Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Caitlin’s (5th grader) brother Devon was killed in a devastating shooting at the Virginia Dare Middle School and she’s not sure life is ever going to be the same. She misses him, but she has Asperger’s syndrome, so her way of relating to people and the world is a little different than normal. It doesn’t help that Caitlin’s dad is falling apart with … Read more
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate has the utter misfortune of being the only girl right in the middle of a family full of boys. Because of this, there are some expectations put on her by her mother. Calpurnia struggles to improve her sewing, knitting, and cooking because in 1899 a girl is expected to do these well. She really … Read more
Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Heart of a Shepherd is a touching and memorable story of family loyalty and faith. Ignatius “Brother” Alderman, nearly twelve, is in charge of the family ranch when his father leaves for Iraq with his Army Reserve Unit. Birthing calves, raising newborn lambs, and fighting wildfires are all part of a rancher’s duty, and Brother accepts it all … Read more
The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Newton Fusco Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) This is the poignant story of Charlie Anne and her family during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Charlie Anne’s mother has recently died in childbirth and her tough unemotional cousin, Mirabel has arrived to take care of the family. Life is a never ending round of chores for Charlie Anne who misses her mother desperately. The final … Read more
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Dwight, 7th grader, is kind of a dork. He’s awkward and he’s always doing weird things that make it clear he’s lacking in the social skills department. He’s also an origami folding genius. His greatest creation so far is an origami Yoda, which gives advice when Dwight puts him on his finger. Other kids are drawn … Read more
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz Adventure Fantasy * * * Stars (Pretty good) Hansel and Gretel are royal siblings, born to royal parents who chop their heads off (they’re fine, don’t worry!) to show their loyalty to their steadfast servant, Faithful Johannes. When the children find out what their parents have done, they run away (to find better parents – ones who aren’t likely to separate their heads from their shoulders) – … Read more
Skellig by David Almond Fantasy * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In his dilapidated garage, Michael hears movement, and digging through the dirt and junk, he finds a creature that seems to be part man and part bird or angel. He is filthy, smelly and apparently near to starvation. As disturbing as this discovery is, it is the least of Michael’s worries. The new house is a mess, his parents are distracted, and his … Read more
Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Henry Grim, 14, was a servant at the exclusive Midsummer School up until recently. When one of the Midsummer professors caught him borrowing textbooks, he decided to tutor him instead of reporting him to school administrators for theft. Henry Grim then became one of the most promising students Midsummer School never had the privilege of teaching! Encouraged by his tutor to take the … Read more
January Conspiracy 365 #1 by Gabrielle Lord Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It is New Year’s Eve, and 15-year-old Callum Ormond is chased down the street by a staggering, sick man with a deadly warning, “They killed your father. They’ll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days”. Following the first attempt on his life Callum is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He is hurled into a life … Read more
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Historical Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) It’s 1776 and Isabel Finch (who later becomes Sal Lockton) and her younger sister Ruth are sold to the Locktons when their owner passes away. They were to have been freed under the terms of the last will and testament of their owner, but with no copies of the document to prove it, the girls are stuck. The Locktons take them to … Read more