Written by Ruta Sepetys Daniel, the son of a Texas oil baron, wants to be a photojournalist. His dad, however, wants him to go into the family business. While taking a long vacation in Spain, he and his family stay in the Hotel Castellana Hilton. By hanging out with locals, Daniel hopes to capture the …
Written by Michael Morpurgo Set in World War II France, autistic Lorenzo lives among the salt flats and the flamingos. As the Germans invade France, Lorenzo and his Romani friend Kezia find themselves on the list of the hunted. When eighteen-year-old Vincent collapses in the marshes near their isolated farm, he has a near-death experience. …
Written by Natalie Lloyd Mallie is a 12 year old supporting her family. After her father is unable to earn money, she is given the task of cleaning houses to earn money. One day, she comes upon an advertisement for riches untold. Mallie is brave and discovers a whole new world. She is brave enough …
Written by Jennifer Swender, Illustrated by Jennifer Naalchigar Mika just started 5th grade in middle school. Her life is changing rapidly, but surprisingly, her math class is what keeps her grounded. Her mom has a mole removed that is cancerous and the journey of this story is about how she quietly suffers through the stress …
Elements of Genius, #1 Written by Jess Keating, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin With an opening scene that stars a ferret aiming a death ray at a teenage girl, Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray is an adventure from start to finish. Nikki Tesla is a teenage inventor who doesn’t fit in with the rest …
Written by Matilda Woods In the village of a thousand ships a fortune teller’s prediction will change a girl’s life. Oona was meant to be a boy according to the famous fortune teller who visited her village ten years ago. Unwanted and unloved by every member of her family, Oona looks forward to her birthday …
Written by Tony Mitton Ryo has lived in a small village where he learns to make pots with his father every day. He enjoys working alongside his father, but when he sees a stranger easily disarm three brigands, Ryo wants to become a fighter. His father is sad that Ryo wants to leave everything he …
Various Authors, Edited by Marieke Nijkamp This book had potential to be a great read. However, I found that I only enjoyed 4-5 of the 13 stories in the book. There were a few that I even skipped, since they just weren’t interesting enough to hold me. The stories I liked, I really liked; they …
Written by Amy Sarig King This book deals with divorce and depression and really opened my eyes to a perspective I did not have. The story is told from the eyes of a 12 year old girl whose parents announce that they are getting a divorce and dad was moving out. This when she felt …
The Crims, #2 Written by Kate Davies As the caged Crims are about to be dropped to their doom (into a tub of hungry, ferocious piranhas) others might scream, while the Crims just look on the bright side, “OOH, LOVELY. I HAVEN’T HAD A BATH FOR DAYS,” Chuckled Knuckles. The second book in the Crims …
