Auggie & Me (sequel to Wonder) by R.J. Palacio Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Auggie & Me” consists of three new chapters from three different characters that were in the book, “Wonder.” It takes place after the book and follows bully Julian, Auggie’s oldest friend Christopher, and his classmate Charlotte. It gives an insight into how Auggie has touched their own lives and where they go and what they … Read more
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Marlene comes from a long line of women with beautiful kinky hair and, alas, a tradition of straightening it to keep it under control. When her mom starts taking her to the salon, Marlene is initially excited about the attention and time they get to spend together, but that’s quickly overshadowed by the pain she experiences during the procedure, the … Read more
Real by Carol Cujec & Peyton Goddard Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Charity is an intelligent thirteen-year-old, but no one knows that because she is autistic and has difficulty communicating and controlling her body. Her parents love and support her, but have no more idea than anyone else how smart she really is. Forced to attend a special “school” that’s basically just a holding cell for kids with disabilities, Charity is regularly … Read more
Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 by Jeff Kinney Funny Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction Grades 5+ Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about Rodrick, the older brother, and his band. Rodrick and his band want to be very famous so they decide to enter a competition. They practice a lot, but at one poin tthey stop because they think it has gotten too extreme for them. Rodrick now … Read more
The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 5-8) * * * * Stars (Great!) Summer just started and eleven-year-old June Delancey has shaved her head. She experiences a lot of anxiety and uses hair pulling as one of her coping mechanisms. She figures she’ll have to find some other way to cope if she doesn’t have any hair… That works for about 5 minutes and then she feels BOTH anxious AND … Read more
How to Get Away with Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #2 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle Hardcastle is fuming. Though she solved the mystery of Redgraves, her father has sent her and Miss Judson packing off to the seashore for a “relaxing vacation,” or in Myrtle’s knowledge, to get her away from her Morbid Obsession with Death. Additionally, to further lengthen the … Read more
Cold-Blooded Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #3 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle is back in her town for Christmas. However, when Myrtle is around somehow crime will be around also. Before she has to deal with another murder, Myrtle also has to deal with what is happening at home. Like how Miss Judson and her father are arguing and mad at each … Read more
Premeditated Myrtle Myrtle Hardcastle series, book #1 by Elizabeth C. Bunce Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Myrtle Hardcastle has grown up around crime. After all, her father is the town prosecutor and her mother was a doctor. However, when crime appears nextdoor, Myrtle’s father does not want her poking around. Elusively, Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, investigate the crime anyway. Miss Judson, though more of a … Read more
Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) No one is more curious about the newest rider (she’s really good!) at Edgewood Stables than Norrie. But when the new girl gives her a serious brush off, Norrie vows to SHUN her. Her friends Sam and Hazel go along with her, until new girl (Victoria) decides she wants to make amends. She apologizes and gradually shares some of … Read more
The Hike to Home by Jess Rinker Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Lin Moser is having the worst summer of her life. She’s used to traveling around the world with her famous parents (her dad renovates houses and her mom films him, and in their spare time they go on all kinds of adventures), and now she’s stuck in a tiny town in New Jersey with nothing interesting to do. … Read more