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Free Lunch: Ogle, Rex: 9781324016946: Amazon.com: Books

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Free Lunch: Ogle, Rex: 9781324016946: Amazon.com: Books

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Summary: An Occasionally Happy Family

In An Occasionally Happy Family, Theo's dad is bundling him and his sister, Laura into the car for a road trip to Big Bend National Park. Although nature doesn't fit into any of the kids' interests (Theo like comics), they follow along for a chance to have a nicer family vacation than visiting their grandma. It's also a good chance to bond more since their mom died a few years ago.

The kids notice, though, that their dad is suspiciously over-excited (and in turns) nervous about the trip and everything makes sense when mid-way through, he introduces them to his new girlfriend, Lucrecia.

The Good

This is a hilarious story and Theo's sense of humor is evident in his storytelling and the way he views the world around him. I loved all the quips between him and Laura and their dad is hilariously awkward in his encounters with other campers. I found the first half of the book to be really comical, which propels the plot a bit. I didn't read the description so I had no idea where we were going with the camping narrative, which made for a nice surprise.

Behind the humor of this story is a family dealing with grief, kids who miss their mother, and a father who still misses his wife - but all of whom rarely talk about her or their grief. This makes it harder for them to cope as a family as move forward healthily. So when Lucrecia - who loves to discuss feelings and express affection physically - enters the picture, the kids are thrown off.

I loved the way the author resolves the issues and the realistic response the kids have to Lucrecia. The balance of lighthearted jokes and serious themes makes this a worthy read.

Overall: An Occasionally Happy Family

An Occasionally Happy Family is a surprisingly heartwarming, funny, and adventure-packed road-trip story about family and grief. Starring a witty and artistic young protagonist, this story intertwines humor with serious issues such as teens' social media usage, confronting difficult emotions, and adjusting to a parent's new relationship. If you like funny middle grade books, this will make an excellent read!

Buy This Book

More Book Reviews

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An Occasionally Happy Family, Cliff Burke (Book Review)

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An Occasionally Happy Family is a surprisingly heartwarming, funny, and adventure-packed road-trip story about family and grief.

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"Thoughtful and hugely empathetic" (The Guardian).The Light Jar is a compelling mystery that celebrates imagination and the light within.
Nate and his mother are running away. Fleeing from a bad situation at home, they hide out in an abandoned cottage in the middle of a forest. Though it's old and run-down, at least it's a place of their own.Then Nate's mother heads off for groceries and doesn't return. Has she run into trouble, or simply abandoned him? He is left alone and afraid, with the dark -- and all his old fears -- closing in on him.But comfort can come from the most unexpected of places: like a strange girl trying to solve the mystery of a treasure hunt, and the reappearance of a friend from his past. Will Nate find the bravery he needs to face down his fears, survive on his own, and ultimately illuminate his future? The Light Jar is a captivating story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship, and finding the light within, even in the darkest of times.

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"Thoughtful and hugely empathetic" (The Guardian).The Light Jar is a compelling mystery that celebrates imagination and the light within.Nate and his mother are running away. Fleeing from a bad situation at home, they hide out in an abandoned cottage in the middle of a forest.

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Amazon.com: The Magical Imperfect: 9781250767820: Baron, Chris: Books

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Amazon.com: The Magical Imperfect: 9781250767820: Baron, Chris: Books

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Gr 3-7-The whole town eagerly watches the 1989 baseball playoffs, but Etan is unable to fully engage. Since his mother left, Etan has neither the energy nor the will to speak. He spends most of his time with his grandfather in his jewelry shop on Main Street and with the shopkeepers who are accepting of his silence. Delivering a package to a house outside of town, Etan encounters Malia, known by kids as "the Creature" because of the eczema that covers her body. She invites him in to meet her grandmother, a refugee from the Philippines who befriended Etan's Jewish grandparents when they were escaping the horrors of the war in 1940. As this new friendship grows, Etan wants to help Malia's eczema get better with his grandfather's special clay, and to help her gain the confidence to sing at the local talent show. An earthquake that hits that day shakes everything up, but ultimately leads to Etan finding his voice, and Malia using hers to share her story. VERDICT Written in first person, this lyrical novel-in-verse invites readers into Etan's world, who will be drawn in by his very silence and how friendship relies on listening just as much as speaking.-Connie Williams, Petaluma, CA

A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book A Southern California Independent Booksellers Association BESTSELLER!San Diego Union TribuneThe Horn Book Magazine―Happily Ever Elephants Blogand the Geeger the Robot seriesFat Girl on a Plane" ―The Voice of San Diego magazine
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Highly recommended...satisfyingly blends empathy, a range of diversity, and youthful possibility with serendipity's sparkle.
Perfect for readers of Wonder and Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe ." Booklist magazine, starred review " ― Publishers Weekly Wonder." ― The Week Junior
"Etan's honest and lovable voice, and its growing strength, that carries this tender novel. Double the Books Magazine The San Diego Union Tribune

"Written in first person, this lyrical novel-in-verse invites readers into Etan's world, who will be drawn in by his very silence and how friendship relies on listening just as much as speaking."―School Library Journal

"[P]aints a beautiful picture of intertwined families, of a community discovering its strengths, immigration across generations of Americans, and the unlikely friendship between two kids trying to find their place in the world." ―Jewish Book Council

"This story might remind you of the book All of Me could be your story, too."

"Musical, enchanting, powerful." ― ― The Los Angeles Times

"Baron captures both small personal moments and historical events by deploying the perfect detail, dialogue snippet or plot puzzle-piece at the perfect time." ― All of Me is for anyone who has been in search of a tribe, in love with a friend or in need of answers to questions that they can't bring themselves to ask. In other words, everybody."
BookRiot Best Children's Books about Kindness
Nerdy Book Club 2019 Award, Novels-in-Verse
A Literacious Favorite Middle-Grade Book of 2019
A National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Book

"If you have ever felt lost in the world, betrayed by your body or buoyed by a glimmer of hope or the glow of friendship, then ― " Astute and stunning. All of Me is highly recommended and offers an eloquent and often-heartbreaking glimpse into the experiences of a layered, complex and relatable protagonist. Readers will surely root for Ari as his story unfolds." "[A] beautifully written and psychologically acute debut. Readers will be glad to accompany Ari on his journey to self-discovery." ― Booklist "Any reader who has felt like an outsider will be drawn to Ari's story, which means his audience should be legion."

― Baron's first-person narration allows the reader to experience Ari's pain and revelations, both of which are balanced with moments of grace and beauty....highly recommended for readers of all ages. " ― "A unique perspective on weight loss and family told in beautiful, pitch perfect verse." "Tackling such difficult subjects as anti-Semitism, self-harm, and family instability with heart-breaking honesty and grace, All of Me deftly explores the complex layers of what it means to come of age. Baron's evocative verse beautifully expresses the depth of Ari's feelings; he will be a lifeline to anyone unsure of how they fit in the world." ―Joy McCullogh, National Book Award nominated author of "I LOVE THIS BOOK. A moving and raw story that will stay with me." ―Remy Lai, author of "In page after page of gorgeous verse, Chris Baron tells a story of hard-won healing, self acceptance, and hope. " ―Jarrett Lerner, author of EngiNerds
gorgeous debut shines with strength, vulnerability, and humor.
"Baron's free-verse poetry is immediate and lyrical, allowing us access to Ari's thoughts and feelings in a way that prose would not. Ari's journey to self-acceptance is hopeful and inspiring." ―Jen Petro-Roy, author of "Ari's story of love and loss and learning to live life on his own terms broke my heart and put it back together again. Beautiful and necessary!" ―Kelly deVos, author of Baron's writing is quick-witted and full of depth, allowing complicated characters to navigate growing up, identity and struggling with heavy things ― not just body image and bullying but absent parents, self-harm, faith, first loves, interrupted friendships and more. The book is compelling, hopeful and a total page-turner.

Highly recommended." ―Middle Grade Minded Blog

"Chris Baron's

"A powerful story, beautifully told.

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Amazon.com: The Magical Imperfect: 9781250767820: Baron, Chris: Books

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Restart: Korman, Gordon: 9781338053807: Amazon.com: Books

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Restart: Korman, Gordon: 9781338053807: Amazon.com: Books

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Restart [Korman, Gordon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Restart

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The Stars Beneath Our Feet: Moore, David Barclay: 9781524701277: Amazon.com: Books

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The Stars Beneath Our Feet: Moore, David Barclay: 9781524701277: Amazon.com: Books

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"The right story at the right time. . . . It's not just a narrative; it's an experience. It's the novel we've been waiting for." - The New York Times ** WINNER OF THE Brown Girl Dreaming

A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother's death in this outstanding debut novel that celebrates community and creativity.
CORETTA SCOTT KING-JOHN STEPTOE AWARD FOR NEW TALENT! **
MICHAEL B. JORDAN TO DIRECT MOVIE ADAPTATION!

It's Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren't celebrating. They're still reeling from his older brother's death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly's mother's girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly's always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.

His path isn't clear-and the pressure to join a "crew," as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape-and an unexpected bridge back to the world.

David Barclay Moore paints a powerful portrait of a boy teetering on the edge-of adolescence, of grief, of violence-and shows how Lolly's inventive spirit helps him build a life with firm foundations and open doors.

SIX STARRED REVIEWS!
MORE PRAISE FOR THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET: A New York Times Notable Book A Time Top 10 Children's Books of the Year A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of the Year A Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of the Year An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book " A fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us. David Barclay Moore is an exciting new voice. We definitely haven't heard the last of his brilliance." -Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning of The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about the weight of the world on the back of a child, and the creative tools necessary to alleviate that pressure. I found myself rooting for Lolly, and you will too." -Jason Reynolds, Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner for As Brave As You

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The Stars Beneath Our Feet [Moore, David Barclay] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Stars Beneath Our Feet

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Hazel's Theory of Evolution - Google Books

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Hazel's Theory of Evolution - Google Books

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Winner of the Lambda Literary Award!

The Thing About Jellyfish meets Raymie Nightingale in this tender middle grade novel from Lisa Jenn Bigelow, acclaimed author of Drum Roll, Please.

Hazel knows a lot about the world. That's because when she's not hanging with her best friend, taking care of her dog, or helping care for the goats on her family's farm, she loves reading through dusty encyclopedias.

But even Hazel doesn't have answers for the questions awaiting her as she enters eighth grade. What if no one at her new school gets her, and she doesn't make any friends? What's going to happen to one of her moms, who's pregnant again after having two miscarriages? Why does everything have to change when life was already perfectly fine?

As Hazel struggles to cope, she'll come to realize that sometimes you have to look within yourself-instead of the pages of a book-to find the answer to life's most important questions.

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Winner of the Lambda Literary Award!The Thing About Jellyfish meets Raymie Nightingale in this tender middle grade novel from Lisa Jenn Bigelow, acclaimed author of Drum Roll, Please.Hazel knows a lot about the world.

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As Will, fifteen, sets out to avenge his brother Shawn's fatal shooting, seven ghosts who knew Shawn board the elevator and reveal truths Will needs to know.

BRMS Library link

Hoopla Digital

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The Benefits of Being an Octopus Ebook by Ann Braden - hoopla

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The Benefits of Being an Octopus Ebook by Ann Braden - hoopla

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Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they've got to do.
Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend-they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer....

"This heartbreaking, beautifully written book about finding one's voice will offer some readers a relatable reflection and others a window that can help build empathy and understanding."

- School Library Journal, Starred Review

"This engrossing debut novel...takes the reader on her journey from the dire side of the class divide to a life of cautious hope as she learns the world is big enough for choices, actions, and results."

- Booklist

"The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a beautiful, layered look at the courage it takes to stand up to and stand up for the people you love--including yourself. Braden's story captivated me and carried me along, leaving me changed for the better."

- Elaine Vickers, author of Like Magic and Paper Chains

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Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they've got to do. Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor.

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Kids - Wonder - Prince William Public Library System - OverDrive

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Kids - Wonder - Prince William Public Library System - OverDrive

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Kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Millions of people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. A perfect read for back to school - no matter what that looks like!

The book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid-but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

"Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" -indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

Join the conversation: #thewonderofwonder, #choosekind

Kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Millions of people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. A perfect read for back to school - no matter what that looks like!

The book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid-but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

"Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" -indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

Join the conversation: #thewonderofwonder, #choosekind

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Kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Millions of people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. A perfect read for back to school - no matter what that looks like!

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Thompson can always be relied upon to tackle difficult subjects in her books. She provides a moving portrayal of OCD in her debut The Goldfish Boy, a thrilling mystery that gives a modern spin on Alfred Hitchcock's hit classic, Rear Window. In The Light Jar, she introduces domestic abuse and coping mechanisms in the leisurely and somewhat redundant story of eleven-year-old Nate, a sensitive boy who seeks shelter in an abandoned cottage with his mom. When his mom goes missing, Nate must survive t...more

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Scott Evans (The Reader Teacher/MrEPrimary)

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Thompson can always be relied upon to tackle difficult subjects in her books. She provides a moving portrayal of OCD in her debut The Goldfish Boy, a thrilling mystery that gives a modern spin on Alfred Hitchcock's hit classic, Rear Window.

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All the Things That Could Go Wrong by Stewart Foster

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All the Things That Could Go Wrong by Stewart Foster

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"I reach out and trace my finger over the lines. Ben said I need to make the frame first. It's made of twelve pieces of wood, six underneath and six on top criss-crossing each other like a potato waffle. I pick up a piece of chalk and draw it on the blackboard. Then I draw two stick men on top for me and Ben. I stand back and look at the pictures. There's no way I'm going to let Shark Face help. This is mine and Ben's. I don't care if his mum did text my mum last night. She said Shark Face was looking forward to coming down this afternoon. But there's no way I'm going to have that twerp hanging around. The light flickers as a bus rumbles along the road above my head. I pull the tarp off Shooting Star and take a deep breath. She looks nothing like Ben's diagram. All"

"Dad tells me I need to me ready by"

More quotes...

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"I reach out and trace my finger over the lines. Ben said I need to make the frame first. It's made of twelve pieces of wood, six underneath and six on top criss-crossing each other like a potato waffle. I pick up a piece of chalk and draw it on the blackboard.

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Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw feels like he's been running ever since his dad pulled that gun on him and his mom-and used it.His dad's been in jail three years now, but Ghost still feels the trauma, which is probably at the root of the many "altercations" he gets into at middle school. When he inserts himself into a practice for a local elite track team, the Defenders, he's fast enough that the hard-as-nails coach decides to put him on the team. Ghost is surprised to find himself caring enough about being on the team that he curbs his behavior to avoid "altercations." But Ma doesn't have money to spare on things like fancy running shoes, so Ghost shoplifts a pair that make his feet feel impossibly light-and his conscience correspondingly heavy. Ghost's narration is candid and colloquial, reminiscent of such original voices as Bud Caldwell and Joey Pigza; his level of self-understanding is both believably childlike and disarming in its perception. He is self-focused enough that secondary characters initially feel one-dimensional, Coach in particular, but as he gets to know them better, so do readers, in a way that unfolds naturally and pleasingly. His three fellow "newbies" on the Defenders await their turns to star in subsequent series outings. Characters are black by default; those few white people in Ghost's world are described as such. An endearing protagonist runs the first, fast leg of Reynolds' promising relay. (Fiction. 10-14) -- Kirkus Reviews, 8/1/16

Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw has been running for three years, ever since the night his father shot a gun at him and his mother. When he gets recruited by a local track coach for a championship team, they strike a deal: if Ghost can stop getting into fights at school, he can run for the Defenders, but one altercation and he's gone. Despite Ghost's best intentions, everyone always has something to say about his raggedy shoes, homemade haircut, ratty clothes, or his neighborhood, and he doesn't last 24 hours without a brawl. Will Coach and his mom give him another chance to be part of something bigger than himself, or is he simply destined to explode? With his second fantastic middle-grade novel of the year (As Brave as You, 2016), the ferociously talented Reynolds perfectly captures both the pain and earnest longing of a young boy. The first in the four-book Track series, this is raw and lyrical, and as funny as it is heartbreaking. It tackles issues such as theft, bullying, and domestic violence with candor and bravery while opening a door for empathy and discussion. An absolute must-read for anyone who has ever wondered how fast you must be to run away from yourself.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Is anyone else putting out so many stellar books so quickly? The author of The Boy in the Black Suit and All American Boys (both 2015) keeps dashing along. - Becca Worthington

-- Booklist, STARRED REVIEW, 9/1/16

Reynolds (As Brave As You) uses a light hand to delve into topics that include gun violence, class disparity, and bullying in this compelling series opener. Seventh-grader Castle Cranshaw, nicknamed Ghost, knows nothing about track when a former Olympian recruits him as a sprinter for one of the city's youth teams. As far as Ghost is concerned, "whoever invented track got the whole gun means go thing right," something he learned firsthand when his father tried to shoot Ghost and his mother in their apartment three years prior. The trauma has had ripple effects on Ghost, including angry outbursts ("I was the boy.... with all the scream inside"), altercations at school, stealing, and lying. Joining the track team provides new friends, goals, and an opportunity for Ghost to move beyond his past. Ghost is a well-meaning, personable narrator whose intense struggles are balanced by a love of world records, sunflower seeds, and his mother. Coach's relationship with Ghost develops into a surrogate father-son scenario, adding substantial emotional resonance and humor to the mix. Ages 10-up. -- Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW*, August 8, 2016

Castle "Ghost" Crenshaw lives with his single mother; his father is serving time in prison after firing a gun at Ghost and his mom three years ago-and Ghost has been running ever since. While running one day, he stops to watch a track practice and decides to crash the race. Impressed, the coach offers him a position on the team. His mom reluctantly agrees to let him join as long as he can behave himself and stay out of trouble in school. This is a struggle for the impulsive Ghost, but with Coach's help, he learns the advantages of diligent practice and teamwork. Reynolds paints a realistic picture of a boy who needs the support of his community to channel his talent and energy. Supporting adult characters, like shop owner Mr. Charles and Coach, are positive, nuanced, and well-developed. The diverse team members are dealing with their own struggles, which will be explored in three future installments. The consequences for Ghost's misbehavior are somewhat inconsistent, but the detailed and informative descriptions of running and training with an elite track team more than make up for this. VERDICT The focus on track athletics-a subject sorely lacking in the middle grade space-combined with the quality of Reynolds's characters and prose, makes this an essential purchase. -- School Library Journal *STARRED*, September 2016

Sometimes a whole life can change in one night. For seventh-grader Castle Cranshaw, that night was three years ago when his father tried to shoot him and his mother, when "the liquor made him meaner than he'd ever been." That's when Castle started to call himself "Ghost," because Mr. Charles, who let the terrified pair take refuge in his all-night store, "looked at us like he was looking at two ghosts." And that was the night he learned how to run... really run.

Jason Reynolds (As Brave as You) has a playful, intimate and conversational style, and in Ghost, a middle-grade series debut, he tells the story of how an unforgettable flight of terror led to an African American boy's instinct to run--fast. One day on his walk home, Ghost sees a track team practicing with their short bald coach who looks like "a turtle with a chipped tooth." Keenly observant Ghost becomes annoyed with one of the runners others perceive as unbeatable, and decides to "keep up with him, if not beat him" even though he "ain't ever had a running lesson." He stubbornly persists until the coach relents: "Listen, you get one run, you hear me?"

The story of Ghost's evolving relationships with his anger, with his ever-worried mother, with Coach Brody and with running is a joy to read. For a boy who's "got a lot of scream inside," Ghost can riff entertainingly on topics from eating sunflower seeds to 100-meter sprints. Ghost is about kids who are, in both senses, running for their lives, and the generous souls who help them along the way.

Discover: In Jason Reynolds's excellent middle-grade novel, a boy learns to run when his father shoots a gun at him--and he never stops running.

-- Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW, 9/6/16

Castle Crenshaw discovered his fleet feet on the night his drunken father pulled a gun on his mother and him, and the pair took off running into the night. Now Dad is in jail, Mom is working too hard, but Castle's getting by-or he would be if the likes of seventh-grade bully Brandon would just leave him alone. Hanging out on the park bleachers one afternoon, Castle, who insists on the nickname "Ghost," watches a track team at their season opening practice, unimpressed. When he swaggers up to the starting line and shows the team hotshot that he's really not all that, Ghost's obvious talent catches Coach's eye; after a quick meeting with Mom, he finds himself joining the Defenders, a city track team. Despite his speed, he's a rank novice in terms of team playing, and his off-track conduct-fighting at school, stealing-isn't all that great either, but Coach is merciful and doggedly insistent that Ghost can do better. A message-heavy scene in which the newbies bond over Chinese food and shared family secrets might play on tropes but successfully tugs at heartstrings. The final pages have Ghost lined up beside none other than the hated Brandon, but an ambiguous ending confirms that this is less about Ghost's track success than his journey to self-worth. Readers (track stars or slowpokes) will find that the redemptive relationship among a supportive mom, a skillful coach who believes in second (and third) chances, and a determined young man comes through louder than the final "BOOM" of the starter gun. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October 2016

When it comes to providing mirrors for contemporary African American teens, Reynolds (When I Was the Greatest, rev. 1/14; The Boy in the Black Suit, rev. 3/15) has proven himself to be an emerging leader. His latest offering is the first in
a projected series about four middle-school athletes and their efforts to better themselves, on and off the track. The first leg of this literary relay belongs to our title character. Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw is a young man with a taste for sunflower seeds, Guinness World Records, and people watching; he also has a proclivity for getting into trouble, fighting, and running, stemming from the night his father (now in prison) pulled a gun on him and his mother. When Ghost happens upon the citywide track team, the Defenders, at practice and impulsively bests its fastest sprinter, the coach sees potential in the seventh grader. Ghost's path to seeing the same potential in himself is littered with stumbling blocks, including a pair of expensive silver running shoes Ghost can't afford but is convinced will help
him run faster. Reynolds has created a wonderfully dynamic character in Ghost; his first-person narrative is one with which young readers will readily identify. Conflicting emotions are presented honestly and without judgment-while Ghost works through the trauma of his father's violent act, he is also able to hold on to positive memories. Reynolds's introduction of the series characters-Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny-will have readers rooting for the entire Defenders team. -- Horn Book Magazine, November/December 2016

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juvenile fiction / social issues / adolescence

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juvenile fiction / social issues / friendship

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juvenile fiction / social themes / adolescence & coming of age

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / general

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / track & field

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jason reynolds; track; multicultural; diversity; diversity in children's books; racing; ghost; sprint; 100m; urban literature; national book award finalist; pbs great american read; pbs great american read 2018; great american read nomination; black lives matter; blacklivesmatter; #blacklivesmatter; national book award nominee; race; racism; social justice; civil rights; activism; books for black kids; books for black teens; books on friendship; troubled teens

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jason reynolds; track; multicultural; diversity; diversity in children's books; racing; ghost; sprint; 100m; urban literature; national book award nominee; national book award finalist; pbs great american read; pbs great american read 2018; great american read nomination; black lives matter; blacklivesmatter; #blacklivesmatter; race; racism; social justice; civil rights; activism; books for black kids; books for black teens; books on friendship; troubled teens;

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juvenile fiction/people & places - united states - african-american

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

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juvenile fiction/sports & recreation - track & field

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people & places - united states - african-american

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social themes - general (see also headings under family)

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juvenile fiction / social themes / adolescence & coming of age

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / general

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / track & field

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juvenile fiction/people & places - united states - african-american

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

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juvenile fiction/sports & recreation - track & field

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Ghost (1) (Track) [Reynolds, Jason] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Ghost (1) (Track)

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Read 4,089 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Chase's memory just went out the window. Chase doesn't remember falling off the roof. H...

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"Hunt's writing is fearless and One For The Murphys is a story that is at once compassionate, thought-provoking and beautifully told. From the first page, I was drawn into Carley's story. She is a character not to be missed or forgotten." -Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

* "By the end of this poignant debut, readers will be applauding Carley's strength." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Readers will be cheering her on." - Booklist

"This is a beautiful book, filled with hope. You'll cry and laugh along with Carley as she learns to lower her defenses enough to love--and, more surprisingly, be loved. It's a story you'll long remember." -Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor-winning author of Pictures of Hollis Woods and Lily's Crossing

"Undeniably affecting. Hunt's writing is strong and her characters well-developed and believable." - Publishers Weekly

" One for the Murphys is a riveting story..." -Examiner.com

"This novel speaks to the universal experience of growing up but will especially resonate with readers who have questioned the hands they have been dealt and wonder how to move forward nonetheless." - The Horn Book

"An astonishing debut! Lynda Mullaly Hunt's direct style of writing has readers rooting for Carley Connors and all of the Murphys from start to satisfying finish." -Leslie Connor, ALA Schneider Family Award-winning author of Waiting for Normal and Crunch

"An incredibly touching novel." -TheStorySiren.com

"Absolutely astonishing." -Bookalicious.org

Lynda Mullaly Hunt (www.lyndamullalyhunt.com) has received many honors for her debut novel, One for the Murphys, which is on over twenty state award lists, including Bank Street's 2013 Best Books of the Year. Her follow up novel, Fish in a Tree, is a New York Times bestseller and ALA Notable Children's Book. She's a former teacher, and holds writers retreats for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, impetuous beagle, and beagle-loathing cat.

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family & home stories (children's / teenage)

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juvenile fiction / family / orphans & foster homes

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

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juvenile fiction/family - orphans & foster homes

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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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foster care; foster children; mothers and daughters; mothers; friendship; resilience; family; basketball; realistic fiction; child abuse; abuse; connecticut; foster; hope; compassion; love; trust; 5th grade books; 6th grade books; 7th grade books; books for kids age 9 12; realistic middle grade fiction; resilient kids; love and loss; kids books ages 9-12; books for 7th grade boys; realistic fiction books for kids 12-15; 7th grade reading list; books for 7th grade girls; parenting; books for 13 year old girls

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realistic middle grade fiction;resilient kids;love and loss;foster care;foster children;mothers and daughters;mothers;friendship;resilience;family;basketball;realistic fiction;child abuse;abuse;connecticut;foster;hope;compassion;love;trust;5th grade books;6th grade books;7th grade books;books for 7th grade boys;realistic fiction books for kids 12-15;7th grade reading list;books for 7th grade girls;parenting;kids books ages 9-12;books for 13 year old girls;books for kids age 9 12

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juvenile fiction / family / orphans & foster homes

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

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juvenile fiction/family - orphans & foster homes

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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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family & home stories (children's / teenage)

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One for the Murphys [Mullaly Hunt, Lynda] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. One for the Murphys

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juvenile fiction / social themes / adolescence

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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It's not easy being Claire. (Really.)Claire's life is a joke . . . but she's not laughing. While her friends seem to be leaping forward, she's dancing in the same place. The mean girls at school are living up to their mean name, and there's a boy, Ryder, who's just as bad, if not worse.

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adventure stories (children's / teenage)

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juvenile fiction / action & adventure / general

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction/action & adventure - general

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school class trip monuments museums funny books for boys girls 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 washington d.c. politics president action adventure rescue kids spies assassination fun jokes humor

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juvenile fiction / action & adventure / general

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction/action & adventure - general

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adventure stories (children's / teenage)

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The Worst Class Trip Ever [Barry, Dave] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Worst Class Trip Ever

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Packed with humor and heart, I loved this book. Chloe's voice is authentic to her age, and she's relatable to middle grade kids. Chloe is willing to work hard for what she wants (a new bike), resourceful, witty, and sensitive. From an unpredictable goat (named King Arthur), to bugs, a crush, a bully, and new friends, Chloe faces every summer camp challenge head on, while staying true to herself throughout. Her summer camp experiences brought me right back to my own childhood summers at sleepaway camp. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Chloe and Pogo, as well as the drama taking place inside the bunk. The author clearly understands the dynamics of how girls function when they all live together. Souders's writing style is easy-to-read and smooth with many laugh-out-loud moments, making this book a great choice for both reluctant readers and avid readers.

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sports & recreation - camping & outdoor activities

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juvenile fiction / science & nature / general

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / camping & outdoor activities

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juvenile fiction/science & nature - general

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

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juvenile fiction/sports & recreation - camping & outdoor activities

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sports & recreation - camping & outdoor activities

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summer camp; summer break; outdoors; friendship; middle school; young adult; humor; middle grade books; chapter books; ages 8-12; ages 9-12; vacation; career; bullying

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juvenile fiction / science & nature / general

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction / sports & recreation / camping & outdoor activities

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juvenile fiction/science & nature - general

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

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juvenile fiction/sports & recreation - camping & outdoor activities

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How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer [Souders, Taryn] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer

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I do. Once, during a talent show, one girl was singing and she messed up, but a girl I know called out and said 'it's okay!' even when the audience waI do. Once, during a talent show, one girl was singing and she messed up, but a girl I know called out and said 'it's okay!' even when the audience was pretty quiet. I don't actually know if it was her, but I'm pretty sure, and she's usually very energetic. ...more (less)

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I do. Once, during a talent show, one girl was singing and she messed up, but a girl I know called out and said 'it's okay!' even when the audience waI do. Once, during a talent show, one girl was singing and she messed up, but a girl I know called out and said 'it's okay!'

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Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died—although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can't handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own.

Hoopla Audio
BRMS Library

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A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book.

Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he can't handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl who's dealt with a lot more-and who just might be able to clue him in on how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down-in this "vivid, satisfying, and ultimately upbeat tale of grief, redemption, and grace" (Kirkus Reviews) from the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award-winning author of When I Was the Greatest.
Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died-although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can't handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own. So while Dad's snagging bottles of whiskey, Matt's snagging fifteen bucks an hour. Not bad. But everything else? Not good. Then Matt meets Lovey. Crazy name, and she's been through more crazy stuff than he can imagine. Yet Lovey never cries. She's tough. Really tough. Tough in the way Matt wishes he could be. Which is maybe why he's drawn to her, and definitely why he can't seem to shake her. Because there's nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness-and who can maybe even help take it away.

A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book.

Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he can't handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl who's dealt with a lot more-and who just might be able to clue him in on how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down-in this "vivid, satisfying, and ultimately upbeat tale of grief, redemption, and grace" (Kirkus Reviews) from the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award-winning author of When I Was the Greatest.
Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died-although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can't handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own. So while Dad's snagging bottles of whiskey, Matt's snagging fifteen bucks an hour. Not bad. But everything else? Not good. Then Matt meets Lovey. Crazy name, and she's been through more crazy stuff than he can imagine. Yet Lovey never cries. She's tough. Really tough. Tough in the way Matt wishes he could be. Which is maybe why he's drawn to her, and definitely why he can't seem to shake her. Because there's nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness-and who can maybe even help take it away.

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A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book. Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he can't handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl who's dealt with a lot more-and who just might be able to clue him in on how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down-in this "vivid,...

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From Jenny Lee, writer on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up!, the number-one-rated kids' show in the country, this feel-good middle-grade novel is about a sickly boy whose life is turned upside down when he gets a therapy dog . . . who can talk!

Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly, accident-prone, and at the hospital so often he even has his own punch card. So when Benji wakes up one day from a particularly bad spell, his doctors take the radical step of suggesting he get a therapy dog. But when a massive crate arrives at Benji's house, out walks a two-hundred-pound Newfoundland who can talk! And boy, is he bossy.

In this hilarious and heartwarming friendship story in the tradition of bestselling authors Gordon Korman and Carl Hiaasen, Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once thought.

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From Jenny Lee, writer on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up!, the number-one-rated kids' show in the country, this feel-good middle-grade novel is about a sickly boy whose life is turned upside down when he gets a therapy dog . . . who can talk!Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality.

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious and heartfelt novel in which one middle-school troublemaker accidentally moves into the gifted and talented program-and changes everything. 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.

For fans of Louis Sachar and Jack Gantos, this funny and touching underdog story is a lovable and goofy adventure with robot fights, middle-school dances, live experiments, and statue-toppling pranks!

When Donovan Curtis pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a special program for gifted and talented students.

Although it wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, the ASD couldn't be a more perfectly unexpected hideout for someone like him. But as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything), he shows that his gifts may be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed.

Don't miss the sequel to this word-of-mouth hit: Supergifted! This funny and heartwarming sequel to Ungifted cleverly sends up our preconceived ideas about intelligence, heroism, and popularity.

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious and heartfelt novel in which one middle-school troublemaker accidentally moves into the gifted and talented program-and changes everything. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling.

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Matthew Corbin suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. He hasn't been to school in weeks. His hands are cracked and bleeding f...

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Amazon.com: The Girl in the Well Is Me (Audible Audio Edition): Karen Rivers, Michele O. Medlin, Recorded Books: Audible Audiobooks

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Summary: Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you'll never, ever forget.

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school--but NO ONE knows it. Most people--her teachers and doctors included--don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows...but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind--that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice...but not everyone around her is ready to hear it. (Summary from back of the book and image from goodreads.com)

My Review: This has been on my to-read stack for an embarrassingly long time. And I do wish I'd picked it up sooner. It seems the YA book-world has started to flesh out more options to show students another perspective, another world that revolves around those who aren't born with the 'normal' skills and abilities. Wonder is another of these books and I'd highly recommend that one as well.

Melody is a likeable character and in some ways is older than her years. What's interesting is the dicotomy of her personality. There are times she's so much wiser than her peers, and then there are other times where she openly admits to losing it and throwing tantrums--understandably knowing how she's been cooped inside her mind for so long. And I think that's an accurate depiction of the book. There are aspects that are just marvelous--mind-opening and heartfelt. And then there are other times where things feel a little forced and maybe a little preachy. What makes the book feel right is that it doesn't follow a perfect 'happy ending' that many of the YA group would naturally expect or want, but it does leave you satisfied.

Overall, I'd still recommend this to my students, especially those in middle school. If there was ever a time in someone's life to get outside of yourself and realize how lucky/blessed you really are for what you have, it's middle school.

Rating: 4 stars

Sum it up: A wonderful reminder that people are not their disabilities.

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Summary: Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you'll never, ever forget. Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school--but NO ONE knows it.

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Elise carries a notebook full of tallies, each page marking a day spent at her new public school, each stroke of her pencil marking a word spoken. A word that can't be taken back. Five tally marks isn't so bad. Two is pretty good. But zero? Zero is perfect. Zero means no wrong answers called out in class, no secrets accidentally spilled, and no conversations to agonize over at night when sleep is far away. But now months have passed, and Elise isn't sure she could speak even if she wanted to - not to keep her only friend, Mel, from drifting further away - and not to ask if ...

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Elise carries a notebook full of tallies, each page marking a day spent at her new public school, each stroke of her pencil marking a word spoken. A word that can't be taken back. Five tally marks isn't so bad. Two is pretty good. But zero? Zero is perfect.

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The Princess Diaries is the first volume of the series of the same name by Meg Cabot. It was released in 2000 by Harper Collins Publishers, and later became a film of the same name starring Anne Hathaway.

Mia Thermopolis is an average urban ninth grader. She lives in Greenwich Village with her single, liberal mother, who is a semi-famous painter, but Mia puts on her Doc Martens one at a time, and the most exciting things she ever dreams about are kissing senior Josh Richter ("six feet of hotness") and passing Algebra. Mia's father comes to town and drops a major bomb: he's not just a European politician as he's always led her to believe, but actually the prince of a small country. And Mia, his only heir, is now considered the crown princess of Genovia. She doesn't even know how to begin to cope: "I am so NOT a princess.... You never saw anyone who looked less like a princess than I do. I mean, I have really bad hair... and... a really big mouth and no breasts and feet that look like skis." Mia's troubles are worsened: her mother has started dating her algebra teacher (Frank Gianini), the paparazzi are showing up at school, and she has a fight with her best friend Lilly. After this they don't talk for a while and become distant from each other. Mia goes to her Grandmère's Plaza Hotel room in order to begin princess training, where she starts to develop into a great princess. Throughout the story Mia also makes another friend named Tina, who is shunned because of her overprotective father, who makes her have a bodyguard.

Mia Thermopolis: Describes herself as a five-foot nine, flat chested, freshman, freak; also known as Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia. Mia loves to write, has a tendency to obsess over everything that happens to her, is a vegetarian, identifies as a feminist and is currently failing algebra and many other subjects.

Grandmere: Mia's grandmother, who loves Sidecars, is highly critical of everyone around her. She has a hairless poodle, Rommel, and she calls Michael Moscovitz that boy. Her full name is The Dowager Princess Clarisse Renaldo. Mia and her Grandmother don't get along with each other for most of the story.

Lilly Moscovitz: Mia's bossy activist best friend, who has her own television cable show, Lilly Tells It Like It Is.

Michael Moscovitz: Lilly's older brother, who is extremely smart and according to Mia, is attractive. Also Mia's crush.

Lana Weinberger: Head cheerleader, initially Josh's girlfriend, dislikes Mia and puts her down throughout the book.

Josh Richter: Mia's crush, "six feet of unadulterated hotness." Originally dating Lana at the beginning of the story, he is shown to have manipulative tendencies.

Helen Thermopolis: Mia's quirky painter mother, who surprises Mia by dating her algebra teacher. She is described as irresponsible.

Philippe Renaldo: Mia's royal father, who is the prince of Genovia. He had Mia out of wedlock, and is constantly annoyed by his domineering mother, has many girlfriends, and tells Mia that she is a princess after he is no longer able to have children because he had cancer.

Tina Hakim-Baba: A girl whom Mia befriends throughout the novel. Her father is an oil man sheikh who is worried that she will get kidnapped. She originally is shunned because her overprotective father forces her to have a bodyguard (Wahim), but she and Mia quickly become close.

Frank Gianini: Mia's algebra and homeroom teacher and he dates her mother, Helen. Mia grows to appreciate his after-school algebra review sessions, and though their relationship begins awkwardly, Mia and Mr. G seem to get along well.

Lars: Mia's bodyguard. He follows her almost everywhere and lives in the Plaza. Has some serious blackmail on Mia, having followed her around everywhere.

Fat Louie: Mia's very fat cat who is attracted to anything shiny.

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The Princess Diaries (novel) - Wikipedia

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The Princess Diaries is the first volume of the series of the same name by Meg Cabot. It was released in 2000 by Harper Collins Publishers, and later became a film of the same name starring Anne Hathaway. Mia Thermopolis is an average urban ninth grader.

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Read 3,941 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. It's the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There's . . . Jessica,...

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Click here to read a summary.

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The Seventh Most Important Thing [Pearsall, Shelley] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Seventh Most Important Thing

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"After seventh-grader Jerome is shot by a white police officer, he observes the aftermath of his death.

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Preview it here.
BRMS Library

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The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

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The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

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Click here to read a summary.

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* "Unforgettable and uplifting. . . . Deals with the hardships of middle school in a funny, yet realistic and thoughtful manner. Ally has a great voice, she is an unforgettable, plucky protagonist that the reader roots for from page one. This novel is a must-have." -School Library Connection, STARRED REVIEW

* "Filled with a delightful range of quirky characters and told with heart, the story also explores themes of family, friendship, and courage in its many forms. . . . It has something to offer for a wide-ranging audience. . . . Offering hope to those who struggle academically and demonstrating that a disability does not equal stupidity, this is as unique as its heroine." -Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

* "Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. . . . Ally's raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. . . . Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally's journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz." -School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"[Hunt's] depiction of Ally's learning struggles is relatable, and Ally's growth and relationships feel organic and real." -Publishers Weekly

"Poignant. . . . Emphasis on 'thinking outside the box' . . . Ally's new friendships are satisfying, as are the recognition of her dyslexia and her renewed determination to read. Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonderwill appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Reminiscent of Polacco's wonderful Thank You, Mr. Falker. . . . Ally's feeling of loneliness and desire to fit in will resonate with young teen readers, as many share those feelings without the difficulty of dyslexia. . . . A tribute to teachers who go the extra mile to reach every student. . . . A touching story with an important message." -Voice of Youth Advocates

"Entertaining dialogue . . . Ally's descriptions of her 'mind movies' are creative and witty. . . . The treatment of a group of sixth-graders with various quirks who face down their bullies extends the book's interest beyond the immediate focus on dyslexia." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Readers will . . . cheer for this likable girl."

Gr 4-6-In her second middle grade novel (One for the Murphys, 2012), Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. Ally is great at math, and her ability to visualize moving pictures makes her an amazing artist, but she has a terrible secret: reading is almost impossible for her. By using her wits and adopting a troublemaking persona, she's been able to avoid anyone finding out a truth she is deeply ashamed of, but a new teacher at school seems to see right through the defenses she's built. While Ally struggles to accept the help that Mr. Daniels offers, she also deals with a father deployed in the Middle East, crushing loneliness, and an authentically awful set of mean girls at school. Ally's raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. As the perceptive teacher who finally offers the diagnosis of dyslexia, Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally's journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz.-Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

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juvenile fiction / social issues / friendship

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juvenile fiction / social issues / special needs

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juvenile fiction / social issues / friendship

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juvenile fiction / social issues / special needs

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juvenile fiction / disabilities & special needs

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction/disabilities & special needs

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Amazon.com: Fish in a Tree eBook: Hunt, Lynda Mullaly: Kindle Store

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Amazon.com: The Girl in the Well Is Me (Audible Audio Edition): Karen Rivers, Michele O. Medlin, Recorded Books: Audible Audiobooks

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"Pippa is a magnetic heroine, funny and good-hearted."-Booklist

Readers will cheer on Korean American Pippa Park in this compelling middle grade reimagining of Great Expectations. Navigating friendships and cyberbullying at a new school, Pippa reinvents herself and discovers who she really is....

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"Pippa is a magnetic heroine, funny and good-hearted."-Booklist Readers will cheer on Korean American Pippa Park in this compelling middle grade reimagining of Great Expectations. Navigating friendships and cyberbullying at a new school, Pippa reinvents herself and discovers who she really is. Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park.

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"A charming, intriguingly plotted novel."-Washington Post Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. 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.
Told from four intertwining points of view-two boys and two girls-the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). "Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits."- Booklist

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.

They aren't friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.
"Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone-humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending."-School Library Journal
The acclaimed and award-winning author of Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls writes with an authentic, humorous, and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia.

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social themes - self-esteem & self-reliance

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juvenile fiction / disabilities & special needs

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juvenile fiction / social issues / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction / social issues / special needs

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction/disabilities & special needs

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juvenile fiction/social themes - bullying

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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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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friendship; making new friends; middle school; bullies; own voices; filipino characters; filipino family; deaf character in middle grade novel; community; coincidences; award-winning author; diverse author; middle grade contemporary realistic; winner of the newbery medal; newbery medalist; newbery award-winning book; middle grade own voices; newberry medal; award winner; award winning books 2018; characters with disabilities; own voices author; author from marginalized background; multicultural books for kids; diversity books for kids; special needs

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friendship; making new friends; middle school; bullies; own voices; filipino characters; filipino family; deaf character in middle grade novel; community; coincidences; award-winning author; diverse author; middle grade contemporary realistic; winner of the newbery medal; newbery medalist; newbery award-winning book; middle grade own voices; newberry medal; award winner; award winning books 2018; characters with disabilities; own voices author; author from marginalized background; multicultural books for kids; diversity books for kids; special needs/disabilities

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juvenile fiction / disabilities & special needs

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction/disabilities & special needs

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juvenile fiction/social themes - bullying

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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

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Hello, Universe [Kelly, Erin Entrada, Roxas, Isabel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hello, Universe

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juvenile fiction / social themes / adolescence

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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It's not easy being Claire. (Really.)Claire's life is a joke . . . but she's not laughing. While her friends seem to be leaping forward, she's dancing in the same place. The mean girls at school are living up to their mean name, and there's a boy, Ryder, who's just as bad, if not worse.

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From the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, Leslie Connor, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason's learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason's best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family's orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can't understand why Lieutenant Baird won't believe the story Mason has told about that day. Both M...

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From the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, Leslie Connor, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write.

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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

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Read 4,181 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, ...

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After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting, and she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone.

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The Thing About Jellyfish - Google Books