The novels compiled in the list are all appropriate for middle school aged readers. The protagonist in each novel is in sixth to ninth grade and experiencing romantic “firsts.” All of the books featured are fiction, including the two short story compilations. The newness of love is explored openly and honestly, and middle school readers will relate to the young protagonists in the following romance novels for middle schoolers.
Allie, Debora. 2005. THE MEANEST GIRL. New York: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 1596430141
When a new student enters the sixth grade class, Alyssa is convinced the new girl is out to ruin her life. She’s convinced the “meanest girl in school” is responsible for the mysterious love notes that begin to appear in her locker.
Positive reviews from PW and Kirkus.
Appelt, Kathi. 2000. KISSING TENNESSE: AND OTHER STORIES FROM THE STARDUST DANCE. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 015202249X
The eighth graders at Dogwood Junior High School have been invited to attend the Stardust Dance. A compilation of short stories that each focus on a different eighth grader cover heavy topics like date rape and family violence as well as lighter topics like asking a crush to dance and unforgettable kisses.
ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Positive reviews from SLJ and PW.
Banks, Kate. 2005. FRIENDS OF THE HEART/AMICI DEL CUORE. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374324557
Ollie and Lucrezia have been friends forever. During their thirteenth summer together, a last minute change of vacation plans means the two spend the summer at the beach. Things are different this summer, though, because there is a boy next door who is obviously attracted to Lucrezia.
Positive reviews from Horn Book, Kirkus, and VOYA.
Cabot, Meg. 2000. THE PRINCESS DIARIES. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0380978482
A typical ninth-grader Mia Thermopolis is in for a life-changing event when she learns that her father is the prince of Genovia, making Mia an heir to royalty. The new complications of paparazzi and royalty mingle with her daily struggles such as a fight with her best friend and her seemingly unattainable crush who may now be attainable.
ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, IRA/CBC Young Adult Choice.
Creech, Sharon. 1995. ABSOLUTELY NORMAL CHAOS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060269898
Initially an English assignment, Mary Lou, 13, writes a summer journal. Recording not only the happenings of her visiting cousin and his sudden inheritance, Mary Lou also writes about her first romance and her best friend’s never-ending chatter about her boyfriend.
Positive reviews from SLJ, PW, and Booklist.
Goldschmidt, Judy. 2005. THE SECRET BLOG OF RAISIN RODRIQUEZ. New York: Razorbill. ISBN 1595140182
Raisin Rodriquez is in a new city with a new stepsister and far, far away from her two best friends. In order to keep in touch, Raisin begins writing a blog that her friends can read and respond to. She posts about the new school, the new girls she’s meeting, and the new boy she loves.
Positive reviews from SLJ, PW, and Booklist.
Henkes, Kevin. 2003. OLIVE’S OCEAN. New York: Greenwillow. ISBN 0060535431
After the death of classmate Olive, 12-year-old Martha realizes that if Olive can die, so can she, and that everything in life is always changing. This realization carries over to her visit to Cape Cod where Martha experiences a first kiss and a first betrayal.
Newbery Honor Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Starred reviews by SLJ, Kirkus, and PW.
Howe, James. 2003. 13: THIRTEEN STORIES THAT CAPTURE THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF BEING THIRTEEN. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 0689828632
In this collection of stories, popular young adult authors contributed short fiction tales about the joys and embarrassments of being thirteen. The stories range from first jobs to gangs to first crushes and sexual awakenings. The realistic stories capture the range of emotions and experiences present in the life of a thirteen-year-old.
Positive reviews from SLJ and Booklist.
Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. 2005. LILY B. ON THE BRINK OF LOVE. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060755415
Eighth-grader Lily Blennerhassett has met the boy of her dreams. Simultaneously, she has become the assistant to a world famous writer, who just happens to be the mother of The Boy that Lily loves.
Positive reviews from SLJ and Booklist.
Levine, Gail Carson. 1997. ELLA ENCHANTED. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060275111
In this retelling of Cinderella, Ella of Frell possesses the fairy’s gift of obedience; she must obey any order given to her. To rid her self of this gift-curse, Ella goes on a quest in which she encounters ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, fairy godmothers, and, of course, a prince.
Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Children’s Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, IRA/CBC Young Adults’ Choice, Publishers Weekly Best Book.
Mills, Claudia. 2005. MAKEOVERS BY MARCIA. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374346542
Marcia Faitak, now in eighth grade, has been assigned to do makeovers for patients in a nursing home for a service learning assignment. Though not exactly thrilled with the idea, at least Marcia has been assigned to the location alongside Alex Ryan, the boy she has a crush on. Surprisingly, the elderly women teach her about life and love.
Positive reviews from SLJ, Booklist, VOYA, and Kirkus.
Morganstern, Susie. 1998. SECRET LETTERS FROM 0-10. New York: Viking. ISBN 0670880078
When new girl Victoria de Montardent and her thirteen brothers befriend Ernest Morlaisse, he finds his quiet, uneventful life changing. He begins to find joy in life and the courage to search for his father. And for Victoria, meeting Ernest is love at first site and she counts the years and days until they will marry.
ALA Notable Book, Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book, Booklist Editors’ Choice Book.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. 1989. ALICE IN RAPTURE, SORT OF. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 0689314663
In this sequel to THE AGONY OF ALICE, set during the summer between grade school and junior high, Alice finds herself in love for the first time. However, like most adolescent relationships, the love and romance she has with Peter does not flow very smoothly.
Hedda Seisler Mason Award, Positive reviews from Simon & Schuster, PW, and SLJ.
Rennison, Louise. 2000. ANGUS, THONGS, AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING: CONFESSIONS OF GEORGIA NICOLSON. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060288140
Written in diary format, Georgia Nicolson fills her pages with honesty, humor, and the drama it is to be fourteen years old. Her escapades include an insane cat who attacks the neighbors, a three-year-old sister who leaves wet nappies in Georgia’s bed, the mysteries of learning how to snog (the British word for kiss), and a gorgeous sex goddess that Georgia is in love and obsessed with.
Michael L. Printz Honor Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice.
Sanchez, Alex. 2004. SO HARD TO SAY. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689865643
Xio has developed a crush on the newly transferred Frederick and has an agenda to make him her first boyfriend. Frederick, on the other hand, is having thoughts and feelings about his soccer buddy Victor. Alternating views between eighth-graders Xio and Frederick express the two searches for sexual identity.
Positive reviews from SLJ and Booklist.
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689841140
Ninth-grader Sophie, the protagonist of this verse novel, is boy-crazy. While she is dating cool, sexy Dylan, she finds herself more attracted to geeky Murphy. Now, Sophie finds herself learning the difference between love and lust and what is truly important about a person’s external and internal characteristics.
ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Starred review from PW.
Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2005. DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIES. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 0439755190
When eighth-grader Stephen Alper’s five-year-old brother is diagnosed with leukemia, Stephen’s world and family is turned upside down. To avoid dealing with the situation, Stephen throws himself into his drumming, his friends, and his crush on the hottest girl in school.
Teen’s Top 10 Award, Starred review from Booklist.
Vail, Rachel. 2005. DO-OVER. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN 0060587490
The protagonist of this junior high novel is eighth-grader Whitman. While dealing with his parents’ divorce and his part in the play, Whitman also finds himself very aware of the opposite sex and on trying to make a positive impression on the girls around him.
Positive reviews from PW, SLJ, and Kirkus.
Vail, Rachel. 2005. IF WE KISS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 006056914X
When high school freshman Charlie experiences her first kiss, she finds herself simultaneously “in love” with Kevin, her kisser, and disgusted by the germs that must have been in the kiss. Complications arise when Kevin starts dating Charlie’s best friend and Kevin’s father begins dating Charlie’s mom.
Positive reviews from SLJ and Booklist.
Van Draanen, Wendelin. 2001. FLIPPED. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0375811745
Written alternatively between Bryce and Juli, neighbors since second grade are now in eighth grade. Juli has crushed on Bryce since the day she moved to the neighborhood, but now she wonders if he has any depth. Meanwhile, Bryce always found Juli and her interests weird, but is now beginning to see her differently.
Positive reviews from SLJ (starred), PW, and Booklist.
Sources
Amazon.com: Available at www.amazon.com
ALA Book Awards: Available at www.ala.org
HarperChildren: Available at www.harperchildrens.com
Library of Congress Online Catalog: Available at http://catalog.loc.gov
Reveiw Sources: Booklist, The Horn Book, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Simon & Schuster, VOYA
TeachersFirst’s Reading Lists: Available at www.teachersfirst.com/readlist.html
YA Literature Home Page