This is the first book I have read, I believe, by the writing Shustermans. It is an excellent tale and apparently is already being made into a movie. Set in the present, the good folks of already water-starved California are… Read More ›
Middle School
Totally Middle School
This is an A+ collection of stories, texts, emails, first person narratives, and a short novel. Each is written with insight, humor and heart to shed light on the world of middle school. Betsy Groban is the editor who brought… Read More ›
No Fixed Address
Seventh-grader Felix Knutsson and his mother, Astrid, find themselves living in a van after his grandmother dies and his mom has mismanaged her inheritance (and her life in general). Astrid is not a good parent. She is mouthy, judgmental, a… Read More ›
Toaff’s Way
On the book jacket, we read, “Sometimes Toaff wondered if he was the only squirrel on the whole farm who had questions. He hoped he wasn’t.” With that invitation, I delightfully read about the adventures and insights of a grey squirrel as… Read More ›
Spell and Spindle
The two main characters in this book are a brother and sister ages 11 and 13. They live in a big city near an unusual place called The Museum of Peculiar Arts, which has a long, murky history. The boy,… Read More ›
The House That Lou Built
Lucinda (Lou) has just finished 7th grade and is about to turn 13. She and her unmarried mom, a nurse, live with her maternal grandmother because they cannot afford their own place. Lou’s parents were engaged but her father died… Read More ›
Potion Masters: The Eternity Elixir
Gordy is a 12-year-old boy who has inherited unusual, powerful skill in creating and mixing magic potions. He lives with his mother (who has similar skills but works what seems to be a normal job as cover), his dad, and… Read More ›
Love Double Dutch!
Brooklyn NY 7th-grader MaKayla is into Double Dutch, competition jump-roping with two ropes. Just when her team qualifies to go to the national competition, her parents’ marriage threatens to fall apart and she is sent with her younger brother to… Read More ›
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
This is an excellent book I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone or put on any library shelf. Lucy is a 12-year-old girl who is being raised by her single grandmother. Her mom died of cancer when Lucy was… Read More ›
Rescue
Three days before the end of sixth grade, a new girl shows up in Joni’s class. Chess (short for Francesca) is a California transplant to a farmstead near Joni’s in Vermont. Joni hopes they can be friends. Things start off… Read More ›
Before You Buy YA 