ODDER by Katherine Applegate

 

Odder by Katherine Applegate

 

274 pages

 

Animal Fiction (inspired by true story), Sea Otters, Wildlife Conservation, Novel in Verse
Note: could be classified as realistic although through the lens of a sea otter

 

 

 

 

Description
Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she's known. She's a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself--and about the humans who hope to save her.

Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature's most beloved and charming animals.

 

My Comments
Educational and thoroughly engaging. An important book that shows the important rescue efforts of scientists to protect the endangered sea otter. Give this one to anyone, any age, but especially to animal lovers. This book could inspire students to grow up to be marine biologists or to go into other fields that help protect wildlife and the environment. A lovely and vitally important book. A favorite!

GRADE 7 SUGGESTIONS

 GRADE 7 SUGGESTIONS

• Maybe He Just Likes You
  by Barbara Dee
  When boys in her class start touching seventh-grader Mila and making her feel uncomfortable, she does not want to tell her friends or mother until she reaches her breaking point.
  
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Everything I Know About You
by Barbara Dee
Misfit Tally is forced to room with queen bee Ava on the seventh grade's extended field trip to Washington, D.C., and discovers several surprising things about her roommate, including the possibility of an eating disorder"--Provided by publisher.

Violets are Blue
by Barbara Dee
Wren, who is learning special effects makeup, is thrilled to be makeup artist for her new school's production of Wicked, but her parents' divorce is seriously affecting her mother.

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
Estranged from the best friend whose brother killed her sister in a school shooting, a grieving Cora receives a message on her twelfth birthday from her friend, asking for her help with creating a time portal to prevent the tragedy.

• Upstander (companion to Bystander) by James Preller
  "Mary O'Malley is tired of keeping secrets. Secrets like her older brother, Jonny's, drug use . . . When two girls Mary thought were her friends decide to slam another girl online, Mary tries to look the other way. Then the girls turn on Mary, and suddenly, she doesn't have a safety zone. Her brother is out of control, her family's energies are all spent on him. There is only one person she can turn to"--Provided by publisher.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Blood Mountain by James Preller
Combine a strenuous hike in an unfamiliar wilderness park, lost kids, a dangerous hermit, a rogue mountain lion, a faithful dog, and a savvy female ranger and you have the gist of Preller’s exciting thriller. Grace, 14, and Carter, 11, have agreed to a day hike up Blood Mountain with their father, though their dog, Sitka, is the only one who seems excited at the prospect. The siblings soon leave their slow, out-of-shape father behind, zipping up to the breathtaking outlook. What they don’t realize is that their father has had a heart attack and collapsed, and a PTSD-plagued Marine, who resides on the mountain, is stalking them. Lost, hungry, and alone, Grace and Carter encounter dangers from the wilderness and the Marine. Sectioned into six parts of a day each, this tale of survival is relayed in short chapters that cycle through the various characters’ perspectives. Preller combines brave characters with vivid descriptions of the perilous mountain, grasping readers’ emotions in the same way as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet series. (Booklist)

Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks
Lilla and her friends Vivi and Knox make a fun Summer Wish every year. This year, however, Vivi's wish for the summer is for Knox and Lilla to be brave. More specifically, she wishes that Lilla would tell the truth, even when it makes people unhappy. Lilla has been hiding her true feelings for too long now, and the thought of opening up to her parents about her reactions to their divorce and living arrangement, their dreams for her in high school, and even to her own best friends is scary. 

This book would pair nicely with Barbara Dee's Maybe He Just Likes You-both make the topic of sexual harassment accessible and empowering for middle schoolers. VERDICT A first purchase for middle grade collections as well as book clubs for this age range.-Kate Olson, Southern Bluffs Elem. Sch., La Crosse, WI © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

THE SHAPE OF THUNDER by Jasmine Warga

 

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

Realistic Fiction, Grief, Forgiveness, Friendship, Families, School Shootings, Wormholes

275 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (May/June, 2021)

A dual-perspective novel follows two girls in the aftermath of a school shooting. Almost a year after her older sister was killed in that shooting by a classmate, twelve-year-old Cora still struggles to make sense of life without her. Cora also misses her now estranged best friend Quinn, whose brother, also dead, was the shooter. In alternating chapters, both girls deal with processing their grief and defining their roles at school and at home. Academically focused Cora tries to connect with her Quiz Bowl teammates and her Lebanese heritage, while Quinn latches on to the idea of traveling back in time to prevent the shooting from happening. Quinn persuades Cora to join her in trying to create a wormhole that will allow them to time-travel, but Cora continues keeping her distance until a minor crisis leads them to reconnect and gives both girls the chance to explain to their families what they need in order to make peace with their losses. Warga (Newbery honoree for Other Words for Home, rev. 7/19) skillfully develops unique voices for her narrators, and the novel's alternating-perspective structure works well. Emotions run high throughout the book without weighing down the plot, and the portrayal of middle-school life is utterly authentic. Warga tells a quiet story despite the dramatic events that led up to it, presenting a sad but not overwhelming narrative. Sarah Rettger May/June 2021 p.145

My Comments

At first I wasn't so keen on reading what appeared to be an incredibly depressing book, but I changed my mind as I was drawn into the rich perspective of each character. I sympathized with the girls' desperation to go back in time to make right what went wrong, I felt the regrets, the  anger, and the loneliness of each family member. I was also swept forward by the impossible dream of time travel, this dream that ultimately served to heal. This is an important topic that is unfortunately relevant today. Warga handles it with great sensitivity in an age appropriate way.

SAINT IVY: KIND AT ALL COSTS by Laurie Morrison

Saint Ivy: Kind At All Costs by Laurie Morrison

Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Social-Emotional

329 pages

Description

School Library Journal (July 1, 2021)

Thirteen-year-old Ivy knows what she is good at: being kind to others. Like many middle schoolers, Ivy is grasping for an identity, and has decided that being kind is her "thing," the way sports or academics are for other kids. Ivy is not so good at being kind to herself, however, and her relationships with her family and friends suffer. Ivy is always ready to help others, but won't share or let herself be helped in turn. The lively narrative projects an authentic middle school voice and the Philadelphia setting is vivid, populated by nuanced characters and situations. Ivy's caring mother regularly asks Ivy to share her feelings, but then hides the risks of her surrogate pregnancy. One of Ivy's oldest friends, alienated by her determination not to share any vulnerabilities, decides that their friendship has run its course. Ivy is Jewish; her father has a male partner while her friend Lila has two mothers, and Ivy has Black and Latinx friends at school. The story shows the benefits of living in such a diverse community: Ivy's Nana encourages her to "embrace all the parts of herself," and Ivy embraces this in others too. When she first encounters Lila's blended family and wonders about their history, she quickly understands that she "doesn't need to understand the inner workings of Lila's family." Surrounded by all sorts of loving families and community members, it's no wonder that Ivy has found a knack for being kind. VERDICT Relatable realistic fiction for upper elementary and middle school readers navigating friendships, boundaries, and identity, with appeal for fans of similarly themed stories such as Varian Johnson's Twins, Shannon Hale's Real Friends, and Celia C. Pérez's Strange Birds.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn P.L. © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

Plot moves along well. Good depiction of middle school friendships. I would give this to 7th and 8th graders and some sixth graders depending on maturity level. Liked this one!

 

THE BRIDGE HOME by Padma Venkatramen

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

India, Homelessness, Child Labor, Survival, Families

194 pages

Description

Booklist starred (February 1, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 11)) Grades 5-7. In India, 11-year-old Viji and her 12-year-old sister, Rukku, run away to Chennai after their violent father strikes out at them. Unprepared for living on the streets, they befriend two homeless boys: Arul, who lost his family in a tsunami, and Muthu, who escaped from a so-called school where he was confined and forced to work. Together they pick through garbage dumps for glass and metal scraps to sell, sleep on an abandoned bridge, and form their own family. Rukku’s intellectual disability has made her dependent on Viji, who gradually learns that her sister is more capable than she had thought. When Rukku and Muthu fall ill, Viji makes tough decisions in hopes of saving their lives and later must cope with her grief before she can move on. The four children and their tight-knit relationship are portrayed with conviction and finesse. Written in the form of a letter from Viji to her sister, the affecting narrative transports readers to a faraway setting that becomes vivid and real. Although the young characters face unusually difficult challenges, they nevertheless find the courage they need to move forward. The author of A Time to Dance (2014), Venkatraman offers an absorbing novel of love, loss, and resilience.

My Comments This book is one of those rare finds that you can give to almost anyone. It brings alive the plight of children in heartbreaking circumstances, but also how the human spirit can often prevail. Absolutely love this one.

 

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE by Charlie Makesy

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse 

by Charlie Mackesy

Description

From the revered British illustrator, a modern fable for all ages that explores life's universal lessons, 

featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" asked the mole.

"Kind," said the boy.

Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book based on his famous quartet of characters. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse explores their unlikely friendship and the poignant, universal lessons they learn together.

Radiant with Mackesy's warmth and gentle wit, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse blends hand-written  narrative with dozens of drawings, including some of his best-loved illustrations (including "Help," which has been shared over one million times) and new, never-before-seen material. A modern classic in the vein of The Tao of Pooh, The Alchemist, and The Giving Tree, this charmingly designed keepsake will be 

treasured for generations to come.

My Comments

This book opens your heart. It's like drinking a refreshing glass of water when you didn't even know you were thirsty. Highly recommended for all ages!

TROPHY KID: OR HOW I WAS ADOPTED BY THE RICH AND FAMOUS by Steve Atinsky

 

Trophy Kid by Steve Atinsky

Realistic Fiction, Adoption, Celebrities, Croatia-War, Humor,  Satire

184 pages

Description

Since his much-publicized adoption at age three by American movie stars, thirteen-year-old Josef's carefully scripted public life has hidden the isolation he feels at home, but writing a book with a ghostwriter reveals much about his adoptive family and the one he lost during the war in Croatia.

Horn Book Guide (Spring 2009)

Thirteen-year-old Joe, a Croatian war orphan at age three who was adopted by Hollywood stars, is asked by his famous parents to write an autobiography. What starts out as a PR extravaganza soon turns into a life-changing journey as Joe revisits his birthplace and discovers the true meaning of family. The story is funny, well-written, and surprisingly touching.

My Comments

Excellent choice for kids who are having difficulty finding a book to read. The plot moves quickly. It is sad, but Josef's wry observations lend humor to the story. It is definitely satirical, but ends on a positive note. Great choice for grades 6-8.

SONG FOR A WHALE by Lynne Kelly

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Realistic Fiction, Deafness, Disabilities Whales, Electronics, Radios, Families, Determination - 303 pages

Publisher's Description

In the spirit of modern-day classics like Fish in a Tree and Counting by 7s comes the story of a deaf girl's connection to a whale whose song can't be heard by his species, and the journey she takes to help him.

From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.
When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to "sing" to him! But he's three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?
Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.
"Fascinating, brave, and tender...a triumph." --Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan


My Comments
 My favorite book of the summer. My attention was riveted by Iris' ingenuity, the description of sound and whales, the aspect of fixing old radios, and Iris' ingenuity. Five stars!