Newest titles marked with *
*Ali, Benjamin. The Next Great Paulie Fink. Realistic Fiction (FIC ALI) Paulie Fink was the class clown of all class clowns whose pranks are now legendary. Since Caitlyn is a newcomer to 7th grade at the tiny school in Vermont, she's never met or experienced Paulie for herself, but somehow finds herself in charge of a secret class contest to find "the next great Paulie Fink."
*Anderson, Sophie. The House with Chicken Legs. Adventure/Fantasy (FIC AND) Living in a house with chicken legs that can get up and take you anywhere in the world at any time might sound exciting and adventurous, but it does have some limitations. For example, Sophie isn't allowed to go past the skeleton fence in her yard and she isn't allowed to make friends. You see, Sophie is training to be a Guradian of the Gate between the living and the dead like her grandmother so that she can take over the job of guiding the dead into the afterlife. However, Sophie is about to break all the rules, and the consequences could be devastating.
Arden, Katherine. Small Spaces. Adventure/Horror (FIC ARD) After eleven-year-old Ollie's school bus mysteriously breaks down on a field trip, she has to take a trip through scary woods, and must use all of her wits to survive. She must stick to small spaces or risk being discovered!
Arnold, Elana K. A Boy Called Bat. Realistic Fiction (FIC APP) Bat is a boy with autism whose mom brings home an orphaned baby skunk. Bat is instantly in love and desperately wants to keep it. His mother gives him one month to prove that raising a baby skunk is a good idea for everyone-- Bat, the baby skunk, Bat's sister, and his mother.
*Auxier, Jonathan. The Sweep. Adventure/Fantasy (FIC AUX) Orphaned since Sweep left her, Nan Sparrow has survived by working as a climbing boy for a cruel chimney sweep. After narrowly escaping a chimney fire, Nan finds herself alone in an attic with a Golem she accidentally created from soot an ash as she fought for her life. Together Nan and Charlie have many fights ahead of them, and some of those fights prove deadly.
Beasley, Kate. Lions and Liars. Adventure (FIC BEA) If school is like a jungle ruled by lions, followed by gazelles who get bullied, and meerkats who are bystanders, Frederick would be classified as a flea on a meerkat's bottom. He's determined to change that status when he unexpectedly ends up a camp whose purpose is to teach discipline to troublesome boys. What Frederick doesn't realize is that he'll need all his survival skills and help from some of his fellow campers because is a Category 5 hurricane is headed straight for camp.
Blake, Ashley Herring . Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. Realistic Fiction (FIC BLA) Ivy thought that losing her home and all her possessions in a tornado was the worst thing that could happen but is thankful that her family survived. However, when pages of her personal journal begin showing up in her locker, Ivy realizes that someone has the book that holds her most personal drawings and secrets--secrets she hasn't even fully accepted about herself. Ivy isn't sure if the person who has her journal is her sister, her friend, a boy that her friend likes, or someone else. Because of the uncertainty, Ivy doesn't know who she can trust and feels completely alone and vulnerable.
Connor, Leslie. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. Mystery (FIC CON) Losing his best friend has been hard on Mason Buttle. Even before Benny Kilmartin was found dead in Mason's family orchard, Mason wasn't very popular. In fact, being the biggest sweatiest kid in the whole grade has made Mason a target for bullies and having dyslexia adds to his challenges. Just when Mason has found a new friend, that friend also goes missing. The police chief wants Mason to answer questions and rumors are spreading.
*Creech, Sharon. Saving Winslow. Realistic Fiction (FIC CRE) Louie's bond with the sickly miniature donkey his dad brought home intensifies as his fears for his older brother in the army grow. Nora is a new girl in the neighborhood and resists becoming attached to anyone or anything because of the losses she's experienced. Will caring about Winslow be worth the risks?
DiCamillo, Kate . Louisiana's Way Home. Realistic Fiction (FIC DIC) If it weren't for the family curse, Louisiana would be with her friends right now instead of stuck in a Georgia motel with a mean desk clerk while her grandmother recovers from dental surgery.It was bad enough leaving in the middle of the night, but now even the boy with the crow on his shoulder and a talent for getting free food from the vending machine can't keep Louisiana from missing her friends back in Florida, but she's determined to find a way to get back to them as soon as possible.
Draper, Sharon. Blended. Realistic Fiction (FIC DRA) Isabella is a piano genius whose black father and white mother are divorced and share custody of Isabella. When racial tensions begin to increase at her school, both parents get involved. Things really heat up when Isabella and her stepbrother are stopped by police.
Ecton, Emily. The Ambrose Deception. Mystery (FIC ECT) Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi believe they're in a competition for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship. As they search for clues using Chicago landmarks and history, they soon realize that there is much more at stake.
Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom. Humorous (FIC FLE) Ben Franklin--yes, THAT Ben Franklin--inventor, Founding Father, the guy on the $100 bill--unexpectedly ends up in the 21st Century at Nolan and Olive's house. While Olive wants to take Ben on a tour of the town to see the influence he's had on modern times, Nolan just wants to find a way to return Ben to his own time before any of them gets into trouble. Does getting arrested count as trouble? If so, it might be too late.
Gardner, Whitney. Fake Blood. Graphic Novel (GN 741.5 GAR) To impress Nia who is obsessed with vampires, AJ pretends to be a vampire. What he doesn't realize is that Nia is not interested in dating vampires, she's determined to slay vampires. This causes quite a problem, especially when there are actual vampires on the loose.
Gino, Alex. You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P. Realistic Fiction (FIC GIN) Jilly realizes that she's got a lot to learn after her sister is born deaf. She questions Derek, her online friend, who is deaf and African American. Jilly's doing her best to understand, but soon realizes that even with the best intentions, some questions and situations can still be hurtful.
Gratz, Alan. Ban This Book. Realistic Fiction (FIC GRA) After her favorite book is taken off the shelf of the school library because a school board member thinks it is inappropriate, Amy Anne knows she has to overcome her extreme shyness to save not just her favorite book but all the other books that are taken off the shelves. She won't be able to do this alone, but she isn't sure she can trust the son of the woman who is behind the push to remove the books from the library.
*Guterson, Ben. Winterhouse. Mystery (FIC GUT) After her evil guardians drop orphaned Elizabeth off at Winterhouse for winter break, the 11-year-old makes some new friends. One is the owner of the hotel and the other is a boy her age named Freddy who, like Elizabeth, is a lover of books and puzzles. After discovering a book of magical puzzles and beginning to solve some of the them, an ancient curse is unlocked, and it could endanger everyone and everything Elizabeth loves.
*Haddix, Margaret. The Strangers. Fantasy/Adventure (FIC HAD) It all started the day that three children with their exact names and ages were kidnapped in Arizona. Then everything Chess, Emma, and Finn thought they knew was literally turned upside down and inside out. Their mother goes missing, and the Greystone siblings are sent to live with Natalie Morales and her mother. Why would their own mother send them to live with strangers? The secret room they've stumbled upon in their basement could be the the answer to all their questions, but it could also bring even more questions. There's only one way to find out.
Halligan, Katherine. Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World. Biography Collection (920 HAL) Inspiring and powerful women of all ages who have changed the world didn't listen to those who told them what they couldn't or shouldn't do. Instead, they showed the world that women are capable and strong.
Hood, Susan. Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World. Biography Collection (920 HOO) This is your introduction to 14 amazing girls and young women whose achievements have had lasting imact. Their accomplishments are summarized in a variety of poetic styles that are sure to inspire.
Krull, Kathleen. Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other's Backs. Nonfiction (306.875 KRU) You'll reconize many of the famous siblings from the past and present who share many similarities. At times they seem like best friends, but at other times they act like the worst of enemies.
Libenson, Terri. Invisible Emmie. Graphic Novel (GN 741.5 LIB) WThis is the story of two totally different girls--quiet, shy, artistic Emmie popular, outgoing, athletic Katie --and how their lives unexpectedly intersect one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands.
*Lord, Cynthia. Because of the Rabbit. Realistic Fiction (FIC LOR) Emma has been home schooled until she decides she like to try a regular school for 5th grade. Her greatest wish is that she'll find a best friend besides the rabbit she and her dad rescued. After getting paired with Jack for a project, Emma begins to fear that being friends with Jack will not help her fit in because Jack blurts out whatever is on his mind, can't stay on topic, and seems obsessed with animals. Even though they share a love of animals, Emma isn't sure whether Jack is really the friend she's been hoping for.
McGhee, Allison. Dear Sister. Humorous (FIC MCG) When his new sister arrives with her wininess, neediness, and fear of the dark, the boy's life is turned upside down by the unfairness of it all. Through a series of letters from the time the sister is born until the boy leaves home for college, he lets his sister know how he really feels about the changes she's brought.
*Miller, Kayla. Click. Graphic Novel (FIC LOR) Even though Olive has many friends in her 5th grade class, none of them asks her to be part of their talent show groups. Her confidence sinks, but Olive tries to think of a way to be part of the talent show on her own still wondering why no one has included her.
*Morris, Chad. Mustaches for Maddie. Realistic Fiction (FIC MOR) Wearing and sharing stick-on mustaches is just one of the ways that 12-year-old Maddie makes her family and classmates smile. But there's not much to smile about when Maddie learns that she has a brain tumor and fears that she may be losing her imagination and maybe even her life. Based on a true story.
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. The Book of Boy. Historical Adventure Fantasy (FIC MUR) The year is 1350, and Boy is the target of bullies because of the hump on his back. So when a stranger bargains with the cook to have Boy join him on an epic quest to find seven precious relics, Boy is eager to join the adventure but quickly realizes that this is no ordinary trip and that danger is closer than ever.
Patterson, James. Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment. Adventure/Mystery (FIC PAT) The Corporation is after Max Einstein. Is it because she's a genius whose inventions help the homeless? Is it because she is working with another secret organization using science to solve the world's toughest problems? Is it because they are evil? Hmmm...what would Albert Einstein do?
Potter, Ellen. Big Foot and Little Foot. Humorous Fantasy (FIC POT) Hugh isn't like the other Sasquatches in his cave. He wants to explore the world and maybe even see a HUMAN. When Hugh accidentally comes face to face with a lonely young boy, he's unsure whether this could lead to the best friendship ever or the worst mistake of his life.
Saeed, Aisha. Amal Unbound. Realistic Fiction (FIC SAE) Amal lives in Pakistan and dreams of becoming a teacher. After an unfortunate encounter with a very powerful man in the community, Amal is forced to work for the cruel man in order to pay off her family's debt. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight.
*Salamon, Julie. Mutt's Promise. Realistic Fiction (FIC SAL) Mutt's life on the farm changes when Gilberto and his family move in, and she is especially grateful for their help after her puppies are born. When Gilberto and his family have to leave, the dogs' lives change once again. Mutt will stay at the farm, and two puppies get adopted by a little girl, but the last two puppies are sent to a puppy mill where life seems hopeless for the dogs who are there. It's a good thing Mutt's puppies still have hope to help them through a harrowing escape and a search for a forever family.
Sell, Chad. Cardboard Kingdom. Animal Adventure (GN 741.5 SEL) Welcome to a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary boxes into colorful costumes, and their ordinary block into cardboard kingdom. This is the summer when sixteen kids encounter knights and rogues, robots and monsters--and their own inner demons--on one last quest before school starts again.
Skrypuch, Marsha. Making Bombs for Hitler. Historical Fiction (FIC SKR) Lida is just 10-years-old in 1943 when she is separated from her younger sister and forced into a work camp by Nazis. When she is moved to work in a bomb factory, Lida and her starving, terrified fellow prisoners look for a way to sabotage Hitler's bombs knowing that they might not live to see results of their act of defiance.
*Torres, Jennifer. Stef Soto, Taco Queen. Realistic Fiction (FIC TOR) Stef can't decide which of her overprotective parents is more embarrassing--her mother for not letting her stay home alone, or her father for picking her up from school everyday in his taco truck? While Stef is trying to prove that she is mature enough to go to a concert with her friends, she finds out that the city food trucks are being threatened by some serious regulations that could put her family and other families out of business. This realization make Stef question what's really important to her and what she can do about it.
*Tyre, Jennifer Lewis. Hope in the Holler. Realistic Fiction (FIC TYR) Still grieving the loss of her beloved mother, Wavie Conley has been sent to live with her horrible aunt in the hills of Kentucky. Using the advice her mother gave her before dying and the help of the kids she's met in the town where her mom grew up, Wavie hopes to find someone more loving and kind than her evil aunt and disgusting cousin Hoyt, but time is running out.
Wallace, Sandra. Between the Lines. Biography (B BAR) Many young boys dream of making it to the NFL to play football, but Ernie Barnes had a different dream. Ernie played football in high school so he could get a scolarship to college, and he eventually did make it to the NFL, but that was not his dream. Ernie wanted to see paintings by people who looked like him in the art museum, but when he went in the 1940s and 1950s, he didn't see any. Ernie's dream was to change that.i
Wehr, Garrett. Language of Spells. Fantasy (FIC WEH) Grisha is a dragon who spent many years as a teapot after being tricked by an evil magician. Now that he's broken the spell, he's on a quest to return to the land of dragons. Grisha wants to bring all the surviving dragons who've been trapped and hidden away with him, but perhaps his greatest challenge will be leaving behind his one true human friend.
Yang, Kelly. Front Desk. Realistic Fiction (FIC YAN) When she is 10-years-old, Mia and her parents move in to the hotel they manage for Mr. Yao. Unfortunately, Mr. Yao treats them unfairly and shows that he is untrustworthy. To make matters worse, Mr. Yao's son is in Mia's class at school, and he makes her life life miserable. Mia's only hope is to win the writing contest and collect the prize which is a bed and breakfast in Vermont, but she's afraid her English might not be good enough.
*Ali, Benjamin. The Next Great Paulie Fink. Realistic Fiction (FIC ALI) Paulie Fink was the class clown of all class clowns whose pranks are now legendary. Since Caitlyn is a newcomer to 7th grade at the tiny school in Vermont, she's never met or experienced Paulie for herself, but somehow finds herself in charge of a secret class contest to find "the next great Paulie Fink."
*Anderson, Sophie. The House with Chicken Legs. Adventure/Fantasy (FIC AND) Living in a house with chicken legs that can get up and take you anywhere in the world at any time might sound exciting and adventurous, but it does have some limitations. For example, Sophie isn't allowed to go past the skeleton fence in her yard and she isn't allowed to make friends. You see, Sophie is training to be a Guradian of the Gate between the living and the dead like her grandmother so that she can take over the job of guiding the dead into the afterlife. However, Sophie is about to break all the rules, and the consequences could be devastating.
Arden, Katherine. Small Spaces. Adventure/Horror (FIC ARD) After eleven-year-old Ollie's school bus mysteriously breaks down on a field trip, she has to take a trip through scary woods, and must use all of her wits to survive. She must stick to small spaces or risk being discovered!
Arnold, Elana K. A Boy Called Bat. Realistic Fiction (FIC APP) Bat is a boy with autism whose mom brings home an orphaned baby skunk. Bat is instantly in love and desperately wants to keep it. His mother gives him one month to prove that raising a baby skunk is a good idea for everyone-- Bat, the baby skunk, Bat's sister, and his mother.
*Auxier, Jonathan. The Sweep. Adventure/Fantasy (FIC AUX) Orphaned since Sweep left her, Nan Sparrow has survived by working as a climbing boy for a cruel chimney sweep. After narrowly escaping a chimney fire, Nan finds herself alone in an attic with a Golem she accidentally created from soot an ash as she fought for her life. Together Nan and Charlie have many fights ahead of them, and some of those fights prove deadly.
Beasley, Kate. Lions and Liars. Adventure (FIC BEA) If school is like a jungle ruled by lions, followed by gazelles who get bullied, and meerkats who are bystanders, Frederick would be classified as a flea on a meerkat's bottom. He's determined to change that status when he unexpectedly ends up a camp whose purpose is to teach discipline to troublesome boys. What Frederick doesn't realize is that he'll need all his survival skills and help from some of his fellow campers because is a Category 5 hurricane is headed straight for camp.
Blake, Ashley Herring . Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. Realistic Fiction (FIC BLA) Ivy thought that losing her home and all her possessions in a tornado was the worst thing that could happen but is thankful that her family survived. However, when pages of her personal journal begin showing up in her locker, Ivy realizes that someone has the book that holds her most personal drawings and secrets--secrets she hasn't even fully accepted about herself. Ivy isn't sure if the person who has her journal is her sister, her friend, a boy that her friend likes, or someone else. Because of the uncertainty, Ivy doesn't know who she can trust and feels completely alone and vulnerable.
Connor, Leslie. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. Mystery (FIC CON) Losing his best friend has been hard on Mason Buttle. Even before Benny Kilmartin was found dead in Mason's family orchard, Mason wasn't very popular. In fact, being the biggest sweatiest kid in the whole grade has made Mason a target for bullies and having dyslexia adds to his challenges. Just when Mason has found a new friend, that friend also goes missing. The police chief wants Mason to answer questions and rumors are spreading.
*Creech, Sharon. Saving Winslow. Realistic Fiction (FIC CRE) Louie's bond with the sickly miniature donkey his dad brought home intensifies as his fears for his older brother in the army grow. Nora is a new girl in the neighborhood and resists becoming attached to anyone or anything because of the losses she's experienced. Will caring about Winslow be worth the risks?
DiCamillo, Kate . Louisiana's Way Home. Realistic Fiction (FIC DIC) If it weren't for the family curse, Louisiana would be with her friends right now instead of stuck in a Georgia motel with a mean desk clerk while her grandmother recovers from dental surgery.It was bad enough leaving in the middle of the night, but now even the boy with the crow on his shoulder and a talent for getting free food from the vending machine can't keep Louisiana from missing her friends back in Florida, but she's determined to find a way to get back to them as soon as possible.
Draper, Sharon. Blended. Realistic Fiction (FIC DRA) Isabella is a piano genius whose black father and white mother are divorced and share custody of Isabella. When racial tensions begin to increase at her school, both parents get involved. Things really heat up when Isabella and her stepbrother are stopped by police.
Ecton, Emily. The Ambrose Deception. Mystery (FIC ECT) Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi believe they're in a competition for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship. As they search for clues using Chicago landmarks and history, they soon realize that there is much more at stake.
Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom. Humorous (FIC FLE) Ben Franklin--yes, THAT Ben Franklin--inventor, Founding Father, the guy on the $100 bill--unexpectedly ends up in the 21st Century at Nolan and Olive's house. While Olive wants to take Ben on a tour of the town to see the influence he's had on modern times, Nolan just wants to find a way to return Ben to his own time before any of them gets into trouble. Does getting arrested count as trouble? If so, it might be too late.
Gardner, Whitney. Fake Blood. Graphic Novel (GN 741.5 GAR) To impress Nia who is obsessed with vampires, AJ pretends to be a vampire. What he doesn't realize is that Nia is not interested in dating vampires, she's determined to slay vampires. This causes quite a problem, especially when there are actual vampires on the loose.
Gino, Alex. You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P. Realistic Fiction (FIC GIN) Jilly realizes that she's got a lot to learn after her sister is born deaf. She questions Derek, her online friend, who is deaf and African American. Jilly's doing her best to understand, but soon realizes that even with the best intentions, some questions and situations can still be hurtful.
Gratz, Alan. Ban This Book. Realistic Fiction (FIC GRA) After her favorite book is taken off the shelf of the school library because a school board member thinks it is inappropriate, Amy Anne knows she has to overcome her extreme shyness to save not just her favorite book but all the other books that are taken off the shelves. She won't be able to do this alone, but she isn't sure she can trust the son of the woman who is behind the push to remove the books from the library.
*Guterson, Ben. Winterhouse. Mystery (FIC GUT) After her evil guardians drop orphaned Elizabeth off at Winterhouse for winter break, the 11-year-old makes some new friends. One is the owner of the hotel and the other is a boy her age named Freddy who, like Elizabeth, is a lover of books and puzzles. After discovering a book of magical puzzles and beginning to solve some of the them, an ancient curse is unlocked, and it could endanger everyone and everything Elizabeth loves.
*Haddix, Margaret. The Strangers. Fantasy/Adventure (FIC HAD) It all started the day that three children with their exact names and ages were kidnapped in Arizona. Then everything Chess, Emma, and Finn thought they knew was literally turned upside down and inside out. Their mother goes missing, and the Greystone siblings are sent to live with Natalie Morales and her mother. Why would their own mother send them to live with strangers? The secret room they've stumbled upon in their basement could be the the answer to all their questions, but it could also bring even more questions. There's only one way to find out.
Halligan, Katherine. Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World. Biography Collection (920 HAL) Inspiring and powerful women of all ages who have changed the world didn't listen to those who told them what they couldn't or shouldn't do. Instead, they showed the world that women are capable and strong.
Hood, Susan. Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World. Biography Collection (920 HOO) This is your introduction to 14 amazing girls and young women whose achievements have had lasting imact. Their accomplishments are summarized in a variety of poetic styles that are sure to inspire.
Krull, Kathleen. Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other's Backs. Nonfiction (306.875 KRU) You'll reconize many of the famous siblings from the past and present who share many similarities. At times they seem like best friends, but at other times they act like the worst of enemies.
Libenson, Terri. Invisible Emmie. Graphic Novel (GN 741.5 LIB) WThis is the story of two totally different girls--quiet, shy, artistic Emmie popular, outgoing, athletic Katie --and how their lives unexpectedly intersect one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands.
*Lord, Cynthia. Because of the Rabbit. Realistic Fiction (FIC LOR) Emma has been home schooled until she decides she like to try a regular school for 5th grade. Her greatest wish is that she'll find a best friend besides the rabbit she and her dad rescued. After getting paired with Jack for a project, Emma begins to fear that being friends with Jack will not help her fit in because Jack blurts out whatever is on his mind, can't stay on topic, and seems obsessed with animals. Even though they share a love of animals, Emma isn't sure whether Jack is really the friend she's been hoping for.
McGhee, Allison. Dear Sister. Humorous (FIC MCG) When his new sister arrives with her wininess, neediness, and fear of the dark, the boy's life is turned upside down by the unfairness of it all. Through a series of letters from the time the sister is born until the boy leaves home for college, he lets his sister know how he really feels about the changes she's brought.
*Miller, Kayla. Click. Graphic Novel (FIC LOR) Even though Olive has many friends in her 5th grade class, none of them asks her to be part of their talent show groups. Her confidence sinks, but Olive tries to think of a way to be part of the talent show on her own still wondering why no one has included her.
*Morris, Chad. Mustaches for Maddie. Realistic Fiction (FIC MOR) Wearing and sharing stick-on mustaches is just one of the ways that 12-year-old Maddie makes her family and classmates smile. But there's not much to smile about when Maddie learns that she has a brain tumor and fears that she may be losing her imagination and maybe even her life. Based on a true story.
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. The Book of Boy. Historical Adventure Fantasy (FIC MUR) The year is 1350, and Boy is the target of bullies because of the hump on his back. So when a stranger bargains with the cook to have Boy join him on an epic quest to find seven precious relics, Boy is eager to join the adventure but quickly realizes that this is no ordinary trip and that danger is closer than ever.
Patterson, James. Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment. Adventure/Mystery (FIC PAT) The Corporation is after Max Einstein. Is it because she's a genius whose inventions help the homeless? Is it because she is working with another secret organization using science to solve the world's toughest problems? Is it because they are evil? Hmmm...what would Albert Einstein do?
Potter, Ellen. Big Foot and Little Foot. Humorous Fantasy (FIC POT) Hugh isn't like the other Sasquatches in his cave. He wants to explore the world and maybe even see a HUMAN. When Hugh accidentally comes face to face with a lonely young boy, he's unsure whether this could lead to the best friendship ever or the worst mistake of his life.
Saeed, Aisha. Amal Unbound. Realistic Fiction (FIC SAE) Amal lives in Pakistan and dreams of becoming a teacher. After an unfortunate encounter with a very powerful man in the community, Amal is forced to work for the cruel man in order to pay off her family's debt. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight.
*Salamon, Julie. Mutt's Promise. Realistic Fiction (FIC SAL) Mutt's life on the farm changes when Gilberto and his family move in, and she is especially grateful for their help after her puppies are born. When Gilberto and his family have to leave, the dogs' lives change once again. Mutt will stay at the farm, and two puppies get adopted by a little girl, but the last two puppies are sent to a puppy mill where life seems hopeless for the dogs who are there. It's a good thing Mutt's puppies still have hope to help them through a harrowing escape and a search for a forever family.
Sell, Chad. Cardboard Kingdom. Animal Adventure (GN 741.5 SEL) Welcome to a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary boxes into colorful costumes, and their ordinary block into cardboard kingdom. This is the summer when sixteen kids encounter knights and rogues, robots and monsters--and their own inner demons--on one last quest before school starts again.
Skrypuch, Marsha. Making Bombs for Hitler. Historical Fiction (FIC SKR) Lida is just 10-years-old in 1943 when she is separated from her younger sister and forced into a work camp by Nazis. When she is moved to work in a bomb factory, Lida and her starving, terrified fellow prisoners look for a way to sabotage Hitler's bombs knowing that they might not live to see results of their act of defiance.
*Torres, Jennifer. Stef Soto, Taco Queen. Realistic Fiction (FIC TOR) Stef can't decide which of her overprotective parents is more embarrassing--her mother for not letting her stay home alone, or her father for picking her up from school everyday in his taco truck? While Stef is trying to prove that she is mature enough to go to a concert with her friends, she finds out that the city food trucks are being threatened by some serious regulations that could put her family and other families out of business. This realization make Stef question what's really important to her and what she can do about it.
*Tyre, Jennifer Lewis. Hope in the Holler. Realistic Fiction (FIC TYR) Still grieving the loss of her beloved mother, Wavie Conley has been sent to live with her horrible aunt in the hills of Kentucky. Using the advice her mother gave her before dying and the help of the kids she's met in the town where her mom grew up, Wavie hopes to find someone more loving and kind than her evil aunt and disgusting cousin Hoyt, but time is running out.
Wallace, Sandra. Between the Lines. Biography (B BAR) Many young boys dream of making it to the NFL to play football, but Ernie Barnes had a different dream. Ernie played football in high school so he could get a scolarship to college, and he eventually did make it to the NFL, but that was not his dream. Ernie wanted to see paintings by people who looked like him in the art museum, but when he went in the 1940s and 1950s, he didn't see any. Ernie's dream was to change that.i
Wehr, Garrett. Language of Spells. Fantasy (FIC WEH) Grisha is a dragon who spent many years as a teapot after being tricked by an evil magician. Now that he's broken the spell, he's on a quest to return to the land of dragons. Grisha wants to bring all the surviving dragons who've been trapped and hidden away with him, but perhaps his greatest challenge will be leaving behind his one true human friend.
Yang, Kelly. Front Desk. Realistic Fiction (FIC YAN) When she is 10-years-old, Mia and her parents move in to the hotel they manage for Mr. Yao. Unfortunately, Mr. Yao treats them unfairly and shows that he is untrustworthy. To make matters worse, Mr. Yao's son is in Mia's class at school, and he makes her life life miserable. Mia's only hope is to win the writing contest and collect the prize which is a bed and breakfast in Vermont, but she's afraid her English might not be good enough.