Carry Me Home

 

Since the death of their mother things have been tough for the family - the bills piled up and dad was overwhelmed.  Things got so bad that dad sold almost everything and bought a suburban and they left Texas and left for Montana.  Dad has a new job but they are living in the car.  But then one morning when Lulu and Serena wake up dad is gone.  When he disappeared before (for a month) they were living with the aunt but now Lulu and Serena are alone.  Serena is afraid to tell anyone because she is afraid of being separated from her sister.  How long can she make the money last and keep the secret - as the money runs out, as the weather gets colder, as things fall apart?

This was another eye-opening look at homelessness and the helpless and hopeless feelings.  The book ends well with dad being found and the realization that help was there for the asking.  Books like this are good for students to see how some people are forced to live and for them to be more understanding. 

An Occasionally Happy Family

 

Since Mom's death Theo's family hasn't been the same.  Dad is preoccupied with work and he and his sister don't get along.  When dad announce they are taking a trip to Big Bend to enjoy nature Theo is not happy - he's not really an outdoor guy.  Laura discovers that dad didn't even really plan.  When they get there their family doesn't seem all that different.  Then dad reveals the big surprise - a girlfriend who is a life coach.  The family isn't doing well to begin with and the another person is thrown into the mix!  Can Theo and his family find happiness - even occasionally.

This was pretty standard fare.  It was okay and for a student maybe dealing with the death of a parent and the other parent dating it might be good.  I did chuckle out loud once so points for that.

Real

 

Dang!  Yes, please.  Hand this to readers who loved Out of My Mind.

Charity's body betrays her.  She can't control its movements and she can't speak.  The assumption is that she is not smart at all.  So, she is sent to a special school where she is mistreated.  When her parents finally realize what's happening decide to try regular school again.  Once there she meets some amazing teachers who figure out a way to let her communicate via typing on an iPad.  The moment brought to mind Helen Keller's water breakthrough.  Charity then began to use her new found voice to speak up for others like herself - not without some hiccups and eruptions. 

The story was heartfelt and inspiring - even more so because it is based on a real girl.  We need to be so careful of the assumptions we make.

Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame

 

Being forced to get married at 13 is bad enough, but when Meera's betrothed dies shortly before the wedding and they expect Meera to throw herself upon his funeral pyre as part of their religious practice.  Fortunately a relative helps her flee but she must get far away in order to stay safe.  She is able to start working for a British couple but soon realizes that no one in India is truly free under British colonization.  Can Meera find the courage to fight not only for her own freedom but also the freedom of her country?

Very good historical fiction that shines a light not only on colonization in India but also in a different cultural experience.

The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish

 

 This is probably sacrilege but I think I have only read the first book in the series.  Being on MSBA I typically didn't read sequels for consideration and then time... but CYBILS isn't the same and here we are.  

In this installment the children are trying to come up with a great gift for their father's upcoming birthday and discover that their grandfather, who died right before their dad's college graduation, had been planning a big trip as a gift.  The children decide to find out all about that trip.  Easier said than done... especially when their other grandparents arrive and cause awkwardness and then their father has to leave to help a friend.

Can the siblings figure out the mysterious trip and surprise their dad?

This was a decent book that fans of the series will enjoy.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie

 

The Peach family has been struggling since the death of mom and dad has buried himself in work instead of being a dad.  But, one day he comes home with a grand idea and a food truck.  The whole family is going to take a summer and run a food truck and be together.  It soon becomes clear though that Dad's summer off was really forced and none of them really know how to make their family work.  Can they honor what their mother really wanted and be a strong family?

This was a solid middle grade book with some believable characters and funny moments.  There was definitely a set up for a sequel at the end.

AfterMath

 

After the death of her brother Theo from a heart condition Lucy's parents decide to start over and move to a new town.  The town they pick was the site of a school shooting several years ago which they pick because they think they will fit in better since they have all experienced loss.  But Lucy is way out of her element and doesn't know how to talk about her own loss or deal with the grief around her.  Fortunately a teacher takes an interest in her and invites her to join a mime team.  Also on the team is Avery, the half sister of the shooter, who the rest of the school shuns.  Can they both find their way in a new friendship and in dealing with the tragedy in their lives.

I liked this - not what I was expecting at all.

Fast Pitch

 

Shenice has baseball and softball in her veins.  For generations the men in her family have played baseball and almost made it big and now it's her turn to shine.  As her softball team of all black girls makes records and takes names Shenice finds herself distracted by the real story of her grandfather who almost made it big but was accused of a theft and lost it all.  Can Shenice find the truth and help her team to victory?

A well needed sports book for girl with a powerful message about how we continue to treat people.

Frankie and Bug

 

Bug is used to spending the summers with her brother Danny - playing, going to the beach, etc.  But this summer he wants his space and feels left out.  When she finds out that Frankie is coming to spend the summer with his uncle who is her neighbor she is thrilled that she will have someone to do things with.  But Frankie doesn't want to do anything but track the serial killer that's on the loose.  Eventually though Bug learns Frankie's secrets which opens her eyes to a whole world around her and makes her aware of some injustice - especially when her neighbor is beaten up just for being gay.  

This is a solid middle grade fiction that can be as eye opening for our readers as it was for Bug.

All You Knead is Love

 

Alba is used to being overlooked and undervalued.  When her mom sends her off to Spain to live with her grandmother she is upset but not really surprised.  Her mother always does what her father wants - and even then he still hits her.

Alba doesn't expect to like Spain at all but she soon meets Toni, an old friend of her mothers, and starts to help him in his bakery.  Alba feels like she has finally found something she loves.  But then her mother shows up - she finally left Alba's dad but now Alba isn't sure what the future will look like.  And when Toni decides to close his bakery Alba doesn't know where she fits in at all.

Can Alba navigate her new life in Spain and find a way to keep baking in it?

This was a decent book.  At 360 pages it seemed a bit long to me - I felt like it could have been trimmed a bit - but not bad.

The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe

 

Loah is named after the loah bird - considered endangered and maybe even extinct.  But, when her mom thinks she spots one she stays on her arctic expedition longer and alone to find out.  This leaves Loah home with her elderly caretakers.  But when Theo and Miss Rinker both suffer from some health issues Loah has to try and manage things on her own.  Things go from bad to worse when inspectors and child protective services start coming around and Loah's mom gets injured.  Can Loah use the help of new friends and the things she's learned to get the help she needs?

This was a decent book - not my favorite but it is solid and will find an audience.

Starfish

 

This was one of the best books I have read this year.  Fat shaming has gotten better, I think, but is still an issue.  I have personally lost friends due to their obsession with weight, diets, food, exercise and I have a sister who has experienced this kind of thing her whole life.

Ellie has been bullied and shamed for her weight her whole life - not only from school mates but also by her own family.  Her mom keeps trying to fix her by putting her on diets, restricting things, and even threatening surgery.  Her dad tries to help but the fighting between her parents makes things worse.  When Ellie starts seeing a therapist she begins to realize what the bullying has been doing to her personally and learns to stand up for herself without resorting to bullying as well.

Powerful book!!

The Elephant in the Room

 

There were things I really liked about this book but there were also things that annoyed me - sorry.

What I Liked: The friendship that developed between Sila and Mateo especially as she learned to navigate his quirks.  The aspect of the story with Gio and the fact that his wife had been Sila and Mateo's teacher.  Getting the elephant and creating a space for the elephant and even finding the elephant's mother at the end - all good.

What I Didn't Like: The cover - I don't think the kids ever got that close to the elephant.  The title - I get that it's a saying but it didn't fit the book.  Sila's mom's return - no explanation.  To have both Gio and Sila's parents both come into a large sum of money.  The whole ending seemed rushed.  I am reading this is a category of middle grade fiction which is supposed to be realistic but there are times that we know the elephant's thoughts and even the bear's thoughts - didn't mesh with the realism of the rest of the book.

Overall: I did like it and I can see middle grade readers enjoying it.  My complaints are picky overall.

A Soft Place to Land

 

Joy's life has been totally uprooted.  Her dad has lost his job, they have downsized to an apartment, and she has had to give up her piano lessons.  She is happy that soon after moving she makes some new friends and is even invited to their hideout.  With her parent mounting arguments, her friends and the space are a "soft place to land".  But when her actions lead to the discovery of the hideout and then a dog she is walking runs off she loses her new friends and her lifelines.  Can she find a way to make things right?

Solid middle grade fiction with real kid issues.

Flight of the Puffin

 

This is the story of four kids who are a bit different, a bit unique and who want to express themselves, be understood, and maybe make a difference.

Libby wants to make people happy with her drawings and her upbeat attitude bu not everyone around her understands.

Vincent is tired of being bullied but doesn't want to hide.  He wants to stand up and stand out like his hero Katherine Johnson.

T left home because their mom didn't understand when they tried to explain who they are.

Jack is focused on saving his school but when his words and motives are twisted he is encourage to think again.

What I like: The ultimate message about acceptance, kindness, paying it forward, and being open to change.

What I didn't like: The multiple person narrative is very popular right now but it can be hard to follow.  The intersection of stories was cool but because I was a bit disoriented with who was who it lost some of its punch.

Alone

 

When Maddie decides to have a secret sleepover with her friends things go terribly wrong.  First, her friends can't show up and then overnight the world changes.  Everyone is evacuated from the town and because she told her mom she was at her dad's and vice versa they think she is okay and safe.  Cell phones have been taken from all the evacuees and then shortly afterword power goes out.  Maddie is totally alone until she finds a dog who becomes her only companion.  She is totally alone and has no way of knowing if and when anyone will return.  Can she survive all alone?

This was a good book - the poetic narrative keep the plot moving right along.  I will say that the ending really reminded me of Hatchet in that the "rescue" came very quickly.  But unlike Hatchet there was no afterword to give some explanation.  That might drive some readers (like me) crazy.  For me there was not enough back story.

A Place to Hang the Moon

 

I love that I just saw this compared to The War That Saved My Life.  I have to say I don't think the writing is as good but it still has the same feel good aspect to it and a lot of charm.

When William, Edmond, and Anna lose their grandmother at the beginning of WWII their solicitor has the great idea of using the evacuations from London as a way to maybe find them a permanent living arrangement.  But the children go from bad placement to bad placement.  Their wish is to find someone who thinks they are a "place to hang the moon" which is what Williams, the oldest, remembers their mother saying once about them.  Can they find a forever family?

Clues to the Universe

I've said it before and I'll say it again...you can tell how into a book I am by how quickly I read it and whether I am working hard to get back at it.  Not gonna lie...I almost abandoned this after the first 50 pages because I just wasn't into it.  And abandoning a book?  I don't do that often... for the 8 years I was on MSBA we were required to read the whole thing if we wanted input and I got burned the one time I abandoned a book only to have it shortlisted and I had to read it anyway.  But I digress,

This is a story of Ro and Benji.  Ro lost her dad a year ago and she really wants to do something that would have made him proud - like building a rocket with a radio transmitter for the science fair.  Benji's best friend just moved away and he is kind of aimless.  What he really wants is to to find his dad who left years ago but Benji has discovered is the creator of his favorite comic book series.

When Benji and Ro meet they make a deal - Benji will help Ro with her rocket which will also help him in science and allow him to continue with art and Ro will help Benji find his father.  Can they both succeed in their pursuits and become better friends in the process.

It was a slow build but by the end it was a solid book about friendship, loss, moving on, finding purpose, etc.  I did end up liking it and was glad I didn't abandon it.