Wild Things by Clay Carmichael Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When 11-year old Zoë’s mother passes away, she is taken in by her uncle, Dr. Henry Royster. Both are accustomed to being on their own – Zoë had to take care of herself because of her mom’s mental illness and poor choices, and Henry lost wife #3 and became an artist (he makes large metal sculptures) – and both are rather independent … Read more
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A thirteen year old girl was found in the back of a seventeen year old’s truck…BY HER DAD! She wasn’t trusted by anyone! I liked this book. I could never put it down! It was so suspenseful. It was also hard to understand sometimes. Review #2 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A girl named Deanna … Read more
Hot Lunch by Alex Bradley Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) Molly and Cassie fought. They had to work in the cafeteria together. They became best friends and super. I liked it because it could really happen. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book is great, but is a little shaky in the beginning. Molly and Cassie hate each other, but they are assigned to work in … Read more
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Realistic Fiction Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) As a senior, Anna wanted nothing better than to celebrate her last year at home in Atlanta. However, her dad decides to ship her to a snotty boarding school in Paris. She’s less than thrilled until she sees Etienne St. Clair, who’s got everything: the looks, popularity, and a sense of humor. I liked it because it took … Read more
After by Amy Efaw Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) When Devon, a straight-A student and amazing soccer player is tried for murder, everyone assumes they have the wrong girl. Devon isn’t the kind of girl who would hide a pregnancy and then throw her baby in a dumpster. Is she? I liked this because most of the book took place in a court room or jail cell. Never having experienced … Read more
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) 12-year-old Abilene Tucker’s father has raised her “on the rails”, but now he has chosen to abandon her in the town of Manifest where he spent his youth, as he heads back to his wanderer’s life. Abilene discovers a hidden box of keepsakes, which leads her and her new friends on a search for a spy. The objects in the … Read more
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Caitlin’s (5th grader) brother Devon was killed in a devastating shooting at the Virginia Dare Middle School and she’s not sure life is ever going to be the same. She misses him, but she has Asperger’s syndrome, so her way of relating to people and the world is a little different than normal. It doesn’t help that Caitlin’s dad is falling apart with … Read more
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate has the utter misfortune of being the only girl right in the middle of a family full of boys. Because of this, there are some expectations put on her by her mother. Calpurnia struggles to improve her sewing, knitting, and cooking because in 1899 a girl is expected to do these well. She really … Read more
Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Heart of a Shepherd is a touching and memorable story of family loyalty and faith. Ignatius “Brother” Alderman, nearly twelve, is in charge of the family ranch when his father leaves for Iraq with his Army Reserve Unit. Birthing calves, raising newborn lambs, and fighting wildfires are all part of a rancher’s duty, and Brother accepts it all … Read more
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Dwight, 7th grader, is kind of a dork. He’s awkward and he’s always doing weird things that make it clear he’s lacking in the social skills department. He’s also an origami folding genius. His greatest creation so far is an origami Yoda, which gives advice when Dwight puts him on his finger. Other kids are drawn … Read more