12 Again

12 Again (2002) by Sue Corbett. 227 Pages.
ISBN: 978-0-14-240729-5

This story is told from the alternating perspectives of 7th grader Patrick and his mom, Bernadette McBride. On her fortieth birthday and Bernadette wakes up and she's twelve years old. Now, she's also a 7th grader and attends class with Patrick. Patrick has now idea what's happened to his mom and now must attend to his brothers. Life is complicated.

Middle School - How to Deal

Middle School - How to Deal (2005) by Sara Borden, Sarah Miller, Alex Stikeleather, Maria Valladares, and Miriam Yelton.
ISBN: 0-8118-4845-0

"Middle school is a bumbling, jumbling, mixed-up place of classes, friends, boyfriends and activities." Five girls who have just been there give advice about common middle school issues - school dances, speaking up in class, groups and popularity, friendships, dealing with bullies, figuring out boys and dating, decorating your room, to understanding your body and body image. Each girl also gives insights on their own personal experiences.

An attractive book for girls who are curious about middle school and are looking for some perspective. 10 to 12 year olds.

The book has a forward by the Editor-in-Chief of Girls' Life Magazine.

Amelia's 7th-Grade Notebook

Amelia's 7th-Grade Notebook by Marissa Moss.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-3661-9

Amelia constantly writes about her 7th grade experiences in her notebook. She's happy with her new teachers, works at her friendships and deals with her annoying sister Cleo. 7th grade means dances and her friends are interested in boys and make-up. Amelia tries to figure out if she is ready for all that and what it means for her. Carly, her best friend, enjoys wearing make-up, but tells Amelia that she doesn't "want to be influenced by the media and how it says girls should look". Text in the book is as hand-written journal entries, with line drawings of people. Good read for 9 to 12 year olds.

Stuck in the Middle

Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen comics from an unpleasant age (2007). Edited by Ariel Shrag

ISBN: 978-0-670-06221-8

Each comic sequence is written and illustrated in black and white line drawings, showcasing the many different styles of the cartoonists. Each contributor shares stories from their personal middle school experience.

Angst, love interests, annoying people, gossiping, zits, making good impressions, parental divorce, name calling, going to a new school, worried about what people are thinking. All common and familiar themes in middle school life.

Some edgy topics and dicey language. Interesting glimpse into middle school once lived. Good for students 11 to 13 years old.

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life (2005) by Lauren Myracle. 135 pages.

ISBN: 978-0-14-220861-2

Alli writes in her journal frequently, recording incidents and conversations with her friends and family, including copies of instant messages and e-mails. Being occupied about how others' see her and figuring out her relationships, Alli records these thoughts in her journal.

On the first day of 7th grade, she's mortified when a pair of her mom's underwear is stuck to her pants by static cling and consequently teased by Jeremy. She hangs out with her closest friends are Kathy, who's not always nice to her, and Megan, a new girl in school. But, Alli has a secret longing to be with the popular girls, Rachel, Mica and Hadley. After being assigned to work on a project with Mica, Alli get her chance to be with the popular girls. This is at the expense of her friendship with Kathy and Megan.

The detailed ruminations of incidents and conversations Alli conveys in her journal slow the reading, but also present the story in an authentic voice of a 7th grade girl who's trying to figure out life. The girls shop and eat at places with familiar names-Claires, Express, Long John Silvers. Good read for 10 to 13 year olds.

Lauren Myracle's website.

Smile

Smile (2010) by Raina Telgemeir. New York: Scholastic. 204 pages

ISBN: 978-0-545-24182-3

Graphic Novel, Humor, Autobiography

This autobiographical tale follows Raina from 6th to 9th grade, experiencing the confusions of puberty. After a Girl Scout meeting, she trips and falls; knocking out her two front teeth. Already anxious about getting braces, Raina has to visit the dentist and endodontist. This is just the beginning of the many dental trips, including the orthodontists and periodontists.

She anguishes about dental pain, dealing with retainers and headgear, and what her classmates will think. Raina deals with crushes on boys and her snarky friends, who not always nice.

An earthquake brings an unexpected experience with her family.

The story is engaging and expressive, providing a glimpse into a tween's view of life, dealing with friends and multiple trips to dental professionals. Raina grows through the story, coming to realize and appreciate her artistic abilities and gaining confidence in herself.

The story is enhanced by the illustrations, which are formatted in comic strip form with candid and expressive drawings. Especially fun for San Francisco residents who are familiar with the public schools Raina attends. Appealing to kids 9 to 12, especially girls.

Raina Telgemeir's website.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, A Novel in Cartoons (2007) by Jeff Kinney. New York: Amulet Books. 217 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-9313-6
Fiction

Humorous. Cartoon graphics.

Reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a glimpse in watching a tween in action. Greg Hefferly, a middle school student, who describes his experiences and perception of those experiences in a journal over the course of a school year. The hand-printed type format and is intermixed with line drawings of people and events that relate to the journal entries. This visual format would immediately be appealing to a reluctant reader, as well as more confident readers. The drawings break up the text and are quite humorous. Greg writes about his experiences at school and home, his relationships with his friend, Rowley, and his family members. Great read for 8 to 12 year olds.

Click here to go to official website for the Wimpy Kid books.
If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you might like these Read-Alikes as well.