Wanderers by Chuck Wendig

I read this book during the Covid 19 pandemic and while it has a lot of science fiction elements in it, the political and cultural and religious elements are eerily close to what we see playing out right now.  In this book, the main character's  younger sister is the first of the "walkers", a growing group of people who are strangely sleepwalking across the country.  The CDC joins the group trying to determine the cause of the strange phenomenon, but some of the CDC members are later called away to deal with a pandemic which some people believe is caused by the walkers.  As the pandemic progresses, we see conspiracy theories, right wing militia groups, religious zealots and mass anarchy. It is a kind of creepy book to read during a pandemic.

This I Know by Eldonna Edwards

The story begins in the 1960s when Grace is 11 years old.  She has always known things that other people don't and she talks to her twin brother who died when they were born.  Her aunt calls it a gift, but her evangelical preacher father calls it witchcraft.  As the story progresses, Grace's gift, that she calls her "knowing" shows her things that help other people, but her father thinks it is satanic. The story follows Grace as her mother falls into depression after giving birth to Grace's youngest sister.  It is a touching story and I think people will enjoy it.

The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Eelia Sherman

This is a fun to read story about 12 year old Nick, who has run away from his mean uncle only to wind up as an apprentice to the Evil Wizard Smallbone whose enemy is a loup garou named Fidelou.  Nick learns magic and learns about his own self worth in this story.  It has excitement and magic and I think that middle school age children will enjoy it very much.

I'm Not Dying With You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal

Two high school girls, who only know who each other is because they have a class together, are thrust together when a high school football game turns into a riot with a shooting involved.  They escape together only to wind up in another riot as they attempt to locate Lena's boyfriend. 

No One is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg

I listened to the audio book of this collection of Greta's speeches of the course of about a year.  I enjoyed listening to Greta's speeches and I am proud of her for speaking out about the important issue of climate change.  She is right that we need to do something about it now, not later.  I hope that she and many other young people will take up the charge and actually make the changes that need to be made.  Greta is an inspiring young woman and we all need to take heed to her words.

The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare

I listened to the audio version of this book, which was very well done.  The story is powerful and raw and tells the story of a 14 year old girl in Nigeria who is forced to marry an old man as his third wife.  She later runs away only to be enslaved as a house maid to a woman who beats her.  Yet through it all, she remains strong, wanting to become a teacher to help other girls become educated.  I highly recommend this book.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Eleanor goes to the mysterious hill house and spends a week with three other people.  The house is said to be haunted and it speaks to Eleanor and twists her mind as well as the minds of the others who are there with her.