BOY, EVERYWHERE by A.M. Dassu

Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu

Realistic Fiction, Immigration & Emigration, Refugees, Syria, Family, Friendship, courage

2021; 397 pages
 

Description

Sami loves his life in Damascus, Syria, but when war breaks out his parents decide they must flee their home for the safety of the UK.

School Library Journal Xpress (February 12, 2021)

Gr 5 Up-"I didn't realize how good life was until it all went wrong" Eighth grader Sami al-Hafez leads a privileged life in Damascus, Syria. His biggest concern used to be whether he and his best friend would make the soccer team. But when his mother and younger sister are injured in a bombing of a local shopping mall, Sami and his family realize that the Syrian civil war is now at their doorstep and they must leave their home. The author not only chronicles Sami's perilous journey from Syria, through Turkey and Greece, and eventually to England, but the difficulty of leaving loved ones behind and starting anew in a country where the laws and people aren't so welcoming. Short chapters help keep the pace of this first-person narrative moving, even when we see Sami waiting for circumstances to change-a situation that is reinforced throughout the story as common to being a refugee. For readers who enjoyed Katherine Marsh's Nowhere Boy or Jasmine Warga's Other Words for Home, this book also offers a fresh perspective and a relatable main character. The text could be paired with Don Brown's graphic nonfiction title The Unwanted for academic purposes. VERDICT Dassu provides a fresh perspective on the Syrian refugee experience, giving readers a glimpse at a range of ordeals. Recommended for purchase.-Monisha Blair, formerly at Rutgers Univ., NJ © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

This is a page-turner with an important perspective. Highly recommended.

ORBITING JUPITER by

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt

Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Bullying, Friendship, Compassion,
Families, Overcoming Adversity

2015, 183 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (July 15, 2015) Jackson Hurd's family has taken in a new foster child, and Jackson will have to find the meanings of love and loyalty as he befriends his foster brother. Joseph Brook looks like an average eighth-grader at Eastham Middle School, but he's not. He became a father at age 13, spent time in juvie, and has an abusive father. Living with Jack's family on their Maine farm could mean a normal life for him, but he is obsessed with finding Jupiter, the daughter he's not allowed to see. He finds love within Jack's family and support from some teachers at school--including Coach Swieteck, whom some readers might remember from Okay for Now (2011)--who appreciate his skills in math and gymnastics, but one teacher warns Jack of Joseph's bad influence, and other students call Joseph "Psycho." Schmidt writes with an elegant simplicity in this paean to the power of love. But there's a snake in the garden--Joseph's father--and it is the uncoiling of fate, rooted in the tale from the beginning, that leads to the novel's devastating conclusion.Readers will not soon forget either Joseph Brook or this spare novel written with love and grace. (Fiction. 10-14)

My Comments

Gripping, tragic story. Great for classroom discussions and reluctant readers. Kids will love this one. Grades 7 and up.

RUBY LOST AND FOUND by Christina Li

 

Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li
Realistic Fiction, Asian American, Feelings & Emotions, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Family, Friendship
2023; 288 pages

Description
"Thanks to her Ye-Ye's epic scavenger hunts, thirteen-year-old Ruby Chu knows San Francisco like the back of her hand. But after his death, she feels lost. . . . After Ruby gets in major trouble at school, her parents decide she has to spend the summer at a local senior center, with her grandmother, Nai-Nai, and Nai-Nai's friends for company. When a new boy from Ruby's grade, Liam Yeung, starts showing up too, Ruby's humiliation is complete. But Nai-Nai, her friends, and Liam all surprise Ruby. She finds herself working with Liam . . . to help save a historic Chinatown bakery that's being priced out of the neighborhood. And alongside Nai-Nai, who is keeping a secret that threatens to change everything, Ruby retraces Ye-Ye's scavenger hunt maps in an attempt to find a way out of her grief--and maybe even find herself"--Provided by publisher.

My Comments Middle school students may relate to the difficulties of dealing with change in friendships. Ruby has lost one friend to moving and another who abandons her for a new group. She is in trouble for leaving school without permission, her parents are busy starting a new business, and she feels guilty about her grandfather's death whom she misses terribly. Ruby feels lost and lonely, but the summer brings new understanding, friendship, and growth.

This is a quiet book, but one with depth. The portrayal of relationships and characters are compelling and keep the book interesting. There is also a bit of adventure when Ruby and her grandmother 'run away' towards the end of the book. Although the book is not difficult, it is a bit long. Give this to thoughtful readers. I did like the book!

THE SEASON OF STYX MALONE by Kekla Magoon

 

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon

Realistic Fiction, African American, Adventure, Foster Children, Friendship

297 pages; 2018

ALA Notable Book, Coretta Scott King Honor, Hornbook starred review
NPR, HornBook, Kirkus Reviews, SLJ, Shelf Awareness
Five starred reviews

Description
Meet Caleb and Bobby Gene, two brothers embarking on a madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure in which friendships are forged, loyalties are tested . . . and miracles just might happen.

Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house. But Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town. 

Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade--exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. Styx has secrets--secrets so big they could ruin everything. 

Comments

High action, fast-moving plot encompasses serious issues such as foster children, family life, friendship, and much more. It reminds me a bit of Maniac Magee. This would be a fantastic book for group discussions. So glad this was recommended to me by our elementary librarian, Stephanie Spierings!

GAME CHANGER by Tommy Greenwald

g

Upcoming Visiting Author

Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald

Sports, Football, Hazing, Coma, Feelings, Friendship

287 pages; 2017

Book Trailer

Description

"Thirteen-year-old Teddy Youngblood is in a coma fighting for his life after an unspecified football injury at training camp. His family and friends flock to his bedside to support his recovery--and to discuss the events leading up to the tragic accident. Was this an inevitable result of playing a violent sport, or was something more sinister happening on the field that day? Told in an innovative, multimedia format combining dialogue, texts, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy's inner thoughts, Game Changer explores the joyous thrills and terrifying risks of America's most popular sport." - Amazon

My Comments

The format is engaging and portrays what feel like realistic interactions between friends, teachers, and parents. The story is chilling, especially since I have a son who played football through 4 years of college. I don't know if I would have supported that after reading this book. An excellent recommendation for all readers.

THE FORT by Gordon Korman

The Fort by Gordon Korman

Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Air Raid Shelters, Bullying, Domestic Abuse, Secrecy

2022; 239 pages

Description

When a tight-knit group of middle school friends discover a trap door in the woods that leads to a completely intact bomb shelter, they vow to keep the place a secret while sharing their individual secrets to build the safest space possible.

"Five friends who need to stick together after they set up a hideout in an abandoned bomb shelter and discover that the only way to be true friends is to reveal their secrets and help each other out.

The morning after Hurricane Leo rips through the town of Canaan, residents awaken to widespread destruction -- power outages, downed branches, uprooted trees, broken windows and damaged roofs. Four eighth-grade friends -- Evan, Jason, Mitchell, and CJ -- meet to explore the devastation. The tight-knit group is dismayed to find that Evan has brought along a stray -- Ricky, who is new to their town and school, and doesn't have any friends yet.

Ricky is the one to find the strange trap door that's appeared in the middle of the woods -- the door to an old bomb shelter, unearthed by the hurricane. Inside, the boys find a completely intact underground lair, complete with electricity, food, and entertainment (in the form of videocassettes). The boys vow to keep the place's existence to themselves.

Things soon get tense. Some bad locals keep snooping around. And what started out as a fun place to escape soon becomes a serious refuge for one of the kids who is trying to avoid an abusive home situation. In order to save the shelter, the friends must keep its secret... and in order to save themselves, they're going to have to share their individual secrets, and build the safest place they can." - The Publisher

My Comments

I was hooked the minute the boys discovered the bomb shelter which is a club house on steroids. The bonds of friendship ring true as do the secrets. There is a subplot of abuse by a stepfather that is realistic but written with sensitivity for this age group. it is especially poignant how the abused boy's friends were unaware for so long, but then found ways to help him once they understood the situation. Korman skillfully portrays the importance of friendship as well as the excitement and difficulties of being a young teen.

SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow

 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Grief, PTSD, Humor

2023; 305 pages

Newbery Honor

Description

Booklist (March 15, 2023 (Online))

"Grades 5-8. Author of Stand on the Sky (2019) Bow delivers another middle-grade page turner. Seventh-grader Simon O’Keefe moves with his parents to the small town of Grin And Bear It, Nebraska. Hoping to help their son forget a traumatic event, his dad, a Catholic deacon (and sackbut player), and mom, an undertaker, help Simon adjust. Though the townspeople are thirsty to find out more about the O’Keefes, Simon wants to get through the school year by remaining incognito. That plan becomes moot when he befriends a girl named Agate and a boy named Kevin. All seems normal until the reason for the O'Keefes' move is exposed, causing anxieties to flare in Simon that result in conflicts among the trio. Bow diffuses the story's serious topics, ranging from parental and social issues to mental and emotional health, with humor and a silly scheme. Middle-grade students will resonate with the worries and pressures attached to making friends and meeting one another’s families. A tale of healing that serves as an excellent reminder to never assume we know what plights another friend is going through."

My Comments

This is a tough subject but author, Bow skillfully entwines trauma with humor and suspense. Unfortunately, school violence can be too close to home these days, so the topic won't be a surprise to students no matter how much we want to protect them. Most young people can relate to Simon's insecurities about being the new kid and making a place for himself. In that way, Bow helps the reader be sensitive to the fact that families may be dealing with more than meets the eye.

REZ DOGS by Joseph Bruchac

 

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Realistic Fiction, Native Americans, Abenaki Indians, COVID-19, Dogs, Grandparents, Novels in Verse

2021;184 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (September/October, 2021)
In this verse novel, Malian, a Penacook girl, is visiting her grandparents on the Penacook reservation when shelter-in-place orders are given due to COVID-19. Malian misses her parents and friends, but she spends time with a dog that has mysteriously appeared, and she enjoys listening to her grandparents' retellings of traditional stories. They also tell her about some of the more difficult parts of their history that have affected their nation, such as boarding schools and forced sterilizations, all touched on by Bruchac (Peacemaker, rev. 7/21) in an accessible and age-appropriate way. Ultimately, Malian's grandparents remind her that their people have survived pandemics before, through caring for one another. Young readers will be able to understand Malian's situation, including technological struggles in connecting to her remote classroom. The book's ending -- in which Malian waits eagerly but with mixed emotions for her parents to pick her up -- raises relatable questions of home, friendship, and belonging. Nicholl Denice Montgomery September/October 2021 p.90

My Comments

Upper elementary-middle school. A gentle story that keeps moving despite the quiet life on the Reservation during COVID. The grandparents' stories, the dog, remote school, and Malian's Penacook friends add richness to this deceptively simple book. This is the kind of story that stays with you.

LIA AND BECKETT'S ABRACADABRA by Amy Noelle Parks

 

Lia and Beckett's Abracadabra by Amy Noelle Parks

Realistic Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Magicians

2022; 296 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (May 15, 2022)

Two teens from rival families fall for each other during a stage-magic competition. Seventeen-year-old Lia Sawyer has just dumped her latest short-lived boyfriend when her eccentric Grandma Matilda, who has been missing, invites her and her older sister, Emma, to compete in a summerlong contest in Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, a lakefront resort town known for its magic shows and as the headquarters of the Society of American Conjurers. Her first day there, Lia has a meet-cute with Beckett Blackwell, the handsome, college-bound grandson of Henry Blackwell, a legendary local magician who’s also Matilda’s first husband and former stage partner. Despite their instant chemistry, the two must balance their attraction with their individual desires to win. The romance sizzles with slow-burn longing. The story also explores the sexist nature of the male-dominated magic industry that historically relegated women to being glamorously outfitted assistants in ways that will be interesting even to those unfamiliar with the culture of this community. Lia is a clever and delightful protagonist, and Beckett is a brooding and selfless love interest. The author crafts captivating descriptions of the various magic acts and ensures that even the supporting characters have fleshed-out storylines. Most characters are White; Beckett’s mother is from India. An enchanting enemies-to-lovers romance. (Romance. 12-18)

My Comments

Fun romance! An interesting look into the magic industry and magic tricks.  Appropriate for middle schoolers as well a good bet for high schoolers looking for a light read.

CLUES TO THE UNIVERSE by Christina Li

Clues to the Universe by Christina Li

Realistic Fiction, Astronauts & Space, Comic Books, Art, Friendship

292 pages

Description

School Library Journal (January 1, 2021)

Gr 4-7-Twelve-year-olds Ro and Benji are both having a rough start to the school year. Ro's father recently died, and her mother can no longer afford her private school tuition. Transferring to a school where she knows no one proves difficult, and overhearing conversations of students trying to guess her biracial ethnicity (she is white and Chinese) is painful. Benji, who is white, is lonely and aimless because his best friend, Amir, moved across the country. When Ro and Benji begin working on a science fair project together, an unlikely friendship is formed. While the two are very different in terms of personality and interests, they bond over the shared experience of not having a father. The combination of Ro's aptitude for science and logic and Benji's artistic talents and laid-back personality results in a good team. Soon the two are working on more than a science fair project. They are helping each other fulfill a dream that will bring them closer to their absent fathers-building the rocket Ro and her dad were going to work on together and tracking down Benji's comic book creator father. Since the story is set in the 1980s, before use of the internet was widespread, finding Benji's father is no easy task. The novel feels contemporary, so the setting may be somewhat confusing for readers who don't understand the technological limitations. Ro and Benji alternate narration, which helps the reader see their evolving perspectives of each other and provides a mechanism for telling their backstories. The book would have benefited from a stronger distinction between the two voices, though a heading at the beginning of each chapter indicates which character is speaking. It is refreshing to see a strong friendship between female and male characters depicted in a middle grade novel; it's the authenticity of this relationship that drives the heart of the story. VERDICT The message of resilience, courage, and friendship will resonate widely with young readers. Themes touched on include grief, fears, bullying, and identity, making the work highly discussable and a good candidate for classroom use.-Juliet Morefield, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments
Intriguing and creative. I think it could have been a bit shorter, but still a wonderful story. Grade 4-5 seems a bit young.

 

DRY by Neal Shusterman

 

Dry by Neal Shusterman

Realistic Fiction, Horror, Survival, High School

390 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (November/December, 2018)

A major drought in Southern California has been going on long enough for people to adjust, with everyone conserving as much water as possible. But one day Alyssa turns on the faucet in her suburban home, and nothing comes out. Suddenly, with this new stage of the drought (which the media calls the Tap-Out), everyone is scrambling, and Alyssa’s neighborhood becomes more dangerous. Alyssa’s neighbor Kelton McCracken, a “weirdo” teen who lives with his family of doomsday preppers, has always wanted to have a reason to interact with Alyssa, but the Tap-Out creates a scenario he could never have imagined. As people become increasingly desperate for water and institutions begin to break down, the thread between selfishness and survival begins unraveling as ethical dilemmas present themselves around sharing water, selling water, and deciding who is worthy of saving. Alyssa, her brother Garrett, and Kelton wind up on a road trip to survive, picking up strangers along the way who may or may not be allies. Throughout this compulsively readable and unnerving tale, the authors present a dystopia that is all-too-close to our current world, leading readers to realize just how tenuous our societal norms are and raising important questions about how we will handle the crises we have created. christina l. dobbs

My Comments
I immediately stocked up on water after reading this book. It makes you think. What if....This was an addictive read that has stayed with me. I will never forget it. Powerful is an understatement. There are some extremely disturbing gun violence episodes that lead me to recommend it to high school students, not middle school. That said, I think it's one of my top picks this year.

OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga

 

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Realistic Fiction, Novels in Verse, Syrian Immigration, Multicultural, Family

342 pages

Description

Publishers Weekly (February 25, 2019)

Written in first-person free verse, this timely book traces the internal journey of a young Syrian refugee adjusting to a new home and culture in the U.S. When violence erupts near their seaside city, Jude and her pregnant mother flee to Cincinnati to stay with Jude's uncle and his family while her shopkeeper father and activist brother ("He is always talking about change") stay behind. In the U.S., Jude is warmly welcomed by her aunt and uncle but treated with cool indifference by her cousin, who abandons her at school, leaving Jude to navigate seventh grade in a new environment on her own. Jude struggles to fit in among students who "don't look like me," but she remembers her brother's parting words-"Be brave"-and finds comfort with her new friend Layla, whose parents are from Lebanon. Rhythmic lines distill Jude's deepest emotions-homesickness, fear when her brother enters a war zone, shock over prejudice in the U.S., and a sense of victory when she receives a speaking role in the school play. Warga (My Heart and Other Black Holes) effectively shows, as she writes in an author's note, that "children who are fleeing from a war zone... want the same things all of us do-love, understanding, safety, a chance at happiness." Ages 8-12. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

My Comments

A book that will help people of all ages to understand how it feels to be new in a country, to be lonely, homesick and the target of prejudice. It is a book that inspires bravery and kindness.

An accessible read for middle school. Excellent! Highly recommended.

THE EPIC FAIL OF ARTURO ZAMORA by Pablo Cartaya

 

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Realistic Fiction, Hispanic Latino, Adventure, Family, Community, Humor, Friendship, Romance

236 pages

Description
Booklist starred (April 1, 2017 (Vol. 113, No. 15))

Grades 4-7. Arturo is looking forward to a Miami summer filled with friends, ice cream, and working at his family’s popular restaurant, La Cocina de la Isla, but his plans get derailed from the start. Carmen, his mother’s goddaughter, comes to visit, and Arturo doesn’t understand why his stomach can’t settle down around her. His job at the restaurant is harder than he thought, and worst of all, his family’s plan to expand into an adjacent empty lot seems hopeless when flashy real-estate developer Wilfrido Pipo comes to town with plans of his own. Arturo hopes the community his abuela and abuelo loved for so long will support them, and with the help of his family, friends, and the work of Cuban poet and revolutionary hero José Martí, Arturo finds the strength to fight for what he believes in. Cartaya’s lively debut, filled with kind, dynamic characters and interspersed with letters, poems, and Twitter messages, offers a timely tale of a community steeped in tradition and multiculturalism, working together against encroaching gentrification, and Arturo’s inviting first-person narrative is the perfect entry point for middle-grade readers. Unitalicized Spanish phrases appear throughout, always with enough context clues that non-Spanish speakers will have no trouble following along. At turns funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking, this engrossing story will get kids cheering.

My Comments
A good choice for all middle school students. Family chaos with love, community values, and love. Funny and tender. A lovely read.

BYSTANDER by James Preller

 Bystander by James Preller

Bullies, Realistic Fiction, Divorce, Anxiety

226 pages

Description

School Library Journal (January 1, 2010)

Gr 6-9-Eric Hayes has moved from Ohio to Long Island, NY, with his mother and younger brother. His schizophrenic father left long ago. Eric soon meets Griffin Connelly, a handsome kid with natural leadership, lots of charisma, and a real mean streak. While Griffin is the perfect bully, David Hallenback is the perfect victim: beaten down and willing to do anything to get Griffin's approval. At first, Eric is a bystander, not participating in the bullying but not doing anything to stop it. However, several events move him out of this passive role: Griffin steals from him and reveals Eric's confidences about his father; adults at school address bullying; and Mary, a girl he likes, takes a stand against it. Eric realizes that his silence makes him complicit and speaks out, only to become Griffin's next victim. Preller has perfectly nailed the middle school milieu, and his characters are well developed with authentic voices. The novel has a parablelike quality, steeped in a moral lesson, yet not ploddingly didactic. The action moves quickly, keeping readers engaged. The ending is realistic: there's no strong resolution, no punishment or forgiveness. Focusing on the large majority of young people who stand by mutely and therefore complicitly, this must-read book is a great discussion starter that pairs well with a Holocaust unit.-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

My Comments
This is a popular book with 6th and 7th graders, although painful for me as an adult to read. It brings to mind 'The Lord of the Flies,' though obviously not as brutal - but brutal enough. The characters are very well developed. It was difficult to watch the main victim accept the bullying in a fruitless attempt to be popular. I really liked the ending, which was positive, but not what I expected. Great choice, especially for middle school.

Patron Saint of Nothing by Randy Ribay

Patron Saint of Nothing by Randy Ribay

Philippines, Drug Traffick, Murder, Cousins

323 pages
Ages 14+
Lexile 840L

Description

When seventeen-year-old Jay Reguero learns his Filipino cousin and former best friend, Jun, was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, he flies to the Philippines to learn more.

Booklist starred (May 1, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 17))

Grades 10-12. After finding out about his cousin Jun’s violent death, Jay Reguero travels from America to the Philippines to uncover how such a gentle person met such a grim end. He finds that the place that he remembers—the place of his birth—has changed in the face of a sweeping drug war initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte, a war that Jun’s father, Tito Maning, enthusiastically endorses. Jay digs into the circumstances of Jun’s death, while navigating the sinuous history between family members, including the schism created by his own father's decision to raise his children in America. Jay’s investigations are an intriguing setup for what is actually a deep, nuanced, and painfully real family drama. Jay himself is a relatable character for biracial readers straddling two different cultures. This dynamic comes into play both when he tries to convey his feelings to his American friends and when he travels abroad and is treated like an outsider by other Filipinos despite looking the same. Ribay’s focus, however, is on showing the current-day war on drugs ravaging Filipino society, characterized by extrajudicial vigilante killings endorsed by the highest levels of government. By deftly weaving key details into Jay’s quest for the truth, Ribay provides a much-needed window for young people of the West to better understand the Filipino history of colonization, occupation, and revolution.

My Comments
Powerful read. It is in a sense, a coming-of-age story in which Jay begins to understand the complexity of another culture and with that understanding, compassion.

 

ALONE by Megan E. Freeman

Alone by Megan E. Freeman

404 pages

Novel in Verse, Realistic/Dystopian Fiction, Survival, Adventure, Human-Animal Relationships

Description
"When twelve-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She's alone--left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. With no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet access, Maddie slowly learns to survive on her own. Her only companions are a Rottweiler named George and all the books she can read. After a rough start, Maddie learns to trust her own ingenuity and invents clever ways to survive in a place that has been deserted and forgotten. As months pass, she escapes natural disasters, looters, and wild animals. But Maddie's most formidable enemy is the crushing loneliness she faces every day"--Amazon. 

 

My Comments

Riveting. I dropped everything and read this book to the end. The novel in verse is a perfect format. Maddie's resilience and ingenuity is inspiring. Her relationship with George, the Rotteweiler, will tug at your heart. A tough story that flows. Yay Maddie! Heads up: There are two really sad animal death scenes. They are quick and not gratuitous, but show in one case, animals needing to survive (dogs kill a rabbit) and in the other, human cruelty (a kitten is killed by a looter). These scenes show that it's not just a fun adventure, but survival. Incredible book. Freeman's writing is top notch. Highly recommended.

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!

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.

VIOLETS ARE BLUE by Barbara Dee

 

Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee

Realistic Fiction, Divorce, Addiction (mother), Parent-Child Relationships, Friendship, Make-Up Artistry

286 pages

Description

Booklist (August 2021 (Vol. 117, No. 22))

Grades 4-7. In this story for young teens struggling to find themselves, readers enter the jumbled world of Wren—a girl whose father recently left and is now expecting twins with his new partner, whose nurse mother is behaving increasingly strangely, and who is, herself, trying as best as she can to give voice to her feelings and ideas. Wren is not great at cultivating friendships, but she’s developing a real talent for creating visual transformations using makeup. Behind the colorful layers she applies, she doesn’t feel inadequate or “unfriendable,” and when the opportunity arises, she throws herself into doing makeup for the school play. Meanwhile her mother’s behavior becomes more erratic, with the ultimate reveal that she’s addicted to painkillers. As her mother heals and her own self-understanding deepens, Wren relies on the help of family and new friends to move toward a fresh start. Dee (My Life in the Fish Tank, 2020) again successfully tackles tough topics, making them relatable for middle-grade readers.

My Comments
Barbara Dee is hands down one of my favorite authors. She manages to address difficult issues in a realistic and age appropriate way. Highly recommended!

ANSWERS IN THE PAGES by David Levithan

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

Realistic Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Schools, Friendship, Mothers & Sons

170 pages

Description

School Library Journal starred (May 1, 2022)

Gr 5 Up-A timely and relevant release from prolific author Levithan, this slim tale showcases the turbulence and confusion of fifth grade as a school community tackles a classroom book challenge. The challenge is mainly rooted in a single sentence at the end of the assigned book that a mother happens to read when her son leaves it on the counter. Suddenly the classroom is in an uproar, with readers getting the play-by-play from a number of sources: Donovan, the kid who left the book out and whose mother is challenging it; Gideon and Roberto, two students paired up for a language arts project; and Rick and Oliver, the main characters in the controversial book. The interpretation of the novel and the nature of the challenge become a philosophical quagmire that the school leaders, parents, and students have to traverse, leaving family and friends on both sides of the issue. Levithan deftly addresses the heart of the problem with the words and mind of a student, "We are who we are...and we'll be who we'll be. A book can make us feel that, but it can't invent that. It's already inside us." The alternating points of view gives readers varying perspectives in the chaos. It is a swift ride highlighting the disconnect between students and adults, seemingly unbreakable alliances, and what happens when the weight of history enters the conversation. This heartfelt treatise on book banning and equality showcases how it feels to be stuck in the middle of a generational fight. Levithan has crafted a story that provides a window into a uniquely transitory age, one ripe for exploring the nuance of identity and the nature of personal prohibition, and which ultimately celebrates the messiness of being human, no matter the age. VERDICT An essential purchase for middle school libraries.-Rachel Joiner © Copyright 2022. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

A short book with a strong message conveying the important message of acceptance and caring on all sides. Beautifully done. I appreciate how Gideon's mother tries to understand her son and how their relationship deepens. Gideon and Roberto's relationship parallels the book challenge story thread. Levithan writes with tenderness, but with strong conviction. This is a short book that packs a punch. Share it thoughtfully.