Smile (graphic novel)- by Raina Telgemeier

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. California: Scolastic/Graphix
Summary
This graphic novel covers the first five years following the author's accident that resulted in the loss of her two front teeth. She has to go through tortuous oral surgeries, embarrassing implants, false teeth, and headgear. To make matters worse, Raina is going through the equally painful adolescence full of body changes, first crushes, and major awkwardness.
Review
Never before have I read such an eerily similar version of my tween years! I was awkward, needed braces and headgear and middle school was horrible! It wasn't until I grew out of the awkward phase did I realize that I was actually not that cool, which could have fooled me because I had great friends who treated me the way I treated them! This book is a great graphic novel that sums up the painful adolescent stage perfectly.
Genre
Graphic Novel
Reading Age/Interest Level
9-13 years/Tween
Similar Books
Amelia Rules series- Jeff Gownley
Dork Diaries- Rachel Renee Russel
The Popularity Papers- Amy Ignatow
Awards
Nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Published Books for Tweens- 2011
Boston Globe Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature- 2011
Author Information
Raina Telgemeier grew up in San Francisco, and moved to New York City to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts. Her comics have been nominated for the Ignatz, Cybil, and Eisner Awards, and have appeared on the web, in magazines, and in various anthologies. She is the adaptor and illustrator of the Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, which were selected by YALSA for their Great Graphic Novels for Teens list in 2006, as well as ALA's Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth list.
Readers Annotation
Middle School is already full of changing bodies, first crushes, and major awkwardness, add embarrassing head gear and false teeth and you have a story that beats all.

Amelia Rules (graphic novel) - Jimmy Gownley

Gownley, J. (2010). Amelia Rules: Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular. New York: Athenum Publishing.
Summary
Amelia McBride returns in this all new hilarious adventure to stay above being a social outcast that stems from her best friend Rhonda's try at being popular. Amelia and Rhonda consult the "Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular" in their quest to stay "normal". She tries everything, new hairstyles, attitudes and friends with determination and humor, but realizes that she is happy with the way that she is.
Review
I am a bit partial to this graphic novel series because my tween is also names Amelia and her and Amelia McBride are exactly alike in their mishaps and adventure. This volume shows the importance of being popular in middle school but the even more important discovery of being true to oneself. Whether Amelia and her best friend Rhonda are trying out for the cheerleading squad or running away from an angry mob, readers will laugh out loud and relate in more ways then they think.
Genre
Graphic Novel
Reading Age/Interest Level
9-12 years/Tween
Similar Books
Amelia Rules series by Jimmy Gownley
Babymouse series by Jennifer Holm
Babysitter's Club series by Ann. M. Martin
Readers Annotation
Amelia is just trying to stay below the radar in middle school but then disaster strikes and she must prove to her peers that she is not unpopular, but just being herself. 

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, J. (2002). Stargirl. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Susan is an eccentric and bizarre new classmate at Area High School, a school that prides itself on popularity and conformity. She wears costumes to school, drops change on the sidewalk for those who need it more than her, and she cheers for both teams because she doesn't like winning. Nicknamed Stargirl, she is nothing like anyone has ever experienced and everything that Leo has ever wanted. Throughout the school year Leo tries to get others to accept Stargirl for who she is but when that fails, he begins to look at her the same way others do and finds himself trying to change her, and himself.
Review
I love anything by Spinelli and this book does not disappoint. Tweens need books like this that show them that being different is ok. This book shows that individuality is a hard thing to hold onto during a time where everyone wants to be like everyone else and Stargirl shows them that middle school is a great place to express themselves.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Age/Interest Level
9-12 years/Tween
Similar  Books
Love, Stargirl- Jerry Spinelli
The Great Gilly Hopkins- Katherine Paterson
Loser- Jerry Spinelli
Awards
New York Time Bestseller
Parents Choice Gold Award Winner
ALA Top 10 Books Award
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Characters
Leo Borlock- The narrator of the book. Fell in love with Stargirl.
Susan "Stargirl" Caraway - a new face to Mica Area High School. Stargirl is different from everyone else at MAHS. She captures Leo Borlock's heart by just one smile. She brings the idea of individuality to MAHS, something that the school has never encountered before, and the student body is not always sure how to grasp it.
Cinnamon- a friendly rat that is Stargirl's most cherished companion and sidekick. He listens to Stargirl and does what she says.
Barney - an ancient, 60 million year-old, Paleocene era rodent skull that Archie keeps around to prove a point throughout the book, until the end, when Barney is buried.
Mr. McShane - Mica High's faculty representative to the state contest. He drives Stargirl and Leo to Phoenix, Arizona where the state competition is held.
Hillari Kimble - the girlfriend of Wayne Parr. She cannot stand Stargirl, hating her for the attention she gets .
Dori Dilson - the best friend of Stargirl Caraway. At first, she is very shy, but Stargirl helps her to open up more towards others.
Wayne Parr - the boyfriend of Hillari Kimble. In terms of achievement, he is a nobody. When asked by Kevin on Hot Seat what his inspiration is, Wayne answers that it is the magazine GQ.
Archie Brubaker - a teacher who works on Saturdays. He is a retired paleontology professor whose home, full of bones, is open to the students each Saturday. An old man who knows his stuff. Archie can be confusing since he is a man of riddles.
Kevin Quinlan - the best friend of Leo Borlock. He is the host of Hot Seat. Kevin is one of the few who continue to acknowledge Leo while he is dating Stargirl.
Peter Sinkowitz - the boy who lives across the street from Stargirl. Peter is a little boy that Stargirl keeps an eye on. She takes random pictures and notes about him for a scrapbook she will give him when he comes to an age at which he can appreciate it.
Señor Saguaro - the giant cactus that grows in Archie's backyard. When Leo and Kevin go to Archie for answers to their problems, Archie turns to Senor Saguaro for help and advice.
Mallory Stillwell - the captain of the MAHS cheerleading squad. She invites Stargirl to be a cheerleader after Stargirl wows her classmates with stunts at football games.
Readers Annotation
Would you change who you are in order to fit it? Even if that meant losing everything you believed in, including yourself?

Here's to you Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume

Blume, J. (1993). Here's to you rachel robinson. New York: Delacourt Books.

Plot

This is the sequel to Blume's book, Just as Long as We're Together, and it features the same trio of friends, Stephanie, Rachel, and Alison as they try and make heads and tales of their changing world. In this book, Rachel's perfect world is thrown upside down as her brother is kicked out of boarding school forces his volatile behavior on his sister and parents. During this time, Rachel is also trying to balance the pressure of school, awakening sexuality, and changing personalities.

Review

This is a simple and direct way of telling the story of a tween growing up in a world that throws curve ball after curve ball. Although the character of Rachel is far from ordinary, middle school girls will be able to relate to the common obstacles teen girls go through. I remember reading this book thinking that their had never been a character that I could relate to, until I found Rachele Robinson. We had the same name, we both played the flute, we were both over achievers, and we both were going through so much at such a young age. Even though this book has been challenged for its references to sexuality and topics that some think too risque for tweens, I think that tweens are already made aware of them and need to read about others going through the same thing. 

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

5th-8th grade/ Tween

Similar Books

Forever- Judy Blume

P.S Longer Letter Later- Paula Dazinger

Someone Like You- Sarah Dessen

Characters

Rachel Robinson- Female protagonist who is a perfectionist and overachiever. Her life is turned upside down when her brother is forced to come after being kicked out from his boarding school.

Stephanie Hirsch- Rachel's best friend since the third grade. 

Charles Robinson- Rachel's brother who is a problem maker and takes the attention away from Rachel. 

Paul Mediros- Rachel brother's older tutor who Rachel develops a crush on. 

Jeremy "The Dragon" Kravitz- Rachel, Alison, and Stephanie's crush of middle school. To the surprise of the girls, he develops his own crush on Rachel. 

Readers Annotation

Rachel Robinson has everything that she has worked so hard for, a great family, true friends, and her middle school crush is crushing back, but despite all of this, Rachel is as lost as ever. Will she be able to achieve her goals without losing herself?

Just as Long as We are Together by Judy Blume

Blume, J. (1991). Just as long as we're together. New York: Laurel Leaf.

Plot

Stephanie has always had Rachel as her best friend and she was someone she told everything to and did everything with, that was until Alison moves in. Now, secrets are kept from another during a time when Stephanie needs her best friend the most. This book touches on middle school angst such as, divorce, friendships, first crushes, and body changes such as weight gain and menstration. Stephanie and her friends are trying to keep with the never ending changes of their bodies, minds, and hearts and they know they will be fine as long as they are together.

Review

Awww..memories. This has to be one of my favorite books of all my tween years (and a guilty pleasure now). This book taught me and will teach other tweens all about body image, friendship, crushes, drama, and sexuality in a tween friendsly type of way. This book is poignant, hilarious, and truthful. Let's face it, drama always happens with friends and this is a great book that tweens can relate to and learn from. There are true friends out there and this books proves just that. There have been challenges to this book because of the references to sex and kissing, but I truly believe that this is an appropriate book for tweens.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

5th-8th grade/ Tweens

Similar Books

Are You There God, It's Me Maragret- Judy Blume

Here's to you Rachel Robinson- Judy Blume

Beacon Street Girls series- Annie Bryant

Characters

Stephanie Hirsch- The protagonist who is best friends with Rachel Robsinon. She finds out that her parents are separating and her father has a girlfriend, she is starting middle school, has put on ten pounds and started menstruating.

Rachel Robinson- Stephanie's best friend who is great at anything. She is an overachiever who like Stephanie, has started changing in more ways than one and she is hoping their friendship can last through it all.

Alison Monceau- The new girl who moves into the condos where both Rachel and Stephanie live. She is a free spirit who attracts both boys and girls. She doesn't mean to get in the middle of their friendship and will try anything to save it.

Readers Annotation

This book will tug at your heart strings as it teaches you about love and loss and the way that true friendship mends all holes.

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

Sachar, L. (1987). There's a boy in the girl's bathroom. New York: Yearling Books.  

Plot

Fifth grader Bradley Chalkers is the class clown, bully, friendless and antisocial. He finds solace and friendship with cracked and chipped pottery animals who motivate him to be brave and hides his sadness in their broken pieces. The new kid in school tries and befriends Bradley but backs off when he realizes he is too hard to like. Feeling like even more of a failure and acting out even more than ever, Bradley's life is turned upside down when the school counselor arrives. She truly cares about him and works with Bradley in helping him to gain his confidence and respect for himself and others.

Review

Author Sachar creates middle school angst in such a dramatic and realistic way that readers will cringe at his setbacks and applaud at his milestones. There is a Bradley in every school and rather than turn him away and label him, this book teachers kids to look deeper and to not give up on one another. This book was one of my favorite books when I was in junior high and I never hesitate to recommend it or booktalk it to tweens now. Although the cover has been updated, the content is still as important and dedicated to changing bad behavior that tween today can still relate.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

4th-8th grade/ Tween

Similar Books

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

How to Be a Perfect Person in Three Days- Stephen Manes

Frindle- Andrew Clements

Characters

Bradley Chalkers - Is the main antagonist in the beginning, but gradually becomes the main protagonist in the middle and end. He has "serious behavior issues," causing Ms. Ebbel (his teacher) to send him to Carla, the new school counselor.

Jeff Fishkin - Is the main protagonist in the beginning, then switches to the main antagonist in the beginning of the middle section, but quickly transfers back to the co-protagonist. Has a crush on Colleen, who likes him back. Bradley's best friend.

Colleen Verigold -She has a crush on Jeff. She has a birthday at the end of the story and invites all her friends, as well as Jeff and Bradley.

Carla Davis - the school counselor. Unlike the teachers at the school, she prefers to persuade students to do the right thing instead of outright telling them what to do.

Readers Annotation

Just when he thought that the world has given up on him, Bradley Chalkers has been given another chance by someone he least expected.

Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader

Leader, J. (2010). Nice and Mean. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Plot

  Sachi (the nice girl) and Marina (the mean girl) are forced to work together while taking the same Video Skills elective class in their middle school. Told by alternating "nice" and "mean" voices, author Jessica Leader takes what could have been a cliche middle school meltdown and turned it into something quite fascintaing. Readers get to know the backgrounds of each girl and find out that they are not too different from one another and they use their differences to help each other out in areas that they need to change. Sachi is of Indian decent and readers are introduced to Indian culture tween girls are raised in this homelife. We also get to see why Marina is the way that she is and it is proof that there is always two sides to every story.

Review

  Again, Jessica Leader surprised me by writing a book that from all inclinations felt like it would turn into a cliched tween drama novel. When I finished this book I was pleasently surprised at the depth of her characters and the back stories to each one. Too many times you hear about mean girls in middle school but you rarely figure out why they are the way that they are. Nice and Mean does just that. Readers see relationships grow, secrets revealed, and tweens mature. Leaders' writing style truly captures that perfect tween voice and captivates all.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

Tween/9-12 years/5th-8th grade

Similar Books

Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better- Lauren Barnhodlt

The Melting of Maggie Bean- Tricia Rayburn

This is Me From Now On- Barbara Dee

Personal Thoughts

  I am not a huge fan of mean girls novels but this one took me by surprise. Maybe it was the deep background of Sachi and her Indian culture or the fact that even that mean girls get picked on. This was an easy read and a perfect rendition of what tween culture is all about.

Characters

• Sachi Parikh- A nice smart middle schooler who tends to let others walk all ove her.
• Marina Glass- Outspoken mean girl who hangs with the popular kids and comes to the realization that popularity doesn't always bring happiness.
• Rachel Winter- Marinas' so called best friend. Complete mean girl and will do whatever it takes to get to the top, even if it means backstabing her best friend.
• Flora- Sachi's friend even though she too tends to take advantage of Sachi from time to time

Readers Annotation

Mean girls 2.0 ahead. Readers beware!