is also helpful because they can have a watch person.

Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat

Ooooo, I like Aquanaut! It is one of the best graphic novels! It is beautiful, sad, fun, and happy all at the same time. And the art was aesthetically pleasing. That one scene when Aquanaut swam down to the giant squid is one of my favorite spreads; it was so ominous. And it is amazing how Sophia is able to help all the animals, including Aquanaut.

Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey

I’ve always loved Dog Man, and I loved this one, too, even though this one is different from the other Dog Man books because it is about Big Jim and him making a life as a super hero. It was funny how Jim dragged Petey along with him, making Petey even grumpier than normal.

The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney

I love The Big Sting because grandpa is funny and Leo and Lizzie are adventurous. I also love it because I like mystery books. I couldn’t stop listening to it when my teacher read it to us.

Bone series by Jeff Smith

I read this entire series, and I just couldn’t stop. At first, I thought it was just going to be a funny comic, which it was, but it was so much more, too: adventurous and a beautiful story. My favorite Bone character was Happy because he made me laugh.

Curveball by Pablo Cartaya, Illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas

I liked Curveball because it’s quirky, and it taught me a lesson about not judging a person on first impressions. One night, I read it, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

It is very stupid that this book gets banned. I don’t think that a book should ever be banned just because there are people who may be gay in it. The book is about that but also much more, like loving something and working together to make it happen.

Emmie and Friends series by Terri Libenson

I’ve read 3 from this series, Becoming Brianna, Truly Tyler, and Always Anthony, and I am determined to read them all because the ones I’ve read are so relatable since it talks about friendship and school. I can’t wait to read more of them.

Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy

Huda tells her story in such a funny way. It is hilarious how her sisters bug her all the way from Michigan to Florida. The book was extra entertaining for me because I love Disney world. I do hate that Huda gets judged just because she’s Muslim and prays. Oh, and I was lucky to meet Huda Fahmy this year, too!

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

I think this is books is one of the best books because it is sad but then it get hopeful because Jake works on overcoming his eating disorder. Since John Schu experienced what Jake experienced, the book was a carousel of feelings. Also, John Schu is one of the nicest, most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart with Geoff Rodkey, Illustrated by David Cooper

This book is all about creativeness and talks about teamwork making the dream work. The audiobook for it was amazing because Kevin Hart does a great job. The book, and the audio, are hilarious.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This book is worth the read! It is full of adventure, and it was so cool to learn the history of Mt. Everest and the time period. I liked reading about how they survived back then while climbing. I liked the main characters, Atlas and Maddie, because they were problem solvers and always found a way. After seeing Jennifer Nielsen speak about the book, I was instantly tempted to read it, and I am glad I did.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Like Louder Than Hunger, I felt this story was better because she experienced it. Smile was a lot: it causes a lot of feelings. It was sad sometimes, happy sometimes, funny sometimes. All of it added up to a great book. Also, I was so lucky to meet Raina and tell her how much I love her books.

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

I like that this book takes place in Florida, where I live. And grandpa is so funny. The message is also so important—taking drugs affects your life and those around you. But I do think it is good that Sunny went to go see her grandpa because it gave her time away and she made friends.

Wild Robot series by Peter Brown

I’m sure most of you reading this have seen the movie for The Wild Robot, which was good, but I can tell you the books are definitely better and has extended story. It almost made me cry when Roz had to say bye to Brightbill. In my opinion, the first one was my favorite because it is the start of a new story and you get to see Brightbill grow and learn how to fly.

Past “Trent’s Favorite Books” Posts

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 9

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 8

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7

Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 6 Year Old

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His 6th Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His 5th Birthday

Ten(ish) of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His 4th Birthday

Ten of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His 3rd Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Books: 1 to 2 Years Old

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Books: 9 to 12 Months

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: 6 to 9 Months

Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First 3 Months

A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books
**Check this one out if you haven’t–it is one of my favorite posts ever!**