Middle grade stories you need to hear
One of the great things about modern middle grade literature is its unflinching look at some of the social issues kids deal with on a daily basis. As an adult, I often think I'd like to shield my students from some of the harsher realities, but what if this IS their reality? What if they are waiting to tell someone a terrible secret? Stories like these might make it easier for kids to talk about some of the things that they are going through. The first one is called "Fighting Words" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I'm a big fan of her writing. I adored "The War that Saved My Life" and the sequel "The War I Finally Won". Her latest book is just as good, maybe better. "Fighting words" is about Della, who is 10 and has been living with her big sister, Suki, who has been taking care of her. They have been living with Clifton, a truck driver, who was their mother's boyfriend, until their mother was arrested. They've ended up in ...