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.

O’Keefe Family Dragons in the Waters by Madeleine L’Engle

 

Published in the 70's, the story is a bit dated but still fun to read.  I'm glad the public library carries it. I don't think I would get for my school library.

A Tourist Trap Mystery A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

 

I love this series.  The characters are well developed  It's a murder mystery with a ghostly twist.  Enjoy reading this cold case.  Audio book also good.  

When You Trap A Tiger by Tae Keller

I liked this book.  It brings Korean culture to life in America.  The family has lost their father to an accident.  Now their grandmother is dying.  It is a good read.  

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

 This is based on a true story that came from the author's different book, Hitler's Youth, also a good book.  Based on true events the author turned it into a novel.  The audio book also good.  It's simply told in flashbacks.  It's an important story to read based on so much research of a glimpse of Germany during the Hitler dictatorship. 

Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson and 9 other authors

 I am going to pass on this book.  I wasn't impressed.  

Cackleberry Club Eggs in a Basket by Laura Childs

 

I love murder mysteries and there are some entertaining series to enjoy.  The audio book is also good.  Enjoy.

After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

It's a good story.  Some mature content but still a good story.  I would advise read the book to see if this will fit your library and student reading needs.  

 

Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

Can you imagine a world where secret police from the government kidnap and physically hurt peaceful protesters?  It's a good story.  I'm going to say that you should read the book before you add to your library.  It's good but just double check to see if you should add to your library.

 

Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson

A beautiful picture book about a family going to visit another family member in prison.  Add this one to your library.  It's a good one.  You don't find these topics for young children who may have their own family memberrs in prison.  The images feel a bit more in the past.  It's a great book.

 

My Pet Book by Bob Staake

A cute story that promotes reading to young people.  Enjoy.

Tom’s Tweet by Esbaum & Santat

Very cute story with big bold pictures that work.  Great for any library.  Lots of humor and good natured drama.  Enjoy

Day Dreamers by Emily Winfield Martin

A sweet book with darling illustrations.  Heads up, not a lot of diverse characters.Fine for any library.

A Fine Dessert by Jenkins and Blackall

It's fine for any school library.  It's about a fruit dessert.  Information at the back of the book.  Enjoy

Moon by Alison Oliver

Add this one to your elementary and middle school library.  Enjoy this picture book.

Sun by Alison Oliver

A great picture book about creativity.  Add this to your elementary and middle school library.  

Nerdy Birdy by Reynolds and Davies

It's a cute picture book about friendship and adjusting time.  Perfect for all young grade levels and libraries.  Enjoy.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

It's an entertaining story and great for any middle school library.  It's a good guys read.  Enjoy.

Lambslide by Patchett & Glasser

A sweet little picture book fine for any school library for young people.

All Pets Go To Heaven by Sylvia Browne

I had to put my dog to sleep.  It was really difficult but the right thing to do.  It was hard to say good bye to my little girl.  I chose this book to help.  It helped.

The Dam Keeper Return from the Shadows by Kondo & Tsutsumi

A beautiful graphic novel and the end of a series.  The images are amazing and the story builds drama  of a strange monster.  I love how they work together to save their village.   It's a good read.

Gaither Sisters P. S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia

A great book to take you back to the 1970's.  Add this one to your elementary and middle school library.  It's a great series and I look forward to reading book 3.  Rita Williams-Garcia is now one of my new favorite authors.  Enjoy.  Audio book also good.

A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat

This is one of the best fantasy books, I've read this summer.  Can you imagine a world leader, makes a law that will stop people from marching to protest how unequal their world is.  Not only bans people from marching but send secret police to stop them any way they can.  I'm so glad our world is not like that.  Oh wait......   Add this one to your library.  I may have read a little to much into this story because of events taking place this summer.  It truly is a good book.  Think Les Miserables for kids.

The Tiger At Midnight The Archer At Dawn by Swati Teerdhala

It's a good series.  The story line is solid and clear.  A page turner and a great audio book.  Fine for any high school library.  Enjoy.

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

I'm fan of Meg Cabot but this book didn't work.  The characters seemed a bit vapid and the plot was soft.  Having said that, it's fine and innocent.  It would be okay for high school students.

Worthy by Donna Cooner

The best part is the Linden works at a library and does a great job.  I wasn't really impressed with the story.  It still is fine for teens to read. 

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

A lovely book about the importance of names.  Alma has lots of names and her father explains how she got each of her names.  The images are sweet, simple and sophisticated.  Enjoy.

The Empire of Gold by S. A. Chakraborty

This is the last book in the series.  It is also the thickest book as well, so I went with the audio book.  It's fine.  A lot of different characters on many different journeys.  

The Dam Keeper World Without Darkness by Kondo and Tsutsumi

A beautiful graphic novel that I will add to my high school library.  It's perfect for all sorts of grades.  If you are looking for a good graphic novel.  This is one to add.  I'm looking forward to book 3.  Enjoy.

The Dam Keeper by Kondo & Tsutsumi

Beautiful images and a simply told story will captivate readers.  This graphic novel will be a welcome addition to any grade level library.  

The Year We Fell From Space by A. S King

Depression and problems with family and school takes it toll on Liberty as she tries to protect her family.  The stress becomes to much for her as she tries to cope with hearing the stone talk to her.  It's a good read.  Fine for any middle school library.

Saving Marty by Paul Griffin

A good book for middle school.  Lorenzo doesn't realize all that entails in raising a piglet to the size of  a 300 pound pig.  It's about his relationship with the pig.  But it is also his relationship with his family, and how the death of his father affected everyone.  It's a good read.  Audio book also good.  Enjoy.

Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union

This would be a lovely gift for a baby shower or a new parent.  It's a lovely book to read to a new born.  It's about family and the welcoming of a new baby.  It is sweet and lovely.  Enjoy.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

This is a great fantasy story.  Romance, danger, adventure and demons make this a very entertaining and page turning story.  I'm adding this to my high school library.  Enjoy.  It's a good read and also a good audio book.  

Like a Bird The Art of the American Slave Song by Grady & Wood

I'm getting this book for my high school library.  I would also like to add to my digital collection.  The historic significance of this book helps teach all the importance of these songs and the human story connected to it.  Done in a beautiful fashion, this book is a welcome addition to any library.

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs

This book is a treat.  A great summer or vacation read.  You had me a bookshop and a good solid realistic story line.  You'll enjoy.  It's a good read. 

O’Keefe Family The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L’Engle

This was written over 50 years ago.  When you read this story, you must remember that cell phones, microwave ovens and other technology wasn't as available.  Take that into consideration and you have an international spy adventure.  Adam is a bit of a naive young teen.  He is a bit too trusting but it's a good read if you take it in the time context that it was written in.  Enjoy. 

Freddie Mole Lion Tamer By Alexander McCall Smith

It's a sweet story and perfect for young readers.  Fine for any elementary school library.  Enjoy.

The Last Musketeer Double Cross by Stuart Gibbs

I think this series of stories is great for any middle school library.  Add this to your collection.  A great guy's read.  Lots of action and adventure.  Enjoy.

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

Not what I thought it would be.  Lots of teens having unprotected sex.  Probably not suitable for high school.  The boy in the story is very possessive of Maggie.  Not a fan of this book.  I would skip this one for a high school library.

Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone

It's all right but I would pass on it.  At first I liked the book but then as I read it, I could see problems that if a dangerous adult became part of the social network, there could be problems of endangering kids.  

Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough

It's all right.  There are some clever bits.  However, I wouldn't get the book for my high school library.  I thought part of the problem was how the students tried to solve the problems.  A coach who sexually harasses girls, should be reported and if one adult doesn't listen then go to a different adult.  I am pass on this book for my school library.  I would say if you are considering it, read it to make sure it will fit your library.

Race The Sands by Sarah Beth Durst

This is my new favorite modern fantasy.  It's solid.  If you are a fan for fantasy, give this book a try.  The characters and plot is solid.  Well crafted.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.  It's a great read!

The Mysterious Benedict Society The Riddle of Ages by Trenton Lee Stewart

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

OMG, this is one great crazy Gothic story. Paranormal and creepy.  Definitely adult.  Well crafted.  Reminds me of House of Usher by Poe meets Stephen King.  It's a good read if you like horror.  Not what I expected.  Audio book a good listen.

All Are Welcome by Penfold & Kaufman

This would be a great book to start the school year.  Add this one to your young children's library.  A great read out loud at story time or set a tone.  Enjoy. 

A Thousand Sisters by Elizabeth Wein

I'm adding this to my high school library.  History of women in the air force isn't always covered in a high profile situation.  This is a book that introduces us to these Russian women and what they went through to reach the skies and protect their country from invaders.  It's a good read and a good audio book.  

Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern

An interesting read. Probably not going to get for my high school library.

Under Water by JL Powers

The author did her research.  It's a good read but I don't think I'll get for my high school students.  

Mango, Abuela, and Me by Medina & Dominguez

Great book to talk about how families are connected, culture and language.  Enjoy.