- Wish ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Barbara O'Connor. This charming and heart warming story deals with family, friendship, and growth. Things seem strange and backward at first might just be the very thing you need. I was introduced to this book while conferring with one of my fourth graders during readers workshop. The main character has been placed in foster care with relatives who live very differently.
- Framed! (T.O.A.S.T. Mystery #1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by James Ponti. This book is one of the Mark Twain Award Nominees. This is a clever and fast paced adventure of seventh-grader, Florian, and his friends as they work along the FBI to solve a case of stolen art. I wanted to solve crime after reading this book.
- Summerlost ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Ally Condie. Cedar and her family deal continue to deal with the loss of her father and brother. She meets a friend at the local theater festival, and they work to solve the mysterious death of a local Hollywood actress.
- Bob ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. It's been five years since Livy has visited her grandmother in Australia. Livy is reunited with Bob, a creature she met five years ago. Is Bob real, or is he just a figment of Livy's imagination?
- Soar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Joan Bauer. I love baseball, and so do the characters in Soar. This book asks, "Is winning all that matters?" The main character, Jeremiah, knows everything about baseball. He is excited to move to a new town that has an amazing baseball team. When scandal hits the baseball scene, Jeremiah tries to revive baseball.
- The Poet X ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Elizabeth Acevedo. This YA novel in verse shares the story of a young girl, Xiomara. Xiomara is growing up in Harlem and struggling with the religions and cultural pressure from her family and community. This book is appropriate for middle school and up. (PG-13)
- The Parker Inheritance ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Varian Johnson. Candice, finds a letter addressed to her deceased grandmother giving clues to a hidden fortune. This book flashbacks to fill the reader in to racial injustices that occurred in the town's past.
- Bat and the Waiting Game ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Elana Arnold. This sequel continues as the main character, Bat, raises a baby skunk. Bat deals with his Aspergers and changes at home.
- The Stars Beneath Our Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by David Barclay Moore. Lolly is an adolescent boy living in Harlem trying to steer clear of the gang activity in his neighborhood while dealing with the death of his brother. Lolly begins to heal emotionally when he begins building again with Legos and building relationships with others. This touching story is raw and real. (PG)
- Ghost Boys ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one. Jerome becomes a ghost, and he sees the devastation and grief that is left behind. This tale is haunting and powerful. (PG-13)
- The Last (Endling #1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Katherine Applegate. Byx is the last of her dairne pack. She is thrown into an adventure to save her life, and she meets a pack of friends along the way. Is Byx really the last dairne alive? Will she be able to trust the friends? What does the future hold in store? If you like fantasy, you will love this book.
- Every Shiny Thing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison. This YA novel shares point of view between Lauren and Sierra. Lauren is used to being the perfect sister and daughter, but she begins to feel differently when her brother is sent away to a boarding school that can help him with his special needs. Sierra is in foster care and moves next door to Lauren. The two girls become friends, but who is really going to be the real friend. (PG-13)
- Payback on Poplar Lane ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Margaret Mincks. This charming middle grade book introduces us to Peter Gronkowski, neighborhood entrepreneur and cut throat businessman. Peter chooses Rachel to be his intern, but he treats her terribly. This unleashes the beast in Rachel, and she gives Peter a run for his money. Rachel is conflicted by the businesswoman she has become.
- Written in the Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Aisha Saeed. In this heartbreaking YA novel we meet Naila, the daughter of conservative immigrant parents. When Naila's parents find out about her secret relationship with her boyfriend, they quickly travel to Pakistan. Will Nalia's parents continue the cultural norm of forcing Naila into an arranged marriage? How will Nalia deal with the horrible circumstances she finds herself in? I will continue to think about Nalia and the girls currently in the same position around the world. (PG-13)
- Front Desk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Kelly Yang. In this novel by Kelly Yang, we meet Mia. She is an immigrant from China struggling to find the American dream along with her parents. Mia and her parents think they have found the answer to their problems when they are given the opportunity to manage and operate a run down hotel in California. Mia finds her voice through writing, and she uses this power to help her new friends. The author's notes at the end of the book reveal which stories in the book were really part of Kelly Yang's past. I will continue thinking about Mia and the other characters in this book for a long time.
