Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Steve York is in danger of failing life, but he doesn’t care. He’s worked hard to escape his past – to forget and distance himself from what happened in Texas. His high school guidance counselor, DeMouy, however, reminds him that he once was a good student, and that there’s still time to turn things around. In order to do that Steve … Read more
Ghost Track #1 by Jason Reynolds Realistic Fiction Sports * * * * Stars (Great!) Castle Cranshaw (aka Ghost) ends up on the Defenders track team after schooling one of its sprinters – even in rolled up jeans and old high tops, Ghost is faster. Although Ghost isn’t really interested in running, Coach convinces him that it’ll help his basketball game. While that isn’t necessarily true, Ghost discovers that he loves running and he likes … Read more
The Agony of Bun O’Keefe by Heather Smith Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Bun O’Keefe’s mother (a hoarder) tells her to “Get out!” Bun does. Homeless and not sure what to do or where to go, Bun approaches a busker/musician who, charmed by Bun’s quirky character, takes her under his wing and back to his temporary lodgings. Bun goes on to charm his housemates with her forthrightness and they form a … Read more
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kiko Himura (half-Japanese) is hoping to get into the art school of her dreams – Prism – in New York. She can’t wait to leave home, where her self-obsessed mother makes her and her siblings miserable. But she doesn’t get in. And her uncle, who sexually abused her, is moving in with them. As she grasps at the straws of her future, … Read more
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ada and her brother Jaimie are now permanent wards of their guardian, Susan, who took them in when they were evacuated from London. The first thing Susan does is arrange for Ada to have surgery to correct her clubfoot, which has long been a source of pain and shame for her. The recovery process is long … Read more
Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Josie is part of a close-knit family who understand her even if they don’t always speak the same language. Josie is pretty particular about her likes and dislikes and when her older sister brings home her fiancé, Geoff, she takes an immediate dislike to him. He is SO obnoxious – talks far too much, makes ridiculous assumptions about … Read more
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Natalie is in 7th grade and she has a goofy science teacher who really wants his students to love science as much as he does. Natalie has a hard time taking him seriously, but she’s having trouble taking anything seriously right now, as her mother has fallen into a depression and won’t come out of her room. Natalie doesn’t … Read more
Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Willow Chance is a twelve year old genius who is obsessed with nature and with her medical conditions she finds it easy to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to make friends so this is her way of communicating. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I Funny I Funny #1 by James Patterson Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A boy named Rafe Katchadorian always wanted to share his jokes with other people, but he always got bullied by these kids because he is in a wheelchair. So, he sneaked into New York City to learn about a stand-up comedian contest. Then, he successfully became Long Island’s funniest comedian! I loved this book because it … Read more
A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Mark just moved to New Hampshire and his parents are really rich. Mark and his science teacher do not get along, but they have to work together to help get themselves out of danger. I liked this book because it was kind of exciting and the story was pretty good as well.