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)

Where the Watermelons Grow

This story's content was a bit mature, in that it deals with mental illness, specifically schitzophrenia.  Della's mom suffers from it and Della finds it very difficult to understand how her mom can be fine one day, and not fine another.  Della starts to believe it is is her fault, and she goes about trying to help fix everything so her mom can get better and things can get back to normal.  When that doesn't work, she goes to the local bee lady, whose honey has performed miracles, hoping for her own miracle.  I liked how the author treats mental illness, and how Della learns how to love her mother no matter what.  (FIC BAL)

Count Me In

This middle-grade novel was a bit heavy.  It revolves around a hate crime that happened to the main character and her grandfather, both Americans of Indian descent.  They were accosted on the street, assaulted, spat at, and told to "go home".  When the school and town rally around them, they know that the hate will not win.  It is an important theme in children's literature, and although mature in content, it needs to be on my shelves, especially now.  (FIC BAJ)

Refugee 87

This survival story was quite mature, but I believe it is important and timely.  Stolen from his home by soldiers, Shif and his best friend are taken from their homes and imprisoned.  They learn from their cellmates that many people in their country who the army feels threatened by are taken and never heard from again.  Shif and Bini are chosen to escape and tell the stories of  the others who can never leave.  They escape and try to begin their journey toward freedom.  It will take strength, sacrafice, courage and hope.  (FIC FOU)

Dead Voices

This is Katherine Arden's sequel to Small Spaces, a Great Stone Face nominee this year.  Ollie, Brian and Coco think they are going to have a wonderful skiing weekend away together.  But they get snowed in at a new lodge that used to be an orphanage and the kids start seeing things and having nightmares.  When Ollie gets trapped behind a mirror in another dimension hunted by ghosts, Coco has to use all her bravery and wits to outsmart the Smiling Man and get her friend back.  (FIC ARD)

White Bird

R. J. Palacio has added a beautiful and moving story to the Wonder series.  This graphic novel highlights the story of Julien's grandmother, a Jew in France during WWII who had to go into hiding to escape the Nazis.  Like Wonder, it is a story of acceptance and kindness.  She is saved from the concentration camps by a boy from school.  As one would expect, this is a troubling, yet important subject.  There is some violence and blood in the book, although not a lot.  The story rather focuses on the sacrafice and humanity of those caught in Hitler's horrific net of hate.  (GN PAL)

Lifeboat 12

This Great Stone Face nominee this year is a historical fiction story in verse, based on a true story of survival.  During WWII, English children were sometimes sent to Canada to stay with families so they would be safe.  Ken was excited for the adventure.  But when his cruise ship is torpedoed by a German Uboat, all passengers have to board lifeboats and abandon ship.  Because they are part of a huge convoy of ships, they think that they will be rescued shortly.  But that does not happen.  It was exciting and heartbreaking, knowing this really happened.  At the end of the book, the author has provided many pages of the research and primary source documents, including photos,  on which the story is based.

One-third Nerd

This author wrote a Newbery-honor winning book called Al Capone Does My Shirts.  I had hope for this.  Unfortunately, it did nothing for me.  The plot revolves around three kids who are trying to save money to help their family.  Their dog keeps peeing all over the house and the landlord is making them get rid of the dog if they can't fix it.  Dakota is a total nerd, and proud of it, and she thinks her problem-solving mind can figure this out.   I found this uneventful, quite boring, and very forgettable.  It is on the Great Stone Face list this year.  (FIC CHO)

Captain Superlative

There are so many stories about middle-school bullies and how friendship can overcome the way in which you react to them.  This was that.  A little.  However, it was so much more.  It was such a beautiful and powerful story of making a difference and being brave.  I adored it.  I will say, as a warning to younger readers, it contained some heavy issues, including domestic violence and cancer.  But their presence was such an integral part of the story and not gratuitous in any way.  I adored it.  I want to throw on a cape right now and be superlative.  And I wish it for all students everywhere.  #willyoubesuperlative

Towers Falling

I was nervous about this one.  Anything having to do with that horrific day of course builds tension.  I wanted to make sure any book I add to the collection is appropriate for my students.  Jewell Parker Rhodes has written a beautiful story that I believe will answer questions and get students thinking.  I love the way she does it.  The students in Brooklyn start a new school year close to the 15th anniversary of the disaster.  Their teachers integrate lessons about community and what it means to be American.  They are leading the students to the event in a way that won't traumatize them.  The main character knows nothing about it, and yet lives with the fall-out of it every day.  Her discovery of her father's story is beautifully told.  I had chills reading it.  (FIC RHO)

Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat

This is a quick, funny read on the Great Stone Face list this year.  I believe it is the first in a series.  No surprise there.  Stewart's two dogs, Waldo and Sassy, worry about their family and where they escape to every day.  Even though their jobs are to nap and to defend their family from squirrels, they decide they need to protect Stewart at the bad place called "school" where he goes every day.  So they go to school in a trench coat.  Luckily, Waldo can speak English.  No one knows they are dogs, except Stewart.  It was silly and funny.  Kids will like this one.  (FIC FAL)

Ra, the Mighty Cat Detective

This mystery-fantasy story is on the Great Stone Face list this year.  It is a story of a privileged, vain cat and his friend, a dung beetle who need to solve a crime to save a little girl wrongly accused.  I found it very simple and lacked any real meat.  Mystery and cat-lovers may enjoy it.  (FIC GRE)

Inkling

I will be honest.  I was not excited to read this story by Kenneth Oppel about an inkblot that comes to life.  However, it surprised me with its message as well as its captivating plot.  Ethan has lost his mom, and his Dad, who is a graphic novel illustrator, is stuck.  He can't produce any more drawings.  When an inkblot escapes from his sketchbook, it starts to absorb any print material it can find to stay alive.  Ethan soon finds him and they become friends.  But several people discover Inkling and want to abuse his power for their own good.  Inkling has a job to do, though, related to the death of their Mom.  It was an engrossing story that touched on the balance of graphic novels versus those written in verse.  It is a Great Stone Face nominee this year. (FIC OPP)

The Legend of Rock, Paper, and Scissors

This hilarious book will be a HUGE hit with students.  Rock can find no one who challenges him.  He becomes bored until he finds two others who suffer the same fate.  By becoming friends and battling, they make each other better and stronger.  It is this legend that students reenact with their game today.  (PIC REX)

Meet Yasmin!

Yasmin is a second-grade Pakistani-American who loves solving problems.  In this book, there are several chapters, each concentrating on a different problem.  The rest of the series, however, has one topic that she deals with in each book. 
I like how a different culture is made very accessible to students through these books.  In the back, there are Urdu words and crafts, too!  (E FAR)

Daisy Dreamer and

This is the first in a sweet, early-chapter-book series by Holly Anna.  Daisy has a terrific imagination.  Yet, when she and her friends draw an imaginary friend named Posey in her special journal, he comes to life!  Only the people they choose to allow can see him!  This is a perfect series for 2nd-3rd graders.  (E ANN)

Lions and Liars

I found this book way too reminiscent of Holes, the Newbery-winning book by Louis Sachar.  A boy ends up in a camp for troubled kids and he finds himself transformed by the experience after he risks everything to go and get a friend who ran away during a hurricane.   If you haven't read Holes, I imagine you may like this.  It was funny and full of adventure.  I just could not get past the similarities.  It is a Great Stone Face nominee this year.  (FIC BEA) 

Julian is a Mermaid

This picture book is a beautiful story of acceptance and unconditional love.  Julian sees three beautiful women dressed like mermaids on the subway.  He tells his abuela that he, too, is a mermaid.  When they get home, while Abuela is in the shower, Julian crafts a costume that transforms him into his dream-self.  His grandmother's reaction is heartwarming.  (PIC LOV)

Zoey and Sassafras - Dragons and Marshmallows

Zoey is an observer and a scientist, like her mom.  She loves reading and experimenting with things.  The glowing photo on her mom's desk make no sense until her mom explains that she is in charge of helping magical creatures, and now, since Zoey has the gift to see them too, so will she.  A sick baby dragon arrives at the barn and soon Zoey needs to use all of her skills to heal it.  Fans of the Critter Club series will love this beginning chapter book series.  (E CIT)

Hilo, The Boy Who Crashed to Earth

This graphic novel series centers around a boy named D.J. who says he is not good at anything and leads a boring life.  That is until a boy crashes out of the sky and becomes his friend.  Hilo can't remember a lot of things, but they soon piece together that Hilo is a robot sent to save the Earth from an invasion.  D.J. realizes he is great at being a loyal and true friend.  (GN WIN)

Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #1

Kids will eat this early chapter book series up.  When Andres moves into the neighborhood, he meets the kid next door, Desmond.  Andres is not impressed with the kid.  Desmond acts really weird.  He gives him his business card which reads "Ghost Patrol".  Things start happening in his new house, though, and soon Andres needs Desmond's help dealing with the ghost!  (E MIE)

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

This one wrapped me up and didn't let me go.  I ugly-cried in public at the end.  It was unique and beautiful and it will stick with me for a long time.  Coyote and her father have lived on a bus - driving around the country - for five years... since "it" happened.  During a phone call from her Grandma, Coyote learns that the local park where she used to live is being demolished.  There is a memory box under a tree there that she HAS to retrieve.  She promised.  But her dad vowed never to go back there. It's a no-go.  Coyote stands up to her father, and the ghosts of her past, and begins the journey back to her family.  Along the way, the pick up a glorious cast of characters who help them find their way home.  I adored this book.  (FIC GEM)

Right as Rain

Lindsey Stoddard, author of Just Like Jackie, wrote this, so I had to read it.  It was a sweet, yet mature, story of a girl named Rain who has lost her brother.  The family makes a fresh start in New York, but the loss can not be left behind.  Rain feels responsible for the death, the mom is distracting herself from the loss by working too much, and the dad can't get out of bed with depression.  Rain finds new friends who share her passion for running and finds a way for the family to have a purpose again.  I enjoyed the way the author wove the tragic night into the story as flashbacks.  (FIC STO)

Ellie, Engineer

In this first installment of a new series, we meet Ellie (and her friends).  She is an engineer, but not the kind that drives a train - the kind that BUILDS things.  Her best friend is having a birthday and Ellie always builds her something.  This year, she builds a dog house for her, but in her attempts at secrecy, feelings get hurt.  Ellie figures out a way to fix the mess.  Many authors are now concentrating on presenting STEM topics in fiction to get students interested.  This book does that, of course, but it also tackles gender stereotypes of "girl" things and "boy" things, which is also important for students to see.  It is a short chapter book, probably best suited in my big-kid fiction series, rather than early chapter book.  (FIC PEA) 

The Storm Keeper's Island

This book was a gift for our Bradford library from Nancy O'Leary, my friend and volunteer.  She was traveling in Ireland, saw it and thought of me.  It is written by an Irish author named Catherine Doyle.  It is a fantasy story of a magical island, an evil sorceress trapped in its soil, and the boy destined to defeat her by wielding the island's magic.  I found too many similarities to Harry Potter that it turned me off a bit.  It was a fine story, but not original, unfortunately.  It is the first in a series.  I am unsure if I will buy the others as they are released.  (FIC DOY)

Harbor Me

Jacqueline Woodson is an award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming.  Like that story, this story focuses on characters of color and their struggles in our country.  In Harbor Me, six students who struggle in school are encouraged to meet privately and talk.  At first, they are uncomfortable, but soon they realize that their stories matter, and having someone to share them with matters even more.  They become each other's harbor, or safe place.  Their struggles include a dad in jail, a deportation threat, and police brutality.  Although a bit mature in content, it is a timely and important view of America in the 21st century.

Pony Scouts: The Camping Trip

In this early reader series, we meet three young girls who are Pony Scouts.  In this story, Meg goes camping with her friends and of course, the ponies.  Meg finds that she is unprepared to camp.  But her friends help her have a great time by sharing their supplies.  These will be added to my collection because a library can't have enough pony stories.  (E HAP)

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters

Andrea Beaty originally wrote some picture books based on these main characters:  Rosie Revere: engineer, Iggy Peck: Architect, and Ada  Twist: Scientist.  They are wonderful stories about children who love science.  Now, the author has written beginning chapter books.  This one features Rosie and her aunt, who was a riveter during WWII.  Her aunt and her fellow riveters need Rosie's help in designing a tool to help an injured friend paint.  The reader sees Rosie's questioning mind work through the scientific process of brainstorming, designing, research, and testing.  Any student who loves science will eat these up!  The series with all the characters is called The Questioneers.  (E BEA)

Mighty Meg and the Magical Ring

This beginning-chapter-book series by Sammy Griffin is a no-brainer.  A young girl is given a ring as a birthday present and discovers that it gives her super powers.  Each subsequent book then has a separate exciting task that Meg needs to tackle with her powers to help someone.  Her powers include invisibility, super strength, speed, and super senses.  The kids will love these!  (E GRI)

King and Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats

This is a wonderful series of early readers.  King (the dog) tells the stories that are at a first or second grade reading level.  I would compare them to a Henry and Mudge level.  Unlike Henry and Mudge, where each chapter is its own story, this has one story throughout and it is a mystery.  In this story, Kayla is baking treats and some are missing.  King helps discover the culprit.  I think students will enjoy the mystery element at this level.  There are not too may lower-level mystery series.  These will be a good addition to my collections.  (E BUT)

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)

Book Of Boy

This was not what I expected.  I picked it up after it had received a Newbery Honor this year.  It was a story set in the 1300's in Europe during a time when a plague was spreading all over and there were no strong governments in the countries.  A young "boy" is taken off his farm where he works as a shepherd and is put to work for a pilgrim traveling to Rome.  Interesting, neither person is who they seem.  The traveler, Secundus, has escaped from the underworld and is trying to get to Heaven.  Boy is helping him with his quest to find (or steal) seven items in the hopes that he, too will be granted his greatest wish, which is to be a real boy, and not an angel!  It was full of adventure, but also a lot of biblical references and vocabulary which may be confusing for young readers.  (FIC MUR)

According to Aggie

I was intrigued with this graphic novel from the makers of the American Girl books.  I had never seen a graphic novel from them.  This was not what I expected.  Unlike the other books, this was a realistic fiction story, rather than historical fiction.  It also was very uneventful.  Aggie and her life-long friend grow apart and she realizes it is o.k. and finds a new friend.  I was waiting for something else to happen throughout the book.  It never did.  Students may like it, as they tend to like anything in this format, but I was disappointed in its lack of story line. (GN BEA)

The Night Gardener

After I read this author's Sweep, I had to read this.  What an amazing and original storyteller Jonathan Auxier is!  If you like spooky and scary, this is the book for you.  Two young children lose their parents fleeing the Irish Potato Famine and must find a home and work.  In early 19th-century England, one way you could do that was to work for a family as servants.  So they do.  But the household that has taken them in has secrets - dark and terrifying secrets.  The family knows it, too.  What keeps them all there even though they are aware of the curse???  Buckle up for a creepy and exciting story about finding out what is really important in life.  (FIC AUX)

Merci Suarez Changes Gears

This realistic fiction story by Meg Medina won the Newbery Medal for this year's greatest contribution to children's literature.  It was a story of an 11-yr-old girl named Merci and her tight-knit family.  Like other 6th graders, she is noticing how school, and friends, are changing.  A new boy in her school is complicating things with her friends.  Unfortunately, her home is also becoming uncomfortable.  Her beloved Lolo - her grandfather - is forgetting things, and it is getting dangerous.  This was a sweet story of family and friendship, and accepting change.  I will say, though, I found nothing extraordinary here.  I missed whatever the award committee saw in this book.  (FIC MED)

Sweep

I love when a book surprises me.  I look at the cover, or the title, and think... Nah.  Probably not.  That happened with this book.  And then I began reading it.  What a unique and original tale, beautifully woven and told!  I was enchanted with the story of a young girl in 19th-century London, all alone, and indentured to a cruel master as a chimney sweep.  Through her memories, we learn she once had a kind and loving guardian.  When he disappears, he leaves her a gift, a ball of soot and char.  It is a golem, a protector, and it comes to life at her most dire hour of need.  It is a story of love, and hope, and courage.  I adored it.  It is a must-read...especially if you think it isn't - like I mistakenly did!  (FIC AUX)

Magic Misfits: The Second Story

Neil Patrick Harris has followed up his debut novel with this sequel.  This one concentrates on Leila's, rather than Carter's, story but the whole gang is in this one, solving a new mystery brought to their town by an old acquaintance of Mr. Vernon.  I loved how some questions about background were dealt with and yet you still have more questions you need answered.  You need to keep reading the books!  These are a perfect, innocent, fun mix of mystery and adventure. (FIC HAR)

Tight

Bryan loves his mother and comic books.  He does not like drama.  When his parents encourage him to be friends with Mike, he is excited to have a real friend... someone like a brother.  But Mike seems to be two people - easy and funny one second, and then dangerous and mean in another.  Bryan is becoming someone he doesn't want to be.  Can he be strong enough to make the right choices and not seem "soft" to his family?  The theme of this story is important for students of all ages, but especially middle grades.  (FIC MAL)