Last Stop on Market Street

This picture book won the Newbery Award last year.  You heard right.  The Newbery...not the Caldecott medal which is given to the book whose illustrations best help tell the story.  The Newbery is an award "given to the most distinguished contribution to children's literature".  I don't understand how that could be a picture book. It is a beautiful book with a touching story about a boy and his terrific grandmother who is teaching him about the important things in life while he complains a bit about their financial circumstances.  I loved it, but it is not your normal Newbery winner.

True (sort of)

I did not want this book to end.  It was full of fragile, lovable characters, all wounded and broken in some way.  Delly is a girl who has been told she is bad so many times, she believes it.  A new girl named Ferris Boyd moves to town who does not speak but can play hoops like a pro. Brud stutters and wants to be a basketball superstar.  They find and help one another through the power of friendship.  This book has a mature theme in it.  Although handled well and somewhat discreetly, it is for mature fourth and fifth graders who possibly can have a discussion with their parents about abuse.  (FIC HAN)

Ghost

I enjoyed this short Great Stone Face nominee for 2017-18.  Written by Jason Reynolds, we meet Castle, also known as Ghost.  I found him to be a refreshing and unique character.  He is in middle school, growing up on the tough side of town and living with his mom after a violent episode with his dad.  He constantly gets into trouble at school, until he discovers Track as a sport, and a coach who helps him become a responsible kid who can stay out of trouble.  I did find several topics a bit mature for my students, including the domestic violence and drug use.  I will not be carrying this book on my shelves.

Beyond the Bright Sea

Lauren Wolk may be my new favorite author.  This book was absolutely beautiful and original.  The characters were endearing and lovable; the plot exciting and mysterious.  It is set a long time ago, when a very contagious disease called leprosy took the lives of many innocent people and caused fear among others.  Crow was cast to the sea as an infant, away from an island plagued with the disease.  She finds a home with a reclusive man and his neighbor and they become the girl's family.  But when people start searching for treasure on the island of her birth, her past catches up to her.  (FIC WOL)

The Candy Smash

This is the 4th in a series called The Lemonade War series.  The two main characters are a fourth grade boy, Evan, and his sister, Jessie.  Jessie is brilliant and skipped a grade, which puts her in Evan's class.  He is not too happy about it.  Even though she is so smart, she struggles with understanding how to interact with other kids.  In this story, her desire to publish the Valentine's Day edition of the classroom newspaper threatens to embarrass most of the class, especially Evan.  I enjoyed this immensely.  I loved how, through the story, the reader gains a great understanding of poetry conventions and how to appreciate a beautiful poem, like Evan does.

Wolf Hollow

I can not say how much I loved this book.  I fell in love with every character.  A beautiful, engaging story line woven with themes that will resonate with students, it is a true joy.  AnnaBelle lives in a lovely town that has a troubled soul name Toby who lives there.  He is a kind soul, but keeps to himself, which scares some people.  A mean girl moves into town and realizes she can do bad things and blame it on Toby and people will believe her.  AnnaBelle knows that it is her responsibility to speak the truth and be courageous in the face of prejudice and injustice.  It is a Great Stone Nominee for 2017-2018.  (FIC WOL)