The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko is a great read. Hank has ups and downs in his life. For a middle school kid, he has a lot to burdern. Taking care of his baby sister. A mom who disapears with no word, finding food and then going to get help. It's a good book and good people show up in his life. And a few bad ones too. Add this one to your middle school library.

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.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 This is an important story to read.  It's also a sensitive book that deals with sexual abuse, drugs and suicide.  I would say yes have it in school libraries but also give readers a heads up on this delicate story.  I think it might be helpful to readers.

Half A World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

This is an interesting book.  Told in the perspective of Jaden.  He does acknowledge how he feels.  Having been abandoned at the age of 4 in Romania and facing the threat of being turned out on the streets at age 12.  He is adopted by American couple.  His behavior is at times destructive and does see a counselor.  Now the family is going to adopt another child in another country.  This is the point where he starts connecting to people and learning about himself.

 

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

 Wow this is one intense read.  I couldn't put it down.  It's different but I think it would be fine for high school libraries.  Very dark and then charged with emotion at the end.

Dear, Jacaranda by Alex Flinn

 

This charming story, I suspect inspired from the story of Daddy Longlegs.  An older teen has a generous sponsor to help her out.  The story is told in letters, to an unknown benefactor, narrating the events of her life in almost a journal fashion.  The letters are not answered but they are addressed by a guardian influenced by the benefactor.  It's a delightful read.  

All The Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey

 This is a story that stays with you for a long time.  It is a must for all school libraries.  Enjoy.

One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

A great book to add to any middle school library.  A raw book in the sense of a young girl, filled with pain and disappointment in a parent that she had trusted.  Her mom has remarried and the step-father is abusive.  Carly and her mom end up in a hospital, which leads her going to a foster home.  The foster mom is one of the kindest people as problems and anger keep being expressed.  It's a good read.

Forever or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter

I loved this book.  It starts off a bit strange and invites you in to dive deeper.  These two siblings love each other and help each other adapt to their world.  They have trouble trusting adults and other children and live in their bubble.  Their incredible adopted mother who adopted them as older children, has them going to a counselor, a tremendous help.  It's a journey of finding themselves and becoming a family.  It's a very good read.

Little Universes by Heather Demetrios

Two sisters, one who is adopted, lose their parents to a tsunami wave when their parents were on vacation.  How they deal with grief are very different.  One on drugs and the other tries to help her.  This is one intense book.  Lots of out of control problems.  I don't think I would put this in my high school library.  But it is a good YA read.

A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo

I loved this story.  Junior Library Guild sent this one to me.  I needed a tissue when this was done.  It's a beautiful story about loss, and finding family.  There is a teeny tiny bit of magic.  But the real magic is this story.  It's a good read.  Add this one to your high school library.

Just Another Girl by Elizabeth Eulberg

At first I thought this would be a vapid type of book.  I was so wrong.  Once I got over the beginning, I wanted to know Parker's story also.  This is perfect to add to any high school library.  It shows empathy at it's finest.  Parker pretty much must take care of herself, which can be pretty challenging as a teenager.  It's a good read.

How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow

Oh my goodness!  This is an important read.  You are on a journey in this book.  The author has important notes at the end to talk about her experiences.  I'm adding this to my library.

Orphan Train Girl by Christina Baker Kline

There is a lot happening in this book.  A young girl who is set in current time frame.  She's half Native American.  Her father died in a car crash and her mother just loses it and now she's in foster care.  She meets an elderly women and helps her and ends up hearing her story as an orphan train girl.  The story is fine for children's libraries.  I had a problem with the book that it was too pat and predictable.  I've read other books on the orphan train children, both fiction and non-fiction, this wasn't my favorite. 

Summer Seaside Kitchen The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan

I really like reading Jenny Colgan's worlds.  She creates communities that I wish I could move to.  It's a grand escape into her character's worlds.  This is a lovely read.  Enjoy.

Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre

This is a great book to add to any library.  Perfect for middle and elementary school library.  Waverlie must live with an unknown aunt.  The aunt is just using her for her maid service and monthly checks to her own devices.  Waverlie makes friends who help her figure things out.  It's an excellent read.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

This story has lots of twists and turns.  Life is not a cake walk for Mary living in a group home.  There are all sorts of dynamics going on.  What doesn't help is that most of the adults don't seem trustworthy.  There are a few that make a difference, only a few.  Would I put this in the library?  No, there's language and some violence.  I am glad that the public library does carry it.  It's a strange story.  

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

Oh this book is so dear.  A  must for any young person's library.  It's about a foster kid who finally get's adopted with a great mom.  A dog also is adopted and that dog means everything to him.  And then he has a new friend who is being treated for cancer.  A great librarian is in this story also.  Then, Ben's mom dies and he moves in with her sister (aunt) and her boyfriend (jerk).

You will need a tissue for this story.  So worth reading.  It stays with you long after you turn the last page.  Audiobook also good.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway

Fantastic book and great audiobook.  A must in high school libraries.  Enjoy.  Family, foster, adopted and each sibling has their own story as they mesh with their found biological sibling.  It's a good story.