mockingbird

mockingbird
by Kathryn Erskine


Caitlain and her father's life has changed since her older brother Devon was killed in a school shooting. Her father has become extremely sad and Caitlain, who has Asperger's and lacks many social skills, has lost her guide through life. For them, the day of the murder, was truly "the Day Our Life Fell Apart." 


Caitlain and her dad are trying to figure out how "to deal with this difficult situation called life."    Can Caitlain navigate the world without her brother's guidance?  Can Caitlain make friends? Can they find closure? Can Caitlain and her father put their lives back together?  mockingbird, which is a deep and serious book, answers these questions. 

published: 2010

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Classroom Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Listen!

Listen!
by Stephanie S. Tolan


Simple Book Intro:  Charley tries to tame a wild dog so it can become her pet.  Will she be able to? 


Complex Book Intro:  Charley hurts both physically and mentally because she has suffered a lot.  First, her mother died in a plane crash.  To deal with the loss, her father turned into a workaholic and is never home.  Second, she was in a car accident that nearly crippled her.  Now after tons of therapy she is walking on her own.  Finally, her best friend has decided to spend the summer playing tennis far away.  


 Then she spots a stray dog, that she names Coyote, wandering her neighborhood and decides to make it her pet.  Will she be able to tame a wild dog?  Will this new found focus help to heal her mind and body?  Read Stephanie S. Tolan's Listen! to find out. 


Published: 2006

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose
by Eugene Velchin


Sasha is a devoted communist youngster growing up in Stalin's Soviet Union. He dreams of becoming a Young Pioneer, the first step in joining the Communist Party.  


The day before he is to join the group his father is arrested as an enemy of the state. Sasha believes his father is a hero and sets off to free him.  In the process he discovers that Stalin's Soviet Union is filled with lies and is not the ideal place he thought.  


Will Sasha join the Young Pioneers?  Will Sasha be able to free his father? Read Breaking Stalin's Nose to find out.


Published: 2011

Genre: Historical Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Trouble Don't Last

Trouble Don't Last
by Shelley Pearsall


You are Samuel, an eleven year old slave.  You are running away from your master.  You are running with Harrison, an elderly slave, who has taken care of you all your life. You didn't plan on running away but when Harrison woke you up in the middle of the night you followed him and now you're on the run to freedom in Canada.


As you run you constantly wonder if you will survive your journey.   Can you avoid slave catchers? Can you find shelter?  Can you find food?Can you avoid getting lost?  Can you make it? The odds seem impossible but you try.


Published: 2002

Genre: Historical Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon.

Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle

Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me
by Nan Marino


Shortly after Tamara's best friend Kebsie moved out of Mrs. Kutchner's foster home, Muscle Man McGinty moved in with Mrs. Kutchner. Tamara hates Muscle Man McGinty  She thinks he's a liar and can't understand why all the other kids on Ramble Street seem to like him so much.  


Sad and lost without her friend, Tamara takes her anger out on Muscle Man.  The funny thing is that they have a lot in common and would probably make good friends.  You'll have to read the book to find out if Tamara discovers how good a friend Muscle Man could be. 


Published: 2009

Genre: Historical Fiction

Locations: Classroom Library, Public Library, and Amazon