BOOKS

This academic year will be one for the books (your book list, that is).

Your goal: Get super organized.

Your read: Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson (Harper Teen, $20)

Marlowe Wexler snags a summer job giving tours of Morning House—a mansion built in the 1920s and abandoned by the wealthy Ralston family after a series of mysterious deaths. Split between Marlowe's and the Ralstons' POV, scary truths emerge that connect the past and present.

Your goal: Nail that tryout.

Your read: We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui (Knopf BFYR, $22)

Despite a new school, new classmates and a new basketball team, Aliya is ready to rock it. She's psyched for a winning season—until she realizes that the school's team is actually not that good. Based on a true story, this inspiring graphic novel proves that confidence and teamwork can conquer any obstacle.

Your goal: Read outside of your school's assigned book list.

Your read: Not Another Banned Book by Dana Alison Levy (Delacorte Press, $18)

Ever since Molly Claremont's brother died two years ago, her middle school's book club has been her escape from reality. But that happy place is in peril after her favorite teacher gets suspended for letting them read a controversial novel. Can Molly and her friends save the book club? A great read about a timely topic.

Your goal: Get out of your comfort zone.

Your read: Team Canteen: Rocky Road by Amalie Jahn (Pixel + Ink, $19)

When Team Canteen breaks into their camp's ice cream stash without getting busted, they decide it's due to a feather boa's protective powers. As summer ends, they split custody of their fave pink accessory to help them navigate the challenges of middle school. But maybe their friendship is the true magic?

Your goal: Expand your friend group.

Your read: The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis (HarperCollins, $20)

Burned by her seventh-grade (former) besties' betrayal, Rylee's determined to figure out friendship...or at least the science behind it. She's teamed up on a journalism assignment with know-it-all DeNia to reveal exactly what breaks a BFF bond—and how to keep it from ever happening again.

Your goal: Level up your packed lunch.

Your read: Guava and Grudges by Alexis Castellanos (Bloomsbury YA, $14)

Aspiring pastry chef Ana Maria Ybarra desperately wants to go to culinary school. But until she can win a recipe competition that offers a scholarship, she's stuck working at her family's bakery. When Miguel, the boy of her dreams, shows up and offers to help her, Ana thinks it's fate...until he shares that his family runs the rival Cuban bakery.

Your goal: Run for student body president.

Your read: Witty in Pink by Erica George (Entangled Teen, $13)

After humiliating her at a ball years before, the dashing and well-connected Briggs has remained Blythe's archnemesis. That is, until he returns to her life even more charming and handsome than before. As Blythe focuses on saving her family from financial ruin, she sees Briggs' connections as a way to help her do just that. But will it come at a cost?

Your goal: Start a new club.

Your read: The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong (Simon & Schuster BFYR, $18)

Just because you can talk to ghosts doesn't mean you have to, right? At least that's Wednesday Thomas's mindset when she swears off communicating with the dead. But when her family moves, Wednesday meets two other girls who also have gifts—and they team up to tackle the ghosts in her new town.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our August/September 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Keep reading for more of our favorite reads and recent recs:
📚 The secret to achieving your biggest goal (according to IRL Olympic track star, Micha Powell)
📚 Your next summer read, based on your favorite Taylor Swift song
📚 4 light reads to add to your TBR list for an It girl summer

Slider and top image: @booksparks

by Allyson Coy | 8/13/2024