Free Lunch

In this memoir, Rex Ogle reflects on his first semester of sixth grade as a poor child in a wealthy district. Every day, he has to remind the lunch lady that he’s on the free meal program, much to his embarrassment. At home, his mom and stepfather are jobless and take their frustrations out on Rex and his little brother. Though its content is bleak, Free Lunch sheds light on the effects of chronic poverty and its real impact on children across America.

How Beautiful We Were

Told through multiple perspectives, How Beautiful We Were follows the generations-long struggle between Kosawa, an African village, and Pexton, an American oil company. Pexton promised the villagers prosperity, but instead, the company’s operations have left the land polluted and infertile. With children getting sick—some even dying—and reparations ignored, the community decides to take matters into its own hands, no matter the cost. Although this story is fictional, it touches on real-world issues, such as environmental destruction and neocolonialism, that impact many West African nations.

Clap When You Land

Told through verse, Clap When You Land weaves a powerful story about grief and forgiveness. In the Dominican Republic, Camino Rios heads to the airport to pick up her father, only to find chaos. In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office and learns her father died in a plane crash. In the wake of the accident, a series of events leads both girls to uncover their father’s secrets and, in turn, each other.

Grown

Seventeen-year-old Enchanted Jones finds her life transformed after top R&B artist Korey Fields takes notice of her during an audition. But soon, she realizes that underneath his charm, Korey hides a disturbing, possessive side. One day, Enchanted wakes up to find her hands covered in blood, Korey dead, and no memory of the night before. Accused of murder, Enchanted fights to prove her innocence and expose Korey’s true nature to the public. With depictions of sexual assault, self-harm, domestic abuse, and opioid addiction, Grown is better suited for mature readers.

This Is My America

Every week, teenager Tracy writes to Innocence X, asking the organization to help free her father, an innocent black man, from death row. With only 267 days left, Tracy is worried. Then, her family suffers another shock when her older brother Jamal, a promising track star, is accused of killing Angela, a local white girl. Jamal flees, afraid of ending up like his father. Tracy is determined to prove the innocence of both her father and brother, but her search for the truth reveals dark secrets within their Texas town. Because of strong language and depictions of drug use, this book is better suited for older readers.

What I Carry

At seventeen, Muir has just one year left until she ages out of the foster care system. Having lived in foster care nearly her entire life, Muir has one philosophy: Don’t get attached. However, her staunch mindset starts to shift after she meets her latest and final foster mother, Francine, and two new friends, Kira and Sean. Now surrounded by people who care about her, Muir must reconsider her survival strategy and learn to let others in. With use of vulgarity throughout, What I Carry is best suited for older readers.

Furia

Known as “La Furia” on the field, Camila aspires to be a world-class soccer player. So when her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila is ecstatic. If she plays well, she could earn a scholarship to a North American university. However, she needs her parents’ permission to play—and they disapprove of her ambitions. To make matters worse, her childhood love, Diego, now an international soccer star, returns to their Argentinian town. Despite everyone’s expectations, Camila must find the courage to choose her own path.

Dear Justyce

In this sequel to the New York Times bestseller Dear Martin, author Nic Stone examines the effects of discrimination within the American juvenile justice system. Through a series of flashbacks and letters to Justyce, Dear Martin’s protagonist, this story follows teenager Quan and the crucial moments of his life that led to his unjust incarceration at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center. Depictions of drug use, language, and violence make this book better suited for older readers.

The Running Dream

After losing her leg in a car accident, Jessica thinks her dreams of running track are over. At first, she’s overwhelmed by grief and frustration as she adjusts to her new prosthetic leg. Determined to not let her circumstances stop her, Jessica believes she will run again, thanks to the support of her family, teammates, and her new friend, Rosa, a girl with cerebral palsy. With themes of friendship, healing, and perseverance, The Running Dream is an inspiring story that middle-grade readers will enjoy.

The Book of Unknown Americans

When their daughter, Maribel, suffers a traumatic accident, the Rivera family makes the tough decision to seek treatment in the United States. But soon after leaving Mexico and arriving at their new apartment in Delaware, the Riveras discover a host of obstacles—from language and cultural differences to racism and violence—stand in the way of Maribel’s recovery. Strong language and references to sexual assault make this book better suited for older readers.

The Breadwinner

Ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, 11-year-old Parvana hasn’t been allowed to leave her family’s home. But one day, the Taliban wrongfully imprisons her father, leaving Parvana in charge of supporting her mother and three siblings. Disguising herself as a boy in search of work, Parvana becomes the family’s “breadwinner,” risking her life for the sake of her family.