Maybe A Mermaid

In her debut novel, Josephine Cameron takes the reader on a trip to a magical place, according to Anthoni's mom.  The camp she attended for 6 summers as a child will be the boost they need to get her business back on track.  But they do not realize the camp is basically abandoned.  How is Anthoni supposed to find her True Blue Friend for life here?  And how can her mom fix her business with no potential customers?  And is the hotel owner really a mermaid?  I loved the quirky characters in this sweet story and its message about how you truly define a friend.  (FIC CAM)

Beverly, Right Here

In this realistic fiction story by Kate DiCamillo, we revisit the character of Beverly, whom you meet in Raymie Nightingale, and again in Louisian'a Way Home.  (You do not need to read the other stories, however, to follow this one.)  Beverly has run away from home after her dog has died.  Her home is less than perfect.  Her mom doesn't care about her and her dad is gone.  She winds up staying in a trailer with a kind, lonley old woman where she starts to sort things out and heal.  It was a quick, lovely read that leaves you feeling good.  (FIC DIC)

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue

In the third installment of this wonderful, realistic fiction series, the Vanderbeeker family is excited for spring break.  Mom is having a magazine come and do a story about her baking business, Oliver is building a treehouse, and Isa has a big audition.  But the baking inspecor comes early to check the house.  Animals start arriving on their porch in great numbers, which will ensure a failure and mom's loss of business.  When they try to fix the problem it only gets worse.  But this family's love, positivity, and dedication to each other ensure that all will work out in the end.  I LOVE THIS FAMILY.  (FIC GLA)

The Nowhere Boy

This was a heart-wrenching story about a Syrian refugee boy who lost his whole family.  Unfortunately, where he ends up in Brussels, there are terrorist attacks and the police are looking out for illegal immigrants, especially Muslims.  Ahmed finds a hiding space in an American family's basement.  But when Max, their son, finds out, Ahmed thinks he will be arrested taken to a camp for detainees.  Max instead uses a local Holocaust rescue story as his inspiration and makes a courageous choice to help Ahmed, no matter the risk.  (FIC MAR)

The Line Tender

This book by Kate Allen was getting a ton of buzz.  I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  It is a beautiful story about loss and hope.  Lucy and her best friend, Fred, are called down to the docks of Rockport, MA where a huge shark has been caught by a local fisherman.  This triggers something in Lucy, as her late mother was a biologist who wanted to study the patterns of sharks and why they are starting to be more prevalent on the Cape.  She and Fred add it to their Science Log for summer extra credit.  But when a tragedy strikes, Lucy feels compelled to continue the unfinished work of her mom.  The book was moving and touching, but because of some mature content (menstruation, under-age drinking, language), I don't feel comfortable putting it on my K-5 shelf.  (FIC ALL)