MAYDAY by Karen Harrington

 

MAYDAY, told in "before" and "after" snippets, takes readers into the world of Wayne, a middle schooler who lives with his mother and grandfather.

When Wayne's uncle is killed in action, he and his mother and grandfather go to the burial at Arlington Cemetery. His grandfather decides to stay behind and drive back while Wayne and his mother decide to fly. That's when life changes. The plane crashes, but Wayne and his mother survive.

Wayne suffers a severe injury to his throat. He is unable to speak and hopes that therapy will help him regain his voice, but it could take months. In the meantime, his mother is recovering from her injuries while Wayne tries to find a way to become closer to his grandfather. Just when that begins to happen, Wayne discovers his grandfather is quite ill.

Author Karen Harrington weaves a tale that includes overcoming physical limitations, dealing with a deadbeat parent, stepping up to help others, and figuring out friendships and a bit of romance.

I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS by Eugene Yelchin

 

Eugene Yelchin's first memoir was THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE about his childhood in Russia and the challenges of living in a small apartment with his family and a number of others all hoping to stay safe from Russian rule. I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS is the tale of an older Yelchin. He is a young man hoping to practice his art and still hoping to stay safe from those in power.

Yelchin describes meeting a young American girl studying in the city. She fascinates him as he attempts to educate her on the dangers of a place so different from her America. He must avoid those who dislike artists and at the same time avoid being drafted into the military and sent to fight in Afghanistan. Yelchin's mother and grandmother don't really understand him, and they aren't fond of the girl who seems to have stolen his heart.

In an effort to practice his art, Yelchin spends some time in Siberia designing sets and costumes for plays performed there. All the while he is waiting for Libby to return from America. He might be able to escape his homeland if she will agree to marry him, but this requires cutting through Russian red tape that threatens to be impossible.

Yelchin's artwork is used to enhance the memoir readers will find full of danger and adventure as he plans his escape to a better life.

THE CHANCE TO FLY by Ali Stroker & Stacy Davidowitz

 

Nat Beacon is leaving her best friend behind as she and her parents move from California to New Jersey. She will be starting at a new school and hoping to make friends interested in the same things she is. She'll have to explain why she's been in a wheelchair since she was two years old. Will people understand that she isn't helpless?

Nat's dad has gotten her a spot on a wheelchair racing team, but when Nat sees a poster for cast tryouts for a production of Wicked, she immediately knows that's what she wants to do. Instead of racing practice, Nat attends tryouts and she succeeds in scoring a spot in the cast. Now she'll have to convince her parents that she can do this.

This is the first role Nat has ever had in a production. Her singing impressed the director and also some of the other cast members. Now she has to show them she can handle the part even with her chair. She's on her way to being part of a group she's always dreamed of. The production is plagued with difficulties that require everyone to be creative. Nat loves every minute of it, even though she struggles with challenges physically and emotionally.

THE CHANCE TO FLY is cowritten by two talented authors with experience in theater. Ali Stroker herself is confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from winning a Tony Award. Stacy Davidowitz has degrees in drama and acting. Together, they take readers on an inspiring journey with Nat and her new-found friends.

LARK by Anthony McGowan

 

A recent trip to the bookstore led me to this book by author Anthony McGowan. I read on the back cover that the book is "super readable" and "dyslexia friendly." I immediately purchased it as well as another book in the series.

Weighing in at only 110 pages, LARK was a fast read. It is definitely low level/high interest with a captivating plot involving brothers and an intense adventure. As far as being dyslexia friendly, the font reads comfortably and the slightly increased white space no doubt works well for readers.

Nicky and Kenny have had a tough time in life. Their father used to drink which resulted in their mother leaving them to make a new life. Things are a bit better now that a woman named Jenny has helped get their father sober.

Nicky and Kenny are embarking on a hike in a nearby wilderness area. The weather is iffy, but they are sure they can complete the trek in plenty of time. Unfortunately, that is not what happens. Although Nicky is the younger brother, Kenny has mental challenges and relies on his younger sibling's decision making. As the weather deteriorates, Nicky takes a fall to the bottom of a gorge. He is sure he has a broken leg, so he sends Kenny off with instructions to get help. Will Kenny be able to find help before Nicky is overtaken by the cold and his injuries?

I will definitely be reading the next book PIKE and will be recommending the books to those who teach young adults, especially those with reading challenges.

GROWING HOME by Beth Ferry

 

What do you get when you write a story about a crabby goldfish, an ivy plant, a potted violet, and a spider? Well, you get quite a tale of intrigue and adventure.

Mr. and Mrs. Tupper and their daughter Jillian live at 3 Ramshorn Drive. The Tuppers own a shop selling antiques. One of their prized possessions is an eight-sided fish tank currently housing a goldfish named Toasty. As the story begins, the Tuppers are bringing home another treasure - an antique birdcage. 

The Tuppers are in and out of the story as they deal with financial troubles. While they are busy coming and going, their houseplant named Ivy and the fish Toasty discover the possibility that they may have special powers. Ivy begins showing incredible strength, and when a small spider, Arthur, arrives in the house, he exhibits the ability to become invisible. It is possible that Toasty is contributing to these amazing powers, but only time and some experimentation will tell.

Author Beth Ferry's book GROWING HOME will have middle grade readers eagerly turning pages to see what happens to this quirky group of characters. They will also be treated to engaging illustrations by the Fan Brothers.

WHAT HAPPENED THEN by Erin Soderberg Downing

 

When it was announced that Avery and her family would be joining her mother's siblings on an island that used to be a vacation spot for their families for years, she is excited but also a bit nervous. She would be there with no cell service and aunts and uncles and cousins she hadn't seen for years. 

Upon arrival on the island, Avery loved the old main house. Each family would be sleeping in cabins scattered over the island. The cabins needed a good cleaning and repairs due to been abandoned since the family visited long ago. She found this interesting, but that was not the case for everyone.

Avery is the same age as her cousin Jax. At first, they don't seem to have much in common. In a few short days, and after learning about Aunt Robbie's health news and her plans for reuniting the family before deciding to sell the house and buildings, both Avery and Jax are determined to learn as much as possible about the past. Finding bits and pieces of a journal written by one of their aunts, helps them, but they only have a few short weeks to put all the pieces together. 

Author Erin Soderberg Downing weaves a fascinating tale of family drama that is sure to captivate readers. There are plenty of twists and turns and surprises to keep the pages turning in this middle grade mystery.

WHEN PIGS FLY by Rob Harrell

 

Join Gary, also known as Batpig, and his friends Brooklyn and Carl, as they find adventures in this graphic novel by Rob Harrell.

Gary takes on the thrilling role of superhero! He's hoping to save the world or at least stop people from littering and saying bad words. With the help of his friends, he does succeed in conquering a giant lizard and a mean Meat Lady and her robot. 

Full of laughs, danger, and adventure WHEN PIGS FLY is perfect for readers looking for a fun-filled, colorful read. Rob Harrell is also the author of the memoir WINK.