Celebrating Reading Promise Week With Books That Promise A Good Read
By Jeff B.
Wed, October 12, 2022
Reading Promise Week, where Philly celebrates reading, is this week! You can join in the all ages fun at book block parties celebrating young readers at events citywide during the week of October 10-17, 2022, organized by Read By 4th, Philadelphia’s Early Literacy Movement. Sounds interesting, right? More information on all that’s happening can be found on the Reading Promise website.
To go along with the celebrations, check out these promising titles for middle grade readers from the Free Library:
Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library by Carole Boston Weatherford
Arturo Schomburg's passion was to bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. [Print and Ebook available]
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight For Desegregation by Duncan Tontiuh
Sylvia Mendez, an eight-year-old girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, played an instrumental role in Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark desegregation case of 1946 in California. [Print, Ebook, and Audio Download available]
Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir
Anne is fostered into the West Philly home of siblings Marilla and Matthew, and while she initially has a hard time at school, she ends up joining the robotics team and competes for a spot in an elite STEM program, in this modern, graphic novel retelling of the classic Anne of Green Gables. [Print and Ebook available]
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in a refugee camp, and when an opportunity for Omar to get an education comes along, he must decide between going to school every day or caring for his nonverbal brother in this touching portrayal of daily life in a refugee camp. [Print, Ebook, and Audio Download available]
The New Friend Fix by Jennifer Torres
Despite Catalina's attempts to introduce herself, Esmerelda won't talk to anyone but her own cousin, Jazm̕n. Could Jazm̕n be keeping Esme from making new friends? With T̕a Abuela's magical sewing kit, Catalina sets out to create a disguise to unravel the mystery. [Print available]
New From Here by Kelly Yang
Knox works to keep his family together as they move from Hong Kong back to northern California during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus. [Print and Ebook available]
Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga
Jude never thought she'd be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. [Print, Ebook, and Audio Download available]
The Boys In The Back Row by Mike Jung
Hilarious hijinks and geekiness galore as best friends Matt and Eric hatch a plan for one big final adventure together before Eric moves away. [Print, Ebook, and Audio Download available].
Sunnyside Plaza by Simon Scott
While helping police officers Esther and Lon investigate a suspicious death at her group home, nineteen-year-old Sal Miyake, who is mentally challenged, gains insights into herself and makes new friends. [Print and Ebook available]
Whether you are a young reader just starting out or you’ve got the reading habit down, there are so many more books like these available to you at the Free Library just ask your friendly local librarian…I promise you’ll be glad you did!
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