The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies is about Evan and Jessie, siblings who are just a year apart in age and who used to be one grade apart in school... until this coming school year when Jessie will be skipping 3rd grade and joining Evan's class!  These two typically get along really well, but Evan is struggling with how this fall will turn out, knowing Jessie is so smart and believing himself to be just average.  As a result, he starts pulling away from Jessie and even picking fights with her!  Jessie is worried about this fall, too, but until Evan started acting strangely, thought he would be there to help her make friends and work her way through some of her social issues.  Now, it is the last few days of summer and the two are in an all out war - a lemonade war!  Usually, Evan and Jessie hold lemonade stands together, Evan being the charismatic salesman and Jessie taking care of the planning and money.  Now, however, they've made a deal - whoever can make $100 (or, whoever makes the most money) before the end of summer gets ALL the money from both stands!  To find out how everything turns out for Evan and Jessie, read The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies.

This was a great book!  I found myself wishing I could host my own lemonade stand!  I really liked the way the author let the reader in on each character's insecurities, but hid their feelings from one another.  I could relate to both characters, which made it hard for me to "root" for either side to win... but in a good way.  This is the first book in a series, and I will definitely be reading the rest.  I recommend this book to anyone who has siblings and has ever felt nervous or insecure about school and/or friends.

Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young

Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young is about Dodo (Doreen), a middle schooler who has discovered how to curb her ADD with doodling.  The problem is, the teachers at her new school are not willing to accept doodling as the solution to Dodo's behavior problems.  When Dodo and her family moved from L.A. to San Francisco, she was not convinced things would work out.  They were temporarily staying an her father's old friend's apartment and taking care of Sven, an ornery cat who seemed as unhappy with the living arrangement as Dodo.  Momo (Maureen), Dodo's sister had a pretty good outlook on the situation until she was denied a position in the school choir.  Determined to show the school what a talented singer she was, Momo took matters into her own hands and hijacked the morning announcements to sing "Oh, Beautiful" and even stowed away on the choir bus without telling anyone!  Despite all of the trouble with her teachers, Dodo made some really good friends who support her doodling and her efforts to help Momo earn a position on the choir.  In the end, a plan is hatched and everyone works together to change the minds of the teachers at school about Momo's singing and Dodo's doodling.

This was a very cute book!  The story is entirely told through Dodo's doodles.  The author cleverly used specific symbols for each character for parts with dialogue.  I think middle school girls will find this book particularly relatable, although anyone who has ever been misunderstood will enjoy the doodles and the compelling story!

 

Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif

Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif is about Amira, a 16 year old Muslim who is trying to resist temptation and fast during her family's month-long Ramadan celebration.  Unfortunately for Amira, food is not the only thing she's being tempted with!  This book as friend drama, mean girl drama, boyfriend drama... even family drama! Any teen girl will identify with Amira as she struggles to make her way through high school, accomplish goals, deal with friends and boys, and please her family.

 

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang is about Lucy, a Chinese American girl who thinks she's about to have the best year of her life!  She's an excellent basketball player, is on her way to 6th grade (oldest in the school!), and her older sister is moving out to attend college and leaving her bedroom to Lucy.  Everything changes, though, when Lucy's long-lost aunt arrives in town.  Not only does Lucy have to share her brand new bedroom with this complete stranger, she is forced to go to Chinese school... instead of BASKETBALL!  To top it all off, Aunt Yi Po will be staying with their family for several months!!  Having to deal with these changes would be bad enough, but Lucy also has to battle the school "mean girls" who are out to get her and ruin her chances of coaching the co-curricular basketball tournament, as well as trying to keep know-it-all, but desperately friendly Talent Chang at away from her.  And, of course, there's this boy....

I loved this book!  I really enjoyed seeing how Lucy changed over the course of her 6th grade year.  Despite having to go through some major set-backs, Lucy comes out on top, having learned some valuable lessons about her own culture and values, her family and her friends.

Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan

Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan is based on the true story of the author's experience taming a wild dog.  In the novel, Charley is recovering from a terrible car accident which shattered her leg.  She is also recovering from the loss of her mother.  She died in a plane crash on her way to take pictures as a professional photographer of nature.  Charley and her father are doing their best to deal with these two tragedies, but things are tough for them both.  That is, until Charley sees Coyote for the first time.  He's wild, and he's been hanging around the lake where they live, playing with the local dogs.  No one has been able to get close to Coyote, but Charley makes it her mission to tame him and make him her pet.  Although it takes much longer than she thought, Charley is slowly finding success with Coyote.  Unexpectedly, she's also finding success in working through her mother's death, rehabilitating her broken leg, and reestablishing a relationship with her father.

I loved this book.  At first I didn't want to read it because I was certain the adorable dog on the cover (which happens to look JUST LIKE my own dog) was going to meet some horrible fate.  Thankfully, I needn't have worried!  I especially liked the author's note at the end which told about her own experience with a dog like Coyote, and even showed pictures of them together.  At right is a picture from Stephanie S. Tolan's website of herself and the dog on which this story is based.  I would recommend this book to anyone!

Football Genius by Tim Green

Football Genius by Tim Green is about twelve year old Troy, who wants nothing more than to share his gift of analyzing and predicting football plays with the Atlanta Falcons.  Unfortunately, the only people who seem to appreciate Troy's gift are his best friends, Tate and Nathan.  They would do just about anything for Troy, including help him break into star linebacker, Seth Halloway's yard to steal a football.  Troy's mother recently received a job with the Falcons and Troy is certain this will be his chance to prove himself to the team.  However, Troy's tenacity just keeps getting him into deeper and deeper trouble.  Eventually, he wins over Seth Halloway, but getting the crotchety defensive Coach Krock, who is purposely calling bad plays so he can take over the head coach position, won't give Troy a chance.  Will Troy and Seth manage to take control and lead the Falcons to a winning season?

I have to admit, I usually do not like sports books.  This one, however, was awesome!  This story was about achieving your dreams and the importance of honesty and integrity (with a little football thrown in... okay, a lot of football thrown in!).

A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by Matt Blackstone

A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by Matt Blackstone is about Rene, a fourteen year old boy with OCD.  Rene is convinced bad things happen as a result of him washing his body parts in the wrong order, stepping on cracks, picking up coins that are face down, and even moving when the numerals in the time of day add to 13.  These quirks practically rule Rene's life, until he meets Giovanni.  Gio, as his friends call him, is new and he breaks all the rules Rene has lived by his whole life.  One afternoon, the worst thing happens... Rene's emotionally abusive and controlling father Phil, who left when Rene was six, returns!  Desperate for help with this situation, Rene invites Gio for dinner.  The dinner is a disaster, and in the end Rene and Gio run away to New York for several life-changing days!

This was an awesome story.  I sometimes have a hard time reading about kids who are bullied because of their differences.  This book was inspiring because of the friendship Giovanni and Rene shared and Gio's acceptance of Rene's quirks.  I would recommend it to more mature readers who enjoy funny, yet powerful stories.

Split by Swati Avasthi

Split by Swati Avasthi begins when Jace finally escapes his abusive father and ends up half way across the country, knocking on his brother's apartment door.  Christian had escaped the abuse six years earlier and is shocked to see Jace.  Both are still terrified and angry at their father, but deal with it in different ways.  And, Jace has a secret he's trying to cope with which links him to his father more than he's ready to accept.  This story is about Jace and Christian coming to terms with what happened to them and their own, separate decisions to get out.  It's also about both brothers starting new lives on their own and finding ways to deal with their pasts.

This was a very powerful story.  I really liked the way the author described how difficult it was for their mother to leave and the things the boys did to try to convince her.  I also liked the way Christian became a mentor to Jace, teaching him a new way to deal with his anger and frustration - running.  Even though this story was about something terrible, the ending was positive and happy.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is based on the true story of Salva Dut, a young man from Southern Sudan.  There are two main stories within this novel.  The first is of Salva beginning in 1985 when he is forced to flee from school when war rages nearby.  Salva had to run from his family and his village just so he could be safe.  Salva spent the next 11 years either walking toward refugee camps or living in terrible conditions in the refugee camps in both Kenya and Ethiopia, never knowing what happened to his family or village but fearing the worst.  Eventually, Salva is taken in by an American family and is brought to New York.  It is there where he has a fantastic idea that would lead to great changes in his home country of Sudan and to a very welcome and unexpected surprise!

The second story is of Nya, a young girl living in Southern Sudan in 2008.  The only thing she does every single day is walk to the water supply and bring water back to her family.  She is able to make two trips each day, carrying the full water container across the desert on her head.  Things are not good in Nya's village because their water supply is tainted.  Many people become sick from the water, including her younger sister.  Then one day, strange men show up in the village and begin work digging for water.  Nya is certain they will never find water there, but watches in fascination as their well eventually fills with cool, clean water!  It turns out, a very special person was responsible for this well being brought to Nya's village, and to other villages across Southern Sudan.

This was an incredible story!  It was based on the life of Salva Dut, a friend of the author.  This is a story I would recommend to everyone.  Not only is it the story of bringing water to the remote villages of Sudan, and the journey and struggles of an amazing man, it is a story of perseverance and strength of character.  This story reminds me of the book, Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, another story about a boy from Sudan.

Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

Illegal by Bettina Restrepo is about Nora, a 14 year old growing up on her family orchard in Cedula, Mexico. Three years ago, Nora's father left for Texas, hoping to earn money to keep the orchard going, leaving Nora with her mother and grandmother. Every day since then, Nora has longed for her father's return. Her weekly trip to the bank to receive her fathers' telegrams and money turns sour one day when nothing arrives. After a fight about what to do, Nora and her mother use their savings (meant to pay their taxes) to purchase bus tickets to the border and to pay a coyote, someone who helps people get across the U.S. border illegally. Their 10 hour trip aboard a mango truck was miserable, but they made it alive. Once in Houston, Nora takes charge. She finds them both an apartment and jobs, all the while asking around about her father. As Nora's 15th birthday approaches, she begins to suspect that her special quinceanera may not be as special as she always hoped it would be, especially since in seems less and less likely that they'll ever find her father.

This was a great book! It reminded me a little of La Linea by Ann Jaramillo. Both show how desperate people can be to take care of their families and how important family truly is. They also show the dangers in crossing the border illegally and the lengths people will go to get across.

Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan is about best friends, Finn and Chloe. Both girls are looking ahead to their future: college. Unfortunately, despite their good grades, extracurricular activities, and positive attitudes, the girls are afraid they don't have anything to write their application essays about that will make them stand out amongst the other applicants. So, they hatch a plan to get them noticed. They will fake Chloe's disappearance. While Chloe hides out in Finn's grandmother's vacant house, the rest of their small town begins a manhunt to track down her kidnapper. This leaves Finn to deal with all of the police and news crews who show up to help. Throughout the entire ordeal, Finn nearly cracks. She finds some solace in Dean, the boy who had recently become Chloe's boyfriend and is now the prime suspect in her disappearance. Finn visits Chloe in secret when she gets an opportunity, and is convinced they need to call off the plan. As things get more and more heated in town and their plan begins to change, Finn can't seem to get past the need to come clean, while Chloe remains resolved to see it through. In the end, Finn learns some things about Chloe and her plan that she never would have suspected and she begins to wonder how solid their friendship was in the first place.

This was a really interesting book. Every guess I had about what would happen next was wrong! It kept me reading just so I could find out how everything was resolved. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good suspense novel or mystery - this ISN'T a mystery, but I think mystery lovers will like it!

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb is about Oliver, a dumb, 7th grader who isn't who everyone thinks he is. He's actually a genius who just so happens to be the 3rd richest person in the world. Even his parents don't know about Oliver's vast empire, all of his minions, inventions, and secrets. Oliver has never really cared for his father, who runs the local public television station. His father's big claim to fame was winning his class election for presidency of his middle school. When Oliver's class election rolls around, he gets nominated to run as a joke. At first, he declines, but then he changes his mind. Oliver decides this is the perfect opportunity to show his father that even he, a stupid, fat, idiot could win a class election. Thus, his father would feel worthless, and Oliver would have a renewed sense of power over his father. Things don't play out the way Oliver thought they would, however. He bribes, bullies, and rigs his way through the entire process, all in effort to tear his dad down. What happens in the end is both a wonder and a surprise!

This was a really interesting book. Oliver has everything he could possible want, and if he doesn't have it, he has people who can get it for him. What he doesn't have, is the respect of his father, which turns out to be more important to him than he ever could have imagined. I'd recommend this book to just about any middle schooler!

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass is the story of Amanda's and Leo's 11th birthday. Ever since they were born, Amanda and Leo celebrated their birthdays together with one big, fantastic party. That is, until their 11th birthday. During their 10th birthday party, Amanda overheard Leo saying some very hurtful things about her to some of the popular boys at their school. Ever since, Amanda has refused to even speak to Leo. On the morning of their 11th birthday, Amanda awoke to her alarm like usual, startled to find a giant SpongeBob balloon floating near her bed. From that moment on, Amanda's day got worse and worse - beginning with having to ride the bus to school because her father was sick, and ending with a costume party that everyone left early (or didn't even show up) to go to Leo's party instead. Thankful the day was finally over, Amanda went to bed. Surprised, she woke up to her alarm the next morning, even though it was Saturday. When she saw the SpongeBob balloon, Amanda realized something wasn't quite right. Everyone was acting as if it was Friday again! Amanda was being forced to live her 11th birthday over and over again!! After several days of this, Amanda realized that Leo was the only other person who knew what was happening. Together, they had to figure out what to do so that Saturday would finally come!

This was a really cute story. It was fun to see how both Amanda and Leo grew as people through their experiences living that same day over and over. It was also fun to see the changes they both made each time the day began again. This is a great read for anyone who ever wanted a do-over and for anyone who ever had a misunderstanding with a good friend.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel of the story of what happened when the author broke her front teeth in 6th grade. Poor Raina can't catch a break. One her way home from Girl Scouts one night, a friend challenges her to a race. Raina trips and falls, knocking out both top front teeth. Thus begins the painful (both physically and emotionally) middle school experience for Raina. She endures one dental treatment after another in an attempt to recreate the appearance of healthy, normal front teeth. Throughout her three years of middle school and all of these procedures, Raina is plagued by a mean group of friends. While she feels like she fits in with them, they go out of their way to tease Raina and make fun of her. Once, even de-pantsing her in front of the entire school! Fortunately, when she enters high school, Raina is at the end of her dental procedures and close to a perfect smile and she finds a new group of friends who accept her for who she is - crazy teeth and all!

I absolutely loved this book! The author and I are about the same age, so it was easy for me to slip into Raina's shoes. My favorite part of the book was when they were showing off their retainers and Raina's friend had one with a picture of Joey McIntyre imprinted on hers. That's how I knew we were in middle school at the same time period - Joey was my favorite New Kid on the Block, too! My husband and I took turns reading a chapter a night to our son, and all three of us really enjoyed the story. I would recommend it to anyone who is in (or has ever been in) middle school.

Hothouse by Chris Lynch

Hothouse by Chris Lynch is about Russ, a high school student who has just suffered a terrible loss: his father, and the father of his best friend DJ, have died fighting a fire. The entire small town is celebrating these two men as heroes, which trickles down to the two boys. It's almost as if they are celebrities. That is, until some terrible news comes out of the investigator's report about the fire. Suddenly, Russ and DJ not only have to deal with the loss of their fathers and their own heroes, but also the wrath of the town who only days before had celebrated their existence.

This was a very interesting and sad story. I really liked the way the author showed how much people want to believe in heroes, but also how quick they are to tear them down. The story stayed very true to life, rather than true to traditional "happily ever after", feel-good fiction. This book is for more mature readers due to language and some content.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is the story of Bryce and Juli, neighbors who've had a history since Bryce moved to town in 2nd grade (they're in high school now!). The story is told through both characters' perspectives in alternate chapters. Basically, Juli has had a crush on Bryce for as long as she's known him and Bryce has found Juli annoying for just as long. Through a series of funny, touching, amazing, misunderstood, and sad events, the two find their feelings toward one another become "flipped". Everything comes to a head when popular Bryce is voted to be a basket boy in a fund raising auction where girls get to bid on having a picnic lunch with the boy of their choice!

This is a very sweet book about how misperception and misunderstanding can make or break a relationship. This is the second time I've read Flipped, and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the time before.

Dirt Road Home by Watt Key

Dirt Road Home by Watt Key is the companion novel to Alabama Moon, one of the 2010-2011 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees. Dirt Road Home is about Hal, a fifteen year old boy who, though a series of bad decisions, winds up in Hellenweiler, a home for seriously troubled boys. Hal was sent to Pinson, a different home for boys after stealing some bikes and disrespecting his mother. He and two friends, Moon and Kit, escaped from there and lived off the land in rugged Alabama until Hal split from the others and made his way home to his father. He would have been home free, but Moon needed his help, so he came forward and ended up helping Moon, but being sent to Hellenweiler in the end. Determined to get out right away, Hal decides to straighten up and follow the rules. His father, also determined to be reunited with Hal decides to clean up his act and stop drinking. They have been told by their lawyer that if they can both stay out of trouble, Hal will be out before they know it. Unfortunately, the two ruling gangs at Hellenweiler are just as determined to force Hal to choose sides. They pick fights with him, steal his things, and make life miserable. The worst news of all comes when Hal realizes that even the guards at Hellenweiler are corrupt and have been falsifying his behavior reports! Unable to prove his innocence, Hal is near the breaking point and ready to give in to the constant provoking by the other boys. But, two unlikely friends and a crazy plan give Hal hope that he still may be able to leave Hellenweiler for good.

This was a great story! I was expecting it to be like Alabama Moon, but it was completely different. Most of the story takes place at the boys' home and deals with Hal's struggle to do the right thing. I really liked the way the author wove parts of Alabama Moon into the story. I also liked the way I got to know the other characters in the story through their actions and discussions with Hal.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman is about seventeen year old Mia, a typical high school senior living in Oregon. Mia has a wonderful family including two super-cool parents and an awesome eight year old brother, a perfect best friend, a boyfriend who shares her love of music, and a good chance at getting into Julliard. Everything in Mia's life is pretty great until one fateful morning. Mia and her family woke up to a slight snow storm which caused all of the schools in the area to close. Rather than miss out on a chance to spend quality family time together, everyone decides to hop in the car and head toward Portland where they'll visit with friends, eat dinner with the grandparents, and Mia will round out the evening by watching her boyfriend Adam play in his band. A terrible car accident derails all of those plans, though. Mia's entire family is killed and Mia's body is left in a coma. Her soul, however remains behind to witness all of her remaining loved ones' reactions to the accident. The rest of the story is told through Mia reliving many different moments in her life, all leading up to her big decision... should she stay or let go and join her family?

This was a really great story. I loved the way it was all told through flashbacks to various moments in Mia's life. There were parts where I laughed out loud and also parts where I nearly cried. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance. This book is definitely for more mature readers, though, due to language and content.

Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce

Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce is about Nate, a wise-cracking, mischief-making 6th grader who just can't seem to catch a break. That is, until he opens a fortune cookie and finds out that this one day only, he'll "surpass all others". The entire day at school Nate focuses on that fortune, trying to figure out what special talent he has, or record he can break, or SOMETHING he can do to surpass all others. All that ends up happening, though, is Nate gets in trouble in all of his classes and ends up with detention slips from every teacher - including the principal!

This book was hilarious! It's told through text and comics, similar to the style in The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Fans of that series will definitely like Nate. You'll have to read to find out if Nate does indeed surpass all others!

Walk Softly, Rachel by Kate Banks

Walk Softly, Rachel by Kate Banks is about fourteen year old Rachel. When she was 7, Rachel's older brother Jake died. Ever since, her family has kept his room exactly the same - complete with all of his track medals and trophies and personal items. Rachel is struggling with the loss of her best friend Adrien, who moved to Africa with his family. As a result, she goes into Jake's room to try to connect with him. She finds his journal and begins reading. The rest of the story goes back and forth between what's happening in Rachel's world and what was happening in Jake's world just before his death. Both share their innermost thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Through reading his journal, Rachel learns a lot about her brother, her family, and herself.

This was an interesting story. It really focused on the inner-struggles of teenaged boys and girls. I especially liked the way the author found ways to connect what was happening in Rachel's life with what had happened in Jake's life, shared through the journal.