Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Prairie Evers

Amina's Song: Amina's Voice

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten

I Matter Most! My Journey to America from El Salvador

Becoming Brianna: Emmie & Friends

Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Pride

Marcos Rivas wants to find love.
He’s sure as hell not getting it at home, where his mom’s racist boyfriend beats him up. Or from his boys, who aren’t exactly the “hug it out” type. Marcos yearns for love, a working cell phone, and maybe a pair of sneakers that aren’t falling apart. But more than anything, Marcos wants to get out of Maesta, his hood—which seems impossible.
When Marcos is placed in a new after-school program for troubled teens with potential, he meets Zach, a theater geek whose life seems great on the surface, and Amy, a punk girl who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. These new friendships inspire Marcos to open up to his Maesta crew, too, and along the way, Marcos starts to think more about his future and what he has to fight for. Marcos ultimately learns that bravery isn’t about acting tough and being macho; it’s about being true to yourself.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Jennifer L. Holm, Elicia Castaldi, 2006

Prairie Evers

Ellen Airgood, 2012

Amina's Song: Amina's Voice

Hena Khan, 2021

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten

Helen Recorvits, Gabi Swiatkowska, 2006

I Matter Most! My Journey to America from El Salvador

Dr. Tammy J. Williams, 2023

Becoming Brianna: Emmie & Friends

Terri Libenson, 2020

Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Jennifer Torres, 2017

Pride

Lucy Daniels, 2003