Confessions of a Mango, by Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2026. $23.99 ages 8 and up

 

"One hundred and seventy people have liked 
my post. That's almost half the school. Nearly 
forty have commented, and a few sent me 
private messages. The profiles are all vague, 
with obviously fake names and pictures. The 
only person I know for sure is Thea. I recognize
the cartoon teddy bear with the crooked smile."

Twins Ruby and Bryce are in sixth grade, and attending a new school. Benton Academy is touted as being for 'the smartest kids in the district'. Ruby would rather be in her old school, with her old friends, and without her brother. Bryce is an over-achiever when it concerns robots, and has difficulty making new friends. Ruby is quick to meet people, and afraid to tell anyone that she has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia for fear they will think her unsuitable for the prestigious school. She does not like the pressure put on her to prove herself.  The school provides accommodations for her learning differences. Still, she worries about the consequences of any noticeably poor performance. The twins are in the same school, to meet the needs of their parents' jobs and schedules. Ruby knows Bryce should be there. 

As she becomes more desperate about her academic work, she learns about a social media space where contributors are anonymous. She creates an account called 'confessions of a mango' to share her feelings about the school and the fact that she is afraid she cannot meet expectations held for her. To her surprise, others admit to feeling the same way. Some share their feelings about the challenges they are facing. The school begins to change. Ruby is not the only mango! Though some challenges are brought by overanxious parents and the school administration, Ruby hangs in and perseveres, believing that she has done nothing wrong and is, in fact, helping students have a voice. 

Ruby is a very likable character who is perceptive and thoughtful. She is a good friend, sister and student. Her learning difficulties are shared with empathy and show who she is. Her intelligence and bravery help to make needed changes. Valuing differences is so very important in middle years, and Ruby is a sincere role model for those wanting things to be different. 

All the Ways We Learn, written by Chloe Ito Ward and illustrated by Yaroslava Apollonova. Rise, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Sometimes reading looks like ... 
Pointing to letters and 
sounding out words. 

But I don't always read like that. 

An audiobook reads me a story aloud,
giving my brain space to think, 
so I don't have to wrestle with words
that shake, shatter, and swirl on the page.

When I listen to a story, I can read."

Too often our children do not see themselves in the books they read ... especially those who are neurodivergent. Creators of this book show all children that there are many ways to learn. It may be very different for the children in any classroom. Students need to know there is more than one way to learn what is being taught. 

Some can't sit still while learning; they need to move. There are small and subtle ways to make sure they can quietly move while listening: a foot tap, arms on knees, squeezing a soft ball. Learning is then easier for them. Some cannot keep attention with their eyes, and need to look around as they listen. Some learn with pencils and paper to make sense of words, while others need to hear what is written. 

The text is penned in first-person, and follows a pattern for understanding the different ways that children in one classroom might learn. It is comforting for listeners to know it doesn't always need to be the same. Counting may require tactile use of an abacus or other equipment to help with understanding. At times, oral reporting makes answering questions much easier; a scribe puts those ideas on paper. Working with someone rather than alone, can cause anxious moments, while sitting quietly provides the comfort needed to learn. 

HOW DO YOU LEARN?

Colorful digital art, done in soft colors and providing a good amount of white space, invites readers to take a close look at the different ways that children do learn. Most will find someone in the classroom who shares common experiences. Many children will appreciate the details included on the book's pages and want to talk about them. It's easy to see and understand the adaptations made for those who learn differently than others, and to understand that how we learn is as special as we are. The repetitive structure of the writing helps, too. Back matter is useful concerning accommodations and definitions. 

Reassuring and helpful, this is a book that will offer comfort in today's classrooms, for both students and parents. 
                                                                                        

Wish In A Tree, written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"While my classmates work, I look down 
at my paper. It looks like a beluga whale 
in a sea of milk.

Shay sees my blank paper. "You are so lazy, 
Oliver. Why can't you be like the rest of us?"

Shay's words hurt, but not as much as the 
words I say to myself. Sometimes the things
I say to myself make me feel like I've been 
caught by a bolas spider."

One of my favorite middle grade novels in 2015 was Fish in a Tree.   Here is the link to that post: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7130079189010543417/230329664005859518

Readers first met Oliver in that book. In his debut as a picture book narrator, they will learn much more about him, his neurodiversity, and his true character. Oliver does not have an easy time at school. His brain is always in overdrive, and he finds it very hard to focus while his classmates are busy working.
While their  pencils push across the page, Oliver's pencil is a rocket making its sounds burst forth from his mouth. Shay does not appreciate his noise and tells him so. Oliver responds sadly, before suddenly changing course with his thinking. 

"Why are pencils yellow? 
And always No. 2?
Where are all the No. 1 pencils? 
And then I wonder if a pencil rocket
could reach the rings of Saturn." 

Shay also has something snide to say about Oliver's show-and-tell, while Albert responds positively about what he is sharing. Outside for a break, Oliver pays close attention to an ant hill; Jada wants to know what he's doing. Oliver has a clear explanation about why he loves ants. Shay, of course, has an opinion. Later when the class is writing, Oliver's attention remains on the ants and their colony. Shay, once again, makes Oliver feel bad. 

At recess, he just wants to hide. He makes a wish in the tree that offers protection. He just wants to be like everyone else. A quiet visit with Albert, a kind and thoughtful boy, offers a different perspective on what makes Oliver so special and why the world would be a very boring place if everyone were the same. 

"The tree is most beautiful when 
the leaves are not all the same." 

That advice helps turn the page for Oliver in accepting who he is and what he has to offer his friends. He lets Jada and Albert know they are part of his colony, where everyone matters. Just as I did when reading Fish in a Tree, I had tears in my eyes while learning more about Oliver and his loyal friends. 

Nancy Carpenter adds meaning to Oliver's worries with winning artwork created using watercolor, pencil, finger paint, crayon, chalk, paper collage, photo collage, and digial media. Varied perspectives show Oliver as he does his best to stay on track while dealing with an over-stimulated imagination. The scene in the tree is overwhelming while Albert's quiet compassion is uplifting and full of wonder. 

I love this book! 

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? Written by Leslie Connor. Harper, 2022. $21.00 ages 10 and up

 

"He stayed only long enough for her to tell
him that yes, Frenchie was at school today.
He double-timed it into the boys' bathroom
to see if Frenchie had made a stop, then back
to his classroom for one last look. Empty 
desk. 
Topher took no chances. He dialed the school 
office from the hall, as he turned in full circles, 
looking up and down the corridor still hoping 
to spot the boy. The secretary answered. 
Topher informed her that they may have a 
problem. He did not have eyes on Frenchie
Livernois."

Aurora, a loud and outspoken sixth grader, has been best friends with Frenchie Livernois since the minute they met three years ago.  Frenchie lives next door, and is both autistic and nonverbal. Aurora gets him: his likes and dislikes, his responses to birds and animals, his love of order, and his aversion to being too close to people. They both love nature. Frenchie helps his friend take time to slow down and see what is around them by doing the same himself. 

When Frenchie disappears one day before school, Aurora blames herself for messing up ... again! It is absolutely the worst thing that ever could have happened. The questions she has of herself are compelling and never-ending as people show up to help Aurora, her family, and Frenchie's mother search for him. There are few clues; the first day of the search turns up nothing. Now, Frenchie must spend a night alone in the dark outdoors. What must he be thinking? 

The community that Leslie Connor builds is wonderful. The local residents know each other, and care about what happens to all. Aurora is a feisty young woman who loves adventure and speaking her mind. Frenchie does not get the same respect, as there are many who do not understand him. Too often, others talk about him rather than to him. Their parents support each other daily and provide a warm relationship for their children. 

Aurora's voice adds humor to the telling. She proves herself to be attentive and vigilant in all of her dealings with Frenchie. Her love and concern for him is evident at every turn. Other perspectives in occasional chapters offer a third person voice for meaningful community members. A few of those chapters give Frenchie a voice as well, as he responds to what is happening. 

Fast-paced and full of heart, this is a book that many middle grade readers will appreciate.