The Truth as Told By Mason Buttle

Read this.  Just do it.

I could leave that there.  But I will add that this was a gorgeous story about a boy who struggles in school, both academically and socially.  When his only fried dies, he is the main suspect in his death.  Mason does not really understand that.  His story pours out of him slowly in the guidance office at school with the help of a terrific teacher.  And it is there that he meets Calvin.  With Calvin's help, he begins to feel normal again, until something happens again.  Is he bad luck?   (FIC CON)

Small Spaces

As you can tell by the cover, this one is spooky.  Fans of Goosebumps will love this one.  It is on the Great Stone Face list of nominees for 2019-2020.  Ollie stumbles upon a woman ready to throw a book in a pond.  She prevents the hysterical woman from doing so, and begins reading it.  What she thinks is a fictional novel is actually a diary of sorts, describing a deal with the Smiley-faced man, who will trade your greatest wish for your soul.  When Ollie and her class go on a field trip to the farm where this allegedly took place, the broken watch of her deceased mom starts beeping RUN.  It was a unique, fast-paced creepy tale of courage and friendship.  (FIC ARD)

Saving Winslow

In this sweet little story, Sharon Creech, Newbery-winning author of Walk Two Moons, tells a story of a boy and the donkey he saved.  Louie immediately gets attached to a newborn donkey, frail and unlikely to survive.  Despite warnings not to get attached, he does.  He names it Winslow and his love and care saves the donkey.  Nora, a new friend, starts showing up more often and comes out of her shell because of Winslow.  But when the neighbor starts complaining, Louie is faced with a very difficult decision.  This was a beautiful, sweet story about over and friendship, and a bit of loss.  It is a 2019-20 Great Stone Face nominee.   (FIC CRE)

Jefferson's Sons

This is another historical fiction story by one of my favorite authors, Kim Bradley.  This one is based on the true facts behind Thomas Jefferson's secret family with Sally Hemings, a slave.  She did extensive research and wound those facts into a beautiful, yet troubling story about what it was like to be a slave on his plantation.  Students should walk away from this one scratching their heads as to how one of our founding fathers, who created our country with the belief that all men were created equal, could own slaves.  (FIC BRA) 

Shouting at the Rain

This realistic fiction story was written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, the author of Fish In  a Tree.  It is the story of a young girl's summer on Cape Cod.  She thinks it will be a usual summer with her friend, but when that friend finds a new girl who happens to be mean and exclusive, Delsie is heartbroken.  That is, until she meets Ronan.  The two find that they are alike in many ways, both a bit broken.  They learn how to deal with their sorrow and anger and together become true friends.  I enjoyed the theme of this story, its characters, and its metaphors for life.  (FIC MUL)