MY SO-CALLED FAMILY by Gia Gordon

 

Ashley "Ash" has almost lost count of how many foster homes she's been in since her mother went to prison for the second time. The only positive thing about her current placement is the presence of a wonderful tree she counts as her friend. Thankfully, she can always go sit in her tree when Gladys or her son Jordan are fighting. 

Summer is over and starting middle school is not something Ash is looking forward to. She does know her friend Gentry is there for her, and she even likes going to his house to play video games. Everyone else pokes fun at her about her hair, clothes, and home-life. How can she hope to open up in classes that expect her to reveal personal things she would rather hide?

When Ash's social studies teacher assigns a family tree project, all Ash can think of is her lack of family. At the end of the project, everyone is expected to present to the entire class. Great! She will definitely fail when she doesn't have anything to present. 

Life with Gladys gets more and more complicated as Jordan, his girlfriend, and their baby seem set to stay. Since Jordan isn't working, he spends his time chopping down trees around Gladys's house. Ash also witnesses him being abusive to his girlfriend and threatening to do the same to Ash. Ash knows she needs to seek help, but just who can she trust?

Author Gia Gordon explores the world of the middle grade novel with MY SO-CALLED FAMILY. Readers will be able to relate to a plot and characters that will hit true to life for many out there stuck in situations similar to Ash. Gordon shows that families aren't always made up of nicely organized branches.

UNSINKABLE CAYENNE by Jessica Vitalis

 

Cayenne is used to living in a van with her parents and her twin siblings. Their life involves constant moving around. She's never really known close friends, a school, or life in a stable environment.

When her father's friend offers him a job in a sawmill, they decide to rent a house for the first time. That means Cayenne will be attending seventh grade at a school and experiencing classes with official teachers, homework/projects, lunch in a cafeteria, and lots of new people her age.

Fitting in isn't as easy as Cayenne imagines it will be. She does make a new friend, but she also encounters bullies and teachers with expectations far beyond what she anticipated. To complicate matters, the sawmill may be closing, and her father loses his job. Depression kicks in and he shuts himself off from everything. Cayenne's mother tries to make up for the lost income, but she never really wanted to settle here in the first place. 

Jessica Vitalis, author of COYOTE QUEEN, introduces readers to another unique character in Cayenne. She is a courageous, inspiring character; determined to make things work in her new life. Written in verse, this is a great addition to any middle grade collection.

GRACIE UNDER THE WAVES by Linda Sue Park

 

Gracie has only been snorkeling a few times, but she knows she wants to go again. Every chance she gets she is researching it and finding where in the world to go for the best snorkeling experience. With vacation coming up, she is determined to get her parents to book an amazing snorkeling adventure.

Her greatest dream is to go to the Maldives. When she discovers how expensive it is, she knows she needs a backup plan. She also needs the family to go somewhere a little easier so her little brother Ben can learn to snorkel. In her research Gracie comes across Roatan, Honduras. She puts together a plan she hopes her parents can't refuse.

Success! Gracie's family will be traveling to Roatan. They fly in and the adventure begins. There are ups and downs and lots to learn, but the trip is just what Gracie hoped.

Author Linda Sue Park takes readers on the adventure with Gracie. Park helps readers learn about coral reefs and how climate change is causing problems that need concerned people like Gracie and her new friends to keep them alive and thriving. This is a great middle grade book for both entertainment and education.

THIRSTY by Jas Hammonds

 

THRISTY by Jas Hammonds is a YA novel about moving on from high school to college. Blake and her girlfriend have a goal to be admitted to the Serena Society. Members of this sorority are the best of the best, and the most popular and influential young women on campus. If they can score a spot in this elite group, it promises they will be set for life.

Part of the process involves getting the attention of the top girls in the group. There's a lot of partying and a lot of steps in the initiation process. Blake isn't as secure in the knowledge that she will be invited to join, so she goes overboard at the gatherings. Alcohol seems to fuel what she needs to show off for those who are judging the potential of future members. Unfortunately, Blake isn't always in control when she drinks. 

Drinking brews trouble between her and girlfriend Ella, and her friend Annetta is always on the alert and worried about Blake when she drinks. With no one at home who really cares or watches out for Blake, things frequently get out of hand.

Author Jas Hammonds is also known for her novel WE DESERVE MONUMENTS. THIRSTY is a cautionary tale about taking things too far.

OUT OF MY DREAMS by Sharon M. Draper

 

Fans of Sharon M. Draper's OUT OF MY MIND will be thrilled to hear about the final book in the trilogy, OUT OF MY DREAMS. Melody's adventure continues as she travels to London.

Melody was sitting in her wheelchair looking across the street at Miss Gertie's house at the perfect time. Miss Gertie is out checking her roses when she falls. She is unmoving on the walkway. Melody tries to holler for help, but no one hears her grunts and squeals. That's when she remembers what she's learned about 911.

Melody calls 911 and bravely uses Elvira to communicate when the 911 operator answers. In no time, sirens sound off in the distance and help arrives. Miss Gertie is taken to the hospital.

Soon Melody is getting phone calls from reporters and television news stations. Everyone is calling her a hero. Miss Gertie recovers thanks to Melody's quick response. Melody is offered a chance to participate in the I.D.E.A. conference in London. She can hardly believe she'll be flying on a plane and traveling to another country.

Author Sharon M. Draper concludes Melody's story with an adventure like nothing readers could ever imagine for the young girl who can't walk and can't talk without the help of her speaking device, Elvira.

TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW by Jason Reynolds

 

I recently watched MSNBC's Ali Velshi's Banned Book Club. His guests were Judy Blume and Jason Reynolds. They discussed Blume's FOREVER and the attempts through the years to ban the book. Reynolds commented how the book influenced him as a young reader and now as a writer. He was inspired to write TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW, the story of a seventeen-year-old young man and his concerns about having sex for the first time.

Neon and Aria have been dating for two years. They have both decided they are ready to take their relationship to the next step - sex. They have made a plan for when and where, but both are nervous.

Neon is the perfect boyfriend (girls out there, you need one like him), so he wants to be prepared when he takes this big step with Aria. Readers will take the journey with Neon as he goes back in time that leads up to the big moment. He researches, has conversations with family and friends, and tries to mentally prepare so the moment will be perfect.

Filled with frank and often humorous details, Reynolds's TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW provides male readers with much the same advice that Blume provided for girls in her book FOREVER. This love LOVE story is definitely a must read for teens and anyone who knows how important care and kindness is in today's world.

DEER RUN HOME by Ann Clare LeZotte

 

Effie is deaf. She communicates with American Sign Language, but unfortunately no one in her family has ever bothered to learn ASL. She manages by writing notes and pointing. She and her sister Deja have recently moved in with their father. He doesn't bother keeping food in the house or cleaning or doing laundry. Effie's life is a struggle.

At school Effie has a translator, Miss Kathy. She is worried about Effie but has a difficult time getting Effie to open up about the conditions at home. She knows something happened at Effie's mother's house which is why Effie and Deja moved in with their father.

Miss Kathy makes a surprise visit to see Effie. She brings a wonderful carry-out dinner. During the visit, she sees the poor conditions of the home and immediately steps in to help Effie. She suggests Effie come live with her, and much to Effie's surprise, her father agrees. Now Miss Kathy can work to make this temporary plan something more permanent.

Ann Clare LeZotte is also the author of the SHOW ME A SIGN trilogy. She uses her own experiences as a deaf person to give readers a realistic picture Effie's situation. Written in verse, DEER RUN HOME, is a quick and inspiring read.