Author
Sharon Draper
2 books here

The Battle of Jericho
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 750L · 2003
A serious, unflinching look at how peer pressure and exclusive clubs corrupt friendship in ways middle schoolers recognize; Draper doesn't let anyone off easy.

November Blues
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 790L · 2007
A serious, multi-voiced novel about teenagers processing sudden death; emotionally honest without being punitive, and one of the few books that lets grief stay complicated.