THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander

 

Novels in Verse, Realistic Fiction, Basketball, Fathers and Sons, Twins, School and Education, Grief

218 pages

Kwame Alexander

Description
Horn Book Guide starred (Fall 2014)
Twelve-year-old twins Josh and Jordan (JB) are a well-oiled machine on the basketball court. But then JB gets a girlfriend, and before Josh knows it, things start to change. Josh's narration is a combination of exciting play-by-play game details, insightful observations on middle school, and poignant meditations on sibling dynamics and familial love. This verse novel has massive appeal for reluctant readers.

My Comments

Beautiful writing. Lyrical. Brilliant. Slam dunk! Recommend this book!

NEW KID by Jerry Craft

 

Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction, African Americans, Prejudice, School, Family and Friends

249 pages

Description
"Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds--and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his friends and staying true to himself?"--Provided by publisher.

My Comments A valuable book to read for both teachers and students. Craft skillfully portrays how Jordan feels as the new kid who is on scholarship at a predominantly white, wealthy private school. I am impressed at how Craft manages to show the oblivious insensitivity of the other students while not demonizing or stereotyping anyone. I also love the way Jordan acknowledges his own feelings while respecting others. Even though he feels like an outsider, he is kind, stands up for others, and finds true friendship in a challenging situation. The artwork is dynamic - beautiful! This is an easy book to recommend to a wide range of students and teachers.See also Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Watch Hollow by Gregory Funaro

Fantasy, Horror (but not too scary!), Mystery

246 pages

Description
"Deep within the enchanted woods stands the once-grand Blackford House, whose halls hold a magical secret: a giant cuckoo clock that does much more than tell time. But when the clock's gears cease to turn, an evil presence lurking among the trees begins to come out of the shadows. When Lucy and Oliver Tinker arrive in town, they have no idea that anything is wrong. A mysterious stranger has made their father an offer that's too good for him to refuse. All Mr. Tinker needs to do is fix the clock at Blackford House and fistfuls of gold coins are his to keep. It doesn't take long, however, for the children to realize that there is more to Blackford House than meets the eye. And before they can entirely understand the strange world they've stumbled into, Lucy and Oliver must join forces with a host of magical clock animals to defeat the Garr, a vicious monster that not only wants Blackford House for itself, but also seeks to destroy everything the Tinkers hold dear"--OCLC.

My Comments Mysterious and a little scary. A lot of fun with a satisfying conclusion. Recommend this to Mary Downing Hahn fans.

 

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins

 

Science Fiction, Survival, Action, Violence, High School
517 pages.

Suzanne Collins

https://twitter.com/hungergamesnet

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (June 15, 2020)

An origin story for both President Snow and the Hunger Games as we know them. 

Coriolanus Snow has the right family name, a prestigious address, talent, and 

charisma—but unless he wins a prize to pay for university, it’s all for nothing, as 

his family’s wealth came from the now obliterated District 13. He must succeed 

in his final project of being a mentor in the Hunger Games, but his District 12 girl

 tribute assignment at first feels damning. However, Lucy Gray Baird is vibrant 

and wild, a singer and performer with star power; she’s perfect for Coriolanus, who 

has been tasked with boosting the grim, lackluster games that, early in the shift from 

mock war to sporting spectacle, are even more brutal and unpredictable. Coriolanus 

is pulled between Mengelian Dr. Gaul’s twisted mentorship and connections with 

sympathetic foils Lucy Gray (which veers romantic) and compassionate classmate 

Sejanus. Conflicted Coriolanus thinks of himself as a good person in an impossible 

situation but also as exceptional—a belief with a high price. Collins humanizes him 

as superficially heroic and emotionally relatable while also using him for a vehicle for philosophical questions. Though readers know how he will eventually answer the 

questions explicitly asked of him, the central question is why, resulting in both a 

tense, character-driven piece and a cautionary tale. There is some mention of 

diversity in skin tone; Coriolanus and Lucy Gray seem to be white. The twists and 

heartbreaks captivate despite tragic inevitabilities. (Science fiction. 12-adult)

My Comments Despite some reviews, I think this prequel is as good, if not better than the Hunger Games trilogy. Collins delves into serious, relevant philosophical questions about human behavior and choices. It would be excellent for 8th through high school sociopolitical discussions related to Machiavelli ideology. This book is best for older and mature readers. On my favorite list. Waiting for the next one!

LEAGUE OF SECRET HEROES by Kate Hannigan

 

Fantasy, Spies, Superheroes, World War II

Book Description
Soon after being recruited by the mysterious Mrs. Boudica to join a secret military intelligence operation, Josie, Mae, and Akiko discover their superhero abilities and use them to thwart a Nazi plot to steal the ENIAC computer.

My Comments High action with smart, brave female characters in a World War II context. Fun.

ZOMBIE TAG by Hannah Moskowitz

 

Fiction, Grief, Brothers, Families, Horror, Humor

Book Description

From Follett

In the months since Wil Lowenstein's older brother Graham died, Wil has spent most of his time playing a game he invented, but when he finds a way to bring Graham and others back from the dead, fighting zombies is suddenly no longer a game.

From the Publisher

Wil is desperate for his older brother to come back from the dead. But the thing about zombies is . . they don't exactly make the best siblings.

Thirteen-year-old Wil Lowenstein copes with his brother's death by focusing on Zombie Tag, a mafia/

capture the flag hybrid game where he and his friends fight off brain-eating zombies with their mothers' spatulas. What Wil doesn't tell anybody is that if he could bring his dead brother back as a zombie, he would in a heartbeat. But when Wil finds a way to summon all the dead within five miles, he's surprised to discover that his back-from-the-dead brother is emotionless and distant.

In her first novel for younger readers, Moskowitz offers a funny and heartfelt look at how one boy deals with change, loss, and the complicated relationship between brothers.

Booklist (December 15, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 8))

Grades 5-8. Six months ago, 12-year-old Wil lost his older brother, Graham, to a severe respiratory attack. While at his friend Anthony’s house playing “zombie tag”—a pretty cool game Wil and Graham made up that simulates a zombie invasion—Wil discovers a secret artifact hidden by Anthony’s father: a bell that supposedly raised a group of the dead 30 years ago. Wil steals it and gives it a go, and presto: 70 local dead people rise from their graves. Graham is among them, and his family is thrilled to see him. But he’s different now, so emotionless and cold that Wil begins to wonder if he’s made a horrible mistake. Moskowitz’s latest is nearly unclassifiable by genre and that’s much of the charm. Is this contemporary fiction? Fantasy? Horror? What’s more, Moskowitz deftly swerves between comedy, pathos, and even terror, and makes it look so effortless readers won’t think twice about the strangeness of the mix. There are a few plot bumps near the end, but the surprising amount of heart and wistfulness behind this will carry readers through.

My Comments

This was one of the strangest premises of a book that I have ever read, but it will definitely work for some readers. Having three sons of my own, I thought the dialogue and the game very plausible. Will's way of dealing with losing his brother through playing the zombie game makes sense, but then of course the zombies are real along with unicorns. This book confronts a heartbreaking situation in a realistic young adult manner. It is a strange book, but rather brilliant at the same time. I added the label humor, but it's the kind of humor that gets one through tragic circumstances.

WINK by Rob Harrell

 

Realistic Fiction, Cancer, Friendship, Families, Middle School, Courage...with humor

316 pages.

Description

After being diagnosed with a rare eye cancer, twelve-year-old Ross discovers how music, art, and true friends can help him survive both treatment and middle school.

Kirkus Reviews (December 1, 2019)

A rare form of cancer takes its toll in this novel based on the author’s experience. Seventh grader Ross Maloy wants nothing more than to be an average middle schooler, hanging out with his best friends, Abby and Isaac, avoiding the school bully, and crushing on the popular girl. There’s just one thing keeping Ross from being completely ordinary: the rare form of eye cancer that’s reduced him to the kid with cancer at school. Ross’ eye is closed in a permanent wink, and he constantly wears a cowboy hat to protect his eyes. The doctors are hopeful that Ross will be cancer free after treatment, but his vision will be impaired, and the treatments cause him to lose his hair and require the application of a particularly goopy ointment. This isn’t a cancer book built upon a foundation of prayer, hope, and life lessons. The driving force here is Ross’ justifiable anger. Ross is angry at the anonymous kids making hurtful memes about him and at Isaac for abandoning him when he needs a friend most. Ross funnels his feelings into learning how to play guitar, hoping to make a splash at the school’s talent show. The author balances this anger element well against the typical middle-grade tropes. Misunderstood bully? Check. Well-meaning parents? Check. While some of these elements will feel familiar, the novel’s emotional climax remains effectively earned. Characters are paper-white in Harrell’s accompanying cartoons. Not your typical kid-with-cancer book. (Fiction. 9-12)

My Comments

Deeply personal, painful, but balanced with humor. The middle school feelings of just 

wanting to fit in can resonate with any person going through traumatic illness. I wouldn't 

market this book as humor because the devastating experience of disfiguring and 

painful illness rings so true, but the humor gets you through as it also gets people 

through bad experiences in life.

Pair this with Wonder by Palacio, Out of My Mind by Draper, and other similar books.

Five stars. A favorite!

STAMPED by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

 

Nonfiction, United States History, Racism

294 pages.

Book Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (December 1, 2019) "Award-winning author Reynolds (Look Both Ways, 2019, etc.) presents a young readers’ version of American University professor Kendi’s (How To Be an Antiracist, 2019, etc.) Stamped From the Beginning (2016). This volume, which is “not a history book,” chronicles racist ideology, specifically anti-blackness in the U.S., from its genesis to its pernicious manifestations in the present day. In an open, conversational tone, Reynolds makes it clear that anti-black racist ideology in the U.S. has consistently relied on the erronious belief that African people (and black people in general) are “dumb” and “savage,” ideas perpetuated through the written word, other media, and pseudo-science. Using separationist, assimilationist, and anti-racist historical figures, a direct line is drawn throughout U.S history from chattel slavery through the Civil War, Jim Crow, the civil rights era, the war on drugs, and #BlackLivesMatter, with plenty of little-known, compelling, and disturbing details inserted. Readers who want to truly understand how deeply embedded racism is in the very fabric of the U.S., its history, and its systems will come away educated and enlightened. It’s a monumental feat to chronicle in so few pages the history of not only anti-black racism in the U.S., but also assimilationist and anti-racist thought as well. In the process it succeeds at connecting “history directly...to our lives as we live them right this minute.” Worthy of inclusion in every home and in curricula and libraries everywhere. Impressive and much needed. (further reading, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-adult)"

My Comments

Grades 7-12. A vitally important book. Stamped should be required reading. Jason Reynolds brings his storytelling abilities to nonfiction, bringing it alive, making it relevant, and accessible. I greatly appreciate how he chunks events, while sharing a new perspective that you will never forget. High Five stars, Absolute favorite!

GOOD ENOUGH by Paula Yoo

 

Realistic Fiction, Middle & High School, Asian Americans, Achievement, Families, Humor, Romance, Violin

322 pages.

Description
Kirkus Reviews (January 1, 2008) Patti knows that the only thing harder than calculus, or maybe mastering the cadenza from the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, is being a PKD, a Perfect Korean Daughter. The PKD achieves great grades, shines at extracurriculars and is devoted to her church but never complains or brags. Most important, the PKD never questions her parents' pushing her to get into Harvard, Yale and Princeton and become a doctor or a lawyer. Though witty, linguistically gifted Patti has a number of academic talents, her greatest joy is playing the violin. She knows she's not supposed to rock the Harvard/Yale/Princeton boat but, encouraged by her violin teacher, she applies to Juilliard. Now her dilemma is not her SAT scores or her grades, but how to hide her desire to attend music school from her academically oriented parents. The Clash, a jam session and a new boy at school encourage Patti to break from her PKD shell and see her social life and violin studies in new ways. Teens living through the pressure of college applications and questioning their futures will sympathize with Patti in this enjoyable, funny but not superficial read, which bears many similarities to Alex Flinn's Diva (2006). (Fiction. YA)

My Comments A little romance, music, and a lot of effort put into studying. I like the way this story shows the perspective of a high school student who studies hard, is intelligent, has goals, but who also begins to question what path she truly wants to follow regardless of family pressure. She also shows sensitivy and maturity as she begins to understand why her parents push her so hard. A good choice for both middle and high school students.

CHECKED by Cynthia Kadohata

 

Realistic Fiction, Father-Sons, Grief, Sports (Hockey), Dogs, Character, Determination and Grit

408 pages.

Description

From Follett

"A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book." "To help his dog through cancer treatment, Conor gives up hockey and finds himself considering who he is without the sport that has defined him, and connecting more with his family and best friend"--Provided by publisher.

From the Publisher

"Kadohata's slapshot is the heart-swelling narrative of a father and son...Truly powerful." --Jason Reynolds

"A deeply poignant story about a boy sorting out his priorities." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A vivid, memorable portrayal of a boy within his family, his sport, and his gradually broadening world." --Booklist (starred review)

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata comes a brilliantly-realized novel about a hockey player who must discover who he is without the sport that defines him.

Hockey is Conor's life. His whole life. He'll say it himself, he's a hockey beast. It's his dad's whole life too--and Conor is sure that's why his stepmom, Jenny, left. There are very few things Conor and his dad love more than the game, and one of those things is their Doberman, Sinbad. When Sinbad is diagnosed with cancer, Conor chooses to put his hockey lessons and practices on hold so they can pay for Sinbad's chemotherapy.

But without hockey to distract him, Conor begins to notice more. Like his dad's crying bouts, and his friend's difficult family life. And then Conor notices one more thing: Without hockey, the one thing that makes him feel special, is he really special at all?

My Comments

Love, love this book! I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to all the characters: Sinbad, Conor and his efforts to be an amazing hockey player, the father's depression, and how the family's deep connections and love bring healing and joy to not only their own little family, but to those around them. I just wish Kadohata had made Conor 13 instead of 11, but the age doesn't really matter so I would recommend this for grades 5-8.

FASHION DISASTER by Lauren Myracle

 

Realistic Fiction, First Day of School, Friendship

135 pages.

Description

Booklist (September 15, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 2))

“Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-old Allison had hoped that seventh grade would be the year that she "finally stopped being invisible."But her first day of school brings more attention than she wished for: she unknowingly arrives with her mother's underwear clinging to her pant leg. Her "fashion disaster"has unexpected consequences when Rachel, queen of the popular clique, defends Allison against her classmates. Allison has conflicting feelings about her closest friend, Kathy, whose frequent jabs hurt her feelings, and she is more confused when Kathy accuses her of being a "wanna-be"in Rachel's clique. Myracle captures the stomach-twisting anxiety of middle-school friendship with spot-on details. Allison tells her own story in a diary filled with sharply authentic emotions that many kids will recognize: "I wish I were anyone but me."Supported by family members whom she finds both comforting and annoying, Allison finally learns to rely on her own instincts. Readers negotiating changing friendships of their own will find themselves in this honest, comical tour of middle school.”

My Comments

The most embarrassing possible moments of middle school in a comical setting. Myracle captures the insecurities of being new and navigating different social groups at school. This is a quick read with a positive message about friendship, loyalty, and kindness.

THE 57 BUS by Dashka Slater

 

Narrative Nonfiction, African American, Bullying, LGBTQIA, Prejudice and Racism, True Crime

High School

Grades 7-12

305 Pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (January/February, 2018)

“It was late afternoon on Monday, November 4, 2013. Sasha was napping on the 57 bus in Oakland, California, when Richard, egged on by friends, set their gauzy skirt on fire. (Sasha is genderqueer and prefers the pronoun they.) Sasha survived, but sustained third-degree burns on their calves and thighs. The incident was captured on video cameras installed in the bus, and the next day Richard was arrested for a hate crime and processed in the justice system. From the start, the deck was stacked against Richard, an African American teenager with a criminal history, who had now committed a horrific crime that grabbed media attention, caused national outrage, and fomented local protests. Slater goes beyond the headlines to tell the very human stories behind these individuals and their families (although it's clear she did not have as much personal access to Richard as she did to Sasha). It's a powerful story of class and race (Sasha is white), gender and identity, justice and mercy, love and hate. Using interviews, court documents, and news accounts, Slater has crafted a compelling true-crime story with ramifications for our most vulnerable youth.” - jonathan hunt

My Comments

Grades 7-12

Informative and enlightening about both gender, identity, and the criminal justice system. It illuminates cultural differences and obstacles, but also shows how people can transcend stereotyping and dehumanizing groups of people who are not our own. This title is on my school's 8th grade ELA reading list. Great choice.

A CERTAIN OCTOBER by Angela Johnson

 

Realistic Fiction, Autism, Death, Friendships, High Schools

158 pages.

Description

From Follett

After a terrible accident, Scotty feels responsible for the death of someone she hardly knew and struggles with her own reality while her friends and family deal with their own troubles, but the prospect of a boy and a dance add positive possibility back into Scotty's life.

From the Publisher

Three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winner Angela Johnson writes a wrenching, honest book about surviving the unimaginable and finding a way to go on.

Scotty compares herself to tofu: no flavor unless you add something. And it's true that Scotty's friends, Misha and Falcone, and her brother, Keone, make life delicious. But when a terrible accident occurs, Scotty feels responsible for the loss of someone she hardly knew, and the world goes wrong. She cannot tell what is a dream and what is real. Her friends are having a hard time getting through to her and her family is preoccupied with their own trauma. But the prospect of a boy, a dance, and the possibility that everything can fall back into place soon help Scotty realize that she is capable of adding her own flavor to life.

With artfully spare prose, acclaimed and award-winning author Angela Johnson explores the ramifications of unexpected death in this compelling coming-of-age story.

My Comments

Poetic and tender. I was a little confused at first with the scene and time shifts, but fell right into the story once I understood the structure. I would be aware that some readers may have the same trouble, but pointing it out may be sufficient. I would recommend this to more mature middle school students as well as high school students. A great book to have on your book lists! Angela Johnson is pure talent!

CODE TALKER by Joseph Bruchac

 

Realistic Fiction, Navajo Indians, World War II, Marine Corp.

231 pages.

Book Description

From Follett

After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.

From the Publisher

Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years.

But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.

My Comments

A good choice for kids who are looking for books about World War II. It reads almost as narrative nonfiction so it can reach those who prefer factual books. An interesting perspective on some of the major battles in the Pacific. Similar to Fallen Angels which is more of a high school book. Definitely offer this as a middle school historical fiction choice. Excellent.

THE PROPHECY by Hilari Bell

 

Classic Fantasy, Dragons, Unicorns, Magic, Courage, Friendship, Fathers and Sons

194 pages

Description

"Can a bard, a sword, a unicorn-and a hopeless prince-save a kingdom? Fourteen-year-old Prince Perryn is teased for loving books more than swords. But Perryn's books are his best weapons to stop the dragon that is destroying his kingdom-and his one hope of earning his father's respect. When he unearths a prophecy on how to kill the dragon, Perryn sets out to find the three things needed to make it come true-a unicorn, a true bard, and a special sword. But, as everyone knows, the only thing more absurd than pursuing a prophecy is believing any of these legends might still be found. From acclaimed author Hilari Bell, The Prophecy unfolds with wit, wisdom, danger, and discovery, as any unforgettable adventure should." (Good Reads)

My Comments

A charming read! (Pun intended) This is a wonderful story in the classic style of fantasy. The plot moves quickly as the prince seeks to protect the kingdom, earn the respect of his father, and prove his worth all through a mysterious prophecy. This is perfect for elementary through grade 6, but keep in mind that people of all ages love stories about unicorns, dragons, and magic. I was disappointed to find that this book (2006) is out of print, but hope the publisher will think about bringing it back. A favorite!

ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL by Nora Baskin

 Realistic Fiction, Autism,  Families, Friendship, Literary Devices, Emotional & Social Intelligence, Writing

Book Description

School Library Journal (March 1, 2009)

Gr 4-7-Baskin writes in the voice of a high-functioning boy who identifies himself as having numerous disorders, most with labels that appear as alphabet soup. In the third grade, after yet another battery of tests, Jason receives the diagnosis of autism. Now in sixth grade, he relates how he does not fit in, even though he tries to follow the instructions of his therapists and helpers. He labels the rest of his classmates and teachers as neurotypicals, or NTs for short. While humor resonates throughout the book, the pathos of Jason's situation is never far from readers' consciousness. If only he could act on what he knows he needs to do, his life would be so much easier. Jason also shows himself to be a deep thinker and an excellent writer. Through his stories and thinly veiled fictional characters, Baskin reveals not only the obstacles that Jason faces, but also his fierce determination to be himself at all costs. Jason is a believable and empathetic character in spite of his idiosyncrasies. Baskin also does a superb job of developing his parents and younger brother as real people with real problems, bravely traversing their lives with a differently abled child without a road map, but with a great deal of love.-Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

My Comments

Five Stars! Jason's character portrays the confusion, intelligence, and emotions of an autistic child in this spare and heartbreaking story. It brings to life the day in the life of an autistic child. Young readers will be pulled into Jason's world in this short, readable story, allowing them to empathize with people who are struggling with disabilities. A book like this could greatly benefit the social culture of a classroom, encouraging kindness and patience. I enjoyed reading Jason's descriptions of the writing process and literary devices which could be helpful examples for ELA teachers.

THE STAR THIEF by Lindsey Becker

Adventure, Fantasy, Steampunk

407 pages

Description

From Follett

"Young parlor maid Honorine and her friend Francis find themselves in the middle of an epic feud between a crew of scientific sailors and the magical constellations come to life"--Provided by publisher.

From the Publisher

The constellations come to life in this imaginative fantasy adventure debut.

Honorine's life as a maid at the Vidalia mansion is rather dull, dusting treasures from faraway places and daydreaming in front of maps of the world. But everything changes when she catches two brutish sailors ransacking Lord Vidalia's study, and then follows a mysterious girl with wings out into the night....

Suddenly, Honorine is whisked into the middle of a battle between the crew of a spectacular steamship and a band of mythical constellations. The stars in the sky have come to life to defend themselves against those who want to harness their powers. Much to her surprise, Honorine is the crux of it all, the center of an epic clash between magic and science, the old ways and the new. But can this spirited young girl bring both sides of a larger-than-life fight together before they unleash an evil power even older than the stars?

My Comments

Engaging adventure. I like the way curiosity, problem solving, and engineering are central to the story along with the mythological element of the constellations. This would be a good choice for advanced elementary readers through 6th and perhaps 7th grade. It would also be a great read aloud for elementary students.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden

Realistic Fiction, Poverty, Families, Debate Teams

Description

From Follett

Seventh-grader Zoey Albro focuses on caring for three younger siblings and avoiding rich classmates at school until her fascination with octopuses gets her on the debate team and she begins to speak out.

NPR Best Book of 2018,

Bank Street List for Best Children's Books of 2019,

From the Publisher

Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they've got to do.

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend--they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuchsia has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful protective defenses.

Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?

This moving debut novel explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward.

My Comments

Five stars, truly fantastic, great book for reading groups and class discussions. This book offers a lot to think about and brings awareness to the fact that some students face tremendous obstacles everyday to succeed in school and life.

SAL & GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Alberto Hernandez

Science Fiction, Cuban American, Diabetes,  Grief, Humor, Multi-Universe

Book Description

Winner of the 2020 Pura Belpre Award

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence

that poses this question: What would you do if you had the power to reach through 

time and space and retrieve anything you want, including your mother, who is no 

longer living (in this universe, anyway)?

How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker?

When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of 

circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's 

still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school 

paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. 

She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, 

even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously 

disappeared.

Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he 

relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes 

never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much 

bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal 

knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: 

their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.

A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a 

Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights 

that await in his mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter. (Publisher)

My Comments

Aimed right at a wide middle school audience. Fast paced, page turner.