Paper Things

I enjoyed this novel about a girl and her brother.  Ari and Gage leave their foster home and unfortunately, can not find a new one. They struggle with being homeless for weeks.  The story deals realistically with the struggles of the siblings, who vow to stay together while trying to succeed in school and at work.  I loved the older brother, Gage, and found myself rooting for Ari, wishing on a "wish-plane" that all would work out.
(FIC JAC)

The Bolds

This Great Stone Face nominee about a pair of hyenas who leave Africa and move to London to pretend they are human was full of silliness, jokes, and bathroom humor.  I found it less than satisfying, but I am also a relatively old lady.  Maybe I am too old to appreciate it.  (FIC CLA)

Mutt's Promise

Kids will love this animal adventure story.  When Mutt has puppies, she could never predict the future that is in store for them.  She promises each of them that they have a talent and will one day find it.  But when two of them, including quiet, shy Luna, are taken away by a mean puppy-mill owner,  Luna will need to summon her courage and her talents to find home again.  This is a 17-18 Great Stone Face nominee.  (FIC SAL)

The Seventh Wish

This is a fantasy story but one with a real heavy dose of reality.  A girl catches a fish that grants wishes.  Charlie makes a few that go a bit wrong.  However, when she discovers that her sister is addicted to drugs, her life changes, and so do her priorities about wishing.  The author makes many references to the D.A.R.E. program and what it teaches.  I think this story is very timely, given the state of our society right now and could be a eye-opening read for a mature 5th grader. (FIC MES)

The Courage Test

A Great Stone Face nominee for 17-18, this story about a boy trying to reconnect with his dad is heart-warming.  His dad is a history professor, fascinated with the journey of Lewis and Clark.  They set out to follow in their footsteps.  But nothing is as it seems.  His mother is not being honest with him about why he is going.  And they meet a girl who is on her own journey.  Some topics are a bit mature, but are handled well and carefully for a grade-school audience.  (FIC PRE)

The Princess in Black

This is a new early-reader series by authors Shannon and Dean Hale.  I love her Books of Bayern, and here she has branched out into an early chapter book for younger children.  Bright graphic pictures and a super-hero princess in disguise will attract the emerging reader.  Each story has a different monster that she needs to defeat, yet each story follows a familiar plot-line which should be comforting for younger children.

Jubilee

In this stand-alone short novel by prolific author Patricia Reilly Giff, we meet Jubilee, a young girl who does not speak.  The reader learns of her past, sympathizes with her struggles in school fitting in, and roots for her to overcome her fears and insecurities and speak again.  (FIC GIF)

The Wild Robot

I heard amazing things about this book.  A ship full of robots is lost at sea, and Roz is the only survivor. She learns to love the island, adapting her programming to survive in the wilderness and become friends with the animals.  Her makers want her back and she faces a hard decision that affects everyone on the island.  It was a cute story, but I did not love it or understand what all the hullabaloo was about.  (FIC BRO)

Garvey's Choice

In this very short novel written in tanka poems, we meet Garvey. He likes Chess and reading.  His Dad unfortunately wants him to like sports. He finally finds a place that makes him fulfilled and happy, but will his choice further isolate him from the love and acceptance of his dad or bring them together? I was moved by this story and in awe of the author's ability to use the poetry style so effortlessly to tell it.  (FIC GRI)

The Bicycle Spy

This short WWII novel, written by Yona Zeldis McDonough is a great introduction into the world of Occupied France.  Marcel's parents are members of the resistance who secretly fight against Nazi Germany and the French who help them.  He becomes a spy himself, helping pass notes hideen in loaves of bread his parents make.  When a new friend's secret is revelaed, his courage and honor are put to the test.  I found this to be an exciting story, although written in a very simple style.  Students who are fans of historical fiction will enjoy this.  (FIC MCD)

Save Me a Seat

This is a beautiful novel about how two very different boys become friends: one is a newly arrived immigrant from India, the other is a quiet, insecure one with learning disabilities and sensory issues.  Each chapter goes back and forth between their perspectives over a one week timespan, which allows the reader to see how very different their lives are.  And yet, they become freinds when they both become the target of the class bully.  (FIC WEE)