JORDAN J AND THE TRUTH ABOUT JORDAN J by K.A. Holt

 

I have become a true fan of the Kids Under the Stairs series. In this latest adventure Jordan J lets the world know how important dancing is for him. It begins with an article Jordan J is trying to write for the Hart Times. As usual he doesn't mince words but rather tells it like it is. Of course, Ms J lets him know he shouldn't be rude.

Jordan J is criticizing the Hart Rocketeers, the school dance team. He doesn't think their dance moves are going to earn them any awards. He has choreography he believes far exceeds what they have been practicing.

When the Fierce Across America dance competition moves their regional tryouts close to home, Jordan J is determined to perform and earn a spot on the TV show. Things don't go exactly as planned, but Jordan J finds out there is more than one way to be involved in the competition. His talent could possibly help someone else earn the spot he hoped for. He might find a new friend but also lose one in the process.

In her unique presentation author K.A. Holt takes readers on a wild ride with Jordan J. Hearing directly from Jordan J's POV will help readers understand exactly what goes through the mind of someone "divergent" and just how being oneself requires courage but usually produces the best results. I can't wait to see what is next for the Kids Under the Stairs.

THREE STRIKE SUMMER by Skyler Schrempp

 

Gloria loves playing baseball. She practices day and night with hopes of being allowed to pitch on the boys' team. Just when she is being recognized by the boys for her excellent skills, a bank man shows up at her house and she learns that her family must leave. Everything they own is loaded in the back of their truck along with her and her sister, and they head for California.

Her summer dreams of playing baseball seem to be over as they arrive at a peach orchard where she and her family will be harvesting the peach crop. The pay is unfair, the living conditions appalling, and the rules designed so no one will ever get ahead. The only bright spot is the baseball team Gloria hears about and their rivalry with the apricot orchard players nearby.

Between picking peaches and listening to the adults complain about poor wages and treatment, Gloria must try to find a way to convince Terrence, the boy in charge of the baseball team, that she deserves to take his place as pitcher. When she demonstrates her skills, most of the players think she might be the answer to defeating their rivals once and for all.

Author Skyler Schrempp weaves a fascinating tale set in the dust bowl era. Her description of life as a migrant worker and the depressing conditions will make the history of the era come alive. Her characters are honest and believable and will have readers rooting for them from the first chapter on.

THE GETAWAY by Lamar Giles

 

Karloff Country is a Disney World of sorts. Anyone with enough money can book a vacation at Karloff Country and have the time of their lives. The accommodations are excellent. The food is fabulous. The entertainment is top-notch. It's the perfect place to escape the unraveling real world.

Jay and his parents live and work in Karloff Country. His parents are professionals who scored jobs helping to build and run this amazing place. Jay works as a Helper in Enchantria. He's really a glorified custodian who cleans up after the visitors, answers their questions, and basically does their bidding, but he plans to work his way up in the Karloff business.

On the surface Karloff Country seems legit, but the Karoff family and their investors, the Trustees, have plans to use the resort as a safe place from a collapsing society. When the wrist bands worn by people like Jay and his family become painful ways for the Trustees to control the workers, it becomes obvious that Karloff Country is a dangerous place.

Author Lamar Giles includes frightening details that connect to some of the chaos in the real world of today to make this futuristic novel seem all too current. Could the rich and powerful create a Karloff Country to protect them in case of disaster while sacrificing the common folk? This thrilling tale will have readers wondering what the future has in store.

THE HOPE OF ELEPHANTS by Amanda Rawson Hill

 

Cass knows more about cancer than any young girl should. Every odd numbered year of her life her father has been diagnosed with a different type of cancer. He goes through chemo, radiation, or surgery, but some sort of cancer always returns.

Cass has been homeschooled because germs are the enemy. If she went to school like most of the other kids she knows, she would be bringing home illnesses that might seem minor, but that could actually kill her dad. She knows about wearing masks, washing thoroughly, and keeping her distance when necessary. One thing Cass regrets is when her father's cancer prevents her from playing baseball. She loves baseball and so does he.

When the tire place where her father works realizes he probably will never be back to work in any normal way, they try to help by offering to send Cass and her parents to the World Series. They have gotten to go to one of the big games every year, but this year cancer may be getting in the way. Cass feels selfish but missing the big game just doesn't seem fair.

Doctors think they have determined that Cass's dad has this problem with cancer because he is missing a particular gene. That answers the why part of cancer, but it isn't a cure. To complicate matters, Cass may have inherited this missing gene and only a special test can tell. Now Cass may be missing the World Series game, and if she decides to have the test, she may find out she has a 50% chance of getting cancer by age 30.

THE HOPE OF ELEPHANTS by Amanda Rawson Hill is a novel in verse about one family dealing with a disease all too familiar to most of us. There are ups and downs, laughter and pain, in this straightforward, no holds barred tale. 

THE AMBASSADOR OF NOWHERE TEXAS by Kimberly Willis Holt

 

Thank you to author Kimberly Willis Holt for writing a companion novel to her wonderful WHEN ZACHARY BEAVER CAME TO TOWN. Zachary Beaver is a character I have always remembered, and this new story honors him well.

Rylee Wilson lives in Antler, Texas. She loves her town. Her family-owned snow cone shop, her history teacher father, and Opalina's Opry House are just a few of the things that make this small Texas town special. When a boy and his mother buy the old house owned by town legend Miss Myrtie Mae, Rylee hopes they will love Antler, too.

Acting as a tour guide for the new neighbor, Joe, Rylee realizes that he isn't impressed by her town. He is from New York City so small town life must seem pretty slow and dull. 9/11 happened just months earlier, and Rylee learns that Joe's father was killed in the disaster. She thinks if she can get him to like Antler, it might take his mind off the tragedy.

One thing does seem to help distract Joe. When he sees a photograph of Zachary Beaver and learns that the sideshow performer was in Antler years ago and was friends with Rylee's dad, he is determined to find out what happened to Zachary. Reuniting the childhood friends turns into a mission for Joe and Rylee.

Author Kimberly Willis Holt deftly weaves together multiple story lines that will have readers remembering Zachary and learning so much more about the characters of Antler both past and present. Older readers will love the return of Zachary and probably encourage new readers to find a copy of his story before or after tackling this latest one.

TWO DEGREES by Alan Gratz

 

Author Alan Gratz takes on climate change in this newly release powerhouse novel. Readers will be catapulted from one jaw dropping catastrophe to another as Gratz relates as three disasters unfold. 

Akira and her family are trying to survive a California wildfire. She and her father are separated while enjoying a horseback ride near their mountain home. Wild flames and crashing trees threaten everything in their path.

Owen and George live in Churchill, Manitoba. Their small Canadian town is known for its polar bears. Tourists flock there to see the huge white bears before they head out to the ice in the Arctic to hunt for seals. The problem is the ice is forming later and later each year, so the hungry bears have become a threat to people. Owen and George find themselves being stalked by one of the huge bears.

In Miami Natalie is about to experience a monster hurricane. When a wall in her small house collapses, she is washed away leaving her mother and a neighbor stranded in what's left of the house. Natalie must struggle to stay afloat as she hopes to be washed to safety. When the storm surge calms, she is miles from home not knowing if her mother survived.

Gratz relates how all the disasters are the result of climate change. The young people fear if something doesn't change, these events will increase and threaten us all. Their decisions to become activists seeking change will hopefully encourage readers of all ages to step up and look for ways to prevent future destruction. 

HAVEN JACOBS SAVES THE PLANET by Barbara Dee

 

When Haven Jacobs watches a video about endangered penguins, it triggers what she later learns is eco-anxiety. Haven can't stop thinking about climate change, pollution, and all the things destroying the planet. It seems like she's the only one who cares. Why aren't adults worried about this? Why aren't they doing something?

Haven sees her chance to do something when her science teacher introduces a new project that involves studying the health of the local river. Water movement, water purity, macros, and other river life are just some of the things Haven and her classmates observe and study. When their recorded findings show dangerous differences from previous science class results, Haven steps up to bring the conditions to the attention of the town.

What Haven discovers is that sometimes an attempt to fix a problem can lead to even more problems. Her desire to help the planet could cost her father his job and even the friendships and acceptance of some of her classmates. She'll have to decide what she is willing to sacrifice to make the changes she knows are necessary.

Author Barbara Dee tackles a topic we should all be more concerned about. HAVEN JACOBS SAVES THE PLANET makes climate change an approachable subject within an entertaining story. Attention teachers! Anyone looking for a good book to use as a STEM project? Read it in an ELA class and collaborate with science and social studies and more!