Keystone by Katie Delahraty

Set in the way future of the USA, Ella is an Influencer. She is also “dead”. She has been recruited by the disconnects to be a thief. She learns the trade quickly and moves to the head of the class, right behind Garrett. As they partner up to pull off a heist, she can’t decide what is real and what is fake with him. Then she has an encounter with a guy from her past who she thought was dead. Will he blow her cover? Will they succeed in their heist or will they be caught and jailed?

Lots of twists and turns. Slow beginning, picks up toward the last 1/3 of the book.

Jelly by Jo Cotterill

Angelina, AKA Jelly, is in middle school and is GREAT at impersonating people.  She keeps people laughing, you would call her the class clown.  But deep down inside, she is not happy with herself.  She feels overweight and that kids at school tease her about it, but she laughs it off, because it's better to laugh with them than for them to laugh at you, right?  Her mom's current boyfriend is a loser and is kinda mean to Jelly.  They finally break up, and her mom almost immediately finds a new boyfriend, Lennon, oh brother!  However, he turns out to be a really nice guy that Jelly had already met!  When things turn south for Jelly at school and her mom and Lennon break up Jelly has to decide if she wants to show her true self.

Love, love, love!!

Chosen (Slayer 2) by Kiersten White

Nina's back.  Artemis left the compound and Hell's portals are closed.  Nina and her mom, along with all the others still at the castle have taken in demons to protect as long as they are not dangerous and hurting people.  Nina is still looking for other Slayers and as they get clues they go to find people to help.  She is dealing with Leo's death and also her own darkness inside that seems to rear up and take over almost. 

Lots of twists and turns and will keep you guessing right up to the end.  Would recommend for 8th and up.  Told in Nina's voice and Artemis as well. 

The Winterhouse Mysteries by Ben Guterson

We are back in the third book of Winterhouse.  Here is the link to my other posts:  Winterhouse reviews  Elizabeth is settling into her home and it is nearing Easter.  As she finishes up school for break and prepares for Freddy coming to visit with his parents more strange things happen.  There is a rumbling in the hotel that is about like a small earthquake, a red flag keeps showing up tied to a tree near the old mine (where Gracella is trapped), and there keeps being a red mist in places.  Elizabeth is so worried about Gracella returning and then people she knows are acting strange.  Lena is wandering the hotel and keeps turning up at Gracella's old room, the two men are bent on finishing the huge puzzle and Elizabeth doesn't know who she can trust.  LOVE this one...

I also love that Ben puts in titles of other middle school books.  Great to find a new read ;) 

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Delsie lives with her Grammy on Cape Cod.  Her friends Aimee and Michael are going to working on Annie at the local theater all summer, but her best friend Brandy is going to be around all summer so she will be fine.  When another girl Tressa shows up, she monopolizes all of Brandy and Delsie feels left out.  As she goes through the summer she struggles with her mom leaving her when she was little, her papa Joseph gone, her Grammy struggling with money and an unlikely friend in Ronan, a boy who is new to the area. 

Great character development, appreciating what you have, and just an all over good story.