Exploits of a Reluctant (But Extremely Goodlooking) Hero by Maureen Fergus

I read this book with my teeth gritted at times...which probably means it will be popular with 8th grade boys.  The 13-year-old "hero" of the title is rude, oblivious to the feelings of others,  inappropriate in his references to sex, and clueless in how he comes across to adults.  Fortunately, this is all pretty hilarious if you can stick with the story.  In any case, just when I'd thrown the book across the room a third time, I began to see that there was hope for this kid.  He begins to see his father in new light even as he falls into a community fight between business owners and a mission soup kitchen where he reluctantly volunteers.  The resolution works...and even if this will never be my favorite book, I did laugh out loud a few times.

Flip by Martyn Bedford

One morning high schooler Alex Gray is shocked to find himself in a strange home across country with a new set of parents.  Even more shocking, the person he sees in the mirror is not himself.  Somehow Alex is now occupying the body of a handsome, athletic, popular teen named Philip Garamond--"Flip" for short.  Totally confused, Alex fakes his way in Flip's body until he can figure things out.  Although he is fascinated by the advantages of occupying a nonasthmatic, good-looking body--he yearns to have his old life and family back.   The plot is just a bit unbelievable at times, but I could not put the book down until I finished!   It's a very satisfying story--complete with humor, mystery, spiritual questions, and romance.

Jimi & Me by Jaime Adoff

Keith's beloved father is killed in a robbery and the 13-year-old's world falls apart.  Without the life insurance they expected, his music producer father's death leaves Keith and his mom destitute.  Moving from a nice apartment in New York to his aunt's small Ohio town where a biracial kid does not find easy acceptance.  There he challenges his new school by dressing like Jimi Hendrix, the musical hero shared with his father.   When his mom discovers the reason his dad left them with nothing, Keith vows to meet the secret son his father seems to have cherished more than him. 

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen

Thirteen-year-old bowling phenom, Lamar, has a reputation for playing pranks, a basketball-star older brother who treats him with contempt, and a great yearning for a girlfriend.  On top of that, he's got a smart mouth which continually complicates his life.  After hooking up with a juvenile offender to set up suckers in bowling competitions, his life spirals downward.  A prank goes horribly wrong and the resulting consequences threaten his brother's hopes for a sports career, a new romance, and the relationship with his best friend.  A wonderful mix of tender and hilarious.

Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

This was our January pick for book club and one of the year's favorites.  Shayne Blank walks into the local police station and confesses to killing someone.  It takes some frenzied page turning to find out what happened, revealing some very surprising answers throughout the mystery--not to mention some fascinating characters.  As we wrapped things up, more than one of us wished a character like Shayne Blank existed in our school community. 

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

Alex Gregory, upset with his parent’s impending divorce, makes a bad decision.  He gets into his father’s left-behind liquor, steals his mom’s car, and drives off to confront his dad.  What results is a wrecked car, garden gnome decapitation, a drunk driving charge, and 100 hours of community service.  Alex is ordered by the tough judge to spend his hours at Egbert P. Johnson Memorial Home for the Aged working with a cranky old man named Solomon Lewis.  The story that develops is a mix of mystery, sad regret, new love, old love, and grand humor.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox awakes from a long coma and learns she’s been in a terrible accident.  Remembering only bits and pieces of her previous life, she learns that many secrets are being hidden from her.  Why has her family moved from Boston to California?  Why does her grandmother act so distant?  Why are her parents so evasive when she asks about the accident?  Why isn’t she allowed to go to a normal school?  Why don’t her old classmates write her?  Jenna determines to solve the mysteries surrounding her new life, not realizing what is at risk.

Well Witched by Frances Hardinge

Ryan, Josh, and Chelle need money to catch the bus home from a place called Magwhite. They weren’t supposed to be in Magwhite at all, and if they can’t get home fast--they’ll be in big trouble. So the daredevil among them, Josh, jumps into an old well to gather up the change folks have tossed in while making wishes over the years. He gets enough to get them home and all seems well.

Then strange things begin to happen. Chelle begins to speak people’s thoughts out loud, Josh begins to cause electrical disturbances, and Ryan suddenly sprouts odd growths between his knuckles that look curiously like closed eyes. Through nightmares and visions they gradually learn that they must grant the wishes of the original owners of the coins. This is easier said than done, and chaos seems to follow their efforts—infuriating the witchy being at the bottom of the well.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

If you like plots that keep you guessing, you might want to give this Newbery winner a try.  Miranda receives a series of notes that appear to predict the future.  The notes ask for her help and state, "I'm coming to save your friend's life, and my own."  The plot works its way through middle school drama, mysterious circumstances, a chance to win on "The $20,000 Pyramid," and, of course, those weird notes.  Things come together in a fast-paced ending that had me going back to find where I missed clues.

The Last Invisible Boy by Evan Kuhlman

Middle school student, Finn Garrett, feels he's gradually becoming invisible after his father's sudden death. Readers share what's going on through his daily logs--described by Booklist as a cross between, "Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid series and Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." Sad, funny, engaging.

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

I usually avoid sad books, but I succumbed due mostly to the title and the winsome cover pic. It wasn't all sad. In fact, parts of it were pretty funny. I loved seeing the world through the eyes of the leukemia-stricken narrator and reading his answer lists about "Questions Nobody Answers." Lots to think about here.

After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

An unnamed narrator reminisces about her friendship with neighbor Neeka and D Foster who appeared the summer Tupac was first shot. D Foster has bonded deeply with his lyrics because of the life she's led, and the three girls grow close enough to call themselves "Three the Hard Way." It turns out that in spite of their closeness, D Foster has really kept many secrets which are revealed as the girls grieve together when Tupac is killed.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Addie misses her stepdad and "The Littles," whom Mommers lost due to neglect. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Addie makes friends at school and a "nest" there in their tiny trailer. As Mommer's neglectful ways return, Addie's spine stiffens in her search for normal. I loved the characters in this book, and the ending made me sing.

Do You Know the Monkey Man? by Dori Hillestad Butler

Samantha is obsessed with finding her dad. He left when she was three, the same year her twin sister drowned on an outing with him. Her mom is remarrying and doesn't like to discuss either Sam's father or her twin. Frustrated by all the secrets, she goes to a psychic. What the psychic tells her is so shocking that she is driven to find out the truth. What Samantha learns on her search changes her life forever.

Hush by Jacqueline Woodson

Toswiah's life changes the moment her dad, a police officer, witnesses a crime. Choosing to stand and testify to the truth ends up costing him his job, his friends, and his peace of mind. Anonymous threats torment the family before the trial, and everyone is placed into the witness protection program. Given new names and identities, they are dropped into a new community without friends, work, or hope. Toswiah, now Evie, must fine a way to a new life.