SET ME FREE by Ann Clare LeZotte

 

It's been three years since Mary Lambert was kidnapped to be a "live specimen" to be studied by an awful man. Mary lived on Martha's Vineyard and was one of many residents born completely deaf. The deaf community there was looked at as just as normal as anyone else. The people created a sign language known as MVSL - Martha's Vineyard Sign Language which paved the way later for ASL - American Sign Language.

Mary is now 14 and has been offered a position teaching a young, deaf girl at a manor on the mainland. Mary doesn't know much about her responsibilities or the situation with the girl other than she has been known to be a difficult charge. Since Mary is independent and would one day like to adventure to other areas to teach, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to test her meddle.

When Mary arrives at the Vale, she is welcomed by a former friend but not by the head of the staff, a Mr. Norwich. He refuses to let her meet her charge for days so Mary devises a way to sneak into the third floor to see the girl. She is appalled by the girl's living conditions and to see that she is actually chained with no means of escape.

Mary is determined to make some progress with the girl, but many obstacles keep her from doing her job as she believes it should be done. The more time Mary spends at the Vale, the more she realizes there are frightening secrets about the girl and her place at the manor. Just as Mary overcame her difficulties in SHOW ME A SIGN by Ann Clare LeZotte, she demonstrates courage and tenacity as she struggles to help this young girl.

Sprinkled with historic facts about the Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod area, the native population and their mistreatment by the early settlers, and information about the deaf community, SET ME FREE is a fascinating read.

ALLERGIC by Megan Wagner Lloyd & Michelle Mee Nutter

 

Author Megan Wagner Lloyd's graphic novel ALLERGIC hits the mark in a number of areas. Family dynamics, friendship, and pet love, plus all the obstacles it entails are sure to have a variety of readers  finding ways to connect with this realistic story and the colorful art provided by illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter.

Maggie has twin, younger brothers and her mother is just a few months away from giving birth to another baby. Things are always happening in their house, but Maggie doesn't always feel a part of it. More than anything, she wants a dog. She knows her brothers will be too busy for a dog, and her parents' focus will be on the new baby so that means the dog will really be hers.

The long-awaited trip to the pet store finally takes place. A cute little puppy is now part of the family. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for Maggie to display alarming signs of allergy. A visit to the doctor reveals she is severely allergic to animals with fur or feathers. The cute little puppy is returned to the pet store.

Maggie does some research on pets without fur or feathers but doesn't find a successful fit. Life is looking pretty bleak. Even a new next door neighbor friendship becomes rocky when the friend gets a dog. Now Maggie can't go next door, and Claire has to change clothes when she comes over to Maggie's house.

Going to a new school, getting weekly allergy shots, and preparing for the new baby all add to the stress in Maggie's life. Will she ever get what she wants? Will things ever go her way? Pick up a copy of ALLERGIC and find out.

ACROSS THE TRACKS by Alverne Ball & Stacey Robinson

 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing this copy for ALAN conference participants.

ACROSS THE TRACKS is a graphic presentation of the history of Greenwood, OK, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre. In 1906 O. W. Gurley founded the Greenwood community. After its formation, countless black professionals, business owners, and others created a community opposite the railroad tracks from Tulsa, OK. 

From 1906 until 1921, Greenwood grew. Starting with a grocery store, Greenwood welcomed African Americans like nowhere else in the United States. Schools, a huge theater, a library, hotels and restaurants, and clothing stores lined its streets. Land sold and homes were built and Black-owned businesses thrived despite Jim Crow laws that crippled other parts of the nation. The great Booker T. Washington declared the famous Greenwood Avenue to be the Black Wall Street.

On May 31, 1921, Dick Rowland, a young black man, was accused of attacking a white woman in an elevator. This sparked the Tulsa Race Massacre that destroyed most of Greenwood. Many people are not familiar with this terrible event in U.S. history, but thanks the creators of ACROSS THE TRACKS, young people can now read about it and learn that determined Black citizens proudly rebuilt much of what was destroyed.

SWITCH by A.S. King

 

Truda Becker lives in confusing times. Her family is currently a mess. Her mother left without explanation, her older sister, also gone, left behind lies and destruction, her brother keeps to himself, and her father builds. The rest of the world is frozen in time and has been for almost a year. The reason for this is unclear, but Truda believes it might be an attempt to set things right.

There is a switch in Truda's house that her father seems to protect with his life. He has built a series of ever-growing boxes to guard the switch. Now the house, which looks normal from the outside, is filled with box after box. The occupants crawl through a maze of inner connecting corridors and tunnels to get from one room to the next. Recently, some unknown force has the house rotating so the walls are the floors and everything is jumbled. 

Truda divides her time between school where she has become a sudden javelin throwing champion and home where she spends all night pulling nails with a crowbar. When her mother finally returns, it looks like life might be improving, but first the family must confront secrets and make apologies before they can straighten out their lives. 

Author A.S. King's latest novel SWITCH might be a reflection of the restricted lives we are living during a worldwide pandemic. It may also be a warning / reminder that it is within our power / energy to keep the world in line. SWITCH is a challenging read that will leave readers with much to contemplate.

BAD SISTER by Charise Mericle Harper & Rory Lucey

 

Author Charice Mericle Harper shares some of her childhood with readers in BAD SISTER. Those with siblings will no doubt relate to this graphic novel on some level. Charice's role as the bad sister will speak to older siblings who spent countless hours tormenting a younger sibling while other readers will relate to Charice's little brother as the one being tormented.

Each chapter focuses on a power held by the bad sister as she consistently makes life miserable for her little brother. Daniel is the perfect target for experiments, torture, blame, and just plain fun times. There are times when Charice discusses the uncontrollable impulses she felt to pick on Daniel. Other times she shares the regret she felt when Daniel is injured because of one of her schemes. 

Illustrator Rory Lucey brings everything to life in colorful, action-filled artwork. This author and illustrator team have truly hit the right combination sure to connect with readers of all sorts.

FRANKIE & BUG by Gayle Forman

 

Bug lives in Venice, California, with her mother and her older brother. She is excited that summer is just around the corner, until her mother breaks the bad news. Instead of having her brother Danny hang out with her and watch her while her mother is at work, she is going to be meeting someone new. Danny has informed everyone that they must now call him Daniel and that he needs his "space." Whatever that means, Bug is now forced to hang out with Frankie from Ohio.

Frankie is coming to spend the summer with his uncle Philip who lives in the apartment above Bug. He doesn't seem interested in anything Bug likes to do. He, for sure, doesn't what anything to do with going to the beach - Bug's favorite place in the whole world.

Bug's mother works in the mayor's office and is spending lots of extra time there because of a rash of killings by a criminal everyone is calling the Midnight Marauder. Bug learns that Frankie has been following reports of the murders and has made it his goal to catch the Midnight Marauder. Well, maybe that sounds interesting. Bug even suggests she might know who is responsible. She's always been terrified of the Hermit who lives in a huge, scary house down the street. Together maybe they can catch him.

This is also the summer that Bug is about to learn some family secrets that will leave her wondering about the world and her place in it. Author Gayle Forman ventures into the world of middle grade fiction with FRANKIE & BUG. Her characters leap off the page and her view of some of life's complications in the mid 1980s will have readers captivated. This book kept me up late reading and wanting to know more.

STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME by Jason Reynolds

 

Portico Reeves has a secret identity. He lives his normal life as a kid living in the Skylight Gardens apartment complex. He has a sort of new best friend named Zola. His other identity is Stuntboy. He has super moves that make him amazing and help him defend the Castle, his name for Skylight Gardens.

His new friend Zola lives in the apartment almost next door. She has been helping him a lot lately. It seems like every time he enters his own apartment his parents are arguing. He is pretty sure they are arguing because he has heard they will soon be moving into two apartments, and they can't agree on which apartment gets what furnishings. Whenever Portico comes in during an argument, his parents tell him everything is ok, and "in the meantime" he should go see Zola.

One of the main issues facing Portico besides his parents is Herbert Singletary the Worst. He lives in the half-door between Portico and Zola's apartments. He is always in the middle of any trouble at Skylight Gardens. Portico's alter-ego of Stuntboy is ever ready to deal with problems like Herbert Singletary the Worst. 

Popular author Jason Reynolds has teamed up with illustrator Raul the Third to create this middle grade illustrated novel. Readers will immediately connect with Portico (Stuntboy) and his eventual realization that all the arguing between his parents is signaling their pending divorce. Portico's life problems will be easy for readers to relate to and identifying with him will make the story truly meaningful.

Click this link to watch an interview with author Jason Reynolds and Stephen Colbert. 

ROXY by Neal Schusterman & Jarrod Schusterman

 

Father and son writing team, Neal Schusterman and Jarrod Schusterman, have delivered a total gut punch in their new collaboration, ROXY. If you decide to pick this one up, be prepared to spend some hours reading because it's a difficult one to put down.

Ivy and Issac are siblings living fairly traditional teenage lives. Ivy is the oldest by a year and tends to be the problem child of the family. Her parents have sought help for her careless behavior including medication - Adderall. In the past she has refused to take it, but with the threat of not graduating on time, she decides to fill her prescription and actually begin using it.

Ivy doesn't admit to her parents that she is following doctor's orders, but things are looking up for her at school and beyond. Unfortunately, financial problems have her parents distracted so they aren't noticing the things they probably should. 

Issac, always worried about Ivy's risky behavior, has been keeping an eye on her, and while at a party, he throws a few punches to defend her and ends up with a badly sprained ankle. Normally not that big a deal but, Issac is worried about his soccer performance since it promises to be a gateway to college especially now with his parents' money trouble. He finally seeks medical advice that leads to a prescription for a pain killer.

Playing in the background for these two teens is a party life hosted by countless party gods who disguise themselves in friendly forms designed to lure in unsuspecting humans. There's Addison (Adderall), Roxicodone (Roxy), Al (alcohol), Phineas (Morphine), and many, many more. Addison and Roxy enter into a contest to see which sibling they can eventually "conquer."

ROXY is a powerful and sometimes disturbing look into the dangerous world of drugs and addiction. Our teens are extremely vulnerable as these despicable "characters" lurk everywhere with easy promises of fun and freedom from troubles and pain. ROXY is a must read I will be sharing with many.

WILLODEEN by Katherine Applegate

 

Katherine Applegate, author of THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN and WISHTREE, has just release another hit. WILLODEEN takes readers into a world of both fantasy and realism. Combining imagined creatures with real world problems, Applegate emphasizes the importance of the environment and the actions necessary to preserve the delicate balance that makes everything work.

Willodeen lives with two aging aunts. A fire destroyed her previous home and killed her mother, father, and brother. She spends most of her time wandering in the forest exploring nature. Living in Perchance means awaiting the annual Autumn Faire that celebrates the famous migration of the hummingbears. This year there is concern because no one has seen any hummingbears arriving to nest in the blue willows. How can there be a Faire if there are no hummingbears?

Willodeen has also noticed that the number of screechers living in the area has dwindled. No one likes the pests known for their awful odor and their frightening cries. Hunters have been killing them for the reward offered to rid Perchance of this annoyance. Willodeen believes she witnessed the death of the one remaining screecher.

When she meets a young boy named Connor, Willodeen discovers there is someone else just as concerned about the fate of the hummingbears and screechers as she is. One day Willodeen stumbles across something she thinks could be the result of magic. She discovers a baby screecher she immediately bundles up and carries home. Figuring out how to care for the creature takes both Willodeen and Connor's problem solving. When it is discovered the screecher loves eating peacock snails, another magical thing begins to happen. Could the presence of screechers be the answer to getting the hummingbears to return?

LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS by Betsy Bird,

 

If you are looking for some light-hearted entertainment set in small town Michigan, give LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS a try. A 12 year old girl, a retired circus performer, ostriches, and plenty of action make this new release well worth reading.

Suzy lives on a farm in the tiny town of Burr Oak, Michigan. She wants more than anything to leave the farm and this town someday. One of the few people she knows who left is her Uncle Fred, but he and his wife and baby have just returned. He doesn't appear happy to be back or to be working on the farm with Suzy's father.

It doesn't take long for Suzy to notice Uncle Fred sneaking off each morning. She immediately decides to follow him. Anything has to better than all the chores her parents pile on since it is summer vacation. 

Suzy discovers Uncle Fred is going to a neighboring farm owned by Madame Maranette, known for her years with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Madame is another person born in Burr Oak who left and then returned. Suzy has heard gossip about the Madame but hasn't really paid attention. Now Uncle Fred seems to be in ka-hoots with the woman.

When Suzy learns about the ostriches on the Madame's farm, she is hooked. Maybe this is just the answer for getting out of Burr Oak. Suzy convinces Uncle Fred she should be helping him with the Madame's crazy plan. That's when the adventure truly begins.

Author Betsy Bird, a native of Michigan, joins up with award winning illustrator David Small, also of Michigan, to create this fun-filled illustrated novel. Thanks to Michigan teacher Colby Sharp for the recommendation.

APOLLO 11 Q & A: 175+ FASCINATING FACTS FOR KIDS by Kelly Milner Halls

 

I can't believe how much I learned from this new release by author Kelly Milner Halls. It is filled with fun facts that follow the Apollo 11 mission from start to finish.

The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union helped fuel our nation's desire for space travel. Today we watch and marvel at the modern attempts to explore more and more of our universe, but it is easy to forget the early missions that got us to the present. This book presents facts in a Q & A format to highlight everything from early spacesuits and astronaut preparation to descending on the moon and the moon walk, to the return journey and recovery. 

The addition of colorful pictures and "Did You Know" facts make this great for reading cover to cover or perfect for reading as short passages. Anyone interested in space travel history will want to get their hands on a copy.

Thank you to the publisher for this review copy.

NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU by Ashley Woodfolk

 

Author Ashley Woodfolk explores the struggles of love in her novel in verse titled NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU. Two girls form a fast friendship that takes them on an emotional ride. One girl is looking for more than friendship and believes there is room in the relationship for more than the other girl is willing to give. 

Understanding a love that doesn't click all the usual boxes makes it difficult especially when others don't recognize this love as normal. Filled with risk taking and both emotional and physical intensity, NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU is the perfect read for those struggling with queer relationships or love that doesn't fit a traditional mold.

OUT OF MY HEART by Sharon M. Draper

 

Melody is back! Fans of Sharon M. Draper's OUT OF MY MIND demanded to learn more about Melody, and the author heard the cries. OUT OF MY HEART returns to Melody and her speaking machine Elvira. They are ready to conquer new adventures.

It is summer vacation so Melody and her little sister Penny are spending a lot of their time with next door neighbor Mrs. V. She is keeping them entertained, but Melody wishes she could do more. On a trip to the library, Melody gets some research help from the librarian. She discovers there is a summer camp for kids like her with special needs. It is only a few hours away, and Melody is determined to find out if there are any openings left for this summer.

Her parents do their research, too, and decide it would be a wonderful opportunity for Melody. Before she knows it, she is off to a camp in the woods. It promises adventures like swimming, zip-lining, and even horseback riding.

Melody is thrilled to meet the three other girls who will share a cabin for the week. Each girl has her own individual camp counselor ready to take care of each girl's individual needs. Melody discovers that she loves swimming especially when she doesn't sink. She enjoys the boat ride and the nightly campfires under the stars. Most exciting is the horseback ride that turns out to be quite an adventure.

Most of all Melody loves the new friends she makes with her cabin mates and the other kids at the camp. She feels just like the kids she knows back at school who talk about their summer camp adventures. Author Sharon M. Draper reconnecting her readers with the amazing Melody is sure to inspire the courage and determination to conquer any of life's obstacles.

A FACE FOR PICASSO by Ariel Henley

 

Ariel Henley and her twin sister Zan were born with Crouzon syndrome. This condition causes the facial bones to fuse too soon. Life saving surgeries must be performed on very young children to assure adequate space for the growing brains and to preserve the airways for these children. Later more surgeries are needed as the children grow and also as a measure to achieve more normal facial features. Ariel has written a memoir of what life was like for her and her sister as they faced medical procedures, criticism about their appearance, and discrimination because of perceived notions based simply on their looks.

A FACE FOR PICASSO discusses not only the physical issues, but also the emotional toll Crouzon syndrome takes on those diagnosed with the condition. Since it is so rare, finding surgeons willing to take the risks necessary to augment the facial structure of patients is challenging. Also, dealing with the cruel stares and comments directed at young children undergoing the painful surgeries causes psychological stress that lasts a lifetime. 

Ariel tells her story frankly. She describes the feeling of having people stare and judge because her eyes slant downward and are symmetrical when all she wanted was to make friends and live like any other child. She recounts the willingness to undergo countless surgeries even knowing the resulting pain of recovery and the reshaping of her face to an extent that she didn't even recognize herself. She describes incisions across her skull from ear to ear so doctors could peel her skin down her forehead to insert plates and screws to realign her face bones. Ariel reveals the shock and amazement that her long awaited front tooth was coming in, but it came in through her nose.

Throughout this painful yet breathtaking story, Ariel relates historical comments on the definition of beauty and delves into the artist Picasso, his art and his abuse of the women who inspired it. Ariel and Zan's courage as they faced the trials of their condition are sure to inspire teen and adult readers.

IMAGINARY by Lee Bacon, illustrated by Katy Wu

 

I have long been fascinated by imaginary friends. I've been told I had one as a child, but I don't recall any details. My daughter had two imaginary friends, one she called Adeladin, and the other was Candy Pink and Red. One day I realized she hadn't mentioned them in a while so I asked about them only to have her inform me that they had moved to California. 

IMAGINARY by Lee Bacon is told from the POV of the imaginary friend making it a unique kind of tale. Shovel is a purple ball of fuzz with a talent for juggling. He met his boy Zach while Zach was in the backyard digging a hole. It was a project intended to create a hole to the other side of the earth. It wasn't a surprise when the project was not a total success.

As the story picks up, Zach is starting middle school when imaginary friends should be long gone, but Shovel has reappeared. He believes Zach needs his help. Zach's father recently died and he is having a difficult time adjusting. Shovel hopes to offer some consolation.

Middle school is not just the end of imaginary friends, but also sometimes the end of childhood friendships. Zach is discovering that his long time friend Ryan has moved on to a couple of new friends and their focus is sports. Zach isn't particularly interested in sports, and it seems he isn't wearing the right clothes or hairstyle for middle school either. This results in Ryan and his new buddies poking fun at Zach at just the time he needs support.

Author Lee Bacon and illustrator Katy Wu take readers on a journey led by an unusual narrator with only the best intentions for his old buddy Zach. IMAGINARY is perfect for ages 8-13 and anyone looking to remember the power of childhood.

CLARICE THE BRAVE by Lisa McMann

 

What happens when a little mouse named Clarice, who's only known life on a ship, gets wrapped up in a mutiny? CLARICE THE BRAVE by Lisa McMann weaves an adventurous tale about mice and cats and their struggle to survive the treacherous actions of humans.

Clarice was born on a ship. Life hasn't always been easy. She lost her mother and her sister, but not before she learned some valuable lessons she knows will serve her well. Now it is just her and her brother Charles Sebastian. They manage to find food and water despite the onboard cats and chickens that present constant dangers.

One day some of the humans on the ship stage a mutiny against the captain. In mere moments Clarice is being thrown off the ship into a small boat along with the captain, some of his loyal crew, and a cat named Special Lady. As the small boat drifts away from the ship, Clarice realizes that her brother is still on the larger vessel. He is not the most resourceful mouse, leaving Clarice to fear the worst.

Clarice uses her cleverness to stay hidden from the humans while at the same time befriending the cat. She never imagined that her survival would depend on making friends with one of her worst enemies, but Clarice finds life is full of surprises.

Back on the ship Charles Sebastian faces his own challenges. Learning quickly becomes his only chance for survival. Both mice wonder if they will ever be reunited or sail off in different directions to lives of their own.

Author Lisa McMann deftly handles the connections between the human and animal world with unexpected friendships and acts of courage that will have readers glued to the pages of this wild adventure. The narration alternates between Clarice and Charles Sebastian so readers are kept on the edges of their seats as the battle to survive unfolds. Perfect for middle grade classrooms and libraries everywhere.

THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE by Eugene Yelchin

 

Author Eugene Yelchin shares this memoir of his childhood in Cold War Russia. Living with his father, mother, grandmother, and brother in a single room in a communal apartment is a life-style little known and understood by Americans then or even now. 

Life was tense and rule-driven. When Eugene wasn't at school, he was helping the family. Each family in the communal apartment was given weekly chores such as scrubbing the floors in the common areas. His brother was kept busy with his figure skating practices. It was hoped that he would compete at a level that allowed him to travel to foreign places and perhaps one day have his own private apartment.

Eugene's mother worked with the Vaganova Ballet Company. She had an often unhealthy fascination with the famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. If only one of her sons had the talent for ballet. According to Eugene's parents, the only way to be successful in the USSR was to have a special talent for something. Eugene was a disappointment in that department. He failed at sports, dance, skating, and even chess.

One thing that brought Eugene pleasure was art. In their cramped room, the only place for his bed each night was under his grandmother's antique dining table. While the rest of his family slept, he drew pictures on the underside of the table. When he was eventually discovered, and was thrilled to learn that this may be his special talent.

THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE describes the strict life of those living in Russia, the temptations presented by visiting American tourists, and the ever present fear of being revealed by a Soviet spy like the one living in their apartment. Eugene knew there were secrets involving his grandfather and maybe more unknowns that he wanted to learn about but that could have been threats to his family's safety and welfare. Reading Yelchin's memoir brings to light an era not often present in books and stories.

WORLD WAR II HISTORY FOR KIDS by Kelly Milner Halls

 

500 Facts!!! Can you imagine learning so much in one book? Take a look at WORLD WAR II HISTORY FOR KIDS and you will be amazed!

Yes, it is written for kids, but the amount of material in this book is unbelievable. There are 11 chapters beginning with Before the War (1914-1929) all the way to the Aftermath of WW II. Each chapter is filled with two page spreads that tackle topics with quick facts and colorful illustrations.

Readers will learn about what led up to the second world war as they read about Germany and the effects of WW I. Fighting in trenches was new in WW I, the Spanish Flu had a major impact around the world and like today folks were encouraged to wear masks to prevent spreading the disease, and a worldwide depression hit after the WW I soldiers returned home. I was surprised to learn that food shortages during this time were what inspired the creation of casserole dishes. Who knew?

The chapters that follow highlight the rise of Hilter and his beliefs, the Holocaust, and Japan's attack on America. Readers will learn facts about life on the homefront here in the U.S., as well as new weapons in the sky and on the land, and the secret life of spies. 

Author Kelly Milner Halls spreads these facts over 150+ pages that can be read straight through or in small doses as time permits. WORLD WAR II HISTORY FOR KIDS is perfect as a supplement to classroom instruction or for readers looking to find out more about this monumental time in history.

BRAVE LIKE THAT by Lindsey Stoddard

 

Eleven years ago Cyrus Olsen was left outside the fire station. The firefighters on duty that night heard his cries and found him wrapped tightly in a blanket. The only person who could calm Cyrus's cries was Brooks Olsen, and as a surprise to everyone, Brooks decided to adopt Cyrus.

Now eleven years later to the day, there are cries outside the fire station again, only this time they are the whimpers of a scraggly dog left right where Cyrus was left outside the door. Cyrus convinces his father to take the dog to the vet, but not before he falls in love with the pup just like his father fell in love with him. No matter how much Cyrus begs and pleads, his father says no to keeping the dog, so Parker ends up at the local humane society, and Cyrus is given orders not to visit him because he will become attached.

Everyone expects Cyrus to play football like his dad who was a star wide-receiver. Cyrus didn't mind playing in the little kids' touch football league, but now they will be playing tackle, and Cyrus knows he isn't brave like his father. Next begins a string of lies as Cyrus tries to avoid football, visit the forbidden Parker, and keep his reading problems a secret. Will the lies catch up with him? Will what he believes is his lack of bravery disappoint his father and everyone else?

Author Lindsey Stoddard cleverly portrays a young boy's worry about not living up to what he believes is expected of him. Readers' hearts will melt as they get to know Cyrus and his family. BRAVE LIKE THAT is perfect for both male and female readers ages 8-12.

VIOLETS ARE BLUE by Barbara Dee

 

Wren is still adjusting to her parents' divorce. She lives with her mother near Chicago, and her father and his new wife live in Brooklyn, NY. It's been decided that Wren should start visiting her father so she can reconnect with her dad and get to know Vanessa and the soon to be born twins. Turns out these visits are comfortable and fun until Wren gets back home where she is hesitant to share her experiences with her mother in case it upsets her.

Another change involves moving to a new town for what her mother calls a fresh start. Since her mother spends lots a time at the hospital where she works as a nurse, Wren fends for herself most days and evenings after school. Her passion is watching YouTube tutorials by a makeup artist named Cat FX. Wren loves that the makeup isn't your average everyday makeup. Cat FX specializes in characters and Wren's favorite is the mermaid. She watches every video and then tries to repeat the process on herself, her mother, if she has time, and even her new friend Poppy.

While Wren is trying to get more involved at school, her mother begins acting strangely. She comes and goes at random times, and when she is home she either falls asleep on the couch or locks herself in her bedroom. Wren is never sure what mood will greet her when her mother makes an appearance. Something isn't right, but Wren doesn't know who to talk to about her concerns.

Author Barbara Dee's new middle grade novel will not be staying on the shelf long once girls learn about it. The fascinating makeup tutorials combined with relatable family struggles will speak to many readers. I think this may be Dee's best work yet.

BEN Y AND THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE by K. A. Holt

 

Readers are now able to rejoin the Kids Under the Stairs in K. A. Holt's new release. Ms. J. is now in the library offering her kids a safe place to hang out as she continues the after school Newspaper Typing Club.

Ben Y is struggling at home and in school. At home memories of her older brother Benicio dominate everything. Ben Y hangs out in Benicio's old room and visits their secret hideout in the online game Sandbox to chat about current problems and remember how things used to be. At school Ben Y is taunted and teased by those who don't understand she just wants to be left alone.

Two new things threaten to derail Ben Y's fragile existence even more. There's a new kid named Ace. He makes Ben Y uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time, as if that's even possible. The other thing is Benicio's avatar is showing up in the chats in their secret place. It can't really be him or can it?

Holt's new novel is written in verse with chatroom conversations scattered throughout. Her take on divergent thinkers and learners makes Ben Y's continuing story a delight to read.

WELCOME BACK MAPLE MEHTA-COHEN by Kate McGovern

 

Can life be over for a 5th grader? When Maple Mehta-Cohen learns that she will be held back for a second year in 5th grade, she is fairly certain her life is over. How was she to know the secret she had been keeping from her family and friends would end up causing this disaster? Maple can't read.

Maple's teacher breaks the news to Maple's parents by saying the school believes Maple needs to repeat the 5th grade so her reading skills can improve before she begins middle school. This is definitely news to her parents, and she realizes it will be news to her best friends who will be moving on to 6th grade in a few short weeks. How will she ever explain things to them? 

It turns out Maple has characteristics of dyslexia. That explains why words look like little moving snakes shifting around on the page. Maple knows she has always been a slow reader, and she has always sort of copied her way through assignments so no one would know just how difficult reading was for her. Not only will she be in 5th grade again, she will be going to work in the library with the other kids in the low reading group.

Author Kate McGovern captures the fear and frustration of someone hiding a secret like Maple. Thinking everyone will think less of her and fearing her parents will be disappointed to have a kid who isn't smart, Maple believes she is living a nightmare. Readers of all abilities will learn from Maple and her experiences.

HOUND DOG TRUE by Linda Urban

 

Mattie Breen has been the new girl in school more times than she cares to remember. She and her mother have recently moved again; this time they are living with Uncle Potluck. School will be starting in a few short weeks, and Mattie is dreading it.

In the meantime Uncle Potluck, the school custodian, has invited Mattie to tag along as he get things ready at the school. Mattie finds the time with her uncle and the organized way he operates to be quite calming. She has always loved to write so she begins taking notes about all things custodial. As her notebook fills up, Mattie dreams of being an apprentice custodian once school starts. Having the excuse of helping her uncle could help her avoid the parts of school she hates the most like recess and lunch. Mattie doesn't think she is very good at making friends which tend to be essential during free times like lunch and recess.

Author Linda Urban creates a likeable character with Mattie Breen. Readers are sure to become her friend as she navigates her new surroundings and learns to voice her needs and wants.

Thank you to Michigan teacher Colby Sharp for recommending this little gem.

STEALING HOME by J. Torres & David Namisato

 

Sandy lives for baseball. The Asahi team in Vancouver, British Columbia is his favorite. Some of his best memories are going to games with his father and then playing catch in hopes of someday playing on the team himself.

The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything. Sandy is teased by the kids at school and his family is forbidden from going places because they are seen as the "enemy." His father's services as a doctor are still needed, but he finds it difficult to carry them out because of the curfew and limits on his ability to travel where he is needed.

Some families are moving out of the city voluntarily, seeking shelter in makeshift camps. Then the day arrives that Sandy's father is sent away and Sandy and his mother and little brother are given hours to pack what they can in two suitcases before they are forced to board a train for who knows where.

What follows is living in tight quarters with another family in a ill-constructed cabin. Sandy learns that even though his family is not a war threat they will be living in this camp indefinitely. His father returns only to work long hours at the camp sanitorium caring for the sick while living in the men's dormitory away from his family.

Authors and illustrators J. Torres and David Namisato use their storytelling and artist talents in this graphic novel to recount the history of the imprisonment of citizens of Canada. Much like the camps in the U.S. during WWII, families were taken from their homes never to return to the lives they knew.

THIS GREAT STORYTELLER WILL BE MISSED

 

So sorry to hear about the loss of author Gary Paulsen. I was reading his latest book HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DAD on the day he died.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DAD by Gary Paulsen

 

Carl knows his dad is really smart, but when you are interested in a girl named Peggy and want to go to school looking what his best friend Pooder calls "lookatable," having a smart dad just isn't what Carl needs. Carl's dad is a live off the grid kind of guy. There's the dumpster diving for still useable items and food for their pigs and chickens. There's the garage sales where Carl cringes when his dad barters for stuff that might be good, but he's not always sure good for what. Spending money on new stuff isn't part of his dad's way of life so Carl wears garage sale clothes or thrift shop finds whether they actually fit or not.

Carl would love to talk about these things with his dad, but he isn't sure exactly how to approach it. When he finds a pamphlet with simple instructions on how to train a puppy, Carl thinks maybe with a few tweaks, he could use a similar method on his dad. With some well-meaning advice and a few suggestions from his friend Pooder, Carl begins implementing some positive and negative reinforcement techniques on dear old dad.

Author Gary Paulsen's latest book is a fun-filled read reminiscent of HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME and HARRIS AND ME. Paulsen fans new and old are sure to love the quirky characters and laugh out loud humor of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DAD.

PONY by R. J. Palacio

 

It is difficult to top a hit like WONDER, but R. J. Palacio may have done just that. PONY is the tale of a young boy setting out to rescue his kidnapped father. Set in a time and place so different than WONDER, with a cast of characters readers wouldn't even imagine in a Palacio novel, PONY offers non-stop adventure, twists and turns, and highs and lows that will amaze both old and new fans.

One night three men arrive at the home of Silas and his father. The men are convinced that Silas's father has the ability to help them perfect their counterfeiting business in a way no one else can. Silas knows his father is a genius, but he has never used his talents in a criminal pursuit. Silas is shocked when his father says he will go with the men as long as they leave his son unharmed.

Shortly after his father and the men gallop off on horseback, a bald-faced pony running with them returns. Silas sees this as a sign that he should follow the men and rescue his father. Having lost his mother the day he was born, Silas is the only chance his father has and the only chance Silas has of not becoming an orphan.

With the help of what he comes to think of as a magical pony, a couple of law men, and a ghost named Mittenwool, Silas uses all his courage and determination to track down the men who stole his father. Dangerous terrain, mysterious spirits, and life-threatening situations fill the pages of PONY as Silas's journey unfolds.

Author R. J. Palacio takes her readers in a totally different direction in PONY, but it is one they won't soon forget.

DOWN TO EARTH by Betty Culley

 

Henry Bower knows about rocks and water. He comes from generations of water diviners. His grandfather, his father, and one of his uncles can find water under the ground by using a forked stick. Henry doesn't know if he has inherited the skill because he hasn't tried yet. He hopes that his passion for rocks and the knowledge he has gained from reading the encyclopedia will help him become a dowser like his ancestors.

One night Henry witnesses a meteorite fall onto his family's land. He finds the huge rock, but keeps it a secret until he can determine how important it might be. When water begins to flow from the ground around the rock, Henry's secret is no more. The water continues to come causing a flood that covers the roadway and eventually washes away Henry's house. In the meantime, the town's well dries up. Now everyone seems to think Henry's rock and Henry's family is to blame for the town losing its water.

DOWN TO EARTH by Betty Culley is filled with information about meteorites, water, and more. Her own fascination with meteors and meteorites inspired her to create Henry's tale. Science, mystery, intrigue, and humor all combine to make this middle grade novel a fun read.

BORN BEHIND BARS by Padma Venkatraman

 

Kabir is nine years old. He was born behind bars. His mother was put in jail for a crime she didn't commit. After she was imprisoned, she discovered she was pregnant. Prison is the only life Kabir has known.

They have always maintained hope that Kabir's father would find a way to pay for a lawyer so his mother's innocence could be proven. Kabir is still waiting and hoping, but it's more difficult every day.

Although he doesn't know what happens in the free world, he has gone to the jail's school and watched TV to learn quite a bit. He even speaks two languages. One day in the classroom, the teacher gives him the news that he is now too old to stay with his mother and will have to leave the jail. At first he is excited thinking that means his mother will finally be free, but he is told he alone will be turned over to an "uncle" he doesn't know while his mother stays locked up.

After a tearful goodbye, it doesn't take long for Kabir to figure out this "uncle" is no relative or friend of his. He makes a clever getaway with the help of a young girl. He learns her name is Rani and she lives in a tree with a pet parrot. Rani helps Kabir adjust to living outside the jail. A run-in with the police lands them at the police station where an officer promises to help them find a place to live. 

BORN BEHIND BARS is set in India and focuses heavily on the caste system. Because Kabir and Rani are low-caste individuals, they have very few rights and no financial independence. Survival depends on intelligence and wit unless they are lucky enough to find people kind enough to help them.

Kabir's point of view makes this a fascinating read as he details first what it is like to live in prison, then on the streets, and finally with folks he can call family.

PUNCHING BAG by Rex Ogle

 

Author Rex Ogle began telling readers his story in FREE LUNCH. During his early childhood he experienced enough poverty, bullying, and abuse from family members, it seems he would lose all hope. He carries on his story into his high school years in this new release titled PUNCHING BAG.

Rex doesn't hold back as he details fights between his mother and his stepfather Sam. Protecting his little brother Ford is Rex's primary concern with his own survival coming in second. Life meant getting through each day with as little physical and emotional damage as possible.

The only freedom and safety for Rex came from going to school or spending time with Ford in the apartment while his mother and stepfather were away. Even working multiple jobs didn't always assure rent and food money from the adults in his life. When his mother and Sam were home, they were usually yelling and fighting. As the title suggests, Rex was often a punching bag for the grownups who always seemed to say they were sorry and that they loved him after inflicting blows that left Rex with bruises he couldn't always hide.

As Rex gets older, he begins to call his mother on her abuse. Knowing she suffers from mental illness keeps Rex from throwing his own punches, but he tries to speak the truth to her hoping she might one day put Ford and Rex's needs before her own at least once. Dream on. Rex does his best to compensate and be there for his brother.

One thing that helps Rex cope is images of the little sister he recently discovered he might have had. During one their awful fights, Rex learns the secret of his mother's earlier pregnancy and the stillbirth of a baby girl after a severe beating from a drunken Sam. They named her Marisa, and Rex imagines she appears to help guide him through particularly rough times.

PUNCHING BAG is not an easy read as Rex Ogle reveals life in an abusive situation in one stark scenario after another. His strength and determination do offer an inspiration that shouldn't be missed.

WHAT ABOUT WILL by Ellen Hopkins

 

Trace will never forget the day his older brother Will was injured on the football field. The TBI (traumatic brain injury) Will suffered left him with a facial tic, horrible headaches, depression, and a personality change. Now their parents are divorced and Trace's mom is constantly on the road with her music career while his father is busy at his Las Vegas casino job. That leaves twelve-year-old Trace to fend for himself most of the time.

Trace remembers Will as the older brother who let him hang out even though he was five years older. Will was never too busy to answer Trace's questions or help him with whatever he needed. Now between fits of rage and bouts of depression, Will doesn't want to spent time with family at all. Trace knows he can no longer depend on Will to drive him to school, pick him up from baseball practice, or be there when he gets home at the end of the day. He has noticed Will has a new set of "friends" who look pretty shady.

Meanwhile life goes on. Trace goes to school, plays baseball, and does chores for the elderly man next door. A new girl named Cat begins playing on Trace's baseball team, and he discovers she's not only a great player but also a potential new friend. Learning that her dad is the famous player Alex Sanchez is cool, too. He even signs Trace's baseball glove and offers Trace rides home when Will doesn't show up.

Things come to a head for Trace when his formerly loving and supportive brother begins stealing from him. First it's money from Trace's hard earned savings and then it's the autographed mitt. Trace feels dismissed when he tries to tell his father about his concerns. Calls to his mother on tour with her band don't seem to make a difference either. Meanwhile, Trace watches as his brother spirals toward a frightening cliff.

Author Ellen Hopkins has written her second middle grade novel in verse. Her take on a family coping with depression and addiction is spot on. Viewed through the eyes of young Trace, readers will see an innocence and fear that is present in too many young lives today. WHAT ABOUT WILL is sure to resonant with middle grade readers dealing with similar issues or readers looking to understand someone is. 

ALI CROSS by James Patterson

 

Well-known author James Patterson continues to create books for younger readers. His famous detective character Alex Cross has a son Ali, named after Muhammad Ali, who is solving crimes on his own.

In book #1 in the series, Ali's best friend goes missing. Gabe Qualls is a quiet kid who likes to be on his own unless he is in the thick of things in an online game called Outpost. Now he is missing, and no one seems to be looking for him. Ali begins snooping around and with the help of a couple of other friends, they find some clues they think might get the cops to take Gabe's disappearance a bit more seriously.

At the same time multiple break ins in Ali's neighborhood have the cops focused on other things. Ali's own house was broken into on Christmas Eve. Missing presents and his parents' police service weapons were among the things taken. The police suspect Gabe could be involved, and Ali is beginning to think the same thing especially when the weapons and a few other items are mysteriously returned.

Patterson uses his trademark short chapters and non-stop action to hold his readers' attention. The adventure continues in ALI CROSS: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.  

PAX, JOURNEY HOME by Sara Pennypacker

 

A huge thank you to 5th grade teacher Colby Sharp for introducing me to PAX earlier this summer. I usually pick up animal books only because I know young readers enjoy them and I want to be able to share ideas with my college students headed into their own classrooms. PAX book #1 is not just any animal story. Pax and his human friend Peter touched my heart. Now PAX, JOURNEY HOME continues Sara Pennypacker's second adventure with the pair.

Book #2 picks up with Pax living in the wild with his mate Bristol and their three kits. Peter has been living with Vola, even building his own small hideaway near her cabin. Now he has decided to join the Water Warriors as a junior volunteer. The war is over and the Warriors are traveling across the area to repair and reclaim contaminated water sights. Peter sees this as his chance to leave Vola and return to the home he and his father left behind before the war. 

Pennypacker uses alternating chapters to highlight the adventures of Pax and Peter. Pax is learning the role of mate and parent as he navigates the wild searching for shelter, food, and protection from less friendly humans. Little does he know the water in places like the mill pond could be dangerous, especially to his young kits.

Peter is determined to get to his old home and live on his own. Working with a couple of Water Warriors as they travel from one water source to another, he gains precious knowledge and a better understanding of what it means to depend on one another, and that doing so doesn't mean giving up one's own control. Hoping to find Pax along the way motivates Peter to keeping heading to the place he last saw his own father before losing him to the war. Facing the truth about the man he wasn't always close to and searching for the fox he still loves, makes for emotional moments that bring Peter into even sharper focus for readers.

If you haven't discovered PAX and PAX, JOURNEY HOME, I highly recommend a trip to the library or bookstore. They are books you won't soon forget.

BEDHEAD TED by Scott SanGiacomo

 

Ted's hair is a marvel to some, but for Ted it's a target for bullies. His hair has always been with him. Unlike most babies born bald, Ted had his first haircut when he was just weeks old. Now his hair gets him teased and taunted with nicknames like the most recent - Bedhead Ted.

At least Ted has his best friend Stacy. Together they try to stay clear of the bullies. Lately, Stacy has been obsessed with the town legend, the Brookside Beast. Supposedly, the giant racoon has been sighted throughout the years terrorizing people's garbage cans and even threatening small children. Stacy is determined to find the Beast and save the town.

Ted is ready to help, but when a couple of kids from the bully crowd show up and make friends with Stacy, Ted's jealousy kicks into high gear. He isn't used to sharing his best friend, and now just isn't the right time. Ted has recently discovered that his hair may have super powers. He needs Stacy more than ever to figure out exactly what is happening with his crazy hair.

BEDHEAD TED is an excellent graphic novel adventure by Scott SanGiacomo. Full of colorful images and clever dialogue, readers will love this wacky story and connect with Ted as he struggles to figure out what he has to offer the world. Aimed at the 8-12 age group, BEDHEAD TED is sure to be a winner with readers of all ages. 

GIVE AND TAKE by Elly Swartz

 

The worst day in twelve-year-old Maggie's life was the day her grandmother didn't recognize her. Yes, Nana had been diagnosed with dementia, but how could she forget her own granddaughter?

Ever since Maggie has been terrified of forgetting the important moments in her life. To help insure her memories never leave her, Maggie saves random objects that represent events in her life. Each item is tucked away in a box in her closet, under her bed, or in her locker at school. Maggie now has eleven boxes and counting. She knows it isn't normal, but when her mother discovers the boxes and insists Maggie must get rid of what she identifies as clutter, Maggie discovers an anger bigger than she can manage.

When Maggie's parents agree to temporarily foster a newborn waiting to be adopted, Maggie is excited until she realizes having only a short time with baby Izzie could mean she'll forget her. This becomes another trigger for Maggie's stress.

Author Elly Swartz highlights childhood mental health in GIVE AND TAKE. This middle grade novel uses Maggie's imperfect character to point out how families deal with loss and love and different personal reactions to both. An unusual aspect of Maggie's story is her exceptional ability in competitive trapshooting which fits well into the storyline to show Maggie's strength and focus.

THE BUBBLE WRAP BOY by Phil Earle

 

Charlie Han wishes more than anything that he was bigger. Being the tiniest kid in his school and living in an apartment connected to the Chinese takeout his parents own, isn't winning him any popularity with the rest of his peers. In fact he is the target for most of the jokes and a fair amount of the torture dreamed up by the cool kids. That well-known phrase "good things come in small packages" doesn't offer even a tiny bit of comfort.

Too make matters worse, Charlie's mother wins first prize for being over-protective. She doesn't let him step out on the street without endless warnings and whatever protective gear she can dream up. She finally lets him make deliveries for the takeout, but he has to use a clunky, old three wheel bike with a huge basket. It barely moves and isn't cool at all.

When Charlie discovers a hidden love for skateboarding, he knows he must keep it a secret from his mother. He begins to think this danger-filled sport might be his special something. He even earns a bit of respect from the other skaters at the skate park, that is until the day his mother shows up and terrorizes everyone within the sound of her extremely loud voice.

Charlie believes his hopes and dreams of becoming an awesome skater are over, but then he discovers a secret his mother has that might be just the thing to force her to allow him to return to the half pipe and his dreams.

Author Phil Earle captures  Charlie and the other quirky characters perfectly. Humor and candid dialogue make THE BUBBLE WRAP BOY a wicked good read. Earle proves that friendship, love, and family can make dreams come true.