Coyote and her dad have been living nomadically for years, avoiding their past. When Coyote learns her memory box from before their tragedy is in danger, she secretly plans a cross-country trip with a quirky group of travelers. It's a moving and humorous story about grief, family, and finding your way home. Get those tissues ready! If you’ve already read this, check out the sequel: Coyote Lost and Found.

Middle schooler Ross gets eye cancer and has to wear a superhero mask during treatment, making already awkward middle school life even more complicated. The book is a funny and heartfelt look at friendship, bravery, and seeing things differently as Ross deals with his diagnosis. 

Aven Green, a witty 13-year-old born without arms, moves with her family to a rundown Arizona theme park. Navigating a new school and social scene, she befriends Connor, who has Tourette's syndrome. Together, they seek to unravel the park's history and the mystery of Aven's birth. This funny and heartwarming story explores embracing differences, friendship, and the power of small moments. Enjoyed this book? Read the rest of the series! 

Teddy is a star middle school quarterback who’s life takes a dramatic turn after a helmet-to-helmet hit in a game. The story explores the serious consequences of concussions, not just on Teddy's physical health but also on his memory, personality, and relationships with his family and friends. As Teddy navigates his recovery, he and those around him learn important lessons about the risks of contact sports and the true meaning of teamwork and support. It's a thought-provoking and timely book.

Stella is a middle schooler who finds herself completely alone after a global catastrophe separates her from her family. She takes refuge in a wilderness park with her two dogs, learning to survive using her wits and the limited resources around her. The book chronicles Stella's resilience, her resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming loss, and her enduring hope as she navigates solitude and the challenges of a changed world. It's a poignant story about survival, inner strength, and the bonds we have with animals. Also, check out the sequel: Away. 

Justine is a seventh grader who is struggling to remember the last year of her life after a mysterious illness. As her memories slowly begin to resurface, she pieces together a confusing and troubling series of events that involve changes in her friendships and unsettling incidents she can't quite grasp. The book is a suspenseful exploration of memory, the impact of illness on identity, and the challenges of navigating the complexities of middle school relationships when your own past feels like a puzzle. 

Mal, a young boy whose father, a renowned zoologist, disappears while searching for mythical creatures. Determined to find him, Mal teams up with a girl named Oona and embarks on a perilous journey to the Archipelago, a hidden chain of islands teeming with fantastical animals thought to be extinct. The book is a thrilling adventure filled with wonder, danger, and the discovery of a secret world where the lines between myth and reality blur. It's a story about courage, family, and the magic that might still exist in the world. 

This book centers on Ellen, a bright but lonely twelve-year-old living with her codebreaker grandmother, who worked at Bletchley Park during World War II. When her grandmother suffers a stroke and can only communicate through numbers, Ellen realizes she must use her own burgeoning codebreaking skills to understand her grandmother's messages and uncover a wartime secret connected to a mysterious riddle. The book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and puzzle-solving, exploring themes of family, secrets, and the power of codebreaking. 

This is a spooky ghost story about a girl named Claire. After her dad passes away, she reluctantly agrees to help out at his ghost-tour business in Chicago. Claire doesn't believe in ghosts at all, but things start getting seriously creepy when she begins hearing a faint scratching sound and seeing shadowy figures. It seems like a restless spirit connected to a tragic fire from the past is trying to communicate something. Claire, along with some new friends, has to unravel the mystery behind the scratching before things get too dangerous. It's a fun and slightly chilling read! 

This list would be best for incoming 6th graders.  The Nutmeg Book Award lists are selected by teachers, librarians, and students across Connecticut.

This list would be best for incoming 7th & 8th graders.  The Nutmeg Book Award lists are selected by teachers, librarians, and students across Connecticut.