If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko is the story of Kirsten and Walker. Both are 7th graders, struggling with grades, friends, pressure at home, etc. Kirsten has recently lost all of her friends. One moved away over the summer and the other is suddenly a part of the popular group of girls who's mission it seems is to make everyone else miserable. She is also dealing with a family in crisis as her parents can't seem to even talk to each other without yelling. The way she copes is to eat, which is something her mother constantly points out. Walk is the only African American student at Kirsten's expensive private school after transferring in from his inner-city public school. He lives with his single mother who does her very best to make sure Walk will have a bright future. Walk also deals with pressure from his cousin Jamal and his old friends from City. Through a series of seemingly unrelated events, Kirsten and Walk become friends. But then, Kirsten learns a secret that could turn all of their worlds upside down.

I really enjoyed this story. It is told through the alternating perspectives of Kirsten and Walk. The author does a great job of showing how miserable middle school can be, but also shows how some of the smallest things can make it all OK.

Hear the first chapter courtesy of Random House Audio's Listening Library: