In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner is a book of elequence and poetry. It's not an actual poetry book but the words are beautifully put together. Add this one to your high school library shelves. Cash is a young teen who is learning alot about life and meeting new people for the first time. He's outside his comfort zone when he moves from Tennessee to an elite prep school that has students from all over the world. He's unsure of himself because of his humble backtfournd and he's unsure about his best friend Delaney as their relationship changes in a new culture. Again add this to your school library.

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt

The Labors of Hercules Beal is an excellent book that should be in all middle school libraries. Gary D. Schmidt is an excellent story crafter. The story is told in Hercules' perspective. He reltates to the Demigod Hercules. He becomes part of the community as they all work together to solve dangerous and difficult problems. An excellent read/audiobook.

No Map, Great Trip: A Young Writer’s Road to Page One by Paul Fleischman

No Map, Great Trip is an excellent book for anyone to read. If you know a teen writer, give them this book. I loved this book and perfect for any kind of library.

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

This is a book for teens who have friends who are in the LGBTQ or have friends/family in the LGBTQ community. Of if they are questioning who they are. Heads up there's F*bombs and drinking alochol.

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is a good story but not at a teen level. FYI there are some negative words and some dangerous situations. Rachel is found with her mother and siblings after fallen from the roof of an apartment. The story is told in multiple viewpoints. We watch her grow up to be a young teen. She's light skinned, blue eyes and is targeted because of her different looks. Find out what happened to cause a family to come to a tragic ending and with one survivor. A good read and a good audiobook.

Mexikid by Pedro Martin

Mexikid is a deligthful graphic novel and perfect for middle school. I loved it a bit extra because I grew up close to Watsonville, so I got some of the references, like Casa De Fruita and the cup flipper. Lots of adventure and a sweet funny hillarious coming of age as a boy gets in touch with his roots and Mexican heritage. Perfect for any middle school library. A sweet family. The Audiobook also charming.

To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldeberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

To Night Owl from Dogfish is an adorable story. Using Emails to tell the story, two girls from different coasts find out that they are going to be in summer camp together and that their fathers will be taking a trip to China while they are in camp. It's a story about building a friendship, family and what makes a family. It's a lovely story about growing up and how relationships can change. A good story. Enjoy.

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart

I love Coyote Lost and Found. The first book was also great and the second also is just as great. Coyote has some trouble seeing her father with another woman in his life. It's been about 5 years or so when her mother and two sisters were killed in a car accident. Coyote , her best friend, her father and his new girlfriend go on a road trip. Only her and her best friend know that they are looking for the book. Along the way they add more people on the road trip. That converted school bus gets a lot of miles on this road trip adventure. The story is good, the audiobook is good and I recommend it for any middle school library.

Jo by Kathleen Gros

Jo's in middle school, her father is away in the military service, her mom is a nurse and she has three sisters. Set in current times, it's a delightful graphic novel giving the March girls a fresh new look. I thought the book was done well and should be a welcome addition to any middle school library. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49867307-jo

A First TIme For Everything by Dan Santat

A First Time For Everything by Dan Santat Is a great middle school coming of age book in graphic novel format. Santat's life as a awkward middle school kid from the 1980s is sweet and charming and authentic. Add this one to your middle school library. IT's a great read.

Love In English by Maria E Andreu

This is a great teen book for any high school library. Maybe one f*bomb but not a big deal. The audio book was perfect! The voice actress did an excellent job. I loved the ESL teacher, I use to be one and I wish I was as brilliant as this teacher was. The book rings with authenticness. Partly because the author came from the same situation as the main character. I would read more of her books. One thing that I did have concern was how the parents were rather unavailable in her life to the very end of the story. But still a great book. I would companion it with The Last Cuentista because our stories is who we are and where we came from. It's a good read. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Falls Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

 Love this book.  Has all sorts of elements in it to make it successful: Mystery, adventure, an injured parent and building friendships.  Perfect for any middle school library.  Enjoy.

Pax: The Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker

 A fantastic story that will touch the heart.  Told in two perspectives, you can see the growth of these two friends, an animal and a boy as they survive the terrible war that has changed the world.  A good read.  Seriously, add this to you library.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Do you do what is right or do you do what everyone wants you to do?  Turner keeps getting into trouble even though he really hasn't done anything.  His father is working on trying to fit in the community but learns later on a lot of from his son. 

This story is partially factual but mashed in with fiction.  Gary D. Schmidt is a true story teller and assembles the words in a powerful way.  An excellent read.  Add this one to your school library.
 

The Darkest Child by Delores Philips

 This is definitely for adults.  This is a story in which it wasn't easy to read because the mother would do horrible things to her children.  She pushes her daughters into prostitution.  There are bad men in the story and a tragic death of an innocent.  In the story the mother is a single mother and manipulates people, her children and strangers.  I can't even imagine what led her to her life of manipulation.  A good story just really hard to read.  

A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan

I loved this book.  It's about how a library makes a difference in a community.  Centered around Jamie, a hurt girl who  meets all sorts of patrons.  She learns about helping people, mourning people and facing problems.  It's a perfect book for any middle school library.  Enjoy.  Audio book also good.

 

Little Britches Horse of A Different Color by Ralph Moody

 

A wonderful coming of age story based on the life of the author.  This leaves me wanting more.  The audio book also very good.  Go back to the early 1900s and see life of a young man barely leaving boy hood when he had become the man of the house when he was 11, after his father has passed away.

Ralph has kindness, moral and ethical characteristics in his personality.  A good read.

Little Britches The Dry Divide By Ralph Moody

I love this series and I wish there were more.  I finished book 8 a few days ago.  Leaving me wanting more.  I admire how this reflection of the author's young life, is lessons about becoming a mature and responsible adult with compassion to others and bringing respect to those who may not always have respect.  It shows a different time, when the world was a bit smaller.  A good read and a good audio book.  Enjoy.

 

Little Britches Shaking the Nickel Bush by Ralph Moody

 

Ralph isn't even 21 yet and he takes the world in his hands and molds a beautiful and challenging life. Leaving his mother and siblings behind, he manages his diabetes by going back west, leaving Boston.  Not afraid to do hard work, smart and kind, Ralph would have been a neighbor you would want.  His life is incredible, in a world so different then modern times.  An excellent read.  Audio book also good enjoy.

O’Keefe Family A House Like A Lotus by Madeleine L’Engle

 

This coming of age story, is Poly who is nearly an young adult.  She gets into a variety of relationships that makes her grow up and leave her sheltered life.  It's fine but I wouldn't get for my school library.  Glad the public library carries though.