Middle-grade books should be particularly well-thought-out and carefully penned. Coming-of-age tales leave huge imprints on impressionable pre-teens and are invaluable means of comfort and learning. The following are worthwhile, highly anticipated reads for kids ages 8 to 12.

"Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo; Candlewick Press; 272 pages; $16.99.

In the summer of 1975, Raymie Clark's father runs away from home with a dental hygienist. "Hey, diddle, diddle, the dish ran away with the spoon," Raymie says when she thinks about it. But her mother reminds her this is a great tragedy and to quit reciting nursery rhymes.

Such is the personable, homey manner Kate DiCamillo injects into her lovable new tale about a girl who thinks she has to win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition to get her father home.

Raymie's lovable, funny voice rings true as a lively, observant young girl determined to become a champion baton twirler. DiCamillo's description of southerners in the '70s is hilariously honest — Ida Nee the baton-twirling instructor "was old — over 50 at least, but her hair was extremely bright yellow." Friend Louisiana Elefante, of the famous Flying Elefante Family, had bunny barrettes that glowed in the sun. "Each barrette looked purposeful, alive, as if it were busy receiving messages from far away."

Completely wondrous reading with every sentence, "Raymie Nightingale" is a treasure and one of those books even adults won't be able to put down.

"Trailing Tennessee" by Cory Wheeler Mimms; Craigmore Creations; 240 pages; $14.99.

Kids who love adventure tales will thrill to this absorbing novel about a 14-year-old's decision to tackle the Appalachian Trail after his father dies. Though Eli is a runaway, with supplies running low and forest rangers hot on his trail, he boldly endures blisters, hunger, rain, pain and his own self-doubt and fear. He treks on through it all, knowing his father and grandfather also hiked the trail, so he's determined to soldier on, even with the spirits in the woods lurking in his mind.

Eli eventually joins up with a group of young hikers in Virginia, but his goals continue to slip away. Will Eli reach Mount Katahdin to carve his initials on the same tree as his father and grandfather? Readers will love the book's ending and will enjoy experiencing a treacherous growing-up journey that's all about tenacity, determination, love and respecting nature. It's a winner all around.

"Swing Sideways" by Nanci Turner Steveson; HarperCollins; 288 pages; $16.99.

This magical tale about the friendship of two girls during one pivotal summer seems timeless and vintage. Young Annie gets to experience a summer of freedom in the countryside — free from a hard school year, fake friends in the city and her mom's rigid schedules. Annie meets a girl named California at her grandfather's farm, and the two search to find the ponies Annie's mother rode as a child. They hope to remind her how wonderful the farm can be. She also tries to repair the relationship between her mother and grandfather, but she discovers secrets that change everything.

A heartwarming, absorbing tale of friendship, family and clean-cut outdoor adventure, "Swing Sideways" is destined to be a classic.

"Somewhere Among" by Annie Donwerth-Chickamatsu; Simon & Schuster; 441 pages; $16.99.

Sept. 11 marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which many kids only know as a sad thing that happened in the past. This thoughtful novel explores how the tragedy affects a Japanese-American family, and especially 11-year-old Ema, who's patiently awaiting her new baby sister and trying to understand her stern grandmother.

Perfect for the classroom and those seeking to understand the weight of a disaster, "Somewhere Among" also explores one multiracial girl's search for identity and inner peace, and her discovery of other family members helps them rise from the ashes of tragedy.

"Wishing Day" by Lauren Myracle; Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins; 313 pages; $16.99.

The start of a new middle-grade trilogy from New York Times best-selling author Lauren Myracle, "Wishing Day" follows three sisters who participate in a fabled tradition in their town to see if their wishes come true. Natasha's three wishes are for: Mama to still be alive; her first kiss; the feeling that she's somebody's favorite. As a befuddled 13-year-old navigating life without a mother, living in a household of extended family members, Natasha just wants to be noticed.

An enchanting new start to a trilogy, "Wishing Day" attests to the power of magic and traditions and especially hope. Myracle's fascinating novel is delightful and tons of fun.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.