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Magnificent Mya Tibbs #1Spirit Week Showdown (Book 1 of series)

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Magnificent Mya Tibbs #1Spirit Week Showdown (Book 1 of series)

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By Crystal Allen
For Grades 3-6

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Nine-year-old Mya Tibbs has a great best friend, a cool brother, and a plan for winning the Spirit Week challenges so that she and her best friend Naomi get the VIP badges to the town fair. Things go very wrong when Mya is paired up with Mean Connie, a bully Naomi knows from her old school. Over the week, however, Mya discovers things aren't what they appear, and she has to make a decision about what kind of friend she wants to be.

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Spirit Week Showdown: Magnificent Mya Tibbs, Book 1 - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Nine-year-old Mya Tibbs has a great best friend, a cool brother, and a plan for winning the Spirit Week challenges so that she and her best friend Naomi get the VIP badges to the town fair.

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By Tonya Duncan Ellis
For Grades 3-6

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By Nadia Hashimi
For grades 3-7

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This #ownvoices novel by bestselling author Nadia Hashimi tells the affecting story of an Afghan-American boy who believes his mother has been deported. For fans of Inside Out and Back Again and Counting by 7s. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It's a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it's hard to feel American now when he's terrified that his mother will be discovered-and that they will be separated.

When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he's overestimated what he can do.

After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle-even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won't be able to run forever.

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juvenile fiction / family / multigenerational

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juvenile fiction / social themes / emigration & immigration

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juvenile fiction / social themes / runaways

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juvenile fiction/social themes - emigration & immigration

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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juvenile fiction/social themes - runaways

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juvenile fiction / family / multigenerational

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juvenile fiction / social themes / emigration & immigration

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juvenile fiction / social themes / runaways

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juvenile fiction/social themes - emigration & immigration

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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juvenile fiction/social themes - runaways

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The Sky at Our Feet [Hashimi, Nadia] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Sky at Our Feet

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By Kristi Wientge
For grades 3-7

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By Paula Chase
For Grades 3-7

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SO DONE

"Chase's middle-grade debut dazzles"
- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for So Done
They had always been best friends. Until that summer...

Jamila Phillips and Tai Johnson have been inseparable since they were toddlers. In Pirates Cove - a low-income housing project - Mila's single father does everything he can to support his kids and his community. Tai lives across the street with her grandmother, who is the only family she needs.

When they are reunited after a summer apart, their friendship threatens to combust from the pressure of secrets, middle school, and the dance auditions for a new talented-and-gifted program.

Paula Chase's middle grade debut is driven by universal themes of friendship, while exploring the issues facing many tweens.This memorable novel is perfect for fans of Ali Benjamin's The Thing about Jellyfish and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich's and Audrey Vernick's Two Naomis.

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SO DONE "Chase's middle-grade debut dazzles" - Kirkus Reviews Praise for So Done They had always been best friends. Until that summer... Jamila Phillips and Tai Johnson have been inseparable since they were toddlers. In Pirates Cove - a low-income housing project - Mila's single father does everything he can to support his kids and his community.

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By Joly Herman
Grades 3-8

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User Reviews

Merci Suarez Changes Gears is an amazing book. About a latino America girl named Merci that is in the six grade . She and most of her family live on the same bl... Continue reading

There is a little bit of hardships for Merci, but on the other hand there is an amazing message with a young female protagonist.

What's the story?

"Do a good job, so they know we're serious people," advises Merci's dad in MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS. Merci has big shoes to fill: Her brother Roli is a star high school student who's almost too old to care about Merci's sixth grade challenges. And thanks to the popular crowd at Seaward Pines Academy, Merci has plenty of challenges. How can she keep from being the butt of Edna Santos' zinger comments when her Papi drives a beat-up painting van, her bike seat is losing its stuffing, and her darned eye won't stop wandering? On top of that, a new cute boy from Minnesota has been assigned to Merci as her "Sunshine Buddy" -- a duty of the school's welcoming committee -- which means Merci's every move is being scrutinized by the popular girls. At home, her grandfather is behaving strangely, which turns Merci's world upside down.

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Merci Suarez Changes Gears - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Merci Suarez Changes Gears is an amazing book. About a latino America girl named Merci that is in the six grade . She and most of her family live on the same bl...

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By Marie Miranda Cruz
For grades 4-6

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110601 tor teen trade-tor teen trade paperback

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juvenile fiction / people & places / asia

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books for kids age 8 12; children books about friendship; chapter books for kids age 8 12; books about books; kids books; children stories; books for young children; childrens literature; books for kids about the philippines; books about the philippines; filipino books for kids; filipino books for children; homeless children; poor children; developing countries fiction; philippines children's fiction; orphans; orphan girls; best middle grade books 2018; kirkus reviews best middle grade books of the year

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juvenile fiction / people & places / asia

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juvenile fiction / social themes / homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction/social themes - homelessness & poverty

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juvenile fiction/social themes - self-esteem & self-reliance

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social themes / self-esteem & self-reliance

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Everlasting Nora: A Novel [Cruz, Marie Miranda] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Everlasting Nora: A Novel

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By Lindsey Stoddard
For Grades 4-7

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By Jacqueline Woodson
For grades 5-6

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Harbor Me [Woodson, Jacqueline] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Harbor Me

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By Jack Cheng
For Grades 5-6

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By Padma Venkatraman
For Grades 5-7

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Don't miss: Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help) June 18 at 10 A.M. PT. See details

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In THE BRIDGE HOME, 11-year-old Viji and her 12-year-old developmentally disabled sister, Rukku, flee their abusive father and their village in India for the city, where they find friendship and shelter by pitching a makeshift tent atop an abandoned bridge. Soon, like millions of other homeless kids in that part of the world, they're spending their days slogging through piles of trash hoping to find something they can sell to stay alive. With two boys about their age and a stray dog they've rescued, they form their own family, help each other, and have a lot of pride. But danger is everywhere, from violent people to disease and injury.

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Don't miss: Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help) June 18 at 10 A.M. PT. See details Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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By Alicia D. Williams

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By Karen Strong

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A Reading Group Guide to
Just South of Home
by Karen Strong
About the Book
Sarah and her younger brother, Ellis, along with their cousin Janie and Ellis's friend Jasper, decide to investigate the hauntings at the old Creek Church. After carelessly awakening restless spirits that cause strange and otherworldly occurrences, the group has no idea how to lead these earthbound souls to rest. Motivated by compassion and a determination to bring peace to one of their own kin, the children discover the power of conviction and the belief in a purpose much greater than themselves. With the help of an eccentric local woman and a young boy from a very different time, this brave group finds the courage to heal a small southern town haunted by a dark history of racial injustice. As the people of Warrenville eventually bear witness to the fear and hatred that provoked unspeakable past cruelties, their respect, love, and hope allow other spirits to fully cross over and finally rest in peace. Just South of Home is more than a ghost story; it challenges readers to look at the fear found at the core of racially motivated hatred and violence, to recognize conflicting ideas, and to speak out against prejudice in order to shape a better future.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you predict any of the story's plot from the cover? What did it suggest to you, or what kind of emotions did it evoke? Did it make you want to read the book?

2. Sarah's first-person narrative creates the story's tone. Can you relate to her voice? How might the story have differed if it were told from another character's point of view?

3. Describe the community of Warrenville. How does its dark history contribute to the unfolding story? How does the community react?

4. At the beginning of the novel, Sarah is a cautious, mature, and responsible small-town girl living "inside her head" while Janie is the adventurous city-girl governed by her own rules and risk-taking impulses. It's in Janie's nature "to want to explore and get into trouble." What do the cousins learn from each other by the end of the story? What do they learn about themselves?

5. Why don't the children tell an adult about the strange happenings? Do you agree or disagree with this choice? What would you have done under those circumstances? Explain your answers. What are the consequences for Sarah and her friends?

6. Ellis wants nothing to do with Sarah's and Janie's plans, but the girls insist they all explore Creek Church further. Describe Ellis's response. Do you think his fears are justified? Have you ever been asked to go along with something you didn't want to do? How did it make you feel?

7. What do you think about Janie's habit of stealing things? What is the difference between finding things and taking things? Is it ever right to take something that doesn't belong to you? What is the significance of the cameo Janie takes from the graveyard?

8. Mrs. Whitney tells Sarah and Janie, "'Haints are trapped. This earthly plane is not their home any more. They will always seek refuge until they are released to their true place of belonging.'" What do the haints need in order to be released and finally rest in peace? What does it mean to belong?

9. Mrs. Whitney is isolated by her community, suffering prejudices over her beliefs and folk practices. Why do you think people are so quick to judge her? What do the items she sells in her gift shop reveal about her? Explain your answers.

10. Mrs. Whitney makes amulets for the children and their family members to wear for protection. What is an amulet? She also gives Sarah a talisman for her windowsill. What is the difference between an amulet and a talisman?

11. What does Mrs. Whitney mean when she says to Sarah, "'You can use whatever you like, child. Its power is in your belief'"? What do you think she means when she says, "'Money is just one form of energy, child'"? Do you think Sarah finds this advice helpful? Explain your answers.

12. The author presents many recognizable themes. Cite examples of peer pressure, bullying, snobbery, loneliness, loss, disappointment, vulnerability, resilience, compassion, and friendship. What part does fear play in each of your examples? What are you most afraid of? How do you manage your fears?

13. What is Jasper's role in the story? Describe his relationship with the other characters. Does Jasper remind you of someone you know or would like to know? Explain your answer.

14. Sarah narrates, "I hated that my brother's stupid haint story had gotten inside my head. I didn't believe in stuff like this. I believed in atoms and molecules. Not ghosts and curses." What does Sarah's fascination with the cosmos reveal about her? At what point is she able to put aside her need for scientific explanations? What changes her perceptions and her belief in the supernatural world? Have you ever believed in something as strongly as Sarah?

15. Which character do you relate to most? What makes you identify or connect with them? Which character is most unlike you? Who do you most admire in this story? Explain your answers.

16. Consider Sarah's and Jovita's friendship. How do the Jonas Girls impact this friendship? Are you surprised by any of the girls' actions? What would you have done if you had been in Sarah's place? Sarah narrates, "Mama always told me forgiveness was not for the other person but for yourself." What do you think Sarah's mother meant by this?

17. What is the significance of the dead oak tree in the graveyard? What effect does it have on Sarah? What is the significance of Sophie's diary? What effects does it have on Mrs. Greene and Abner?

18. The author explores instances of historical racism, hatred, violence, prejudice, discrimination, and white supremacy. She also examines bias, intolerance, and other tensions that haunt present-day life in Warrenville and Alton. How do those historical themes relate to current-day issues? How do bias and prejudices affect characters' relationships? Consider Janie's personal bias against Sarah's academic curiosity and her views on small, country towns. Consider negative judgements toward Mrs. Whitney. Cite other examples from the story, and explain your findings.

19. How might a community begin to address some of the issues discussed in the above question? Think about characters' actions at the beginning and end of the story, and how their perspectives evolved. How might someone work to grow and better understand their surroundings?

20. Mrs. Greene is highly critical and full of bitterness. She insists on strict discipline and supervision for her grandchildren. What was your response to reading about such treatment? How did you feel after realizing the type of grief Mrs. Greene was carrying? Did it affect the way you viewed Mrs. Greene and her choices?

21. The Creek Church scenes are filled with imagery that conjures up intense feelings in Sarah's group. Describe your favorite details from these scenes. What did they add to your understanding of what was happening there?

22. Sarah narrates, "The Creek Church boy stood in a sliver of porch light without casting a shadow . . . I squinted as his mouth moved. He was trying to say something, but I couldn't understand him-I was too afraid to focus on anything." What do you think Abner was trying to say to Sarah? What do you think Sarah might have said to him if she hadn't been so afraid? If you could have spoken to him, what might you have said?

23. It's no secret that there are restless spirits haunting Warrenville. What do these spirits represent to the townspeople? Why had so many of them refused to address the issue and free their blood kin's spirits? What does it take to set things right and heal the town?

24. What parts of the story most held your interest? For what reasons? What scenes were the most suspenseful, surprising, disturbing, confusing, fascinating, heartwarming, inspiring, or humorous? Explain your answers.

25. In your opinion, what was Sarah's greatest moment? What was Janie's or Jasper's? Do you think Ellis had a greatest moment? How were these moments important to the story? Explain your answers.

26. Sarah's group faced multiple fears, sensing a purpose much greater than themselves. Have you ever had to confront your fears to do something you thought you lacked the courage to do? What was the result? What advice would you have for others in similar situations? Explain your answers.

27. What do you think is at the heart of this story? Has the novel changed your perspective about anything? What have you learned about yourself? Do you think you might do things differently in the future as a result of reading this book? Explain your answers.
Extension Activities and Further Reading
1. Choose a moment from the story and create a sense response to that scene. Think about your immediate thoughts, feelings, and emotions after reading the passage. Does any imagery come to mind? In your response, reflect on your visceral sense of experience; don't worry about remaining completely accurate to the text. Your response could be in the form of a painting, a collage, musical playlist, or any other form of expression that is meaningful to you.

2. Jasper says, "'Mrs. Whitney says we can't change the past, but we need to remember it. We need to acknowledge it and not hide it.'" The idea of bearing witness is important to all victims of prejudice and injustice. By bearing witness, others can stand up for those who aren't able to tell their own stories, empowering movements to fight against injustices.

Sometimes, to bear witness means using our own personal or cultural stories to speak out against wrong-doing. Write a poem, essay, short play, song, or a dance to tell your family's or your community's story. Pick an impactful experience to begin, and explain how that has affected other moments or people. How might you express yourself with the hope of encouraging others to make the world a better place? Is there an experience you might want others to replicate, or something you've gone through that you'd like them to learn from and improve upon for the future?

3. Read Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Gregory Mone (2019). This guide to the cosmos invites readers to explore the mysteries of the universe and includes forty full-color illustrations, infographics, and principles of scientific inquiry. How do you think Sarah would have felt reading this book? What about Janie? What parts most excite you, and what would you like to learn more about?

4. Watch episodes of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winner for educational content; this documentary television series explores the wonders of outer space with host and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Does it change your perspective on the world around you?

5. Read Leon's Story by Leon Walter Tillage, the son of a sharecropper growing up in rural North Carolina in the 1940s (2000). As a young boy, Leon remembers hiding in terror from the Klansmen as they made their night raids. This autobiography is based on a speech he gives at a school in Baltimore, Maryland, where he works as a custodian. He wanted to bear witness to, as he says, "the uselessness of hatred and the senselessness of racism."

6. Read A Wreath for Emmett Till by Newbery-winning author and poet Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Philippe Lardy. By honoring a young fourteen-year-old African American boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955, Nelson draws attention to the story that helped fuel the civil rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s. Nelson uses an intricate form of poetry that she refers to as a heroic crown of Italian sonnets, in which she encourages readers to speak out against violence and brutality and all modern-day injustices. Think about poetry as a form of storytelling. How does it compare to reading a novel-length text? How does it capture emotions?

7. Consider reading other fiction and nonfiction with similar themes, settings, and characters:
Fiction Novels
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

Midnight without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson

This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by James Ransome

Witness by Karen Hesse

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
Nonfiction Books
Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe

They Called Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
This guide was written in 2019 by Judith Clifton, M.Ed, MS, Educational and Youth Literary Consultant, Chatham, MA.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

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Get a FREE e-book by joining our mailing list today! Plus, receive recommendations for your next Book Club read. A Reading Group Guide to Just South of Home by Karen Strong About the Book Sarah and her younger brother, Ellis, along with their cousin Janie and Ellis's friend Jasper, decide to investigate the hauntings at the old Creek Church.

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By Kelly Yang

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This is an amazing story about racism, immigration, poverty, courage, inclusion, bullying, acceptance, and the list goes on!! I encourage parents or educators t... Continue reading

My 10 year-old boy and I loved this book. The main character, Mia, is passionate, intelligent, kind and astute, yet still very much struggles with the social pr... Continue reading

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By Sarah Weeks

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Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers from Scholastic

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Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai | Scholastic

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Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.

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By Grace Lin

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The Year of the Dog book. Read 616 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. A special edition of a modern classic by the Newbery-Award win...

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By Grace Lin

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The Year Of The Rat by Grace Lin | Scholastic

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During the Year of the Rat, Pacy faces many struggles. Her best friend Melody moves away and she encounters prejudice in her school.

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By Zetta Elliot

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Jaxon 's mother leaves him for the day with an elderly woman, Ma. Ma takes Jaxon with her to make a delivery, after informing Jaxon that she's a witch. Things don't go as planned, and Jaxon must rely on his good sense and his friends, both old and new, to deal with a number of new challenges.
This was a sweet story about a nine-year old boy with a love of geography, who understands a lot more going on around him than his mother thinks, and who proves resourceful and quite determined when faced wi...more

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Jaxon 's mother leaves him for the day with an elderly woman, Ma. Ma takes Jaxon with her to make a delivery, after informing Jaxon that she's a witch.

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By Sharon Draper

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A Reading Group Guide to
Blended
By Sharon Draper
About the Book
She's Isabella to her dad and Izzy to her mom. She plays a fancy piano at her dad's large house, and a portable keyboard at her mom's small one. Spending every other week with each parent and their significant other, she's a "kid sliced in half." And since her dad's black and her mom's white, her identity and her relationships seem even more complicated. Isabella knows she's loved, but the hostility between her parents and the complexities of juggling two lives make things challenging. Luckily, when things get hard, she has her deep love for the piano, two great friends, and a soon-to-be stepbrother who has her back.
Discussion Questions
1. After finishing the novel, go back and reread the dedication. Why does Isabella feel it's important to try to "meld and merge, synthesize and harmonize, to create family fusion." What does the author mean by "family fusion"? Do you think Isabella and her family create fusion by the end of the book? Explain your answer. Can you relate to any of Isabella's family dynamics? Why do you think it's important to have supportive people in your life?

2. Find examples throughout the book where Isabella uses music and musical terms, especially harmony, to talk about her blended family. Why is music a good metaphor for her situation? How do piano keys specifically reflect her life?

3. The first chapter opens with seven words that evoke the senses. Talk about the words, including the made-up word, boomble. What do you hear or see when reading each of the words? Why do you think the author started the book this way?

4. Isabella lets the reader know early on that she feels like "a kid sliced in half." She also makes the related comment, "There's pretty much two of me." What is it about Isabella's situation that causes her to feel this way? Do external and internal factors play a role? How would you react if you were in her place? Discuss whether this feeling changes over the course of the book, and if so, how.

5. How would you describe the relationship between Isabella's mother and father? Give examples that illustrate your description, and analyze why her parents act like they do. Why does her father call the police in chapter 54, and how do Isabella and her mother react? Why is this an important moment?

6. Of her mother, Isabella says, "Mom is sensitive, so I have to be careful." What are some examples of her mother's sensitive nature? What does Isabella keep to herself so that she doesn't make her mother feel bad? What are the consequences of trying to protect her mother instead of expressing her own needs and preferences? Have you ever been in a situation like this? What advice would you have for Isabella?

7. Describe Isabella's father, including his personality, work ethic, strengths, and weaknesses. What is his relationship like with Isabella? Identify times she enjoys being with him, and discuss why. What makes Anastasia a good match for him?

8. When Isabella teases her father about ironing his jeans, he explains, "I think it's important we look our very best at all times." By "us," he means "people of color . . . Black folks." What incidents in the story show you why he might think that way? How does that make you feel? How does his approach to looking his best contrast with Isabella's mother's way of dressing? Why do you think that is?

9. Describe Anastasia's personality. Give specific examples of what she does to welcome Isabella into the house she shares with Isabella's father, and what Isabella likes about her. Do you think Anastasia treats Isabella like her daughter? How is she different from Isabella's mother? How does Isabella feel about having a stepmother? Do you think adding a new family member can sometimes be a difficult adjustment? Explain your answer.

10. Describe Darren's appearance, personality, interests, and hopes. How does Isabella feel about him? How does he treat her? What brings them closer together? What kind of qualities make for a strong friendship or sibling relationship?

11. Talk about John Mark's personality and circumstances and his role in Isabella's life. How does he reach out to Isabella to show he cares about her? How does he approach his proposal to Isabella's mother? Discuss the format of chapter 43 and how it reveals Isabella's uncertainties about John Mark's proposal. Do you think Isabella is right to be concerned? Do you ever find it challenging to voice your opinions, especially to adults? Explain your answer.

12. A salesgirl says to Isabella, "You are so pretty-really exotic-looking!" Then she asks, "Are you mixed?" Clint later says, "Mixed kids are always pretty." Discuss both of these encounters, explaining what they show and why they are upsetting to Isabella. How could the salesgirl or Clint have better handled these situations?

13. Recount the incident with the noose in Imani's locker. Think about what happened in the classroom earlier that was related to the noose. How does Imani react on both occasions, and why? What does the school do about the incident? What does the incident show about at least one of Imani's fellow students? How does Isabella feel about what happened? What might you do to make Imani feel safer and respected at school and in the community?

14. Isabella's father explains to her that in stores, "Black folks are followed more often than others" by security people. How does Isabella feel about this? Relate it to the incident when Isabella and Imani go into an upscale store at the mall and the security guard asks them to leave. How do they react? Why don't they tell Imani's mother about it? Are you surprised to see kids your age treated this way? Why do you think people stereotype others?

15. It comes as a shock to Darren and Isabella when they are pulled over by the police and accused of robbing a bank. Describe the episode in detail, and think about why it escalated so quickly. Why do the police throw Darren on the ground? Why does the police officer shoot her gun? Analyze the scene in terms of how it affects the two young people and what it shows about racism. What actions don't you agree with? What actions do you agree with? How could the police have acted differently?
Extension Activities The Real You
Mr. Kazilly assigns an essay called "The Real Me," saying, "I want each of you to consider your personal identity. . . . Each of you is uniquely wonderful. I want you to think about that as you write." Ask students to write a four-paragraph essay using this same theme.
Musical Notes into Words
Mr. K. also introduces the class to Langston Hughes's poetry. After reading some of his poems, Isabella says, "Poetry is kinda like my music-it paints a picture in my head, only with words." Have students research poetry, finding different styles, formats, and poets. Ask them to identify a poet they like, and select one poem by that poet. Using this poem as a model, have students write their own. Then have a class discussion about their experiences writing their poems, and whether they felt the same way as Isabella. Consider having volunteers read their personal poems or their favorite poet's poems aloud, and discuss the differences between reading and hearing a poem spoken.
The Music Is Me
In chapter 47, Isabella uses vivid imagery to describe the way music makes her feel. Review the two-page chapter with your students. Then choose a selection of music to play for the class and have them react to the music by jotting down sentences and phrases like Isabella does, making the language as vivid as possible. Have a class discussion to share their responses.
Black Lives Matter
The scene where Darren and Isabella are pulled over and a police officer shoots her gun is unfortunately similar to incidents across the US in recent years. Have students work in pairs to identify and research cases of police shootings of unarmed black children or teenagers. Each pair should prepare a presentation for the class about the facts of their case, the effects on family and community, and the consequences, if any, for the police involved. Finish with a class discussion about groups speaking out against these injustices, and any steps that are being done on local or state levels to address and try to prevent future incidents.
Two Families Blend
How are Isabella's two families and households alike? How are they different? Have students each create a large Venn diagram. Where the circles intersect, they should put Isabella/Izzy's name and the similarities between her two homes. They should label the other parts of the circles as "Mom's House" and "Dad's House" and fill in the space with descriptions of the differences between these two places.
Guide written by Kathleen Odean, a youth librarian for seventeen years who chaired the 2002 Newbery Award Committee. She now gives all-day workshops on new books for children and teens. She tweets at @kathleenodean.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

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A really fun book about an Asian boy with selective mutism. It involves some information about bullying and gangs which was really handled well. There is a gl... Continue reading

its a really enjoyable book...very sentimental at times....i reccmmend it highly!!!

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Alvin is afraid of lots of things: the dark, wasabi, elevators, kimchi, bridges -- but most especially school. He is so terrified by school that he has never been able to say a word there. This is especially surprising because he comes "from a long line of farmer-warriors who haven't had a scaredy bone in their bodies since 714 AD." Because of this fear he has no friends. There is a girl who is nice to him, but he's scared of girls too. But he's trying to learn to be a gentleman, just like his dad. Includes Alvin's humorous glossary.

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Skip to Content A really fun book about an Asian boy with selective mutism. It involves some information about bullying and gangs which was really handled well. There is a gl... Continue reading its a really enjoyable book...very sentimental at times....i reccmmend it highly!!!

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Delphine and her sisters are put on a plane from Brooklyn to Oakland, where they are to stay with their estranged mother, Cecile, for a month. Their dreams of a warm reception are quickly shattered when Cecile says, "I didn't send for you. Didn't want you in the first place. Should have gone to Mexico to get rid of you when I had the chance." It's 1968 when society is changing and men in berets carrying guns are shouting about black power. But it's also a personal time when the girls desperately want to know who their mother is and why she abandoned them. For meals, Cecile sends the girls for Chinese food, and to keep them out of her way, she sends them to the local Black Panther day camp. Over the course of the next four weeks, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern spend time learning about revolution even though what they want is a home-cooked meal and a real mother. Slowly, they become part of a larger community and the mysterious story of their mom's flight is untangled.

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Delphine and her sisters are put on a plane from Brooklyn to Oakland, where they are to stay with their estranged mother, Cecile, for a month. Their dreams of a warm reception are quickly shattered when Cecile says, "I didn't send for you.

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By Rita Williams-Garcia

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P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia | Scholastic

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In the sequel to "One Crazy Summer," eleven-year-old Delphine is anxious about the school dance and learns many things about her relationships with her family.

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Trigger warning for threatened gun violence from a minor, bullying, fatal police brutality, and lynching.

Considering the current events in the United States,... Continue reading

Don't judge the book by my star rating as I only read half. I wanted to read through a good portion of it before deciding if I would want my child to read it. S... Continue reading

It's a good book, but has some deep stuff in it. I would argue that you should at least be ten to read this book. I read it when I was 11. It does have a death,... Continue reading

This book about racism is like one of the best(besides Dear Martin). A juvenile book really teaches you a lot about racism and it's unfairness. The violenc... Continue reading

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Twelve-year-old Jerome, the pride of a poor, hardworking black family in Chicago, is bullied at school. His new friend Carlos scares the bullies away with a toy gun and then gives the toy to Jerome, who's soon out in the street playing with his new toy --- which he knows very well his parents wouldn't allow, but he loves the newfound sense of power. Someone calls in a police report of a gun-brandishing man in the street, and Jerome gets shot dead by a white police officer. As his family and the officer's family fall apart in grief and guilt, Jerome finds himself among centuries' worth of GHOST BOYS, including Emmett Till (lynched in Mississippi in 1955 at the age of 14), who tell their stories of racist violence. And he forms an uneasy friendship with Sarah, the daughter of the man who shot him, as she's the only living person who can see him.

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This book deals with a lot of issues at the same time such as friendship,racism etc. The protagonist is Pakistani American and her family goes to a mosque. Amin... Continue reading

I think that it is a beautiful book and is inspiring to others . it is about this girl named amina and she has a beautiful voice , but her friend decides to... Continue reading

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title. This book deals with a lot of issues at the same time such as friendship,racism etc. The protagonist is Pakistani American and her family goes to a mosque.

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GHOST is Castle Cranshaw's new nickname -- he gave it to himself and it sticks when he challenges a track team's best sprinter to a race. Running is as easy for him as breathing, probably because he's been doing it all his life. An emerging track star with a past, Ghost has to figure out why he runs -- is it toward what his life could be or away from his past? Luckily, he has new friends on the team, his coach, and even his mom to help him figure it all out.

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In LU: TRACK, BOOK 4, Lu has swagger. He's a rock star track star, and now the co-captain of his track team. Lu is also an albino and has his own share of struggles, like his teammates Ghost, Patina, and Sunny. Gold chains, diamond earrings, and sunscreen are his armor. But as life on the track team evolves, Lu finds himself losing his armor bit by bit. When he discovers a terrible secret about his dad, he's angry enough to shed almost everything he uses to protect himself, but he gains so much more. Now the only question is whether the people in his life will take on their own closed-eyes leaps of faith. Will his dad man up like he teaches Lu to do? Will the Defenders win the championship? Will Lu conquer the hurdles? And what will he name his new baby sister?

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PATINA is the fastest girl on the Defenders track team. She doesn't like to lose -- ever -- and she works really hard to make sure she doesn't. The thing is, Patty has lost a lot of things already: Her father died, and her mother lost her legs to diabetes, so she and her sister have to live with her uncle and aunt because their mom can't care for them anymore. She also lost her old friends when she went to a new school. Losing on the track is not an option, but then the unthinkable happens: She comes in second place. And Coach decides she should be on a relay team as the anchor. Now, not only does she have to keep up the perfect Patty routine everywhere, she also has to run the hardest part of the relay and rely on someone else to help her win. Not cool. The pressure is intense and she's barely holding on. Can she finish strong, or will life leave her in the dust?

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. PATINA is the fastest girl on the Defenders track team. She doesn't like to lose -- ever -- and she works really hard to make sure she doesn't.

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SUNNY Lancaster is a winner -- all the time, every time in the 1,600-meter race. The one no one watches. He ran the mile for his mom who died giving birth to him, who couldn't run the mile anymore. He ran for his dad, who's still in deep grief over Sunny's mom dying. A dad who barely speaks to him. He didn't run for himself. So one day Sunny ... just ... stops. Stops winning, stops running. Now what?

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. SUNNY Lancaster is a winner -- all the time, every time in the 1,600-meter race. The one no one watches. He ran the mile for his mom who died giving birth to him, who couldn't run the mile anymore.

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Raised in South Carolina and New York, author Jacqueline Woodson shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Being twins is pretty special, but when Cassie and Caitlyn have to uproot once again and head to a dusty little place in Texas, being the new twins in town isn't their biggest problem. Each of them experiences strange visions when they touch another person. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens often enough to make the coolest girl in school start calling them freaks. On top of all that, Cassie and Caitlyn are more like strangers than sisters these days, so neither one knows that her twin also is having these visions. Something scary is on the horizon, and the only way their little family is going to make it is if they pull together -- but can they?

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Being twins is pretty special, but when Cassie and Caitlyn have to uproot once again and head to a dusty little place in Texas, being the new twins in town isn't their biggest problem.

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A story of family, faith, and following your heart

For ten-year-old Cadence Jolly, birthdays are a constant reminder of all that has changed since her mother skipped town with dreams of becoming a singing star. Cadence inherited that musical soul, she can't deny it, but otherwise she couldn't be more different - she's as shy as can be.

She did make a promise last year that she would try to break out of her shell, just a little. And she prayed that she'd get the courage to do it. As her eleventh birthday draws near, she realizes time is running out. And when a secret recording of her singing leaks and catches the attention of her whole church, she needs to decide what's better: deceiving everyone by pretending it belongs to someone else, or finally stepping into the spotlight.

In a story filled with whimsy and hope, Sherri Winston inspires readers to embrace the voice within.

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the sweetest sound | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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A story of family, faith, and following your heart For ten-year-old Cadence Jolly, birthdays are a constant reminder of all that has changed since her mother skipped town with dreams of becoming a singing star. Cadence inherited that musical soul, she can't deny it, but otherwise she couldn't be more different - she's as shy as can be.

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By Sherri Winston

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President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston | Scholastic

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Brianna spent all summer planning to be president of her classroom, but then come new election rules and a new girl. Brianna will learn what it takes to be a go

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By Tracey Baptiste

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The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste | Scholastic

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Corrine knows that jumbies are just made-up Haitian folklore. But on All Hallow's Eve she enters the forbidden woods and strange things begin to happen.

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By Jasmine Warga

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Don't miss: Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help) June 18 at 10 A.M. PT. See details

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Home for 12-year-old Jude, the young Syrian refugee who tells her story in OTHER WORDS FOR HOME, has always been a city on the Mediterranean coast filled with tourists who buy candy and soft drinks from her father's shop. She loves American movies and pop music, imitates the way Reese Witherspoon speaks English, and dreams of becoming a movie star when she grows up. But Syria is descending into civil war and her brother, Issa, is leaving home to join anti-government forces fighting for democracy. When Jude's mother learns she's pregnant, her parents decide to send Jude and her mother to visit her uncle and his family who live in Cincinnati, Ohio (no one tells her for how long). Her cousin Sarah makes no effort to introduce Jude to her friends and leaves her to eat lunch alone in the school cafeteria. As she begins seveth grade, Jude finds only one other student who looks like her; a girl named Layla, whose family is from Lebanon. But she enjoys her classes, even ESL, where she's assigned after learning that her English isn't as fluent as she thought. Remembering her brother's words to her before she left Syria ("Be brave"), Jude auditions for and gets a small part in the school musical. But her joy is overshadowed by a terrorist attack in an unidentified city far away from America. Layla warns Jude she's about to learn "what it means to be a/ Muslim/ in America." Jude doesn't believe her until she starts to get "unsure" looks from fellow students and a man follows her yelling "go back to where you came from."

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By Renée Watson

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Read 601 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Newbery Honor author Renée Watson explores a family's relationships and Harlem-its history...

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By Hena Kahn

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By Varian Johnson

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This book has earned it's place on our firm family favorites list. It is an enticing story based on it's mystery alone, but the issues of race, gender... Continue reading

Very engaging read. There are three themes:
1. Racism , bullying and bigotry in two different generations
2. Mixed race people who choose to change their racial... Continue reading

This is a great book that kids (and adults) should read. It highlights the racial injustices that took place years ago, and still happen place today. Kids will... Continue reading

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By Lisa Moore Ramée

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This is an amazing book about racism, police violence, and doing the right thing. There is some stuff about romance, but overall, it is an amazing, edge of your... Continue reading

This story is about a 12-year old girl named Shayla who spends seventh grade learning more about and becoming more aware of the the Black Lives Matter movement.... Continue reading

It was okay. Too much drama and talk about crushes, a little bit about puberty. Definitely a girls book.

I personally did not like this book. I had read Blended, and I thought this looked similar. What a disappointment! Even before the second chapter I knew that th... Continue reading

What's the story?

In A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE, 12-year-old Shayla is trying hard to adjust to middle school, but it's complicated. Shayla, who is African American, has two best friends: Isabella, who's Puerto Rican American, and Julia, who's Japanese American. They've been inseparable since elementary school, and now they have no classes together. Each of them feels the pressure to socialize with cliques made up of people in the same ethnic group. The science teacher has given Shayla a lab partner who intimidates her. Her mom doesn't let her wear makeup like some of the other girls and even restricts her cell phone use. Boys and girls are starting to notice each other, with all the drama that brings. Further complicating Shayla's growing understanding of her place in the world, there have been shootings of black people by local police, and Black Lives Matter protests in their town. Until now, Shayla's dominant approach to life has been to stay away from trouble. But are some kinds of trouble worth the risk?

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Skip to Content We're committed to diversity in media. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. See something that needs to be addressed? Suggest an update to this review The parents' guide to what's in this book. This is an amazing book about racism, police violence, and doing the right thing.

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By Nic Stone

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Skip to Content Did this review miss something on diversity? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase.

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By Lesa Cline-Ransome

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In lovely, moving story, boy who lost mom discovers poetry. Read Common Sense Media's Finding Langston review, age rating, and parents guide.

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By Kate Messner

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By Christopher Paul Curtis

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis | Scholastic

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The ordinary lives of the Watsons, a black family living in Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma Sands in Alabama in the summer of 1

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By Christopher Paul Curtis

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Originally reviewed here.

Listen close, because when you pick up the audio for Christopher Paul Curtis's The Mighty Miss Malone, you are on a journey to a place called Wonderful. Set during the Great Depression, and featuring a struggling African American family, The Mighty Miss Malone had so many opportunities to be tragic and heart wrenching, but it didn't take them. Instead, The Mighty Miss Malone was one of the most warm, welcoming, delightful reads I have had in some time, and I have no qual...more

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Originally reviewed here. Listen close, because when you pick up the audio for Christopher Paul Curtis's The Mighty Miss Malone, you are on a journey to a place called Wonderful. Set during the Great Depression, and featuring a struggling African American family, The Mighty Miss Malone had so many opportunities to be tragic and heart wrenching, but it didn't take them.

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By Jennifer Torres

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Spanish phrases are plentiful, as it's the first language of Stef's parents, whose English is just "good enough" to get by; they're usually translated. Along the way, a number of practical skills, including customer service and creative food prep, play an important role in unfolding events, and are shown to be positive things. School, education, and good teaching are presented enthusiastically; one character goes to Korean school on weekends.

Hard work, education, family, friendship, teamwork, and strong community are all important values here. So are clever problem-solving and working to make things right when you do something out of line. There's also a lot of Latino pride, as most of the characters are Latin American.

Stef is a good kid and a believable middle-schooler who works hard in school, helps her parents, and pretty much stays out of trouble. She gets annoyed with her parents' possibly overprotective ways, but she also appreciates being in a loving family. She and her friends are a good team, and she's quick to make it right when she messes up things between them. Her parents are kind, loving, and supportive; so are her teachers.

What's the story?

Middle school has enough problems without your former best friend turning into a mean girl who calls you STEF SOTO, TACO QUEEN and acts like you reek of onions and cilantro, all because your family includes Tia Perla, your father's beloved taco truck. Along with your dad, it's always in the parking lot waiting to pick you up from school, which is definitely uncool. And your parents are so overprotective they won't even let you go to the upcoming Viviana Vega pop concert that's the talk of the school. This is the life of 13-year-old Estefania Soto, who just wishes Tia Perla would go away. But when their town starts to consider food-truck regulations that might put her Papi and Tia Perla out of business, Stef starts to reconsider.

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Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality.
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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Spanish phrases are plentiful, as it's the first language of Stef's parents, whose English is just "good enough" to get by; they're usually translated. Along the way, a number of practical skills, including customer service and creative food prep, play an important role in unfolding events, and are shown to be positive things.

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Unidentified Suburban Object
By Mike Jung

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Unidentified Suburban Object - Book Review

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Quirky take on identity is surprising and funny. Read Common Sense Media's Unidentified Suburban Object review, age rating, and parents guide.

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By Sharon Draper

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Don't miss: Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help) June 17 at 12 P.M. PT. See details

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User Reviews

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This book may look small, but inside is such a passionate, heartfelt story narrated by a young girl that all readers of any age will love. Be warned, for this b... Continue reading

Iloved this book. It really was a gripping-fast paced-book. This will make you cry, laugh, all at one time! This did have some brutal moments that may frighten... Continue reading

What's the story?

It's 1932 in the segregated South -- Bumblebee, North Carolina, to be exact, where 11-year-old Stella is growing up poor, smart, and African-American in a loving family. Life is mostly peaceful, but deadly violence is only as far away as the next Klan rally, when the local bigots decide that Bumblebee's black people need scaring. In this constantly oppressive climate, the adults of Stella's community struggle and sacrifice to give their kids a better future, often accepting shockingly bad treatment to keep the peace and their jobs. Then Stella and her younger brother (who's on a late-night trip to the outhouse) see a fire burning across the river. It's a Klan rally, clearly designed to scare them -- which gets an unexpected response from the community's pastor.

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Don't miss: Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help) June 17 at 12 P.M. PT. See details Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

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By Kwame Alexander

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If you don't look up the slang terms in urban dictionary you're not truly getting the meaning of what this book is about. Based on quotes from the aut... Continue reading

This book is all about basketball and is great for kids who love basketball. I have not found any questionable terminology in the book. You can read the first p... Continue reading

The Crossover is about two high school twins that love basketball. One twin is focused on his girlfriend, while the other wants him to focus on basketball. Ther... Continue reading

What's the story?

Josh and his twin brother, JB, are inseparable, on and off the court. With the support of their father, a famous basketball player, they're poised to have a great season, maybe even win the championship for their junior high. Then things start to change. JB starts to spend more time with girls than with Josh, their dad is hiding a health issue that could change all of their lives, and Josh begins to lose his way. One big mistake, and he's suspended from the team, estranged from his brother, and wondering how much time he has left with the brightest star in his world: his father.

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. If you don't look up the slang terms in urban dictionary you're not truly getting the meaning of what this book is about. Based on quotes from the aut... Continue reading This book is all about basketball and is great for kids who love basketball.

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By Karina Yan Glaser

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By Lamar Giles

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By Eleanor Coerr

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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr | Scholastic

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Hospitalized with leukemia, eleven-year-old Sadako races against time to fold one thousand paper cranes, as the legend says doing so will make a sick person hea

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By Rodman Philbrick

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What's the story?

Twelve-year-old New Hampshire boy Zane Dupree never knew his African-American father, who died in an accident before he was born, and his mom has never been able to find any of his paternal relatives. That all changes thanks to a website that connects them with his great-grandmother in New Orleans, who had raised his dad back in the day. He reluctantly agrees to spend the last week of summer with her in New Orleans, but only if his beloved dog Bandy gets to come along. Unbeknownst to any of them, Hurricane Katrina's bearing down on the city, and Zane's barely had a chance to get acquainted with Miss Trissy before they have to flee for their lives with her pastor in the church van. When a terrified Bandy leaps out the window, Zane instinctively goes after him, and soon the two are trapped in Miss Trissy's house as the floodwaters rise.

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Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Twelve-year-old New Hampshire boy Zane Dupree never knew his African-American father, who died in an accident before he was born, and his mom has never been able to find any of his paternal relatives.

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By Jason Reynolds

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As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds | Scholastic

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When two brothers decide to prove how brave they are, everything backfires in this piercing middle grade novel.

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Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle

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Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle

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By Hilda Eunice Burgos

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In ANA MARÍA REYES DOES NOT LIVE IN A CASTLE, 11-year-old "Anamay" needs to practice hard for an important piano recital that could be the key that will earn her a scholarship to The Eleanor School, a prestigious New York private school. In the months leading up to the recital, Anamay's parents announce that a new baby is on the way, news that makes her very upset. The family makes a trip to their parents' birthplace, the Dominican Republic, to attend Anamay's Tía Nona's wedding. It's the first time Anamay and her three sisters have visited the island, and while there she meets many family members, learns about her cultural roots, and savors traditional foods. By the end of her stay, she finds herself in an unexpected situation that changes her outlook on what's really important and teaches her compassion and generosity.

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Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. In ANA MARÍA REYES DOES NOT LIVE IN A CASTLE, 11-year-old "Anamay" needs to practice hard for an important piano recital that could be the key that will earn her a scholarship to The Eleanor School, a prestigious New York private school.

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By Julia Alvarez

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Skip to Content Want personalized picks that fit your family? Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids. Get age-based picks Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase.

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By Andrea Davis Pinkney

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Skip to Content Want personalized picks that fit your family? Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids. Get age-based picks Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase.

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By Lisa Yee

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By Pablo Cartaya

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I was genuinely surprised with this book. It's a story about some aspects kids could really relate to. Such as; living in a big family, losing a loved one, a La... Continue reading

What's the story?

THE EPIC FAIL OF ARTURO ZAMORA recounts his tumultuous summer at age 13. The heart of Arturo's sprawling Cuban American family is his beloved Abuela (grandmother) and La Cocina de la Isla, the Miami restaurant she opened nearly 20 years ago. His high hopes for summer soon turn to dismay and anxiety: His new job at the restaurant turns out to be as a lowly dishwasher, his stomach flips whenever he's near newly arrived family friend Carmen, Abuela is falling ill, and a flashy, underhanded developer wants to replace La Cocina with a high-rise. Sifting through letters, poems, photos, and music from his late grandfather, Arturo takes to heart his words on family, faith, and courage, and starts to write a new chapter for himself and his family.

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Our editors recommend

Poignant memoir-in-verse recalls Cuban American's childhood.

Harrowing journey of family fleeing Cuba on a raft.

Cuban musicians tell their life stories in slow-paced tale.

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The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title. I was genuinely surprised with this book. It's a story about some aspects kids could really relate to. Such as; living in a big family, losing a loved one, a La...

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By Joseph Bruchac

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Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac | Scholastic

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After he moves to Brooklyn from a reservation and has trouble fitting in at school, Danny, a fourth grader, learns about the importance of peace.

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By Paula Freedman

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My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula Freedman | Scholastic

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How will Tara balance her Indian and Jewish identities while she figures out friends, schoolwork, and a little romance?

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By Ellen Levine

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Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine | Scholastic

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The story of an African American slave who escaped to freedom by having himself mailed to Philadelphia by a member of the Underground Railroad.

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By Lauren Tarshis

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I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis | Scholastic

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While visiting his deceased father's hometown in Japan, a massive earthquake stirkes - followed by a killer tsunami. Ben is swept away; can he survive?

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Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire

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Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire

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By Sundee T. Frazier

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Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee T. Frazier | Scholastic

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Cleopatra Edison Oliver has always been an entrepreneur. So when Cleo's teacher assigns her class a project, Cleo comes up with her best business idea yet...a too

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By Sundee T. Frazier

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Cleo Edison Oliver in Persuasion Power by Sundee T. Frazier | Scholastic

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C.E.O. has a new business: Passion Clips. She and her best friend Caylee are going to take the world by storm with their personalized barrettes.

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By Katherine Applegate

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A Lot or a Little?

What you will-and won't-find in this book.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Wishtree is by Newbery Award winner Katherine Applegate ( The One and Only Ivan), who brings her trademark sensitivity and humor to a thorny, topical subject. The central conflict is an instance of hate aimed at a Muslim family -- a boy carves the word "LEAVE" into their tree...

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Moving, gentle friendship story tackles anti-Muslim bigotry. Read Common Sense Media's Wishtree review, age rating, and parents guide.

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By Jacqueline Woodson

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In a series of free-verse and other forms of poems, Lonnie, having lost his parents four years ago in a fire when he was seven years old, tells about his life. He is separated from his sister and living in a foster home with an elderly woman, Miss Edna. He loves his sister, but sees her infrequently, as her new parents don't like boys. But Ms. Marcus, his teacher, tells him he has a gift, and encourages him to express his thoughts and feelings in writing.

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Skip to Content In a series of free-verse and other forms of poems, Lonnie, having lost his parents four years ago in a fire when he was seven years old, tells about his life. He is separated from his sister and living in a foster home with an elderly woman, Miss Edna.

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By Laurie Halse Anderson

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As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

Winner of the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
2008 National Book Award finalist

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As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.

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By Nancy Farmer

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This magical folktale from Egypt tells of young Ali, son of the Sultan's pigeon keeper, who must find six hundred cherries in order to save his own life.

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By Holly Goldberg Sloan

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Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan | Scholastic

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After losing her adoptive parents in a car accident, twelve-year-old genius Willow slowly forges new social relationships and creates a surrogate family for her

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By Celia C. Pérez

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Packed with themes and insights from a range of creative literature (José Martí, Sandra Cisneros, The Outsiders, Beverly Cleary, Robert Frost), artists ( Frida Kahlo, José Guadalupe Posada, Diego Rivera, Jackson Pollock), ranchera singer Lola Beltrán, and diverse punk performers (Poly Styrene, the Ramones, Alice Bag, Blondie, Joe Strummer). Introduces aspects of Mexican dance, language, food, history, and culture. Outlines the Bracero program in the context of the immigrant experience. Lessons on how to make zines -- and how to make your voice heard.

Be yourself, and proud of everything you are. Courage is being brave despite fear, and it helps you keep going when you risk getting stuck. Everyone is different in his or her own way. Do it yourself, and clean up when you make a mess. Stand up for what you believe. Being an activist and challenging authority doesn't necessarily require being disrespectful.

Malú is creative with a strong independent streak. She questions authority but tries to avoid being rude or disrespectful. She's courageous, working through fear and anxiety to take risks and pursue issues that are important to her. When she makes mistakes, she apologizes and tries to make things right. She's able to empathize with others in different circumstances -- including people she doesn't like. Her parents are loving and affectionate. While Malú and her mother often treat each other with impatience, when they listen to each other with open minds, they reach new understanding. An elderly neighbor and the friendly owner of a cafe take an interest in Malú and provide her with encouragement, support, and different perspectives.

What's the story?

THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK is to be yourself. Twelve-year-old Malú is trying to be herself, but her mom (nicknamed "SuperMexican") pesters her to behave like una señorita, her new school says her preferred makeup and clothing violates the dress code, and a classmate calls her a "coconut": brown on the outside, white on the inside. Malú is excited when she falls in with a group of similarly spirited kids and they start a band. When the principal says they're too loud to participate in a talent show celebrating the school's Mexican namesake, Malú surprises herself with her resolve, her growing appreciation of her heritage, and her strong voice.

Is it any good?

Talk to your kids about ...

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate

About these links

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support.

Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality.
Learn how we rate

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Packed with themes and insights from a range of creative literature (José Martí, Sandra Cisneros, The Outsiders , Beverly Cleary, Robert Frost), artists ( Frida Kahlo, José Guadalupe Posada, Diego Rivera, Jackson Pollock), ranchera singer Lola Beltrán, and diverse punk performers (Poly Styrene, the Ramones, Alice Bag, Blondie, Joe Strummer).

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By Mae Respicio

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"If this book were a house, the rooms would be filled with warmth, family, and friendship." --Erin Entrada Kelly, author of the Newbery Medal winner Hello, Universe; The Land of Forgotten Girls; and Blackbird Fly

A coming-of-age story that explores culture and family, forgiveness and friendship, and what makes a true home. Perfect for fans of Wendy Mass and Joan Bauer.

Lou Bulosan-Nelson has the ultimate summer DIY project. She's going to build her own "tiny house," 100 square feet all her own. She shares a room with her mom in her grandmother's house, and longs for a place where she can escape her crazy but lovable extended Filipino family. Lou enjoys her woodshop class and creating projects, and she plans to build the house on land she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born. But then she finds out that the land may not be hers for much longer.

Lou discovers it's not easy to save her land, or to build a house. But she won't give up; with the help of friends and relatives, her dream begins to take shape, and she learns the deeper meaning of home and family.

"Equal parts girl-heart, muscle and know-how for today's reader. Endearing to the end." --Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery-Honor-and-Coretta-Scott King -Award-winning author of the National Book Award Finalist Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

"Warm, funny and affirming. As we get to know Lou, her extended Filipino family, and friends, the door opens into her life and, ultimately, her home." --Lisa Yee, author of the Millicent Min trilogy, The Kidney Hypothetical, the DC Super Hero Girls series, and other books

"There couldn't be a hero more determined, resourceful or lovable than Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson. Her big dream of a tiny house is irresistible." --Tricia Springstubb, author of Every Single Second, What Happened on Fox Street, Moonpenny Island, and the Cody series

"I fell in love with Lou and her wonderful extended family. This story may be about a tiny house, but it has an enormous heart." --Kate Messner, author of The Exact Location of Home

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juvenile fiction / family / general (see also headings under social themes)

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juvenile fiction/family - general (see also headings under social themes)

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chapter books for kids age 8-10; chapter books for kids age 9-12; books for kids age 9 12; girls books ages 9-12; books for 9 year old girls; books for 10 year old girls; books for 11 year old girls; books for 12 year old girls; middle school books; diversity; diverse childrens books; middle grade; filipina; tiny house; family; friendship; 4th grade reading books; girl books; books for girls; girl power; science for kids; science books for kids age 9 12; books for 10 year old boys; books for girls age 9 12

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chapter books for kids age 8-10;chapter books for kids age 9-12;books for kids age 9 12;girls books ages 9-12;books for 9 year old girls;books for 10 year old girls;books for 11 year old girls;books for 12 year old girls;middle school books;diversity;diverse childrens books;middle grade;filipina;tiny house;family;friendship;girl books;books for girls;girl power;science for kids;science books for kids age 9 12;books for 10 year old boys;books for girls age 9 12;4th grade reading books

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juvenile fiction / family / general (see also headings under social themes)

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juvenile fiction/family - general (see also headings under social themes)

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The House That Lou Built [Respicio, Mae] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The House That Lou Built

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By Candace Fleming

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Lowji Discovers America by Candace Fleming | Scholastic

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Nine-year-old Lowji is moving to Illinois from India. Not only does culture shock take hold of Lowji, but he also finds himself alone without any friends. His l

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The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond

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The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond

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By Brenda Woods

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By Phil Bildner

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By Quevenzhane Wallis