The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Natalie is in 7th grade and she has a goofy science teacher who really wants his students to love science as much as he does. Natalie has a hard time taking him seriously, but she’s having trouble taking anything seriously right now, as her mother has fallen into a depression and won’t come out of her room. Natalie doesn’t … Read more
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson Fantasy Fair Folk Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Isobel, a human girl living in Whimsy, a human settlement within the bounds of the Fair Folk, is only seventeen, but she is a master of her Craft – painting – and fair folk are always seeking her out to paint their portraits. When she learns that the autumn prince, Rook, is returning, specifically to commission a painting … Read more
Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Norah Levy is in remission (she had leukemia) and is returning to school (7th grade) after being out sick for 2 years. Although her academics are in good shape thanks to her tutor, her friendships and social life are kind of in turmoil. Almost everyone treats Norah like she’s still sick – her guidance counselor won’t even say the word “cancer” in … Read more
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ada (11) was born with a clubfoot and lives with her mam and little brother, Jamie, in London, where she is required to stay hidden from the world. When the war (WWII) breaks out, Ada takes the opportunity to evacuate herself and Jamie to the countryside, where they are put in the care of Susan … Read more
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Vera Brosgol felt left out among her classmates who all came from wealthier, two-parent households. All the other kids got to go away to camp in the summer, and Vera is always stuck at home. Then she finds out about a special summer camp for Russian immigrants that her church will subsidize if she attends. She convinces her mom to … Read more
The Serpent’s Secret Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1 by Sayantani Dasgupta Adventure Fantasy Mythology Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kiranmala thinks she’s just an ordinary Jersey kid, but on her 12th birthday, she finds out she’s really a princess from another dimension. Before she can even really wrap her mind around that her guardians (people she’s thought were her parents all these years) are kidnapped, her house gets ransacked by a rakkhosh … Read more
Brave sequel to Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Jensen is playing his way through each of his days of middle school like it’s a videogame – complete with monsters (other students who bully him) that he has to dodge between classes and after school. He thought he was tight with some kids from the art club, but one of the girls there teases him constantly, and … Read more
The Time Museum Book #1 by Matthew Loux Adventure Graphic Novel Mystery Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) While visiting her uncle over summer vacation Delia Bean follows a kiwi bird into the woods and discovers the Earth Time Museum. It’s a museum of all of planet Earth’s history from all times – past, present, and future! She learns her uncle runs the place and that he’d like her to … Read more
The Hidden Oracle The Trials of Apollo #1 by Rick Riordan Audio Edition Adventure Fantasy Mythology Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) The Greek god, Apollo, has been transformed into a teenage boy named Lester – complete with acne and flab! He’s not sure why he’s being punished (or what for), but he quickly discovers he’s in danger. He’s lost most of his godly powers and those that remain are hampered by his mortal … Read more
On the Road to Find Out by Rachel Toor Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Alice Davis discovers that she’s been rejected from Yale – the only college she wanted to attend – she feels lost. She’s never failed at anything before in her life and she’s wallowing in self-pity like a champion. She’s basically inconsolable until she makes a New Year’s resolution to start running (exercise is definitely NOT her thing), … Read more