Brand-new kicks, ripped denim shorts, Supreme tee&mdashWes Henderson has the best style in sixth grade. That—and hanging out with his crew (his best friends since little-kid days) and playing video games—is what he wants to be thinking about at the start of the school year, not the protests his parents are always dragging him to.
But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are supposed to have all the answers, but all they’re doing is arguing. Even Wes’s best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn’t about to give up the only home he’s ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will
Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong—to a place and a movement—and to fight for what you believe in.
Topics Community life. Neighborhoods. Gentrification. Friendship. Middle schools. African Americans. Conduct of life.
Lexile 760L
Trim Size 8 3/10" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2021-01-25
JLG Release Date Mar 2021
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Realistic Fiction Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
Realistic Fiction Middle Plus
Realistic Fiction Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
For Grades 5-8
This 14-book collection features compelling stories with relatable characters, capturing both contemporary and historical experiences. Whether set in the present or past, these books offer an insightful look at real-world challenges and triumphs. Some selections may include thought-provoking themes exploring identity, relationships, and social issues, including LGBTQIA+IA+ topics, moderate language, and other sensitive subjects.