Lila has always been accused of being "over the top," and really, she has been, but her claims have always been made in all seriousness. Now that her Lila has always been accused of being "over the top," and really, she has been, but her claims have always been made in all seriousness. Now that her family has to drive from Arizona to Ohio to wrap up the estate of the grandfather she never met, she feels like her friends will completely drop her if she is away for two weeks. However, although Lila doesn't yet know it, she has bigger problems than a dying friendship. A near-death experience causes her to gain incredible new powers that she must use to defeat the unseen denizens of her grandfather's mansion before they destroy everyone in town including her brother and her parents. Unfortunately, her parents and brother believe Lila is being over the top again. This book contains some very creepy scenes. ...more
Ella and Sam have been best friends since Sam moved in next door with his kinship-foster parents. Sam loves Ella's chaotic family and sometimes wishesElla and Sam have been best friends since Sam moved in next door with his kinship-foster parents. Sam loves Ella's chaotic family and sometimes wishes he could talk to Ella about his hopes and fears about reunification with his mom. Ella wishes she had some peace and quiet. They both love the theater and when Ella is chosen to be stage manager of the middle school musical, Sam is sincerely happy for her. Ella has over-the-top ideas, though, which mostly can't happen. Still, she makes it work, managing the stage crew and her chaotic, never--punctual parents and sister...until she doesn't. This story is told from multiple points of view. Each character has his or her own strengths and fears, and all must work together if the show is going to be a success....more
This collection of letters to descendants and to younger selves written by indigenous authors and illustrated by indigenous artists is a stunning workThis collection of letters to descendants and to younger selves written by indigenous authors and illustrated by indigenous artists is a stunning work. Even letters written to a general generation are tender and encouraging. Each letter is a tiny gem imbued with wisdom and generosity. The artwork spans many styles with one common trait--beauty....more
Zoey lost her father more than a year ago to a bus crash and since then, almost everything has caused her extreme anxiety. The only two things that haZoey lost her father more than a year ago to a bus crash and since then, almost everything has caused her extreme anxiety. The only two things that have kept her going are her friend Lena and the fantasy series she shared with her father. Now Lena is being drawn into a new friend group with fellow swimmers and wants Zoey to attend middle school with her, but Zoey has been homeschooled ever since she couldn't climb on the bus after her father's death. Gathering all her courage, Zoey decides to attend a book signing with the author of the fantasy book series to ask her about how the magic happens, but for a couple of reasons, she is not able to speak with the author. Instead, she is gifted a pencil. But wait, the pencil is magic--everything that Zoey writes comes true! Or does it? A new friend likens Zoey's journey to a hero's quest, but Zoey is not a hero. How will she ever make sense of her life that is spiraling out of control? I loved the story-within-a-story-within-a-story, which sounds complicated but was surprisingly readable. Zoey is the character we all wish we could be if magic existed....more
Mo lives with a monster, one who can put on a smiling face, but lash out unexpectedly. That monster is his father, whenever he is having an episode frMo lives with a monster, one who can put on a smiling face, but lash out unexpectedly. That monster is his father, whenever he is having an episode from his paranoid schizophrenia. Mo's mom has gone to Greece to build water systems for refugees for two years because other children are more worth saving, apparently. Mo, almost always on his own, finds solace in folktales, especially those of South Asia, which often end badly, but seem to relate to his life just fine. Just after the beginning of eighth grade, Mo and his dad drive from New York City to Houston where they will live with Mo's aunt and cousin Rayyan, who is also in eighth grade. Mo has grown a hard crust and doesn't let anyone see his feelings, but his aunt and cousin wear him down. He begins to find comfort in attending services at the mosque and in helping with a classroom of young artists, but has to contend with the school bully and try to help his cousin heal from his father's murder years earlier. When Mo's father goes off the rails and ends in the hospital, will it be a time of healing or just another bout of disappointment? Maybe, just maybe, this time will be a new beginning for Mo and his family....more
Santiago is traveling to spend the summer with his abuela to practice his Spanish. When he was younger, he had speech difficulties, so rather than be Santiago is traveling to spend the summer with his abuela to practice his Spanish. When he was younger, he had speech difficulties, so rather than be raise bilingual, he learned mostly English. Now he feels uncertain, but maybe ready to practice what he has learned in Spanish class in school to speak with his grandmother who moved from Colombia and settled in New York. At first, Santi is happy that he is picking up Spanish rapidly, but when he overhears his grandmother's friends criticize his language skills and accent, not once, but twice, and withdraws into himself, even from his new friends that he has been playing soccer with. An extraordinary series of events brings Santi to understand that he is loved for himself, not his Spanish ability, and that he has, in fact, improved his language ability over the summer. Santi finds that questioning self is a part of growing up and decides in the end that he can just be himself. Santi's story feels authentic and very relatable....more
Bea Bellarose is in Paris, but she is not happy. Before leaving home, she failed her Mathletes entrance exam, so of deliberately, because while she isBea Bellarose is in Paris, but she is not happy. Before leaving home, she failed her Mathletes entrance exam, so of deliberately, because while she is good at math, she doesn't really want that to be her life for another year. She sort of lied to her parents, and now they are at a conference and she is stuck in her aunt's apartment in Paris watching the world go by while her aunt works at her high-powered journalism job. Bea doesn't even have a chance to really practice her limited French. Just in the nick of time, a mystery presents itself in the form of an envelope with a riddle slid under the door. Bea enlists the help of her cousin Celine, who seems to be too cool for Bea, to solve it--especially when the family's sketch of Bea's great-grandfather, drawn by none other than Henri Matisse, goes missing. Bea and Celine must race against the deadline to retrieve the missing sketch and return it to their grandmother's antique store, The House of Found Objects, before it disappears completely and the store's landlord calls in the full amount of his loan to their grandmother. Along the way, Bea gets into more trouble than she thought possible, but starts mending a family rift, makes some new friends, and improves her French language ability. This was a fun read with lots of different types of ciphers and clues for readers who enjoy cracking codes and along the way also introduces readers to the joys of Paris....more
Lucy Carver has begged her parents to let her change schools for seventh grade and they agree even though they think the academics will be too challenLucy Carver has begged her parents to let her change schools for seventh grade and they agree even though they think the academics will be too challenging because the Windley School for the Arts has the best music program around. Lucy, who is used to being first chair for flute, all of a sudden finds that not only the academics, but also the music are harder than she could have imagined. Life is tough enough, but with her parents constantly fighting, her dad out of work and drinking way too much, and her younger brother and sister to protect and be jealous of by turns, its no wonder Lucy is having trouble navigating new friendships as well. Lucy becomes fixated on the mistaken idea that earning first chair will solve all of her family's problems, so she takes on way too much ownership and stress to try to fix all of the family rifts. It's not surprising that her schemes don't work, or that she has to win back a lot of friends. Lucy has to figure out whether she is just dreaming the wrong dream. Lucy's story is very readable and relatable, a mirror for all of us who believe that the entire world rests on our shoulders alone when really the burden should be shared!...more
Kaya has wanted to be Queen of the summer Renaissance Faire since her father first started bringing her at age 4. Her dad, who passed away two years bKaya has wanted to be Queen of the summer Renaissance Faire since her father first started bringing her at age 4. Her dad, who passed away two years before, was an archer in the weekend shows. Now Kaya, thanks to a family friend, has the opportunity to spend two weeks at Faire camp, with the opportunity to train to be queen. Unfortunately, the camp director and faire manager is quite hidebound, and casts Kaya as jester instead. Kaya struggles to balance her desire to be queen with friendships and the director's bid to make her the face of the Faire in an effort to promote diversity on social media with his refusal to let a Black girl be queen. How Kaya and other campers as well as performers at the Faire fight to be heard and seen in their true shapes and colors is a fun story that also examines the complexity of navigating others' expectations and perceptions of blackness while staying true to one's own dreams. ...more
Ajay is trying to fit in at his new school, but at the same time, he needs to look out for, and possibly sabotage, any rival students who might be in Ajay is trying to fit in at his new school, but at the same time, he needs to look out for, and possibly sabotage, any rival students who might be in competition for Student of the Year because his immigrant Sri Lankan parents expect that he will be top of his class at all times. At the same time, Ajay is tired of being picked on so he accepts a dare from a bully in hopes of appeasing the boy and deflecting his bullying. His acceptance of the dare and the ever-widening ripples from the action bring much heartache but also new relationships and new opportunities. After breaking one of the family rules in accepting the dare, Ajay begins a chain of rule-breaking that he never could have foreseen. Ajay and his younger sister are very believable characters who can't maintain their parents' loving yet perfectionist standards and make the inevitable mistakes, which, nevertheless have power to strengthen their family. I found the story to be slow to start but very engaging and relatable after persisting through the first couple of chapters...more
Fiora lives in a world ruled by evil sorcerers who developed their powers after much of the world had been destroyed by war. Forced out of her home byFiora lives in a world ruled by evil sorcerers who developed their powers after much of the world had been destroyed by war. Forced out of her home by a pair of the strongest sorcerers, the Radiance, Fiora joins the Incorruptibles, an organization of resistance fighters with cool technology whose stated goal is to bring down the world of sorcery and return freedom to the people. The author blends new technology with old for an interesting take on the direction the world could go in the event of rebuilding a fallen society....more
Willis has lived with his uncle for many years, ever since his parents died in a car accident. Willis's Uncle Todd is not a very caring person, thoughWillis has lived with his uncle for many years, ever since his parents died in a car accident. Willis's Uncle Todd is not a very caring person, though; in fact, he hires Willis out for all kinds of after school jobs to supplement the almost nonexistent income from his bookstore filled with moldering paperbacks. Willis has two very good friends from school despite his lack of free time, though, so life is okay. One day, Uncle Todd hires Willis out for no pay to an elderly but very wealthy old lady; he is to be her after school reading companion. Then the unthinkable happens--Uncle Todd directs Willis to break the law and Willis does, but he can't take the guilt so he runs away to a long-forgotten and neglected social experiment--Robot Island. The story of how Willis navigates his family relationship and friendships as well as trying to do his best to be honest and trustworthy is an engaging and readable tale of growing up and taking responsibility. I had a lot of fun reading about Willis's adventures, especially with robots caught in a time warp....more
Lani has lived her entire life in the shadow of her seven siblings--six of them because they are older, and the youngest because he was born with a coLani has lived her entire life in the shadow of her seven siblings--six of them because they are older, and the youngest because he was born with a congeital heart defect requiring surgeries. Now, it is her turn to shine as she plans to travel from Provo, Utah to London as second chair for saxophone with her select youth orchestra. She can't wait to take in the sights, attend a rugby game, and watch the cheese rolling race at Cooper's Hill. Except, events don't transpire as she had hoped. Gavin and dad can't come because Gavin needs a new heart valve. Mom is on the phone all the time and seems to take Lani for granted. And, biggest of all, Gavin, who had secretly planned to take part in the dangerous cheese rolling race, makes Lani promise to take his place. Lani falls back on the family's favorite Chinese folktale of the Eight Invincible Brothers. Since she loves lists, she creates an Invincible List to help her conquer her fears of flying, heights, and being in the spotlight. How Lani checks off every item on her list of eight traits based on the story is creative. In the pursuit of the eight items, Lani discovers that she can overcome her fears, sacrifice for her brother, and actually, is in her mom's mind at all times, too....more
Virginia Vaughn is very concerned with her place on the social ladder, and her friends don't really know about her secret love of shelving books at thVirginia Vaughn is very concerned with her place on the social ladder, and her friends don't really know about her secret love of shelving books at the local library or her passion for weaving because they don't really care. Her friend group publishes the Four Takes on Downtown Deer Hill every week and each group member has a specific role in their critique of businesses. One member of the group is very edgy, however, and when Virginia stands up for herself, for once, one of the group stays silent and one sides with the edgy member. Just like that, Virginia is out. Worse, members begin to publish excerpts from their private group chats, making Virginia a pariah at school. Just when it seems life couldn't be worse, Virginia's burgeoning friendship with Grayson, another school outcast, is rocked by publication of group chats. Virginia owns her spite publicly, and following her older sister's advice, refrains from retaliating in kind. This is a relatable and engaging story that will send readers through every emotion possible to answer the burning question--who does Virginia really want to be?...more
Peachaloo Piccolozampa always spends the summer in Fourwords, Pennsylvania with her grandmother who is also the town historian. This summer, instead oPeachaloo Piccolozampa always spends the summer in Fourwords, Pennsylvania with her grandmother who is also the town historian. This summer, instead of spending a quiet time swimming in the local swimming hole and jumping rope with her friend Lily, Peachaloo is pitchforked into high intrigue when a Major Gasbag buys the old Ajax Mansion from the last surviving Sister of the jump roping order who lived there. Major Gasbag circumvents the wishes of the Sister for the grounds to remain open to all Fourwordsians with the sneaky aid of the town alderman. He begins transforming the grounds into his version of a high class golfing retreat. However, nature, Peachaloo and her grandmother all take a role in defeating his nefarious schemes. Meanwhile, the yearly play The Defeat of Ronnie and Donnie Pageant, adds to the town's history of the defeat, in their very town, of notorious bank robbers Ronnie and Donnie. This story is delightfully rambling as a good summer vacation should be, with some interesting twists on intuition as well as timely commentary on the nature of moneygrubbing and bad taste....more
Rick Kotani's summer is not off to a great start. Instead of playing baseball with his team in LA, he is stuck on the cold coast of Oregon helping hisRick Kotani's summer is not off to a great start. Instead of playing baseball with his team in LA, he is stuck on the cold coast of Oregon helping his mother. He can't stay with his dad because his parents are separated and his dad is assigned overseas with the diplomatic corps. Rick's mother doesn't have the best relationship with her father, but answered a neighbor's call to come after he fell. Events seem to take a turn in Rick's favor when he discovers he can play in a summer league--the only catch is, he has to play as someone else who was on the roster but is away at camp. Rick, as an accomplished pitcher, is thrown into a world of money and high stakes sports where winning is the only reason for celebration. When Rick injures himself pitching in a championship game, he finds out what his new teammates think of his value. Meanwhile, Rick helps his mom and grandfather mend their relationship and discovers his true value through the traditional stories his grandfather tells him. ...more
Verity (aka Very) has been student body president for two years running and sees no obstacles for a third year. She runs on a platform of fundraising Verity (aka Very) has been student body president for two years running and sees no obstacles for a third year. She runs on a platform of fundraising for the class trip to an amusement park. Besides being popular and able to turn any situation in her favor, Very is also great at every academic subject--except math. Very is very bad at math. So bad, in fact, that her grade jeopardizes her chance to continue as class president. With pressure from the school administration and her parents, as well as trying to conceal her extra help group and stay on the good side of the class podcaster, Very's life becomes very busy. How Very navigates complex middle school friendships and emotions as well as coming to terms with math makes for an engaging read. Readers will also cheer Very on as she confronts inappropriate uses of privileged information and the complexities of student activism....more
Twelve-year-old cousins Alice and Bee haven't seen each other for seven years. True, one lives in Oregon and the other in Minnesota, but there is someTwelve-year-old cousins Alice and Bee haven't seen each other for seven years. True, one lives in Oregon and the other in Minnesota, but there is some big family blowup that keeps them apart. The only glue for the two halves of the family is grandma. When the entire family comes together for the grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, Alice hopes she and Bee can be friends again. Bee is not so certain. Nevertheless, the two begin to bond despite the family tension that seems to be about more than the rejection of Alice's mom of her family's Lutheran heritage and beliefs. When the visit ends, Alice hopes to keep the lines of communication open, but even more, wants her and Bee's mothers to reconnect and act as sisters once again. Then, the pandemic strikes, grandma dies, George Floyd is murdered by police, and the family secret once again may cause a family rift. Not only that, but Bee is coming to understand that she may not agree with her mother and grandfather on some aspects of faith. How Bee and Alice struggle to move beyond a child's understanding of what is right and how actions relate to one's personal and corporate faith toward a more nuanced understanding as well as their struggles to keep communicating through hurt feelings using texts and phone calls is very timely. This book contains mature themes written in a sympathetic and age appropriate way....more