My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ellen, 14, is close to her older brother Link (short for Lincoln) and his best friend James. She’s had a crush on James for as long as she can remember, which both Link and James think is adorable. They often allow her to tag along on their adventures and be a part of their conversations. It’s not…
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer Funny LGBT Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great) Bett Devlin and Avery Bloom first “meet” when Bett discovers that their dads are secretly dating, secretly sending them to a fancy schmancy summer camp, and secretly planning to explore China by motorcycle. The girls are outraged. They like things fine just the way they are. As they…
The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Craig and Amy are an unlikely couple – Amy is popular, outgoing, and a real class leader, while Craig has a few awkward nerdy friends who get together on Saturday nights to play D&D. But when Craig starts crushing on Amy, he finds a way for them to spend…
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nisha and her twin brother Amil (12 years old) become refugees when their country gains its independence from British rule in 1947 and is split into two nations – India and Pakistan. Because she and her family (father, grandmother, and brother) are considered Hindu (even though Nisha and Amil’s mother was Muslim) they must…
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Libby Strout was the girl who had to be cut out of her own house when she ballooned up to 653 pounds and earned herself the title of “America’s Fattest Teen.” Jack Masselin grew up across the street from Libby (before she moved) and has become the cool, suave guy. He’s also just discovered…
Blended by Sharon M. Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Isabella is eleven years old and her parents are divorced with joint custody, so every Sunday there’s an EXCHANGE at the mall and Isabella spends the week with the assigned parent. The dissolution of their marriage wasn’t exactly amicable and they still get under each other’s skin despite being in serious long-term relationships with other…
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler By E.L. Konigsburg Adventure Juvenile Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Feeling unappreciated and taken advantage of, Claudia decides to teach her parents a lesson by running away. Because she’s a planner, and accustomed to a certain standard of living (and comfort) she decides to invite her younger brother Jamie (who saves ALL of his money) on…
Almost Home by Joan Bauer Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sugar Mae Cole and her mother Reba are evicted from their home when they fail to make payments on their mortgage. Sugar’s father, Mr. Leeland, convinced Reba to loan him money, and has yet to pay it back. Sugar is a smart girl – much wiser than her twelve years – and she makes preliminary arrangements for…
I’m From Nowhere by Suzanne Myers Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Wren’s journalist mother gets a once in a life opportunity to report on a story in Greenland for 6 months, but as a result, Wren has to go to Hardwick Hall – a boarding school on the east coast (very far away from her home in Ventura, CA) where her mom was once a…
Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Michael’s family has had to move 4 times so far to accommodate his father’s job, and they’re all pretty sick of the upheavals. Michael’s now attending a fancy private Catholic school called St. Clare’s (although, he’s an atheist), and looking for at least one other fellow outcast to befriend. He finds several and ends up joining…