The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Seventeen-year-old Cassie is really amazing at reading people. She can observe you for mere seconds and know so much about you. It’s sort of amazing. One day, as she is working her waitressing job, a customer leaves a card asking her to contact them. “Them” being the FBI! What … More The Naturals
Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton I wasn’t sure about this one because I was sure I was past my vampire era. I read a lot of vampire books around the time Twilight was popular. There were just so many out there! Adam and Victor are vampire children. From past novels, I … More Don’t Want to Be Your Monster
Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia by Marc Favreau Like the title suggests, lots of stories about spies! I think many kids go through a stage where they want to be a spy or at least play a game where they are spies. I remember thinking I was an excellent spy, but everyone … More Spies
Haunted Houses by Robert D. San Souci A collection of creepy tales. I like collections of short stories, but at the same time, they always feel so rushed. These tales are creepy, but they feel like a summary of a longer book. I will say that there are some illustrations throughout the books that help … More Haunted Houses
The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla Maudie has autism. She spends the school year with her mom and Ron, and the summers with her dad. She loves spending time with her dad, and she is more at ease with her dad. This summer is different, though. On her first day … More The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn
Final Season by Tim Green Ben comes from a football family. His dad played for the NFL, and his brothers played in college. Ben is in 6th grade and following in their footsteps as a quarterback. But then he learns that his dad has ALS. They say it might be connected to all the hits … More Final Season
Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist After a fight, Ebony “Eb” and De’Kari “Flow” are in the principal’s office learning of their 10-day suspension. The book is told in alternating voices; the reader follows the two as they are suspended. There were many things they did that reminded me of my own students. At … More Eb & Flow
Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr. Graphic novel memoir 11-year-old Tony loves comics, anime, and video games. But at school, his classmates just see him as a weirdo. He gets bullied a lot. They are messing with him at school and online. This pushes Tony to do something rash. I felt horrible for Tony. I don’t … More Weirdo
Royal Blood by Aimee Carter We start off with Evangeline, Evan, setting her private school on fire. Nice. Evan also happens to be the illegitimate daughter of the King of England. She has never met her father, but he has been paying for her schooling and sends her gifts. But now, because of her troubles … More Royal Blood
Raising the Horseman by Serena Valentino Katrina, Kat, Van Tassel is the last in a long line of Katrina Van Tassels. Every generation has a daughter, and she is named Katrina, and she carries on the history of the Van Tassels. She will marry. Her husband will work the farm. She will take care of … More Raising the Horseman
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