Eggs by Jerry Spinelli is a book about friendship. David, age 9, has been sent to live with his grandmother after his mom dies in a freak accident while his dad works in another state. He meets Primrose, a teenager, under strange circumstances and they form a delicate friendship. The book tells the story of their friendship and the ups and downs they go through. Primrose has her own troubles with her mother and needs David as much as David needs her. The book ends with a journey they take together that helps them both grow up and look toward the future instead of living in the past.
Me & Jack
Me & Jack by Danette Haworth is a story of a boy and his dog. Joshua and his father, an Air Force recruiter during the Vietnam War, move to a new town because of Joshua’s dad’s job. Joshua’s dad doesn’t want to leave him alone all day, so they get a dog at the pound. Joshua names him Jack, and falls immediately in love with dog. The dog, however, gets blamed for a series of attacks in the neighborhood. Joshua must find a way to prove Jack is innocent. There is also a storyline about two boys, one Joshua would like to be friends with, and another, who he can’t stand to be around. They both figure prominently in the story. This is a well written book and you really begin to feel Joshua’s desperation after his dad threatens to get rid of the dog if there are any more incidents. I thought the ending was good and would recommend this book to anyone who fiercely loves their pet.
Posted in Animal fiction, Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Summertime House
Summertime House by Eileen Spinelli is a lovely story about an extended family who spends a month every summer at a rented house by the ocean. The book is written in free verse, so it is a quick read. The book is narrated by Sophie. She is an eleven year old girl who falls in love just before she leaves for vacation, who must deal with changes in her older cousin, and who has to quickly mature over a lost cat. There is not a lot of action in this story, but it is a fun story about aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents coming together for a great family reunion.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Wild Life
Wild Life by Cynthia DeFelice is a coming of age story. 12 year old Erik is being sent to live with his grandparents in North Dakota after both of his parents are called up to serve in Iraq. Erik doesn’t remember his grandparents, he hasn’t seen them in years, and he’s dreading the move. He is also angry he’ll be missing his first hunting trip with his best friend.
Once he gets to North Dakota he finds a meek Oma and a gruff grandpa, Big Darrell, who seem to be hiding something from Erik. Unexpectedly, a hunting dog, who has been hit by a porcupine, arrives at the farm. Erik has an immediate attachment with the dog and is distressed to learn that the owner is on the way to get her. Unhappy with his situation, Erik decides his only alternative is to run away with the dog. Read to find out if Erik and the dog can survive on the harsh prairie or if Erik is found and has to return the dog.
Posted in Adventure, Animal fiction, Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Love, Ruby Lavender
Love, Ruby Lavender by Debbie Wiles
Ruby is a carefree, independent girl who has a very special relationship with her grandma. Ruby can’t imagine her life without her grandma, but the birth of a new grandbaby in Hawaii takes Miss Eula away. Ruby must learn to navigate life and friendship without her grandma as she tries to come to terms with the car accident that killed her dad and a classmate’s dad. Sound too heavy? There is also some chicken stealing! This is a great book and a lot of the format is letters between Ruby and her grandma, so it’s a pretty quick read.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Wing Nut
Wing Nut, by MJ Auch, is a coming of age story. Grady and his mom are on their own since the death of Grady’s dad, and although there is always food and shelter, some places are better than others. As Grady and his mom are fleeing from a crazy commune, their car breaks down in a small town. Through the goodwill of others, Grady and his mom find a safe place to stay. But is it worth it to stay with a cranky old man who is a bit of a “wing nut” about birds, just to have a place to sleep and eat? Will Grady and his mom ever find a place to call home?
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Caught
Caught by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This is the fifth book in the Found series. The book starts with the 21st century’s time being frozen. Jonah and his sister Katherine are called upon again to go back in time to fix the time problems. This story features the lost child of Albert Einstein and his wife Mileva. It is 1903, before Einstein became famous, and Jonah and Katherine are trying to fix things they don’t understand. It also seems that Mileva is aware of their presence. Will they be found out and ruin the future? Will they ever get back to their own century? When will Jonah find out whose lost child he is? Get the series and start reading to find out!
Posted in Historical fiction, Mystery, Science fiction/Fantasy.
– December 3, 2012
The Last Shot
Last Shot by John Feinstein
If you like basketball and mysteries, you’re going to love this book. The reader will have to understand about the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four to understand a lot of the lingo in this book. It’s a good story of a blackmailed player and how two kids help solve the problem.
Posted in Mystery, Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
Double Dog Dare
Double Dog Dare By Lisa Graff
Two kids are competing for one spot as the reader of morning announcements. Their classmates decide to have a dare contest to see who should be the winner. The book continues with Kansas and Francine getting more and more competitive as the dares get crazier. Unknown to them, they have something that makes them more alike than they know.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012
A Dog Called Kitty
A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace
Ricky was attacked by a dog when he was a little boy and now he is terrified of all dogs. When a stray dog showed up on Ricky’s family’s farm he didn’t pay it any attention, but eventually Ricky got used to the dog and it became his pet. This book is about a boy overcoming his fears and learning to love a dog.
Posted in Animal fiction, Realistic fiction.
– December 3, 2012