Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Excellent story and should be in all libraries.  I know I'm going to order it.  The author based it on a student who's brother was diagnosed with Leukemia.  Family finances drain, parents not telling Steven what's going on.  Steven trying to be the perfect son, Steven almost ignored.  Steven feeling so many things.  Excellent story.  Get this book!

Point Blank Paintball by Ciencin & Aburto

It's a short graphic novel.  It's perfectly fine for any school library.

Kickoff Blitz by Hoena/Ruiz

It's a good, simple graphic novel.  A fine edition to any school library.

The Freedom Riders by Heather Schwartz

This book has many great points about it.  It's a thin book but it's a great start to go deeper in research.  It's high interest and low level with lots of photos and primary resources to document an historical event.  Fits common core needs.

Hit Just Right by Katherine Hengel

No Easy Race by Katherine Hengel

Fighting the Legend by Andrew Bacskai

Juicy Central: Diva by Ayshia Monroe

A school story with realistic teens and teen talk.  You won't find proper English but what you will find is a story that takes place in a city like New York or Chicago.  The characters are compelling.

Tia is star of this story but all the characters have their own book.  Tia is smart and wants to succeed.  She has bright ideas and learns quickly.  She uses people to get her own way.  She may not be as smart as she thinks she is.

The Devil and His Boy by Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz is successful of blending history, mystery and a good story.

These are cultural retellings in Horowitz's Legend series.  They are fun to read. He does a fun job of retelling the stories.  You can tell he's done some research behind the mythologies.  I would include in any library.

Beasts and Monsters by Anthony Horowitz

These are a collection of short stories of various cultural mythologies.  They a quick easy read and actually the author puts a fun spin on the retelling.  I would include in any library.  There is a whole series of these books that the author has written.

This picture book fits with any curriculum that ties in with the Civil War history.  It also ties in with Women's history.  You can read this book to any group of age ranges from 4th grade to adult.  It's amazing what people can do in the face of danger.  Worth the read.

Double by Jenny Valentine

I really liked this book.  The characters read as real and believable.  A good mystery.  Actually two mystery for the price of one.  It's set in England in modern times.  A good read.

Before the Snap by Katherine Hengel

Derrick has problems.  His ex-girlfriend is now pregnant.  He's not the father but everyone thinks he is. Only 48 pages.  Works for reluctant readers.