Eighth-grader Jack Lerner relies on pitching fast balls until a young college coach teaches him that throwing the heat may not be the best way to win games.

Marley Sandelski has always felt invisible at school when he is not facing bullies, but a series of unexpected events gives him a taste of popularity and insights into some classmates, well-liked or greatly-feared.

"Twelve-year-old Tad navigates a year filled with girl problems, school antics, and the worst summer job in history, all told in the form of hilarious, illustrated blog entries"--

Colby Ellis wants to start his own band. He has the drive. He has his saxophone. And he has a garage. He just needs a name. And band-mates! He finds some fresh faces, and some of his friends from the Benton Bluff Junior High band join too. But harmony isn't their forte, so Colby makes a bold decision. Will it be the end of the band, or just the beginning?

Using a bogus name, the League of Picklemakers, sixth-grader Ben and three recruits start a prank-pulling club and receive funding from their middle school's PTA.

"After spending the summer at coding camp, Allie Navarro is excited to share the app she built with her friends, until it starts to cause problems between them"--

Although Jeff and Tad, encouraged by a new friend, Lindsey, make a deal to help one another overcome aftereffects of their cancer treatments in preparation for eighth-grade graduation, Jeff still craves advice from his older brother Stephen, who is studying drums in Africa.

Due to an administrative mix-up, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a special program for gifted and talented students, after pulling a major prank at middle school.

Amelia thought that the only thing better than a best friend was two best friends. But then they come together and she's not sure if any of them are friends. Will Amelia be able to have more than one best friend?

When twelve-year-old Elise, orphaned since age three, becomes disheartened by middle school, with its bullies, changing relationships, and higher expectations, keys to long-locked rooms and messages from her late father help her cope.