Katie Moench writes: “As a middle school librarian, I get the opportunity to read a lot of books that let me relive the painful, awkward, and fun years of middle school. For many students in the U.S., the move to middle school brings about big changes. In my experience, middle grade readers are especially eager for realistic fiction books, since seeing characters confront some of the same new experiences helps them feel less alone. In this list, you’ll find a great group of kids ready to help middle grades take the next step into a new school year.”