Ghost

 By Jason Reynolds about a boy who has the biggest attitude and chip on his shoulder. But then I cannot judge what I don't know and as I tiptoe into this world it gives me a glimpse that brings me great empathy for the courage that Ghost exhibits. I know kids will love him and cheer him on.

Halfway Normal

Norah is back at school after she has been ill......a 2 year absence for cancer treatment. Teachers and parents hover, friends... some friends stay by her side... some don't. Some are even a bit resentful. But Norah meets some new ones who don't know her history and that makes her feel more normal. This book feels honest and I think kids will relate.  By Barbara Dee.

Refugee

Amazing book by Alan Gratz. 3 stories connected by the need to escape unbearable situations that have occurred in history and are still occurring today. Brings understanding and, I hope, empathy to what is happening in our world.

Beyond the Bright Sea

By Lauren Wolk who wrote award winning Wolf Hollow. A mystery to solve when a young girl is determined to find out who she is and where she came from as she lives an unusual existence on a small island with her caregiver Osh. Beautifully written.

Armstrong and Charlie

1970's, Los Angeles, busing, different but not different, humorous. Loved the parents who instilled great values. When walls are broken down true friendship happens.

Superstar

You know Lester is a bit unusual when first meeting him; his reaction to school, his fascination with science, the superman he carries around with him to help ground him. But you love him so much and cheer for him just like you did for Auggie. I really liked this book by Mandy Davies.

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Really really liked this book by John David Anderson who wrote Ms Bixby's Last Day. Lots of things to discuss when reading with an upper intermediate class.

The Screaming Staircase

The Swallow: A Ghost Story

The Night Gardener

Counting Thyme

Frostborn - Thrones and Bones Series

Ms Bixby's Last Day

Crown of Three

Rule of Three

Save Me a Seat

The Wild Robot

What a wonderful story, perfect to read aloud to students in Grades 2 and 3 as I am doing now! You see this story is about an engaging character, a robot named Roz, who has been washed up on a deserted island. Only this island is not quite deserted. It is inhabited by all sorts of wonderful animals who, at first, run in fear from this monster. However Roz is such a gentle soul wanting to make a life for herself and not quite understanding how. But her questioning and compassionate nature allows change to happen and soon she is a mother, a friend and a hero.
The fun of reading this book aloud is of course impersonating  Roz in my best robot voice. And when you meet Brightbill, my voice is high and chirpy. And Chitchat, a mile a minute! We are half way through but I have given some predicting hints to my class by reading the titles of the chapters! Danger ahead.

The Skeleton Tree

You are sailing with your beloved uncle down the Alaskan coast on your way to Vancouver. There is another boy, a little older than you, who is sullen and has taken an intense dislike to you. The ship sinks and you and this boy are the only survivors. Your success in staying alive is working together but.....

While this is a survival story first there are deeper feelings and events that pull you in as the story unfolds and you realize there is so much more than survival happening here.

House Arrest

 Some of my teachers and students love books written with free verse poems. K.A. Holt in "House Arrest" does a brilliant job of telling a heart warming and heart breaking story this way.

What kind of person is under house arrest? I am sure you are thinking of someone who has done something awful. Our main character, Timothy, is a thief so he is to be punished with house arrest for a year. However when you have a sick baby brother who needs medicine and a mother has no money, what would you do when a wallet is right in front of you?

Pax

Love and friendship. A fox and his boy. Nothing can come between them. Forced apart. Determination. Challenges. Pain. Joy. Heartache. Read.

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook

How would you feel if you literally grew up in a prison? Deprived? Sad? Resentful? Not Perry. He felt loved and special, having a kind and caring community to watch over him. Who is the caring community? The warden and the convicts, including his mom. When he is taken away from all he has known, he is determined to get back and to help his mom get released. Easier said than done... Loved this book!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Beautiful.  Newberry Award Winner 2017

Six of Crows and The Crooked Kingdom

Intricate plot,  well crafted details,  fascinating characters, an impossible feat, loyalty... These are two books for the mature reader not to be missed.

The Honest Truth

Because I enjoyed Dan Gemeinhart's book, Some Kind of Courage, so much I knew I had to try The Honest Truth. My students are raving about it and crying about it and sharing it and talking about it.... You get the picture.

Some Kind of Courage

Dan Gemeinhart has the ability to pull in his readers from the very first page. I know because I stood in the book store, picked up this book and knew after reading only a few lines, I had to have it.

Wolf Hollow

Held captive by this award winning book. A must read.