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Five Favorite Aunt and Uncle Books

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Aunt and Uncle Day I discovered a new holiday. Apparently, July 26th is National Aunt and Uncle Day! In order to celebrate this day, I am sharing my five favorite middle grade books that have stellar aunts and uncles. Now, due to a lot of various circumstances, these books have a lot of hard things (death of a parent, parental neglect, and one case of good parents sending their child off to visit an uncle during summer vacation). So, be aware that these titles not only showcase some amazing aunts and uncles, but they also open the door to talk about hard topics. 




By Ellen Hopkins 
Putnam’s Sons, 2020. 
This book is actually told from two different points of view—Hannah and Cal’s; however, the two protagonists are cousins. Cal comes to live with Hannah’s family and Hannah’s mom—Cal’s aunt—becomes Cal’s support and champion. Cal’s mom died and his dad is in prison. Cal is in a family foster care situation and doesn’t feel like he belongs. Hannah also struggles since her life has changed because of her cousin. This book goes through tough topics like grief, emotional responses, fear, and learning to trust an aunt that will fight to keep her nephew safe. 




By Leslie Connor 
Katherine Tegen Books, 2020. 
Lydia’s mother dies and so she moves in with her aunt and her aunt’s wife—since they are Lydia’s last of kin. Lydia struggles to fit in with a new family situation, town, and school. There are topics like grief, animal abuse, and friendship woven around the story. But the heart of it is how Lydia learns to accept her lot and become friends with her aunt that dropped everything to get Lydia and raise her. 




By Michelle Kadarusman 
Pajama Press, 2020. 
Louisa is a Canadian middle schooler who wants nothing more than to stay home for a summer and practice her violin; however, her parents have different plans for her. Instead she is sent clear across the world to visit her uncle in Tasmania. Louisa faces her own personal fears of not preforming perfectly as well as trying to figure out how to live in a rainforest camp that has been notified that it will be destroyed. Life isn’t as bleak for Louisa as it is for many of the other characters in this booklist; however, she still has a dynamite uncle who is trying to save animals and Louisa’s self-esteem. 




By Marcella Pixley 
Candlewick Press, 2020. 
This story takes place in 1983 and June Bug has to deal with a hypochondriac mother who is shattered after June’s father dies of AIDS. It gets so bad that June’s mom makes her bathe in bleach to make sure all germs from the outside world don’t get into their house. One of the things that saves June Bug is the fact that she has a great uncle who is not afraid to keep dropping by—even if the mom wants him to stay away. June is afraid to let her uncle really know what is going on, but she looks forward to each and every visit he makes. June Bug faces neglect, child abuse, and alienation but she has an uncle who fights to make sure he is still part of her life. Also, an added bonus this book is a National Book Award Finalist. 




By Jamie Summer 
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020. 
In this story 12-year-old Lou is forced by her mother to sing to earn money; however, when her mom has her drive their truck (also their house) to pick her up Lou crashes and DCFS gets involved. Lou is sent to live with her aunt and uncle—who are great. They support Lou and help her work through issues like hoarding food or actually going to school (Lou’s mom said they “homeschooled” and called it good). This is a look at child neglect, family foster care, and a great aunt and uncle who truly want what is best for their niece.
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