Justin Sayre

middlegrade fiction (Sophie is in 8th grade and just starting to date boys; incidentally, she is of mixed heritage, her mother being black and her father being French/caucasian). This is a quick read, and a relatively gentle treatment of the alcoholic single parent family--Sophie's is extremely lucky to have such a dependable and loving aunt to look after her, and also her mom is generally fully recovered from her addiction after her first (monthlong) trip to rehab (though it's left a little up in the air, because it's difficult to be certain, or maybe that's just how I interpreted it). Sophie's circumstances also have made her more mature than her peers, but is still not thinking about doing anything more than kissing with her "maybe boyfriend," so I think this is perfect for 6th-7th grade (or 5th-9th grade, depending on the kid) readers.

p.s. I loved Sophie's friends, Ducks and Ellen, so will have to check out Husky soon (and probably any future volumes in this series, hint hint).
The reminder to be sensitive of other kids (because they might be going through some difficult problems that you know nothing about) also brings to mind another series that I would also recommend, Awkward, for equally endearing characters who experience their own private problems while surviving middle school.… (more)