QUAGMIRE TIARELLO COULDN'T BE BETTER by Mylisa Larsen

 

Quagmire "Quag" keeps to himself. Life at home is pretty unpredictable so he has to stay on his toes and be ready for just about anything. It has been a bit of surprise that he has connected with a small group of kids involved in the drama department. Summer break might be interesting.

Quag is getting to know Cassie who invited him to join the drama group at the Y. He isn't sure if he can commit since his mother has started what he calls "spinning." He's sure she isn't going to work. That is definite when she packs them both in the car and heads off on a wild cross-country trek.

When she leaves Quag on the side of the road and speeds away, Quag knows she is out of control. He ends up connecting with an uncle he didn't know he had. Now he has to figure out how much he should reveal about his mother's ups and downs. Will his uncle understand? Will this be a safe place until he can figure things out?

Author Mylisa Larsen explores mental health and the effects on family members. Grit and humor help Quag exist in an up-ended world. QUAGMIRE TIARELLO COULDN'T BE BETTER is a perfect read for those looking to understand more about the effects of mental illness.

CHANGE THE GAME by Colin Kaepernick, Eve L. Ewing, Orlando Caicedo

CHANGE THE GAME is a graphic novel focused on Colin Kaepernick growing up. He was adopted as a baby. His parents were very supportive and encouraged him in school and in sports.

Colin was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football. Everyone encourage him to follow the baseball path into college and then on to the pros, but he felt his place was on the football field as a quarterback. 

Much of his growing up years he spent time trying to please his coaches and his parents. The closer he got to the end of his high school career, the more he knew he had to follow his dreams. He worked hard to be noticed by scouts for his quarterbacking abilities and was determined to follow that path. He also wanted to encourage other athletes to find ways to make a difference in their sports and the world around them.

 

LIFEBOAT 5 by Susan Hood

 

I just finished Susan Hood's LIFEBOAT 12 and decided to jump right into LIFEBOAT 5. She discovered that Ken Sparks and the group aboard Lifeboat 12 were not the only ones to survive after the sinking of the Benares. Two girls also survived clinging to a Lifeboat 5 for nineteen hours.

Bess and Beth met when they boarded the ship bound for Canada. They quickly became best friends. They enjoyed the splendid accommodations, meals, and fun on the luxury liner until the torpedo hit. Together, they ended up in Lifeboat 5, but like many of the other lifeboats, it capsized, throwing them into the freezing water.

Even though Bess couldn't swim, the two girls found a way to hang on and encourage each other as the tragedy unfolded. They were eventually rescued and reunited with their parents.

If you are looking for some historical fiction based on true events, check out LIFEBOAT 5 and LIFEBOAT 12 by Susan Hood. Both are quick reads written in verse that are packed with historical adventure.

LIFEBOAT 12 by Susan Hood

 

LIFEBOAT 12 is based on a true story. Set during WW II as the Nazis began bombing England, readers will learn about the effort to transport children out of the city and out of danger.

Thirteen-year-old Ken Sparks was sent by ship to Canada by his father and stepmother. Although he knew he would miss his little sister, Ken was eager to go on this adventure. What followed was an uncomfortable train ride that included many stops when bombs threatened until Ken and the rest of the group of children arrived at the ship that would take them to safety.

The ship was a luxury liner which meant Ken and his fellow young passengers benefited from comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and entertainment they weren't used to at home. 

Five days into their journey, the ship was hit by German torpedoes. Ken ended up with nearly 50 others in lifeboat 12. It was eight grueling days later before they were finally rescued and taken back to England. 

Author Susan Hood recounts the horrors of the lifeboat passengers as they rationed water and food, suffered by trench foot, blazing sun, followed by freezing night temperatures. Ken Sparks was able to contribute firsthand details before his death in 2015.

THE SHAPE OF LOST THINGS by Sarah EverettTH

 

Skye Nickson's parents divorced years ago. Life changed when Skye and her brother Finn had to go for weekend visitations with their father. Even though he was a smart physicist, he had changed, and staying with him was uncomfortable. One weekend he and Finn took off and they haven't been heard from for four years.

Skye misses Finn. Her mother has done everything possible to find where Finn is, but even the police haven't been able to help until one day, Finn showed up. Now that he has returned, things should be going back to normal, but that's not happening. Everyone seems happy Finn's home, but Skye senses something isn't right.

Can Skye solve the mystery of Finn's disappearance and sudden return? Can she figure out if this Finn is the real Finn or some imposter?

Author Sarah Everett returns with a new thriller. Fans of THE PROBABILITY OF EVERYTHING will enjoy reading Skye's story as she tries to figure out what is real and what is not.

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.