1. Joy
“Guess how much I love you”
Beautifully illustrated with Anita Jerram’s tender watercolors, Sam McBratney’s timeless classic is sure to captivate children and adults alike. How much does Little Nutbrown Hare love her daddy? Sam McBratney’s “Guess How Much I Love You” is a story about the bond of love between parent and child. It beautifully expresses how we perceive love and how great it is; a love that seems infinite to us and that we can hardly express. This expanded board book version of this hugely popular classic is sure to be treasured by children.
2. Fear
Prisoner of Bhopal: Ages 9 and up
Amir has always dreamed of working in a modern, space-age pesticide factory in Bhopal, India. But on his tenth birthday, he is taken from his family and sent to work in the rundown printing factory of Mr. Kumar and his cruel son Jalesh. There, he finds a secret World War I diary hidden in a trunk. As its pages begin to move, it becomes clear not only why Amir is there, but also that he and the diary’s author, his great-grandfather Sanjiv, share a magical talent: they can read the wind. Their purpose remains a mystery, but one terrifying night, the pesticide factory leaks poisonous gas into the air above Bhopal…
3. Sadness
“Count by Sevens” – Ages 10 and up
In the vein of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and To Kill a Mockingbird, this moving novel for middle graders is about being an outsider, dealing with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. Willow Chance is a 12-year-old genius girl obsessed with nature and medical diagnoses, and finds solace in counting by sevens. Forging connections with people outside of her adoptive parents has never been easy for her, but that hasn’t prevented her from living a quiet, happy life…until now. Suddenly, her parents die in a car accident, leaving Willow alone in an inexplicable world, and her world tragically changes. The triumph of this book is that it’s not a tragedy. This very strange, but very lovable girl is able to overcome her grief. Her journey to find a surrogate family that is surprisingly diverse and completely believable is both fun and revelatory to read.
4. Anger
“Grumpy Monkey”
Meet Jim Pansy. He’s in a bad mood. Nothing he does seems to work. Jim doesn’t know why…his friends don’t understand. Why is he in a bad mood on such a beautiful day?! They offer loads of suggestions on how to make him feel better, but Jim can’t take all of the advice…and begins to panic a little. Maybe he just needs a bad day? This modern classic is the perfect reminder that the days of the Grumpy Monkey never last long.
5. Jealousy
“Something amazing you can become”
In this timeless poem about growing up, Emily Windfield Martin explores all the things you can choose to be, from brave and daring to creative and clever. Filled with beautiful, whimsical illustrations and masterful rhymes, this book can be read aloud to children of any age, inviting adults to lovingly consider all the possibilities that the future holds. Its timeless message of love and acceptance as children grow and change is universal and inspiring, one you’ll want to share again and again.
6. Embarrassment
“The Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks”
Not only is she about to start high school without her friends or her glamorous fluffy hair, but she’s also just discovered that she’s too flat-chested to wear a bra. Maybe it would be better to just give up and go into hibernation with her hamsters, Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third. Lottie navigates the perils of growing up in this fantastically funny new illustrated series, full of friendship, embarrassing moments, and of course, Kit Kat Chunkies.
The first book in a hilarious new series for children from the bestselling author of Hurrah For Gin – perfect for fans of Angus, Thongs, Perfect Snogging and Dork Diaries.
7. Fatigue
“A Most Unwomanly Murder”
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their own undercover detective agency at Deep Dean Girls School, they struggle to find any really interesting mysteries to investigate (except for Lavinia’s missing tie, which they didn’t count). Then Hazel finds their science teacher, Mr. Bell, dead in the gym.
8. Anxiety
“The Lightning Girl’s Miscalculation” For ages 10 and up
Lucy was struck by lightning and got superpowers… but even the most genius of geniuses can’t solve middle school problems. This smart, funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Rain, and The Seventh Count. Lucy Callahan’s life changed when she was struck by lightning. She doesn’t remember it, but the lightning gave her genius-level math skills, and she’s been homeschooling ever since. Now, at age 12, she’s ready for college. All she has to do is pass her middle school exams! Lucy’s grandma tells her: “Spend one year of middle school. Make one friend. Do one activity. Read one book (not a math textbook!).” Lucy wonders what a girl who does calculus homework for fun is going to learn in seventh grade. She has everything she needs at home, where no one can make fun of her strict routine or superpowered brain. Lucy’s equation for life is already solved. Was there a miscalculation? Stacey McCann-Arty’s wise and thoughtful middle grade debut celebrates friendship and reminds us all to step out of our comfort zones and embrace who we are.
