James Buckley, Jr.
Who Is Shohei Ohtani?
A timely and accessible entry point for young athletes interested in the 'two-way' phenomenon, though it lacks the deep cultural context of a full biography.
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All picks after this →Who Is Lionel Messi?
by James Buckley, Jr.
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 650L · 2024
A solid, accessible intro to Messi's career that highlights his medical journey as much as his goals, making it a good pick for kids who want the 'how' behind the star.
Joey Pigza Loses Control
by Jack Gantos
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 650L · 2002
The best middle-grade book about ADHD from the inside—funny, unflinching about medication and shame, and honest that there's no cure, only managed momentum.
Magnitude
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2026
A quiet, methodical introduction to real seismology through a kid's DIY experiment—less explosively fun than typical STEM fiction, but honest about how science actually works.