Books written for the middle school years (and a little beyond) are classed as YA (for Young Adult). This is a category that has grown in recent years with the understanding that there was a gap between reading books about plucky twelve year olds and the mainstream of books for adults. Here is a ‘top ten’ selection that will give you plenty of ideas.
In particular let’s look at Marcus Zusak’s “The Book Thief”. Set during World War II in Germany, the novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. She shares stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. It’s long – eight CDs – but critically lauded.
