The Mealworm Diaries 

by Anna Kerz (Orca Book Publishers, 2009)

Jeremy and his mum have just moved to Toronto from Nova Scotia. He struggles to adjust both to his annoying new science partner Aaron who has very challenging behaviours, but also with the dark secret of his father's death that is giving him nightmares.

Sequel: Better Than Weird picks up Aaron's story and how he copes with bullying at school and seeing his father for the first time in years.

Ages 8+

Bird Lake Moon 

by Kevin Henkes (HarperCollins, 2008)

Mitch and Spencer are both spending the summer at Bird Lake. They could become friends or they could be held apart by the events of their own lives. One boy is coping with his parents’ divorce while the other is living with the aftermath of his brother’s death.

Ages 10+

The Last Invisible Boy 

by Evan Kuhlman, illustrated by J.P. Coovert.

This is the journal of Finn Garrett whose father has suddenly died (The Terrible Day That Changed Everything) and he finds himself becoming invisible.

Middle School

A Greyhound of a Girl 

by Roddy Doyle (Abrams, 2011)

12 year old Mary O’Hara’s granny is in hospital when Mary meets a mysterious woman, who asks for Mary’s help in delivering a message. Tansey, Gran, Mary and her mother take a journey full of love which ends in good-bye.

Middle School

Vicky Angel 

by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt (Corgi Yearling, 2000).

Jade and Vicky were always together. Then Vicky dies in an accident but oddly enough Jade and Vicky are still together partly because Jade believes it is all her fault and Vicky is not going to let her forget it.

Middle School

A Summer to Die

by Lois Lowry (HMH Books for Young Readers; Reprint ed. 2016)

13 yr old Meg does not have a lot in common with her older sister Molly which is proving troublesome now that they have to share a room in the old house in the country. Molly is beautiful and popular but also grouchy and unwell.

Author is two-time Newbery Award Winner.

Middle School