Marilee Haynes: 3 books

Gabe—St. Jude’s resident genius—is back for his final year of middle school. As an eighth grader, he must fulfill a community service requirement and decide if he will attend a high school for science and math.

Thirteen-year-old Gabe Carpenter is just like any other middle-school boy at St. Jude Academy… well, except for the fact that he is a genius who can’t even open his own locker or talk to his crush. Themes include: self-acceptance, giftedness and humor.

It’s the end of fifth grade, and eleven-year-old Annie is ready to move to middle school. But first, she must complete a self portrait for the end-of-year project—and present it to the class. Annie’s fear of public speaking isn’t her only problem. Two of the girls in her class seem determined...