FREEWATER by Amina Luqman Dawson

 

Freewater by Amina Luqman Dawson

African American, Slavery, Survival

403 pages

Newbery Award Winner 2023
Grades 4-7

Description
"After fleeing the plantation where they were enslaved, siblings Ada and Homer discover the secret community of Freewater, and work with freeborn Sanzi to protect their new home from the encroaching dangers of the outside world." -The Publisher

School Library Journal Xpress (March 25, 2022)

Gr 5-8-Sometimes, to be free, you have to make a life in a place where no one can find you. Freewater is such a place. With their mother leading the way, Homer and his younger sister Ada try to escape their hellish lives of slavery on the Southerland Plantation. But Homer remembers his promise of freedom to his friend Anna; his mother turns back for her but is caught. Homer and Ada run to nearby river and plunge into the raging waters that carry them into the Great Dismal Swamp. Lost and disoriented, they are rescued by Suleman, a mysterious and taciturn guide who leads them through the inhospitable swamp to Freewater, a settlement of escaped men, women, and children living in freedom. Slowly, Homer begins to appreciate living and working together to contribute to the thriving community. But what about his mama? Plagued by guilt about his mother's capture, Homer decides to return to the plantation to rescue his mother and Anna. His new friends from Freewater pledge to return with him. Using a hand-drawn map that (unbelievably) survives multiple drenchings, Homer and company undertake the seemingly impossible rescue. Told from many alternating points of view, it is somewhat challenging to keep the characters straight at the outset. While using archeological evidence of settlements of formerly enslaved people within the Great Dismal Swamp as the basis for the text, the story itself is a speculative look into such a community. VERDICT A fascinating look at a fictional Black resistance settlement in little-known place.-Lisa Crandall © Copyright 2022. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments
Dawson manages to capture the grueling life, the courage, and the often-painful dilemmas faced by slaves on plantations through the eyes of children. Ada may see a little young for middle school readers, but there are older characters to whom they can relate. The story is gripping. The character development and growing understanding of others' tragic pasts add strong possibilities for discussion. Highly recommended.

CITY OF GHOSTS: Part 1 by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural

Lex 720L

Description
"Ever since her near-fatal drowning, Cassidy has been able to pull back the "Veil" that separates the living from the dead and see ghosts, not that she wants to, and she was really looking forward to a ghost-free summer at the beach; however her parents are about to start filming a TV series about the world's most haunted places, starting with Edinburgh with its graveyards, castles, and restless phantoms--and Cass and her personal ghost companion, Jacob, are about to find out that a city of old ghosts can be a very dangerous place indeed." -The Publisher

My Comments
"Fun" Scary! A great choice for those who have read Mary Downing Hahn books and are ready for a little more of a challenge.

 

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!

GUEST by Mary Downing Hahn

 

Guest by Mary Downing Hahn

Folklore, Fantasy, Horror (not too scary)

218 pages

Description

School Library Journal (September 1, 2019)

Gr 4-7-It's Mollie's fault when the Kinde Folke (a group of spiteful fairies who are neither delicate nor kind) kidnap her brother and leave Guest in his place-a sickly fairy halfling who does nothing but bite, pinch, eat...and tear her family apart. Eventually, a desperate Mollie treks to the Darklands with Guest in tow, determined to make the fairies give her brother back now that Guest is healthy again. Everyone they meet along the way has their own secret agenda, but worst of all is the Queen of the Kinde Folke. And Mollie's brother, once discovered, has no wish to leave his new family to return to a life of poverty with his old one. Can Mollie's bravery make up for her habit of speaking before she thinks? This tale by Hahn, notable for her "just right" scary stories for the upper elementary school crowd, is somewhat different than her usual offerings, veering more toward fantasy than horror. The creepy atmosphere and Mollie's determination offset her rather slow-moving journey to the Darklands, and the absence of neat endings lends a touch of reality. VERDICT A solid purchase for upper elementary school students who like a dark tale grounded in myth.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester Middle School, TX © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

This is a great choice for grades 6-8, especially for those students looking for a short, engaging story. It offers a lot to think about and would be a great book for discussion, especially in terms of Mollie's growth. Hahn portrays Mollie growing into a kinder, less selfish girl as she grows more protective of the changeling who is shunned by all. I loved reading about Irish folklore. Highly recommend!

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.

BOOKS FOR AVID 6th GRADE READERS!

BOOKS FOR READERS!

FANTASY

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

 2017 Newbery medal, the epic fantasy story in which a young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon must unlock the dangerous magic buried deep inside her.

Kelly Barnhill

The Singer of All Songs by Kate Constable

Calwyn, a young priestess of ice magic, or "chantment," joins with other chanters who have different magical skills to fight a sorcerer who wants to claim all powers for his own

The Strangers (Greystone Secrets) by Margaret Haddix

Told from separate viewpoints, Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone, ages twelve, ten, and eight, investigate why their mother went missing and uncover their ties to an alternate world.(Supernatural)

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

In a world where dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce and dragons can assume human form, Seraphina, whose mother died giving birth to her, grapples with her own identity amid magical secrets and royal scandals, while she struggles to accept and develop her extraordinary musical talents. (Supernatural)

Rachel Hartman

note: mostly a YA author

Stravaganza: City of Masks

While sick in bed with cancer, Lucien begins making journeys to a place in a parallel world that resembles Venice, Italy, and he becomes caught up in the political intrigues surrounding the Duchessa who rules the city.

Stravaganza

Eye of the Moon by Dianne Hofmeyer

Isikara and her father tend the sacred crocodiles and assist at mummifications of both humans and animals. One day, they are ordered to a tomb. Two bodies are waiting for them--Queen Tiy and her eldest son, Tuthmosis. Tuthmosis has been poisoned but is clinging to life. With no time to spare, Isikara rescues the young prince and runs away with him. The pair find themselves on a journey across Egypt, searching for allies who will help Tuthmosis regain his throne. Their travels lead them along the Nile, across the desert, and through bustling market towns. All the while they must avoid their pursuers, the High Priests who wish to silence them. But there are dangers in the desert and all around. Who can they trust? And where will their adventure lead them?

In this gripping tale, published for the first time in the U.S., author Dianne Hofmeyr spins a web of intrigue, mystery and adventure, woven throughout with fascinating historical details about Ancient Egypt. (Publisher)

Warriors (series) Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

Rusty, a bored house kitten, is apprenticed by the ThunderClan and must struggle to fit in when the group of feral cats is threatened by ShadowClan, the enemy.

Phenomenal series! Adventure, courage, loyalty, betrayal...excitement. This series is addictive!

Warrior Cats

When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin

"Pinmei, a storyteller's granddaughter, must find the Luminous Stone that Lights the Night to rescue her grandmother, who has been kidnapped by the Tiger Emperor"--Provided by publisher. (China-History, Fiction/Storytelling/Fantasy)

Grace Lin

HISTORICAL FICTION

The War that Saved by Life (and sequel) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

A young disabled girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where they find life to be much sweeter away from their abusive mother.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793.

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

It is 1805 and Mary Lambert has always felt safe among the deaf community of Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard where practically everyone communicates in a shared sign language, but recent events have shattered her life; her brother George has died, land disputes between English settlers and the Wampanoag people are becoming increasingly bitter, and a "scientist" determined to discover the origins of the islands' widespread deafness has decided she makes the perfect "live specimen"--and has kidnapped her.

REALISTIC FICTION (sort of, but not always!)

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.

Tae Keller

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Kellar

Natalie's year-long assignment to answer a question using the scientific process leads to truths about her mother's depression and her own cultural identity.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

When Lily, her sister Sam, and their mother move in with her sick grandmother, Lily traps a tiger and makes a deal with him to heal Halmoni. (bits of fantasy mixed in with realistic fiction)

Tae Keller

Lynne Kelly

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Iris and her grandmother, both deaf, drive from Texas to Alaska armed with Iris's plan to help Blue-55, a whale unable to communicate with other whales. Compelling tale of a girl's search for a whale.

Lynne Kelly

Hello Universe by Lynne Kelly

The lives of four misfits are intertwined when a bully's prank lands shy Virgil at the bottom of a well and Valencia, Kaori, and Gen band together in an epic quest to find and rescue him.

Lynne Kelly

SCIENCE FICTION

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Shadow Children series)

In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.

Margaret Peterson Haddix

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle 

Meg Murry, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin, embark on a journey through space and time, assisted by three otherworldly women, when they set out to find Meg's father, a physicist who disappeared while experimenting with time travel. (Space and time)

Madeline L'Engle

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (series)

Orphan Reynie Muldoon becomes a member of a crack team tasked to infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. Their job: to discover the purpose behind subliminal messages emitted from the school. The children face danger and discovery, puzzles and plots, and their own mortal weaknesses. With its lively style, fresh character portrayals, and well-timed revelations, this story flies along. (Hornbook starred review)

TWELFTH by Janet Key

 

Twelfth by Janet Key

Realistic Fiction, Mystery, LGBTQIA+

354 pages

Description

School Library Journal (June 1, 2022)

Gr 4-8-It's June 2015 and 12-year-old Maren is not all that excited to be attending the Charlotte Goodman Theater Camp for the summer. However, Maren is soon drawn into a mystery involving a series of clues that may lead to the missing diamond ring of Charlotte "Charlie" Goodman, the famous director who was said to perish in a fire and for whom the camp is named. Maren soon befriends aspiring filmmaker Theo, and together they begin to unravel the mystery, hoping to find the ring to save the camp, which needs funding. The novel deftly tackles serious topics like depression, homophobia, and transphobia. It also is wonderfully inclusive, as Theo is nonbinary and Charlie is gender nonconforming. Key wisely uses Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as the backdrop for her narrative, serving as the camp's main theater production, the basis for the clues for the mystery, and as the lost film Charlie had been working on before her demise. The story includes flashbacks to Charlie in the 1940s and 1950s, interspersed between Maren's chapters, which are set in June 2015, only weeks before gay marriage was made legal. End notes feature facts on theater, film, and LGBTQIA+ history as well as information on ways readers can seek help if they are struggling with depression. VERDICT A engrossing mystery with a diverse cast of characters; an insightful exploration of the topics of gender, depression, and sexuality; and a satisfying and comprehensive conclusion. Highly recommended.-Laura J. Giunta © Copyright 2022. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

Clever plot with a lot of action and suspense and a satisfying ending. Twelfth Night is the perfect backdrop with the themes of love, appearance, reality, ambition, grief, greed and deception. Gender identity, acceptance and forgiveness are major threads running through the story. The only criticism I have is that the story is a little long, so recommend to better readers, Grades 6-8.

KILLER OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI (adapted for young readers) by David Grann

 

Killer of the Flower Moon: The Osage  Murders and the Birth of the FBI (Young Readers by David Gran

Narrative Nonfiction, Human Rights, Native Americans, U.S. History

322 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews (October 15, 2021)

A young readers’ adaptation of the 2017 title by the same name tells the story behind a series of murders in 1920s Oklahoma. Opening with the murder of Anna Brown, a 34-year-old Osage woman, readers are led through the chain of evidence as well as being introduced to critical background information such as the seizure of much Osage territory by the U.S. government and the consequences for Osage people of finding oil on their land. By the time FBI special agent Tom White was put on the case, an Osage man had been murdered and Anna’s mother had died under mysterious circumstances, contributing to feelings in the community that they were being targeted for their wealth. The book evokes the atmosphere of the time through photographs and the quoting of sensationalistic newspaper headlines, but the author handles the material respectfully and does not go into graphic detail about the deaths. Each chapter uncovers a new layer of exploitation and corruption in a system that required the Osage to have White guardians who dictated how and where they could spend their money. The bureau’s undercover operatives used the latest forensic and investigative techniques to confirm alibis and reveal false identities. The story unfolds in a gripping way, allowing readers to piece together what happened with the information given. This compelling page-turner highlights criminal exploitation of Osage people and the work of the modern FBI. (who’s who, glossary, note on sources, sources, notes, illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

My Comments
A powerful and tragic story. So many people recommended this book to me for years, but I avoided reading it for this very reason. I am so, glad, however, that I finally did. There are so many lessons about the lure of greed, corruption, and the dehumanization of Native Americans. There are also examples of tremendous and courage and integrity. It's an important story that would make for deep conversations if read as a class or with a parent. This story is and should be unforgettable. Pair this with the fascinating Master of Deceit: J. Edgar Hoover and America in the Age of Lies by Marc Aronson

THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

 

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

Mystery, Puzzles, Romance, Wealth

374 pages

Description

School Library Journal (July 1, 2020)

Gr 7 Up-Barnes's meticulously crafted novel is like the film Knives Out for the YA world, perfect for any reader seeking suspense, romance, and glamour. This Cinderella story gets its twist when Avery Grambs, a teen living out of her car and dreaming of a financially stable future, inherits billionaire Tobias Hawthorne's fortune. Avery is sure she's never met a Hawthorne in her life, but she's just become the star player in Tobias's final puzzle. Forced to move into the rambling Hawthorne House to retain the inheritance, Avery discovers that hidden passageways aren't the only secrets on this estate. She strives to learn all about the enigmatic Tobias Hawthorne-and discovers this inheritance game was decades in the making. Armed only with the letters Tobias left his four grandsons, Avery becomes determined to solve their riddles if only to answer the question: Why her? The secondary cast of characters offers diversity in both race and sexual orientation, within the Hawthorne family and the private high school where Avery enrolls. Barnes crafts high-stakes tension, a swoony love triangle, and a large but memorable cast of characters. The novel manages to tie up the mystery and set up its sequel with a killer cliffhanger. VERDICT Fun and fast-paced, fans of Karen M. McManus's One of Us Is Lying and Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious will find a new home at Hawthorne House. Even reluctant readers will devour this book.-Emmy Neal, Lake Forest Lib., IL © Copyright 2020. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

First in a trilogy (Book 2 The Hawthorne Legacy; Book 3 The Final Gambit) I read all three. Fans of The Queen's Gambit will love this. The puzzles are fun. A YA version of Mr. Lemoncello and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with some fun romance. This is a feel good, suspenseful trilogy that ends with good values. Recommend to McManus fans.

LEONARD (MY LIFE AS A CAT) by Carlie Sorosiak

 

Leonard (My Life as a Cat) by Carlie Sorosiak

Description

School Library Journal (March 1, 2021)

Gr 4-7-On a helium planet far, far away, an unembodied species has the opportunity, on their 300th birthday, to travel to Earth and experience life as a human-at least, that's the plan. Our hero has decided he wants to be a park ranger in Yellowstone, but getting distracted while traveling via energy beam causes him to end up as a cat, rescued from a tropical storm in South Carolina by Olive, who names him Leonard. Problem is, at the end of his 30-day window, he'll need to be blown out of the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone, or he'll be stuck on Earth forever, and no longer immortal. As the days pass, Leonard comes to learn the joys of having a body (even if he does hack up a fur ball) and, even more, of love. His obligation to meet up with his own kind at Yellowstone, and the challenges of making the nearly 2,000-mile trip, grows more daunting every day. It's only when Leonard enlists the help of Olive and her family that things finally begin to make sense. While this charming story exists in the realm of science fiction, it is more an animal story than anything else, and perfect to hand to young cat lovers. Leonard's surprise at, and observations of, life in a cat's body is spot-on and frequently very funny. His authentic, deepening relationship with Olive-who has been told that she's "weird" because she loves to talk about animals-allows her to stand up and make her voice heard at an important juncture in her life. VERDICT Purchase where eccentric, humorous animal stories are popular.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester M.S., TX © Copyright 2021. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

Wonderful! Leonard's observations about humans and life on earth create a very funny yet tender page turner. I absolutely could not put it down. This would be a great book for discussion groups. Quirky, adorable, but gives a lot to ponder. Love, love this one. 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!

THE GHOST IN THE TOKAIDO INN by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Japan, Samurais, Kabuki Fiction, Revenge

214 pages

Description

"While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant's son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan." (Follett)

Booklist (Vol. 95, No. 19/20 (June 1, 1999))

“Gr. 6-12. In eighteenth-century Japan, 14-year-old Seikei is a merchant's son with secret dreams of becoming a samurai. Although his status in society restricts him from doing anything more than following in his father's footsteps, Seikei has both the resolve and temperament of a wise, brave warrior. On a stopover at the Tokaido Inn, Seikei witnesses a legendary ghost stealing a jewel belonging to a samurai. His bravery in saving a falsely accused guest earns Seikei the respect of Judge Ooka, who hires Seikei to help him investigate the crime and solve the mystery. With a sharply authentic voice and an adeptly plotted story that progresses from the haunting ghost legend to the dark, volatile world of a traveling kabuki show, this mystery builds with stirring intrigue and plays out to a most satisfying conclusion. Rich with atmosphere and details that teach much of the Japanese culture, this is a fine selection for any YA collection.”

My Comments

What a great page-turner. This is a fabulous thriller mystery selection. It is a good selection for Asian historical fiction as well, giving a vivid depiction of samurais and actors in Japan. A good selection for reluctant readers.

ENOLA HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS by Nancy Springer

 

Enola Holmes and the Case of the Missing Marquess

Mystery, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Humor

216 pages

Description

Enola Holmes, much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, must travel to London in disguise to unravel the disappearance of her missing mother.

School Library Journal (February 1, 2006)

Gr 4-8-In what is hopefully the start of an exciting new series, Missing Marquess features the intriguing, much younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. Enola was a late-life baby, causing something of a scandal in society. Her rather vague mother is a 64-year-old widow who disappears on Enola's 14th birthday. It takes the girl a short time to realize that her mother left her some ciphers that indicate why she went away and how she is faring. The teen reluctantly enlists the services of her adult brothers, who quickly determine that Lady Holmes has been padding the household accounts for years. When they decide that their sister belongs at a boarding school, Enola escapes and heads for London dressed as a widow. There she is able to solve a mystery involving the disappearance of young Viscount Tewksbury. She decides to stay in the city, adopting a number of disguises, and become a "Perditorian," or finder of lost things or people. Springer focuses a great deal on the restrictions placed on Victorian females by showing how unusual Enola's bravery and common sense are, even as she often struggles with conventional reactions. She wants her brothers' affection, or indeed anyone's, but knows that a socially accepted life will strictly limit her freedom and learning. Enola's loneliness, intelligence, sense of humor, and sheer pluck make her an extremely appealing heroine who hopefully will one day find the affection for which she so desperately longs.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

My Comments

Entertaining! Great female role model who is strong, smart and funny! The beginning chapter is a little dark, but then all is explained!

GALLANT by V.E. Schwab

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

Horror, Gothic

338 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews starred (January 1, 2022)
Seeking a place to call home, Olivia uncovers long-buried secrets after arriving at Gallant. Olivia Prior has always hoped for a place to belong and a family that cares for her. Instead, she’s isolated at Merilance School for Independent Girls, with its strict matrons, shunned by students who ostracize and torment her for being mute. Olivia uses sign language, taught to her by a now-departed matron (although nobody else signs); treasures the journal belonging to the mother she doesn’t remember; and can see ghouls. When she receives a letter from her uncle, Arthur Prior, inviting her to live at his manor, Olivia leaps at the chance. However, instead of the big, welcoming family she imagined, the opulent yet run-down Gallant only holds Matthew, her irritable cousin, and kindly caretakers Hannah and Edgar. Olivia unravels the ominous secrets of both her family and the house, where ghouls lurk around every corner and the dilapidated garden gate calls to her. The evolving relationships between Olivia and her found family shine, and themes of freedom, the self, and belonging are well depicted. The gripping writing and effective incorporation of horror elements, including haunting, inky artwork, are satisfyingly spine-tingling. Olivia’s use of sign language and her artistic talents, part of the exploration of the importance of communication, are skillfully incorporated into the overall story. Olivia and the main cast are White. Will hook readers with its gripping worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, and fantastic horror. (Fantasy. 12-adult)

My Comments
A little scary, but a great read with a positive ending - whew! Give to better readers who like a bit of a challenge.

 

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.

JENNIFER CHAN IS NOT ALONE by Tae Keller

 

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by Tae Keller

Realistic Fiction, Bullying, UFO's, 

277 pages

Description

Horn Book Magazine (May/June, 2022)

Twelve-year-old narrator Mallory is distressed to learn that her neighbor and sometime-friend Jennifer Chan has disappeared. Having recently moved to town (deemed "Nowhereville" Florida by Mallory), Jennifer -- who is Chinese American; lives with a young, single mother; and wholeheartedly believes in aliens -- doesn't fit in at snobby, homogenous Gibbons Academy. Socially insecure Mallory (whose own mom is "half Korean") and her two mean-girl besties had bullied Jennifer. Alternating between "Now" and "Then," and with heavy foreshadowing of something known as "the Incident," Mallory slowly, guiltily, reveals what happened, and how she's determined to make things right. Occasional interspersed journal entries from "Jennifer Chan's Guide to the Universe" provide the missing girl's thoughts on family, friendship, and the inevitability of extraterrestrial existence, plus how to make contact; the story's climax leaves room for interpretation regarding her success. Keller (Newbery Medalist for When You Trap a Tiger) writes with uncommon compassion for all of her characters -- even the cruel-seeming ones -- addressing such issues as peer pressure, individuality, identity, and microaggressions from a variety of perspectives. A heartfelt and hopeful appended note provides further details about the author's motivation and methodology. Elissa Gershowitz May/June 2022 p.146

My Comments

I absolutely loved this one! Keller is a superb writer who writes from different perspectives with compassion. Her characters are realistic and well developed. She is a master of showing, not telling. Jennifer's fervent belief in UFO's adds excitement to the plot, but also sheds light on how desperately Jennifer misses her father who died of cancer, the reason for their move to a small town from Chicago. The quest to find UFO's is the link to her dad.The vicious bullying is painful to read, but Jennifer's courage and belief in herself is inspiring. This should be on summer reading lists. It would be a great book for literature circles or classroom discussions.