10-year-old Louie doesn't have a great track record for pets--but when Dad brings home a weak, orphaned baby donkey, Louie becomes determined to turn 10-year-old Louie doesn't have a great track record for pets--but when Dad brings home a weak, orphaned baby donkey, Louie becomes determined to turn the tides. Winslow, as Louie names the donkey, ultimately brings together Louie's family, complaining neighbors, and a quirky new friends navigating losses of their own. A touching and heartfelt story; all the vibes of Charlotte's Web but with a little more hope....more
Laura is convinced that she's destroyed her family, by calling 911 when her drug-addicted parents were unresponsive. Desperate to reunite her family wLaura is convinced that she's destroyed her family, by calling 911 when her drug-addicted parents were unresponsive. Desperate to reunite her family while living in foster care with the aunt she's never met before, Laura rescues an abandoned dog and begins training it to serve as a therapy dog--and learns at last what home is. Vividly voiced in free verse....more
Simon's parents don't like to stay in one place, and even have a blog dedicated to their nomadic lifestyle. Although Simon is only 11 years old, he's Simon's parents don't like to stay in one place, and even have a blog dedicated to their nomadic lifestyle. Although Simon is only 11 years old, he's lived in 27 different places and is used to making temporary friends. He's moved so many times that he's devised a plan for coping with transitions; according to Code Name Chameleon, fitting in means going with the flow and not doing anything weird. That's why Simon took up surfing when they lived by the ocean and hasn't told anyone about his passion for rock collecting.
But the truth is, Simon's sick of moving around. The town of Rigby seems perfect--maybe Simon can finally convince his parents to call it home for good? But shortly after moving into an apartment at the Tangerine Pines complex, a jewelry theft in the building jeopardizes Simon's plan. If Simon can just solve the mystery, he's sure that he can set his parents at ease and convince them to stay--but to do so, he'll need help--from a girl with a scooter and a talking parrot on her shoulder, who couldn't blend in if she tried.
Sweet and fun, but not my favorite McDunn. ...more
Seventh grader Sarah and her two best friends, Wes and Hannah, love solving escape rooms together, and each of them excels at a different aspect of unSeventh grader Sarah and her two best friends, Wes and Hannah, love solving escape rooms together, and each of them excels at a different aspect of unraveling a puzzle. When Sarah learns that she may lose her home to foreclosure--and therefore have to move out of state, far from her best friends--she recruits Wes and Hannah for one last escape room adventure, but one with real stakes. If Sarah, Wes and Hannah can work their way through an abandoned 1950s funhouse rumored to hold a real treasure, maybe Sarah won't have to move and their friend group can stay together. But as the riddles, codes, and challenges become increasingly personal and malicious, Sarah, Wes, and Hannah start to wonder if--treasure or no treasure--they'll ever find a way out.
Plenty of action, with some lovely insight into tween friendships....more
After winning a sailing regatta, Weatherby is thrilled to earn a scholarship to the same prestigious school that the father she's never known once attAfter winning a sailing regatta, Weatherby is thrilled to earn a scholarship to the same prestigious school that the father she's never known once attended--but here's the thing: she won that race by accidentally cheating. While Weatherby grapples with her secret guilt, she's nevertheless excited to make her first real friends at the Boston School, and even snags an invitation to the school's secret society, the Last Heirs.
Jack, meanwhile, has deep roots at the Boston School--and a secret of his own to protect. The school has shaped the careers of every member of Jack's family for generations, but decidedly-average Jack doesn't seem poised to stand out for anything but his mediocrity--unless the Last Heirs can give him the edge he so desperately needs.
When funds for the annual class trip to a nearby island are stolen, initiation into the Last Heir society turns into a high-stakes race for the truth. Solving the mystery means winning a spot in the world's most powerful secret society--a society that might know more about Jack's family than Jack knows, and even why an important page is missing from the journal Weatherby's dad kept as a kid.
This twisty story about power, privilege, and friendship is told in two voices, with chapters alternating between Weatherby and Jack. ...more
When a tough new teacher challenges 12-year-old Hercules Beal with a daunting task--recreate and write reflective essays explaining his personal conneWhen a tough new teacher challenges 12-year-old Hercules Beal with a daunting task--recreate and write reflective essays explaining his personal connection to the 12 tasks of his mythological namesake--Hercules, who is still grieving the deaths of his parents, learns that it's possible to go to "hell" and return, and that he still has something to live for.
Set in an oceanfront Cape Cod town, pops of humor balance quiet reflection in this honest narrative. Teachers will especially like how Schmidt works in pointers for effective essay writing....more
This has so many elements I love: a dash of mystery, a secret, school, kid spies, pops of humor, well-drawn characters, great illustrations, a really This has so many elements I love: a dash of mystery, a secret, school, kid spies, pops of humor, well-drawn characters, great illustrations, a really fantastic bakery...but it was a very slow read for me. I just couldn't fall into it, although I tried really hard, deeply love and respect the author and illustrator, and can definitely see young readers loving this. I think for me, it was the narration; I just have a hard time getting into stories that are third-person POV.
But I booktalked this to all sorts of kids this spring, and I know it will find the fans that it deserves. Just not the right cup of tea at the right time, for me....more
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than Another pitch-perfect tween read from Wyman.
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than her peers, even the boys; and her clothes never fit right. At home, she feels almost invisible, eclipsed by her older brother's basketball aspirations. Stevie is thrilled to learn that her middle school offers a Debate Club; finally, here's a chance for her to be part of a team that needs her mind more than her body. But joining the club sows a rift between her and her BFF and means that she has to take the train home by herself--with all the unwanted attention from creepy older Brooklynites.
This is a powerful friendship story and an honest look at financial precarity, growing bodies, and family favoritism--but more than that, it's a necessary treatise on how to be female in the modern world, and what privacy and consent mean in the digital age. Read it and pass it on....more
Almost-13-year-old Becca Soloway relishes the chance to bond with her mom on a girls-only vacation following her parents' decision to separate, but whAlmost-13-year-old Becca Soloway relishes the chance to bond with her mom on a girls-only vacation following her parents' decision to separate, but when a booking error strands them at a dude ranch with no wi-fi or spa treatments, Becca is drawn into a treasure-hunting mystery that turns up restless spirits.
Readers willing to overlook some inconsistencies in plot and characterization will find this contemporary update of Holes to be a fun summer read. ...more
Sixth grader, middle child Violet Hart uneasy transition into middle school and a new home are complicated by recurring bouts of a mysterious illness Sixth grader, middle child Violet Hart uneasy transition into middle school and a new home are complicated by recurring bouts of a mysterious illness and the discovery of a sinister Something living within the wallpaper of her new attic bedroom.
Inspired by Charlotte Gilman's classic short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," this is a fresh and necessary middle-grade look at invisible illness and a warm reflection on what it means to be a sister....more
Concerned about the slowly decaying family business (The Unnatural Museum of History) and not knowing when her parents will return from their expeditiConcerned about the slowly decaying family business (The Unnatural Museum of History) and not knowing when her parents will return from their expedition in Antarctica, 12-year-old Kess ventures into a cursed bog to search for a new artifact that will keep the museum afloat but finds, instead, answers to questions she never wanted to ask.
Averling combines whimsy charm with macabre horror in a middle-grade fantasy that vibes with budding sapphic romance....more
**spoiler alert** 13-year-old Claire Sloan harbors a turbulent secret after her mother suffers a brain aneurysm.
Summer vacation finds the Sloan family**spoiler alert** 13-year-old Claire Sloan harbors a turbulent secret after her mother suffers a brain aneurysm.
Summer vacation finds the Sloan family returning to their go-to spot on the coast of Maine. But this time, Claire can't help but notice the growing tension between her parents, who barely speak to one another and don't even share a bed. On a mother-daughter lunch date, Mrs. Sloan confides her plans to end the marriage then abruptly collapses from a brain-bleed. As Mrs. Sloan slowly recovers, Claire is conflicted: should her mother recover fully and remember her plan to file for divorce, the Sloan family will never be the same again.
Told in free verse (with the occasional nonet and villanelle), this was a quick and engaging read. The author, a two-time aneurysm survivor, was inspired to tell this story to prove that aneurysms don't always end in death and tragedy, making this story standout from others in the genre. It's hopefully realistic, just right for kids like Claire who are wondering if it's ok to grieve for someone who is still alive.
Merged review:
13-year-old Claire Sloan harbors a turbulent secret after her mother suffers a brain aneurysm.
Summer vacation finds the Sloan family returning to their go-to spot on the coast of Maine. But this time, Claire can't help but notice the growing tension between her parents, who barely speak to one another and don't even share a bed. On a mother-daughter lunch date, Mrs. Sloan confides her plans to end the marriage then abruptly collapses from a brain-bleed. As Mrs. Sloan slowly recovers, Claire is conflicted: should her mother recover fully and remember her plan to file for divorce, the Sloan family will never be the same again.
Told in free verse (with the occasional nonet and villanelle), this was a quick and engaging read. The author, a two-time aneurysm survivor, was inspired to tell this story to prove that aneurysms don't always end in death and tragedy, making this story standout from others in the genre. It's hopefully realistic, just right for kids like Claire who are wondering if it's ok to grieve for someone who is still alive....more
Sixth grader Maggie is struggling to adapt to middle school but finds solace in rolling a 20-sided die to help make decisions. Maggie uses the same diSixth grader Maggie is struggling to adapt to middle school but finds solace in rolling a 20-sided die to help make decisions. Maggie uses the same die to determine outcomes in her favorite fantasy-based role-playing game. Slowly, Maggie's supportive family--which includes two older sisters--become aware that Maggie's die-rolling is a symptom of OCD. With help from a new friend (Clara), Maggie gradually begins to manage her compulsions and stand up to her own intimidating anxiety.
This is a thoughtful, honest look at OCD, anxiety, and mental health, and a very comforting and empowering book for young readers....more
Following his father's sudden and unexpected death, 10-year-old aspiring poet Isaiah tries to hold his family together--little sister Charlie and grieFollowing his father's sudden and unexpected death, 10-year-old aspiring poet Isaiah tries to hold his family together--little sister Charlie and grief-stricken Mom--while working through his own grief, and takes comfort in a notebook of poems written by his dad.
This is a lovely, moving family story that touches upon addiction (alcoholism) and grief in kid-appropriate ways....more
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