The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn

Meg and Beatrix have been BFF's since Kindergarten.  Meg has always taken dance for her elective because Beatrix LOVES dance and wants Meg to be with her.  During 7th grade Meg gets chosen to be a part of a Science Elective, which is her FAVORITE.  She is scared to tell Beatrix, because she doesn't want to be "frozen out".  Also a new girl moves to their neighborhood, who also will be taking the science elective.  Hazel dresses weird, has severe acne, and is a little eccentric, but is really nice.  Meg debates between being friends with her or keeping her friendship with Beatrix by shunning Hazel.  Drama ensues!  

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street by Lauren Oliver

Cordelia and her farther, Dr. Cornelius Clay, are hunting a hurt dragon. They live in Boston around the Great Depression. After they find the dragon, Cordelia’s dad goes missing along with all the monsters that were living in their house. Cordelia, along with her friend Gregory, begin searching for clues to her father and the monsters. Along the way Cordelia’s old friend Elizabeth shows up and together the three of them end up in a situation they may not survive.

Definitely for middle school, her other books are more YA. Really LOVED this one.

Spin by Lamar Giles

Told in three voices, this book is a murder mystery, acceptance, and friendship all rolled into one.  Paris, AKA Dj Parsec, is murdered and her two friends, Kya and Fuse (AKA Fatima) are telling their sides of the story.  Most of the story is in present tense and every once in a while Paris will jump in with a flashback that leads us up to her murder and what happened.  Kya and Fuse are NOT friends, however they were both friends with Paris at one point and then as Paris's music grew popular she let fame overtake her.  

Loved the character development, mystery and intrigue, and Kya and Fuse learning to trust each other.   

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

11 year old Ware is staying with his grandmother for the summer while his parents are working extra so that they can buy a house, but his grandmother falls and breaks both hips. His summer has now turned into a nightmare of having to go to Rec camp. He HATES Rec camp, but he doesn’t want to cause any trouble for his parents. He overheard them talking about him and how they wish he was normal. As his summer at the Rec starts he finds a dilapidated church next door where a girl, Jolene, is planting papaya plants to sell and make money. Ware decides to turn the church into a medieval castle for himself. Wares summer does not end up like he expects.