Romito, Dee. POSTCARDS FROM VENICE

Romito, Dee.
POSTCARDS FROM VENICE
New York : Aladdin, 2018
IL 3-6
ISBN 9781534403383


Skyler can't believe she is here. In Venice! In Italy! She just wants to keep exploring all the wonderful sites. But her mother has to go to work sometime. They are here to spend the summer here while her mother works on a special project. If all works out, they may even get to stay for a year! To keep her busy, Skyler will work on an internship during the day. She is not sure what she wants to do but when the very cute Australian boy says he is going to intern in the social media department, Skyler is in. Skyler, Logan and Zara will be writing posts for the the company blog. At the end of the summer, two of them will go on to write a weekly column. But Zara decides to undermine Skyler's chances. See the beautiful city of Venice through Skyler's eyes as she explores the city and navigates friendships.

Stefoff, Rebecca. CHARLES DARWIN'S ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES

Stefoff, Rebecca.
CHARLES DARWIN'S ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN 9781481462495

When Darwin's Origin of Species was published in 1859,  it shook the scientific world. Darwin introduced the theory of evolution. Darwin believed in the idea of natural selection. He hypothesized that only the strongest of animals survived and that they passed down traits to their  young that helped them survive. In this way, species changed in order to survive changing environments. His theories were very controversial. As a matter of fact, they still are. But his theory is still very important even over 150 years on. 

Holm, Jennifer L. THE THIRD MUSHROOM

Holm, Jennifer L.
THE THIRD MUSHROOM
New York : Random House, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.3
ISBN 978-1-52471-980-7


Ellie's grandfather is back for a visit. He is a genius in the body of a 14 year old boy but the personality of a grumpy old man. And he is back in Ellie's life. Her family and her best friend Raj are the only ones who know about what has happened to Melvin. Ellie is so happy to have him around. They even go to school together. When they find out about the upcoming science fair, they work together. Neither can even expect the results that they will find.

Callaghan, Cindy. POTION PROBLEMS

Callaghan, Cindy.
POTION PROBLEMS
New York : Aladdin, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 978-1-53441-740-3

Kelly Quinn and her friends Darbie and Hannah are not having a good day. Their special Secret Recipe Book has gone missing and ended up in Charlotte's hands. As if this were not bad enough, they learn that their favorite class at school is being cut because of budget cuts. Kelly comes up with an idea to enter a cooking contest to earn enough money to save the cooking class. TV chef Felice Faoudini is Kelly's favorite and she just knows that they can win with the help of the Secret Recipe Book.  They just have to get it back and cast a spell on Charlotte to get her to leave them alone. This series of books are the basis for the popular television show, Just Add Magic.

Halligan, Katherine. HERSTORY : 50 WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO SHOOK UP THE WORLD

Halligan, Katherine.
HERSTORY  : 50 WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO SHOOK UP THE WORLD
New York  : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 3-6
ISBN 9781534436640

Come along and learn about 50 amazing women who changed the world. All through history, women have been told what they can't do. These woman didn't believe that. They wanted to show what they could do.  There are authors, poets, scientists, and activists. From ancient Egypt to the 21st century, women have been shaking up the world.

Hood, Susan. LIFEBOAT 12

Hood, Susan.
LIFEBOAT 12
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 4.8
ISBN 978-1-48146-883-1

The year is 1940 and the Germans have started bombing England. The Germans are now in France and it is just a short trip across the English Channel between Britain and invasion. To keep their children safe, parents have agreed to have them sent to Canada to escape the bombing.  Ken's parents have applied to the Children's Overseas Reception Board to get him transport to safety.  Ken doesn't know how he feels about this. At first he believes that it is just his stepmother's way to get rid of him. She doesn't seem to like him very much. But then he realizes that it could be a great adventure. Sailing across the Atlantic with the Royal Navy guarding them. Maybe he'll just stay in Canada and never come back. The ship is amazing and the food is something the kids had never experienced before.  Some children have trouble adjusting to life at sea but seem to be settling in. On day four, they are miles away from the U-boats and bombers that can hurt them so they can now begin to enjoy their life aboard a luxury liner. But then the torpedo shatters the night and the ship begins to sink. Ken gets separated from his friends and his lifeboat launches without him.  But does get on the last lifeboat before the ship sinks.  And now they are alone in the ocean with no one around, very little water, and getting sicker by the day. This story is based on a real life event that happened in World War II.

Turley, Beth. IF THIS WERE A STORY

Turley, Beth.
IF THIS WERE A STORY
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL 3-6
ISBN 978-1-53442-061-8

Hannah is a fifth grader who is just a bit different from most of her class. She is very bright and believes she contains magic. When she gets the note that says "Nobody like Hannah", things change. Her parents focus on her more and they tend to fight less. Most people suspect that Kimmie sent the note. Kimmie's mother has died and she now lives with her grandmother. Kimmie is angry all the time. And Hannah is the only one who can beat her in the spelling bee. The notes continue and we are introduced to Hannah's inner world where her stuffed animal can talk as can coins and street signs. The school counselor tries to help Hannah but she becomes more withdrawn. This is an unusual tale of bullies, family problems, and imagination.

Alexander, William. A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS

Alexander, William.
A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 4.9
ISBN 978-1-48146-918-0

Rosa has been raised in libraries -- literally. Her mother is a well-known ghost appeaser and every library has one. But now her mother is telling her that she must start school in the fall. What? She has never been to school. She is becoming an appeaser herself and would rather work on that than go to school. But her mother insists that the school needs Rosa. So, along with her best friend Jasper who is also studying to become an appeaser, off to school they go. But from the very start, we just know something is wrong with the school. It tries to keep Rosa out but Jasper is able to get the door open. When students start losing their voices, Rosa knows she is up against some strange haunting.

Simon, Coco, CRACKS IN THE CONE

Simon, Coco,
CRACKS IN THE CONE
New York : Simon Spotlight, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN  978-1-53441-750-2

The Sprinkle Sundays Sisters are back at the ice cream shop. This time, Tamiko is telling the story. She is looking forward to working at Allie's mom's ice cream shop with Allie and Sierra. But something is off.  Allie seems to be in a bad mood and is not very nice to Tamiko.  When she gives a boy a sample of an ice cream flavor, Allie is cross and tells Tamiko not to do that because it is wasting money. Tamiko is just trying to get the customers to try new flavors.   Nothing she does seems right.  When she accidentally drops a sundae, Allie is upset and reminds Tamiko that the ice cream costs money and she can't be dropping things and giving away large samples. Even Allie's mother doesn't appreciate Tamiko's efforts.  Maybe she should just quit.

Simon, Coco, SUNDAY SUNDAES

Simon, Coco,
SUNDAY SUNDAES
New York : Simon Spotlight, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.0
ISBN  978-1-53441-747-2


Allie is looking forward to coming home after summer camp. Sure she enjoyed her time at camp but she misses her friends and family. But things have changed in ways she could never have imagined. And it all happened while she was away. Her parents tell her they are getting divorced. She can barely believe it. And that is not all. They are selling the house and moving away. Her mom has bought a house in a nearby town and her dad will be living in an apartment in town. And she will have to go to a new school and make all new friends.  Can this get any worse? Well it can when the mean girls target her from day one at the school.

Strasser, Todd. PRICE OF DUTY

Strasser, Todd.
 PRICE OF DUTY
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48149-709-1
Jake Liddell has been sent home to recover from his wounds. And he has come home as a hero. He is probably going to be presented the Silver Star. Jake comes from a tradition of military heroes so it makes sense that he is now also considered a hero. His grandfather is a retired general and has lined up lots of events to honor Jake. But Jake cannot shake the horrors of war. Nor can he shake his doubts about the war.  The forever war that has no end.  Thinking about all his training in JROTC and the promises of the recruiter just make him angrier. All the promises that lure boys into the military with hefty signing bonuses and thoughts of college after service. If they live through it.

Shusterman, Neal. SCYTHE

Shusterman, Neal.  
SCYTHE
New York : Simon and Shuster, 2016
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-44247-242-6


Way back in the year is 2042, humans conquered death and now everyone is immortal.  That's right. No one can die. Well they can be deadish but then revived. And they can even decide to become younger. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? But of course if no one can die, the world gets more and more crowded. So Scythes came into being. The Scythes are specially hand picked and trained in the art of gleaning. Gleaning is killing. But when a Scythe gleans someone, they stay dead. This helps keep the population from becoming overwhelming. When Citra and Rowan are picked to be scythe         apprentices, they are both confused. Neither one wants to be a scythe and find the thought of gleaning abhorrent.  They do agree to be apprentices because their families are granted immunity during their training.  The apprenticeship is hard and neither particularly want to be successful. They are both apprenticed to the same Scythe which is unheard of. The Conclave of Scythes allows it to continue on the condition that whoever becomes a scythe must glean the other. There are many unexpected events along the way which will keep the reader going and trying to figure out what is going to happen. 

Iturbe, Antonio. THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ

Iturbe, Antonio.
THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ
New York : Godwin Books, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-62779-618-7
This is a Holocaust story but one you may not have heard before. We meet Dita as a prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau. But she is part of Block 31, a group of prisoners who allowed to keep their own clothing and have a bit more freedom than the others but it is still a hard existence. A young man named Freddy Hirsch is able to provide schooling to the children and some adults in secret. Dita is 14 and loves reading. The Nazis have burned books and very few remain. But there are 8 books in Block 31. Eight precious books that must be hidden from the guards for fear they will be taken away. Dita finds a way to hide the books and actually loan them out to other prisoners. If she is caught, it could mean her death. This is based on a true story from the camps. Many of the people in the story survived the camps and were able to tell their story. Do you cherish books as much as those in the camps did?

Nelson, S.D. RED CLOUD : A LAKOTA STORY OF WAR AND SURRENDER

Nelson, S.D.
RED CLOUD  : A LAKOTA STORY OF WAR AND SURRENDER
New York : Abrams Books, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 6.2
ISBN  978-1-41972-313-1


Long before Europeans came to America, Indians lived all through the land.  As more and more people immigrated, there was more need for land and the Indians were pushed further west. This is the story of Red Cloud, a Lakota Indian who would not be pushed anymore. As the soldiers moved further west into the land where the Lakota lived, Red Cloud made a stand. 

Engle, Margarita. JAZZ OWLS : A NOVEL OF THE ZOOT SUIT RIOTS

Engle, Margarita. 
JAZZ OWLS : A NOVEL OF THE ZOOT SUIT RIOTS
New York : Atheneum Books, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-53440-943-9

It's the 1940s in LA and the United States is at war. But that doesn't stop some teens from wanting to have fun. There is a dance club that they love to go to. Two Mexican American sisters work at a peach cannery during the day and go to the dance club at night. They are escorted by their brother who loves the club also. He loves getting dressed up in his zoot suit and dancing the night away. Jazz music plays and salsa rhythms entice the teens to dance. They welcome the sailors from the local port and the Jazz Owl girls are always happy to dance with the sailors. But as the summer goes on, things get tense. The young white sailors start beating the Mexican Americans. They begin targeting anyone wearing a zoot suit as do the police. It has become know as the zoot suit riots and Engle tells the story of racial riots in 1943.

Charbonneau, Joelle. TIME BOMB

Charbonneau, Joelle.
TIME BOMB
New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-0-544-41670-3

Another school year starts tomorrow. This may be a time when many students are looking forward to the new year. But not all of them. Diana is tired of being the perfect daughter of a politician. Cas knows that this school is no different from the other and she knows this year will not any better. Rashid who is so sick of people looking at him and judging him for being Muslim. Frankie, the star football player who made a mistake this past summer with Tad, who is biracial and gay. Then there is Z, the angry young man who has just lost his mother and everything he had. They each have a plan to change things up in the school today. But only one of them is planning to bomb the school. And now they are trapped together trying to survive. All but one of them.

Lane, Tamsin. YAEL AND THE PARTY OF THE YEAR

Lane, Tamsin.
YAEL AND THE PARTY OF THE YEAR
New York : Simon & Schuster,  2018
IL 3-6
ISBN 978-1-50117-612-8

Yael is getting ready for her bat mitzvah but she isn't looking forward to it the way the other kids have.  Her friend Eli had his at the start of the summer and the party was a disaster. There was a problem with the invitations so instead of a hundred people showing up, only about 20 did. And the weather changed drastically so all the food was ruined by a hail storm.  Yael doesn't want any of that. She only wants a few friends to celebrate with her. Her mother is having none of that. She is demanding a big party. As a compromise, the party will be held at an amusement park! Will this be the best party ever? Well, you get to help decide. This is a plot your own adventure book.

Rylant, Cynthia. ROSETOWN

Rylant, Cynthia.
ROSETOWN
New York : Beach Lane Books, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.6
ISBN 978-1-53441-277-4

Nine year old Flora Smallwood lives in a small town in Rosewood, Indiana.  Her parents have recently separated and now live in different houses. Flora has two good friends. Nessy and she have been friends since before school started. Yuri is a new kid at school and he is from Ukraine.  They all love reading and have the perfect place to hang out. Flora's mother works at a used book store and it is filled with wonderful stories.  As the school year moves on, the children experience changes and adventures.

McGhee, Alison. WHAT I LEAVE BEHIND

McGhee, Alison.
WHAT I LEAVE BEHIND
New York : Atheneum, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48147-656-0

Walking helps Will cope with his life. His father died and Will is coping. That is when he started walking. He works at the Dollar One store and then walks around LA.  He meets people along the way and forms a type of relationship with them. There is Butterfly boy and others along his route. He has real friends too. Playa has been a good friend since they were little. When bad things keep happening, Will knows he has to get out of his funk and start making a difference in his world. Is that even possible?

Wolk, Lauren. BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA

Wolk, Lauren.  
BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 4.0
ISBN 9781101994856

Crow has only known life on the island with Osh. She was a newborn when she was placed in a basket and set adrift and landed on the shores of the Elizabeth Islands. Osh found her and has raised her as his own. It has just been the two of them. And Maggie, a neighbor who has helped. People believe Crow came from Penikese Island, a leper colony.  No one wants Crow around. They are afraid that she is also a leper even though it has been years and she has shown no signs of the illness. The leper colony was moved years ago and now the island has been opened to the public. A conservation scientist is scheduled to move to the island to keep track of the wildlife. But something is strange about him. He seems to be spending more time digging holes than counting birds. This leads to a mystery that involves Crow and her origins. Come long with her as she searches for her roots.

Lupica, Mike. TEAM PLAYERS

Lupica, Mike.
TEAM PLAYERS
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.7
ISBN 978-1-48141-007-6

Cassie is used to being the leader on her softball team. Her father is the coach and Cassie is just a natural at fixing issues between the girls on the team. But this year she may find a problem she can't fix. There is a new girl on the team who is not fitting in. Sarah is a really good player but she has Asperger's Syndrome and doesn't fit in.  The other girls are not really accepting of Sarah and some even try to have her leave. The more Cassie tries to help Sarah, the worse things get. Can Cassie find a way to get others to accept Sarah?

Reynolds, Jason. SUNNY

Reynolds, Jason.  
SUNNY
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 4.4
ISBN 978-1-48145-021-8

We've met Ghost and Patina from the elite track team. Now it is Sunny's turn.  Sunny is the kid who is always ready with a smile and something nice to say. But that hides what is really going on in Sunny's life.  The other kids go to school together and know each other better.  But Sunny is homeschooled and feels like an outsider. He never knew his mother as she died in childbirth. So his father doesn't celebrate his birthday since it is also the anniversary of his mother's death. And Sunny doesn't like running. What? He wins every race and he doesn't like running? When he finally realizes that he doesn't want to do this anymore, it was in the middle of a race and he was way ahead of the field but just stopped running. He didn't want to do it anymore.  Can he stay on the team even if he won't run?

Reynolds, Jason. FOR EVERY ONE

Reynolds, Jason. 
FOR EVERY ONE
New York : Atheneum, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48148-624-8



A poem for every one. For every one who has a dream.  For every one who believes their dreams can come true. 

 “This letter / is being written / from the inside. / From the front line / and the fault line. / From the uncertain thick of it all.”

Napoli, Donna Jo. HUNGER

Napoli, Donna Jo. 
HUNGER
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48147-749-9


The autumn of 1846 in the West of Ireland, locals were dying from hunger. The potato crop had failed and that was the main staple of the Irish diet. The British land owners took the rest of the crops for payment on the land rental. Lorraine's family is doing OK but they worry when the latest crop fails.  Lorraine is befriended by the landowner's daughter who tries to find a way to help. Miss Susannah can't be seen being friends with an Irish girl so she can't help as much as she might want.  But will her good intentions be enough to save the tenants as they face starvation and disease? 

Hahn, Mary Downing. ONE FOR SORROW : A GHOST STORY

Hahn, Mary Downing.
ONE FOR SORROW : A GHOST STORY
New York : Clarion Books, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 5.8
ISBN 978-0-544-81809-5


Annie is starting a new school and she wonders if she will make any friends. Be careful what you wish for. The first girl who befriends Annie is Elsie Schneider, the most unpopular girl in school.  When the other girls see Annie with Elsie, they make fun of her for hanging around with the "dirty Hun". The year is 1918 and the world is at war with Germany and people around the country are angry at people of German descent.  So poor Elsie gets picked on all the time. What Annie soon finds out is that there is something very strange about Elsie. When she destroys Annie's toys and keeps just hanging around, Annie wants out of the friendship. Her opportunity comes when Elsie gets sick and stays home. Annie has a chance to talk to the other girls and now she is hanging out with them and making fun of Elsie.  Will Annie realize that she is treating Elsie badly before it is too late?

Haddix, Margaret Peterson SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS

Haddix, Margaret Peterson
SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48141-764-8


Told in two voices -- Avery, a rich, spoiled 14-year-old who is used to getting her way and Kayla, a 16 year old who is known as "butt-girl" in school. These two have very little in common and are now thrown together for the summer.  Avery wants to go to soccer camp with her friends but her father has business in Spain and has decided she will go with him for the summer. He asks Kayla to come along to be a companion to Avery. Neither girl can fathom why. They hardly know each other. And they have very different backgrounds. Kayla is excited as she has never traveled but she is worried that Avery won't accept her.  Avery can't believe she is stuck with this girl for the summer.  What they don't know is that there is a secret that binds their families together. When it comes out, will it tear everything apart?

Buckley, James. BONNIE AND CLYDE

Buckley, James.
BONNIE AND CLYDE
New York : Aladdin, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 6.4
ISBN 978-1-48149-549-3

Have you ever heard of Bonnie and Clyde? If you lived in the 1930s, you probably would have known everything about them. They were notorious criminals who captured the public's attention and made front page news wherever they went. They were young, good looking and bold. The country was in a deep economic depression and people were looking for something to distract them from their day to day lives. Romanticizing the lives of these two outlaws filled that need. As their crimes grew more violent, the country turned against them and when they were finally caught, the story did not end. Read about another of History's Worst.

An, Na. THE PLACE BETWEEN BREATHS

An, Na.
THE PLACE BETWEEN BREATHS
New York : Atheneum, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 9781481422253

Grace King is smart and very mature for her 16 years. Having grown up with a father who was studying schizophrenia and trying to find a cure, Grace has had the opportunity to work in a lab that was doing genetic research. She is a quiet young lady and takes her internship seriously. Her mother left the family many years ago suffering with schizophrenia and Grace is determined to help her father find a cure.  Her attention to detail uncovers a coding mistake in some of the testing. Could this lead to the breakthrough the lab needs to find the cure?  And will Grace be able to find her mother to offer the cure? Full of twists and turns, and told in first, second and third person, this is a story that will keep you wondering what is really going on.

Kelly, Erin Entrada. HELLO UNIVERSE

Kelly, Erin Entrada.
HELLO UNIVERSE
New York : Greenwilllow Boos, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.1
ISBN 0062414151

Four middle schoolers. Each with their own story to tell.  Virgil Salinas is shy and is bullied because of his learning disabilities.  Chet Bullens takes delight in bullying Virgil and goes out of his way to terrorize him.  Valencia Somerset is deaf and also goes to the resource room with Virgil. Since her best fried dumped her for kids who could hear, Valencia is alone and finds it hard to find  new friend. And Kaori Tanaka who fancies herself a psychic telling fortunes for other kids.  Their paths will cross when Chet tosses Virgil's backpack down an abandoned well. Now it will take the combined efforts of the others to save his life.

Pearson, P. O'Connell. FLY GIRLS

Pearson, P. O'Connell.
FLY GIRLS : THE DARING AMERICAN WOMEN PILOTS WHO HELPED WIN WWII
New York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.7
ISBN 1534404104

It is not unusual to see women pilots today. We see them on commercial flights and we see them in the military. But back in World War II, it was unheard of. The military thought that women were incapable of controlling the big military aircraft. But a few determined women persisted and did what they could to show the military that they could fly any plane and were as brave as any of the men.  As thae war raged on, more and more men were sent to the war which meant that there were fewer pilots at the home front. Pilots were needed to transport planes and to test them. This is where the women found their niche.  They filled that void but as civilians. It was not an easy life but women proved themselves to be expert pilots. This is a fascinating account of the brave women who served during the war and how they changed minds.

Abdo, Kenny. CAMP TERROR

Abdo, Kenny. 
CAMP TERROR
New York : EPIC, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 1680767291
Summer camp! Who doesn't look forward to a summer in the woods with lots of activities? Well, Maddy for one. But everyone agrees that this will do her a world of good so she is packed up and off she goes to Camp Dream Haven. The camp has been closed for years but has been spruced up and is now open for business again. Now Maddy is stuck at camp and is the target of the camp bully. How fun. When a rafting trip goes terribly wrong, Maddy and TJ are lost in the woods. And they may find out why the camp closed in the first place. 

Casey, Susan. DOLPHINS : VOICES IN THE OCEAN

Casey, Susan.
DOLPHINS : VOICES IN THE OCEAN
New York : Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN 1524700851

When her father died, Susan Casey sunk into a depression. She decided she needed to get away alone and get her head in a better place. She ended up in Hawaii. She spent her days swimming in the beautiful waters off Maui. And it was here that her life changed. While swimming, she had a close encounter with a pod of spinner dolphins. They swam with her for a bit and then went on their way. She became fascinated with the dolphins and went on to study dolphins around the world. She spent time in Ireland where she met Fungie who lived along in Dingle Bay. In Japan she joined a group working to protect dolphins. This memoir offers a look at different dolphins around the world and the people who love them.

Aguirre, Ann. VANGUARD

Aguirre, Ann.
VANGUARD
New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1250089824

The war is over and now we find our heroes settling into ordinary life. But not Tegan. She still longs for adventure and is not content just living this new life. So she takes her medical skills and signs on as a ship's doctor. Accompanying  her is Millie and Morrow. And the Uroch Vanguard, Szorak.  He is on a mission to find a new homeland for his people. Tegan decides to help him and the two will find adventure enough to last a lifetime. And maybe more than they could have hoped for.

Macgregor, Virginia. WISHBONES

Macgregor, Virginia.
WISHBONES
New York : HQ, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0008217297
When Feather returns home on New Year's Eve, she finds her mother unconscious on the floor.  When the paramedics come to take her to the hospital, they are faced with a difficult task.  You see, Feather's mom is overweight. Not just overweight but morbidly overweight. She weighs over 500 pounds and the paramedics need to get a crane to lift her out of the house. Needless to say, there are a lot of people watching, laughing and taking pictures. This is why she never leaves the house. Feather overhears the nurses in the hospital say that Jo has only about 6 months to live if she doesn't do something about the weight.  And now Feather is determined to get her mother healthy through diet and exercise. It won't be easy when her mother won't cooperate and her father won't help. Feather enlists the help of her best friend and the new boy in the neighborhood who if fighting his own battles. Can Feather find out why her mother is like this? Will she be able to help her mother?

Shoup, Kate. GHOSTS, POSSESSIONS, AND UNEXPLAINED PRESENCES

Shoup, Kate.
GHOSTS, POSSESSIONS, AND UNEXPLAINED PRESENCES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.3
ISBN 1502628538

Do you believe in ghosts? Would it surprise you to learn that people have believed in ghosts for thousands of years? Even as far back as the Sumerians and Babylonians, people believed that ghosts exist. But has there been any proof? Ghost hunting has gained popularity in the past few years. There are even TV shows devoted to ghost hunting and a lot of scientific equipment is used in the search. What do you thing?

Reynolds, Jason. PATINA

Reynolds, Jason.
PATINA
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 5-8, IL 4.6
ISBN 1481450182

When Patina comes in second place in the track meet, she is furious. She tries not to show it. She doesn't want to be known as a sore loser. But second place is unacceptable. We first met Patina in Reynolds' book Ghost. Now we learn much more about her. We learn about her father's death. How her mother got the "sugar" that took her legs.. Her sister Maddy. And about her living with her aunt and uncle. Since she has come to live with them, her aunt has decided that the girls should attend Chester Academy rather than their old school.  The girls at the Academy are "hair flippers" and Patina has a bit of trouble fitting in. But as she gets to know them, things are getting better. But the track team is her obsession. She can't come in second again. When Coach assigns Patina the anchor of the 4x800 relay team, she wants to shine. But what will happen when she gets some terrible news?

Reynolds, Jason. LONG WAY DOWN

Reynolds, Jason.  
LONG WAY DOWN
New York : Atheneum, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1481438255

Will is on his way to avenge his brother's shooting. That's the rule.  The rules that         Shawn taught him. "Don’t cry, don’t snitch, always get revenge." And now 15-year-old Will has his brother's gun tucked into his waistband and he will get revenge. He gets in the elevator and pushes the button on the way to his brother's killer. Seven floors away. At each floor, the elevator stops and someone gets in. But these are people who Will knows. And they are all people who have died from gun violence. As Will takes the short ride in the elevator, he begins to learn about the Rules. And what they have cost.

Noyce, Pendred. MOSQUITOES DON'T BITE ME

Noyce, Pendred.
MOSQUITOES DON'T BITE ME

Boston : Tumblehome Learning, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 6.5
ISBN 1943431302
Nala is just your ordinary teen. Unless you discover that she is never bitten by mosquitoes. For a science project in school, she is paired up with a girl who just happens to be the daughter of the president of a drug manufacturing business.  When he hears about Nala, he is determined to find out why. Can you imagine a world where you can prevent mosquito bites? Not just the inconvenience of them but the diseases they cause. Like malaria. Nala's father stayed in Kenya after her mother's accident. She only sees him through facetime now. But now she has a chance to go to Kenya and meet her entire extended family. If they agree to be tested by the drug company. Nala thinks she is doing a good thing but things may not be as they appear.

Klepeis, Alicia. ESP, SUPERHUMAN ABILITIES AND UNEXPLAINED POWERS

Klepeis, Alicia.
ESP, SUPERHUMAN ABILITIES AND UNEXPLAINED POWERS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 6.8
ISBN 15062849X


Have you heard of ESP -- Extrasensory Perception? It is also sometimes called the sixth sense.  It is the ability some people say they have to get information without  using their five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.  ESP can be broken down into three phenomena -- telepathy, clairvoyance and precognition.  But how do you prove this ability exists? Come along and find out.

Hyman, Fracaswell. MANGO DELIGHT

Hyman, Fracaswell.  
MANGO DELIGHT
New York : Sterling Children's Books, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 1454923326
Mango and Brooklyn are BFFs. They are on the track team together and Mango always comes in 2nd to Brooklyn. Until one day when Mango actually wins the race. Now a true BFF would be happy for her. But not Brooklyn. She becomes distant and even mean. Mango is confused about this new new side of Brooklyn. When Mango gets tossed from the track team, she finds that there may be other opportunities in middle school. Can she navigate this new territory? New friendships, new interests, and mean girls.

Holt, K. A. HOUSE ARREST

Holt, K. A.
HOUSE ARREST
New York : Chronicle Books, 2015
IL 5-8, RL 4.0
ISBN 1452134774

Timothy doesn't know what he was thinking when he stole that credit card. That's not true. What he was thinking is that he could use it to buy his brother's medicine that is so expensive. And that is what he did. But he was caught. Because of the circumstances, he was sentenced to house arrest for a year. No hanging with friends or going to the mall. He can only leave the house to go to school or if his mother is with him. That won't be too hard since he rarely leaves anyway. Ever since his brother Luis was born with medical issues. Luis has a trach which needs to be changed and cleared as needed. And they only only have a part time nurse so it is up to Timothy at times. He will do anything for Luis. Oh, another part of his sentence is to keep a daily journal. This is shared with his probation officer and counselor -- and us.

Griffin, Paul. SAVING MARTY

Griffin, Paul. 
SAVING MARTY
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 5-8
ISBN   0399539077                  

Lorenzo lives in a small town in western Pennsylvania. He lives with his mother and grandfather.  They barely have enough money to get by and his mother looks for every opportunity to make a few dollars. When the pig has a litter, they are sold and the money comes in handy. But when their dog has a litter, Lorenzo notices a small pig in the corner. One o the piglets was left behind. The dog accepts the piglet and Lorenzo names it Marty after his father who was killed in the war.  As Marty grows, he becomes more and more like a dog and less like a pig.  Lorenzo wants to keep him but he knows his mother needs the money.  Will Lorenzo be able to find a way to save his friend?

Gregory, Josh. GRAND CANYON

Gregory, Josh.  
GRAND CANYON
New York : Children's Press, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 6.6
ISBN 0531240207


Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? It is truly a magnificent sight. It is a mile at it's deepest point. The temperature at the top is much higher than at the bottom.  Humans are thought to have first come to the canyon 12.000 years ago. There are lots of animals that call this area their home. Come along and find out about this amazing area.

Farish, Terry. THE GOOD BRAIDER

Farish, Terry.
THE GOOD BRAIDER
New York : Skyscrape, 2012
IL YA
ISBN 1477816283
Viola's life began in Juba in Sudan. The country is a war and it isn't safe for anyone. The family would love to leave but the village is surrounded by land mines and trying to escape is a very dangerous venture. But Viola, her mother and younger brother are able to get out and make the long trek to Khartoum and eventually Cairo.  After years in the refugee camp, they finally get their paperwork to go to the United States. But they have lost so much on the way, including her brother. Life in Portland Maine is so different and Viola reflects on her life and the differences between her old life and the new one.

Coddington, Andrew. THE HOPE DIAMOND, CURSED OBJECTS, AND UNEXPLAINED ARTIFACTS

Coddington, Andrew.
THE HOPE DIAMOND, CURSED OBJECTS, AND UNEXPLAINED ARTIFACTS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.8
ISBN 1502628511

Do you believe items can be cursed? That merely possessing these items can make bad things happen? This book explores several curses but the most interesting one is the Hope Diamond. It is the largest cut blue diamond in the world and estimated to be worth $250 million. Since it was found in India in the mid-seventeenth century, tales of the curse have been reported. Those who possess it have had very bad luck indeed.

Coddington, Andrew. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE, STONEHENGE, AND UNEXPLAINED PLACES

Coddington, Andrew.
THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE, STONEHENGE, AND UNEXPLAINED PLACES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 8.4
ISBN 1502628430

You have probably heard of the Bermuda Triangle. It is an area between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico.  Unexplained occurrences have been reported in this part of the Ocean for hundreds of years. Even as far back as Columbus who reported problems with navigation in this area of the world. Have you heard any of these stories? Would you like to?

Coddington, Andrew. ALIENS, UFOs, AND UNEXPLAINED ENCOUNTERS

Coddington, Andrew.
ALIENS, UFOs, AND UNEXPLAINED ENCOUNTERS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 8.8
ISBN 1502628457

The universe is huge. So large that it is hard to imagine. It is also hard to imagine that we are all alone in the universe. There have been many reports of UFOs and even some reports of people meeting aliens. But there is no definitive proof. Or is there? The truth is out there.

Bougie, Matt. BIGFOOT, THE LOCH NESS MONSTER, AND UNEXPLAINED CREATURES

Bougie, Matt.
BIGFOOT, THE LOCH NESS MONSTER, AND UNEXPLAINED CREATURES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.4
ISBN 1502628473

Although scientists try to debunk some of the stranger things around, some things just have no logical explanation. Cryptozoology is the study of animals that have not been proven to exist -- like bigfoot.  Bigfoot shows up in many different folktales. Bigfoot stories go back hundreds of years.  Come along on a scientific search for Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster and more?  Do you believe?

Alexander, Kwame. SOLO

Alexander, Kwame.
SOLO
New York : Blink, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0310761832

Boy, you would think that Blade has it made! He is the son of a famous rock star. He lives in a mansion and has everything he could possible want. And he is smart. He is even asked to give the commencement speech at graduation. Blade writes a song for the event and is looking forward to sharing it with everyone. But just as he starts to play, up rides a crazy man on a motorcycle, screaming and hooting and crashing into the stage. Yep, this is the famous rock star -- Rutherford. And he is drunk again. And he has ruined Blade's big day. Blade has had enough of this fool and his antics. But his sister begs him to give her father another chance. In a heated argument with her, the truth comes out.  Blade is adopted. How could he not know that? This is when his journey begins. He is determined to find his birth mother and ask her why she gave him up. The journey eventually takes him to Africa and to some truths that he could never have imagine.

Adams, Sabrina. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TROLLS AND CYBERMOBS

Adams, Sabrina.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TROLLS AND CYBERMOBS
New York : Rosen YA, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 1508174202

The Internet is so great. It lets us keep in touch with our family and friends. And we have the world at our fingertips. But social media has also brought us a new way of bullying. And it is getting bad. There is something about anonymous bullying that empowers people. So we hear a lot more about cyberbullying and trolling. What can you do to avoid it? How do you protect yourself? And how do you repair your reputation if you are a victim?