PLANET EARTH IS BLUE by Nicole Panteleakos

 

Nova has lived in eleven foster homes in the past seven years. Usually, she can depend on her older sister Bridget, but Bridget has disappeared. Now Nova is having to deal with new foster parents and a new school all on her own.

Most people believe Nova is retarded (oh, how she hates that word). Actually, Nova is autistic. Communication is difficult because Nova barely speeches. Bridget always understood Nova, but now that isn't possible. Only a few people make the effort now.

Both Nova and Bridget love astronomy and outer space. They are both looking forward to the space shuttle flight. Although Bridget is gone, she promised when she left that she would return in time for the Challenger take off. The time is getting close. Will Bridget return? Can Nova get along until she does? Will Nova have to watch the Challenger lift off with new friends in her new classroom?

Set in 1986, PLANET EARTH IS BLUE highlights autism and the Challenger disaster. Author Nicole Panteleakos calls on her own personal experience as neurodivergent to take readers into Nova's life. Readers will make discoveries about Nova's life right along with her as details of her story are revealed.

THE LEMONADE WARS by Jacqueline Davies and Karen De La Vega

 

Many readers will remember THE LEMONADE WARS published in 2007. There is now a graphic novel adaptation of the same book. This is sure to inspire a whole new group of fans.

When Evan learns that his little sister Jessie will be skipping a grade next year, he is furious. That means they will be in the same grade, and thanks to it being a small school, even the same classroom. How will he survive? Jessie has already been helping him with his math, and everyone knows he is the slowest reader in the 4th grade. What a way to ruin the remains of a perfectly good summer!

Fueled by his anger to show Jessie she is no better than him, he launches a lemonade stand war. Whoever gets $100 in sales wins. What follows is five days of scheming, high-jinks, and sabotage. Both Evan and Jessie must deal with their fair share of problems as they attempt to outdo each other.

Fans of the original LEMONADE WARS will love this colorful version of a classic.

ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson

 

Page 1 - "I didn't know best friends could die."

Sage was waiting for her best friend to show up. They were planning to spend Sage's thirteenth birthday watching movies, eating snacks, and having a sleepover for just the two of them. Sage waited and waited, not realizing her friend would never arrive.

Now Sage is starting the school year without the person she most depended on. Parents and teachers all seem to be saying the right thing, but they don't truly know how Sage feels. Being part of the grief group after school is supposed to help, but it's not the same when for others the grief is about a grandparent who was old anyway or a parent or sibling who suffered with a long illness before dying. Sage's friend was just suddenly gone.

ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson explores loss using frank but delicate verse. Readers who have experienced the death of a loved one will find help with their own mixed feelings. Is it ok to stop crying? Is it ok to be able to laugh again? Is it ok for the memories to change as time passes? This book should be on every library shelf. Readers should be able to explore and find meaning in even the worst in life.

SUNNY FIGURES IT OUT by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

 

Sunny is back! Any fans of the graphic novels about Sunny will want to grab a copy of SUNNY FIGURES IT OUT as soon as possible. As usual Sunny is learning about life and not always the easy way.

Sunny has found a friend in Tony. They like the same things and enjoy each other's company. They like roller skating, and during the couples' skate, they both agree playing arcade games is more fun. Air hockey is also something they agree is fun.

When Sunny's friend Deb gets a boyfriend, she insists that Sunny and Tony aren't doing things right. They should be holding hands during the couples' skate, Tony should be letting Sunny wear his sports jacket, and they should definitely be KISSING! None of this feels comfortable to either Sunny or Tony. Why can't they just keep doing things the way they have been?

Author Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm have hit the perfect tone with SUNNY FIGURES IT OUT. This is a great read for young tweens and teens trying to figure out what's right for them.

13 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE by Kate Fussner

 

Nina has spent the last several years missing her sister Lily. Most days she wishes she could talk with her parents about what missing Lily feels like, but they have thrown themselves into their careers and there never seems to time to remember.

When Nina gets a chance to travel to Paris, she is sure the trip will help her deal with the memories of Lily that often haunt her. Lily always had a birthday list - things she wanted to complete during the year before each birthday. For example, for birthday #13, Lily included items like 1) Learn to bake, 2) Travel without our parents, 3) Take a selfie with the Mona Lisa, etc. Nina is determined to complete Lily's list and maybe add a few items of her own.

Nina has a companion when she arrives in Paris. Sylvie will be attending the same art class and will help escort Nina around the unfamiliar city. Their friendship forms slowly as they get used to each other. Nina learns how important art is for Sylvie, and Sylvie begins to understand the importance of Nina's memories of Lily.

13 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE by Kate Fussner is written in verse and uniquely captures Nina's sadness and the joy of remembering someone she desperately misses. At first Nina feels alone until her relationship with Sylvie blossoms and reuniting with her parents helps her realize everyone processes grief and loss in their own way.

DEATH IN THE JUNGLE by Candace Fleming

 

I was just finishing college when the Jonestown massacre happened. The information I had was sketchy at best, so I was interested to read this non-fiction work by Candace Fleming. As always, she makes the subject matter and information very relatable for YA readers as well as interesting for adult readers.

DEATH IN THE JUNGLE starts with Jim Jones as a boy. There were many questionable elements to his childhood, no doubt contributing to his eventual demise in Guyana. 

Fleming traces the development of Jones's ministry and the birth of the Peoples Temple. Even though Jones ended up separating himself from religion to preach solely about socialism and the corruption of the government, his followers continued to support him, most, right up to the end.

Author Candace Fleming creates an easy to read, smooth flowing narrative that gives readers a look at what is known as the biggest cult sacrifice in history.

THE GIRLS OF SKYLARK LANE by Robin Benway

 

I'm a big Robin Benway fan! I will be recommending THE GIRLS OF SKYLARK LANE to fellow readers and especially middle grade teachers for their students. I was hooked on page one by the quirky characters and the Benway's humor which continued to shine throughout.

 

Twins Aggie and Jac, along with their dads, have just moved from northern California to Los Angeles. The girls are nervous about making friends and starting at a new school. As they pull up in front of their new house, their pet rat makes an amazing escape that attracts the attention of the neighbors. This dramatic entrance ends up being a great ice breaker as far as making friends is concerned.

School starts off well, including an invitation to play baseball with the other girls in the neighborhood. It is a strange pick-up team situation that fits perfectly for Aggie and Jac. Readers will be entertained by the antics of the neighbors, the relationship Aggie and Jac have with their dads, and surprises like meeting a young lemonade stand entrepreneur whose mother is actually famous.

Author Robin Benway fills this quick read with family drama, teenage girl issues, first crushes, and even sudden wildfire danger. It is perfect for middle grade classrooms and library collections.