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CHAPTER BOOK List Titles
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Red is an old tree and has been a part of the neighborhood for over 200 years. Red is also a wishing tree, meaning every May 1st everyone in the neighborhood brings wishes, ties them on the branches, and then waits and hopes for them to come true. But this year, something is different. The first wish feels like a threat to the new family in town and Red has to decide if it's worth it to break the one cardinal rule of nature: Don't talk to people.
Throughout the events of a few days, Red has to discover if trees need to just accept their unobtrusive lot in life or if meddling will in fact save the day. Not only for the new family in town but for Red itself since Francesca, the owner, is threatening to cut Red down. And actually has tree trimmers on their way.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Red is an old tree and has been a part of the neighborhood for over 200 years. Red is also a wishing tree, meaning every May 1st everyone in the neighborhood brings wishes, ties them on the branches, and then waits and hopes for them to come true. But this year, something is different. The first wish feels like a threat to the new family in town and Red has to decide if it's worth it to break the one cardinal rule of nature: Don't talk to people.
Throughout the events of a few days, Red has to discover if trees need to just accept their unobtrusive lot in life or if meddling will in fact save the day. Not only for the new family in town but for Red itself since Francesca, the owner, is threatening to cut Red down. And actually has tree trimmers on their way.
Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher
Genre: Sports
Summary: Joseph spends most of his time in school wondering what he missed since he wasn't paying attention due to his ADD. He misses directions, has a hard time staying with the group, and never can be sure if he just didn't understand something or if it was because his French teacher only speaks in French. So when his Resource Teacher goes through the announcements and talks about the track team, he somehow finds himself heading to practice. And then sticking with it since they need 10 people to qualify as a team. Even if that does mean running outside. For miles. Up giant hills. And being the slowest person on the team.
Track shows Joseph how to run his own race and helps him come to peace with his challenges in school, both with academics and with bullies.
Genre: Sports
Summary: Joseph spends most of his time in school wondering what he missed since he wasn't paying attention due to his ADD. He misses directions, has a hard time staying with the group, and never can be sure if he just didn't understand something or if it was because his French teacher only speaks in French. So when his Resource Teacher goes through the announcements and talks about the track team, he somehow finds himself heading to practice. And then sticking with it since they need 10 people to qualify as a team. Even if that does mean running outside. For miles. Up giant hills. And being the slowest person on the team.
Track shows Joseph how to run his own race and helps him come to peace with his challenges in school, both with academics and with bullies.
I Love You, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: I heartily enjoyed this quick read featuring a girl writing letters to Michael Collins, the third astronaut to travel with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon on Apollo 11. While she writes him letters detailing the events leading up to the rocket launch, and then the eventual moonwalk, she is also describing what happens to a family when the parents leave a young girl alone for the first time. Her mother leaves home, and two days later, her father goes after her. They both assume that Mamie's older sisters will step in to help her out, but no one does. So, with the help of her best friend and neighbor Buster, Mamie decides that she can pull off a Moonwalk Party all on her own.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: I heartily enjoyed this quick read featuring a girl writing letters to Michael Collins, the third astronaut to travel with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon on Apollo 11. While she writes him letters detailing the events leading up to the rocket launch, and then the eventual moonwalk, she is also describing what happens to a family when the parents leave a young girl alone for the first time. Her mother leaves home, and two days later, her father goes after her. They both assume that Mamie's older sisters will step in to help her out, but no one does. So, with the help of her best friend and neighbor Buster, Mamie decides that she can pull off a Moonwalk Party all on her own.
The Perfect Score by Robert Buyea
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: The story is told from 5 different points of view (Gavin, Scott, Trevor, Randi, and Natalie) as they travel through their 6th grade year. This was supposed to be the year of playing football with the cool male teacher, but instead they get stuck with Ms. Woods. And she is as old-school as they come. Throughout the year, each of the students narrates events and chapters that show how school can be a haven for some kids, and how others are facing pressures that even their family's can't understand. As the year goes on, and the pressures continue to mount about acing the mandated CSAs, the kids know they must do something. Because things will never go back to normal unless they ace them. They'll never get back their read-alouds, their math challenges, their recesses, and they might even lose the chance for eligibility next year. If they don't ace them.
So, the kids come up with a plan to ace the tests. And now they just have to try to live with the consequences.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: The story is told from 5 different points of view (Gavin, Scott, Trevor, Randi, and Natalie) as they travel through their 6th grade year. This was supposed to be the year of playing football with the cool male teacher, but instead they get stuck with Ms. Woods. And she is as old-school as they come. Throughout the year, each of the students narrates events and chapters that show how school can be a haven for some kids, and how others are facing pressures that even their family's can't understand. As the year goes on, and the pressures continue to mount about acing the mandated CSAs, the kids know they must do something. Because things will never go back to normal unless they ace them. They'll never get back their read-alouds, their math challenges, their recesses, and they might even lose the chance for eligibility next year. If they don't ace them.
So, the kids come up with a plan to ace the tests. And now they just have to try to live with the consequences.
The Losers Club by Andrew Clements
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: This is a middle grade book about a kid who is a bookworm that tries to start a club at the after school program where he can just sit and read without being bothered. He calls it The Losers Club in an attempt to keep others from wanting to join. But as the semester goes on, more and more people find their way to the club and enjoy reading and talking about books. So now, Alec has his hands full with the biggest club in the program, a presentation to make for the open house, and a problem on his hands: how can he rebrand himself so that being a bookworm, which he is, is no longer a taunt?
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: This is a middle grade book about a kid who is a bookworm that tries to start a club at the after school program where he can just sit and read without being bothered. He calls it The Losers Club in an attempt to keep others from wanting to join. But as the semester goes on, more and more people find their way to the club and enjoy reading and talking about books. So now, Alec has his hands full with the biggest club in the program, a presentation to make for the open house, and a problem on his hands: how can he rebrand himself so that being a bookworm, which he is, is no longer a taunt?
The Vanderbeekers of 141st St by Karina Yan Glaser
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary:
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary:
The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris
Genre: Magical Realism
Summary: Carter is a runaway. When he lived with his Uncle Sly, he had to spend his time as a lookout while Sly worked his cons on the street. Because of this, they never stayed in one place too long (didn't want to risk getting caught) and they certainly never had a home. After hopping a train, Carter finds himself in Mineral Wells, a small town currently being taken over by a traveling circus. While there, Carter finds Mr. Vernon (a local magician), B. B. Bosso (the man behind the circus, and resident thug), and wonderful group of kids everyone else refers to as misfits. As they kids try to stop Bosso and his Pock-Picket friends, they get sucked into an adventure to try to stop a royal robbery. They'll have to use all of their combined talents, and a little magic, to solve this problem
Genre: Magical Realism
Summary: Carter is a runaway. When he lived with his Uncle Sly, he had to spend his time as a lookout while Sly worked his cons on the street. Because of this, they never stayed in one place too long (didn't want to risk getting caught) and they certainly never had a home. After hopping a train, Carter finds himself in Mineral Wells, a small town currently being taken over by a traveling circus. While there, Carter finds Mr. Vernon (a local magician), B. B. Bosso (the man behind the circus, and resident thug), and wonderful group of kids everyone else refers to as misfits. As they kids try to stop Bosso and his Pock-Picket friends, they get sucked into an adventure to try to stop a royal robbery. They'll have to use all of their combined talents, and a little magic, to solve this problem
The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Jason D.'s mother has been taken away, something she warned him could happen, because she is here against the rules. She came on a student visa, dealt with his father's unexpected death, and never returned to Afghanistan due to the threats made against her and her family. And now, years later, she has been found. As he watches, two men in dark suits take her away in the back of a car. There is no fighting. No running. And he has no one to turn to. As Jason realizes he needs to make his way to his mother's best friend, a woman he has never visited, in the large city of New York, he knows he must be brave. He can't be scared, because he doesn't have time to be. So, he sets off, determined to find his way no matter what he comes across.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Jason D.'s mother has been taken away, something she warned him could happen, because she is here against the rules. She came on a student visa, dealt with his father's unexpected death, and never returned to Afghanistan due to the threats made against her and her family. And now, years later, she has been found. As he watches, two men in dark suits take her away in the back of a car. There is no fighting. No running. And he has no one to turn to. As Jason realizes he needs to make his way to his mother's best friend, a woman he has never visited, in the large city of New York, he knows he must be brave. He can't be scared, because he doesn't have time to be. So, he sets off, determined to find his way no matter what he comes across.
The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary:
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary:
Lemons by Melissa Savage
Genre: Adventure
Summary: Tobin and Lemonade are the only two members of Bigfoot Detectives Inc. Tobin recruited Lemonade when she moves in with her grandfather after her mother sadly passes away from cancer. She is unhappy to be there and is missing her mother dearly. Working with Tobin is a way for her to begin to repair and move on from that sad circumstance. As they take calls to track down Bigfoot sightings, go on expeditions, and collect evidence, they also learn to make friends, make scientific discoveries, and find hope in unlikely places.
Genre: Adventure
Summary: Tobin and Lemonade are the only two members of Bigfoot Detectives Inc. Tobin recruited Lemonade when she moves in with her grandfather after her mother sadly passes away from cancer. She is unhappy to be there and is missing her mother dearly. Working with Tobin is a way for her to begin to repair and move on from that sad circumstance. As they take calls to track down Bigfoot sightings, go on expeditions, and collect evidence, they also learn to make friends, make scientific discoveries, and find hope in unlikely places.
NOVELS List Titles
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Adventure
Summary:
Genre: Adventure
Summary:
Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter
Genre: Mystery/Adventure
Summary: Maddie and Logan were the best of friends, her dad being Secret Service and his dad the President of the United States. Then, one night when they were both 10, the Russians attacked. The families both made it, but Maddie's dad moved the two of them to the Alaskan wilderness. So, for the next 6 years, she has been homeschooled, been without any technology (no phone, no internet, no TV), and is really good at surviving. Which will be handy, since Logan finally made his parents mad enough to ship him off to the middle of nowhere. Of course, once he gets there, the Russians are still after them and now Maddie and Logan have to try to survive in the middle of the wilderness with a murderer on their tails
Genre: Mystery/Adventure
Summary: Maddie and Logan were the best of friends, her dad being Secret Service and his dad the President of the United States. Then, one night when they were both 10, the Russians attacked. The families both made it, but Maddie's dad moved the two of them to the Alaskan wilderness. So, for the next 6 years, she has been homeschooled, been without any technology (no phone, no internet, no TV), and is really good at surviving. Which will be handy, since Logan finally made his parents mad enough to ship him off to the middle of nowhere. Of course, once he gets there, the Russians are still after them and now Maddie and Logan have to try to survive in the middle of the wilderness with a murderer on their tails
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Mason Buttle is a kid who might seem hard to like: he doesn't always know what to say, he lives in a crumbledown house, and he regularly sweats through his shirt by lunch. But he does have friends. Ms. Blinney in the SWOOF (Social Work Office) and Calvin, the new kid in school. And he used to have a best friend, Benny. But Benny died. And now the police officer keeps asking Mason to tell him what happened. Mason has gone over and over it with him, but the police officer thinks there must be more to the story. Asks Mason to write it down for him. Not that that will help Mason keep it all straight. So, with the death of his old friend hanging over his head, and an accident that happens to his new friend, Mason thinks there might be some sort of bad luck following him around. And he might just deserve it.
This is a fantastic story about what it means to be a good friend and a good person. Mason is a character you will want to root for even when he doesn't know how to root for himself. His family is a collection of misfits who still love each other, in spite of and because of their downfalls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Mason Buttle is a kid who might seem hard to like: he doesn't always know what to say, he lives in a crumbledown house, and he regularly sweats through his shirt by lunch. But he does have friends. Ms. Blinney in the SWOOF (Social Work Office) and Calvin, the new kid in school. And he used to have a best friend, Benny. But Benny died. And now the police officer keeps asking Mason to tell him what happened. Mason has gone over and over it with him, but the police officer thinks there must be more to the story. Asks Mason to write it down for him. Not that that will help Mason keep it all straight. So, with the death of his old friend hanging over his head, and an accident that happens to his new friend, Mason thinks there might be some sort of bad luck following him around. And he might just deserve it.
This is a fantastic story about what it means to be a good friend and a good person. Mason is a character you will want to root for even when he doesn't know how to root for himself. His family is a collection of misfits who still love each other, in spite of and because of their downfalls.
The Refugee by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Josef. Isabel. Mahmoud.
Jew. Cuban. Syrian.
Refugee.
Alan Grantz takes the stories of three children displaced at three different times in our world's history, and weaves together a tale of heartbreak, struggle, hope, and what it means when you are forced to leave your home behind. As I read, I found myself putting the book down because it hurt too much to read these realistic tales and then reaching for the book again minutes later because I had to find out what was happening to these children. This is a must-read.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Josef. Isabel. Mahmoud.
Jew. Cuban. Syrian.
Refugee.
Alan Grantz takes the stories of three children displaced at three different times in our world's history, and weaves together a tale of heartbreak, struggle, hope, and what it means when you are forced to leave your home behind. As I read, I found myself putting the book down because it hurt too much to read these realistic tales and then reaching for the book again minutes later because I had to find out what was happening to these children. This is a must-read.
Hooper by Geoff Herbach
Genre: Sports
Summary: Adam Reed wasn't always Reed. Before he was Adam Sobieski, a Polish kid abandoned by his father in Warsaw. Now, he has been adopted by Renata and has figured out that he is actually pretty good at basketball. Especially since he's only been playing two years. Even with all of his skills on the court, he still isn't completely accepted at school. But all of that is about to change when Carli, the local college's coaches' daughter takes note of him and decides to help him improve his game. This leads to a spot on an elite traveling team with a group of guys who have been playing together forever. The D1 Fury is all about responsibility and the players have to sign an extensive conduct agreement. When one of the key players is kicked out due to a misunderstanding with the police, social media blows up. And Adam has to figure out what he is willing to risk in order to stand up for what is right.
Genre: Sports
Summary: Adam Reed wasn't always Reed. Before he was Adam Sobieski, a Polish kid abandoned by his father in Warsaw. Now, he has been adopted by Renata and has figured out that he is actually pretty good at basketball. Especially since he's only been playing two years. Even with all of his skills on the court, he still isn't completely accepted at school. But all of that is about to change when Carli, the local college's coaches' daughter takes note of him and decides to help him improve his game. This leads to a spot on an elite traveling team with a group of guys who have been playing together forever. The D1 Fury is all about responsibility and the players have to sign an extensive conduct agreement. When one of the key players is kicked out due to a misunderstanding with the police, social media blows up. And Adam has to figure out what he is willing to risk in order to stand up for what is right.
Restart by Gordan Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Chase Ambrose has no idea who he is. When he wakes up in the hospital after falling off of his roof, he doesn't know his name, his mother, or even his own face. So he definitely doesn't know what kind of person he used to be. But he begins to get a pretty good sense when the other kids at school take a wide berth around him in the halls, his 4 year old half-sister screams when he says hello to her, and he finds out he was supposed to be doing court-mandated community service. The problem is, he doesn't remember being that way or doing those things. And the person he is now wants to do other things, like join video club and help out at the nursing home. His old friends don't trust the new Chase and his new friends are having a hard time forgetting the old one.
Told in alternating view points, this was an excellent read. Highly recommend.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Chase Ambrose has no idea who he is. When he wakes up in the hospital after falling off of his roof, he doesn't know his name, his mother, or even his own face. So he definitely doesn't know what kind of person he used to be. But he begins to get a pretty good sense when the other kids at school take a wide berth around him in the halls, his 4 year old half-sister screams when he says hello to her, and he finds out he was supposed to be doing court-mandated community service. The problem is, he doesn't remember being that way or doing those things. And the person he is now wants to do other things, like join video club and help out at the nursing home. His old friends don't trust the new Chase and his new friends are having a hard time forgetting the old one.
Told in alternating view points, this was an excellent read. Highly recommend.
Warcross by Marie Lu
Genre: Science Fiction
Summary: Emika Chen is barely scraping by. She works as a bounty hunter, tracking down those who have made money illegally on the new worldwide phenomenon of Warcross, and turning them over to the police. Then, on the night of the Opening Games, she takes a chance and hacks into the ceremony. Hideo Taneka, the creator of the games and the most well-known and richest celebrity on earth, sends for her personally. Now she is caught up working as a double agent on one of the professional Warcross teams searching for an enigma, Zero, who is determined to hack and destroy the game. As the threats mount and the danger increases, Emika has to figure out who she can trust and how far she is willing to go to track down the hacker.
Genre: Science Fiction
Summary: Emika Chen is barely scraping by. She works as a bounty hunter, tracking down those who have made money illegally on the new worldwide phenomenon of Warcross, and turning them over to the police. Then, on the night of the Opening Games, she takes a chance and hacks into the ceremony. Hideo Taneka, the creator of the games and the most well-known and richest celebrity on earth, sends for her personally. Now she is caught up working as a double agent on one of the professional Warcross teams searching for an enigma, Zero, who is determined to hack and destroy the game. As the threats mount and the danger increases, Emika has to figure out who she can trust and how far she is willing to go to track down the hacker.
The Traitor's Game by Jennifer Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Kestra is summoned to return to her father's castle after being banished for close to three years. This banishment took place after she was kidnapped and returned by one of the warring factions in their home country. On her trip home, she is accosted by the other group of rebels and forced to do their dirty work when she returns home. With conflicting motives and uncertain loyalties, everyone seems to be out for themselves. Until she realizes she might still have feelings for Simon, a boy she knew when she was young AND that is now one of her captors. Everyone has a secret past and no one is willing to give up their leverage. Because, as everyone knows, nobody wins the traitor's game.
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Kestra is summoned to return to her father's castle after being banished for close to three years. This banishment took place after she was kidnapped and returned by one of the warring factions in their home country. On her trip home, she is accosted by the other group of rebels and forced to do their dirty work when she returns home. With conflicting motives and uncertain loyalties, everyone seems to be out for themselves. Until she realizes she might still have feelings for Simon, a boy she knew when she was young AND that is now one of her captors. Everyone has a secret past and no one is willing to give up their leverage. Because, as everyone knows, nobody wins the traitor's game.
The Ethan I was Before by Ali Standish
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Ethan is not the same person he was before Kacey. Not even close. He keeps trying to run away, but his family always stops him. He thinks that if he could just get back to her, just one more time, things might be different.
But they won't. Because he's pretty sure he killed her.
His family moves away from Boston, and relocates in Georgia to move in with his estranged grandfather. Once there, Ethan meets Coralee and begins to wonder if he can in fact move on. If he does have a new friend, what does that say about him? About Kacey? Can someone let go and still remember those they loved before?
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Ethan is not the same person he was before Kacey. Not even close. He keeps trying to run away, but his family always stops him. He thinks that if he could just get back to her, just one more time, things might be different.
But they won't. Because he's pretty sure he killed her.
His family moves away from Boston, and relocates in Georgia to move in with his estranged grandfather. Once there, Ethan meets Coralee and begins to wonder if he can in fact move on. If he does have a new friend, what does that say about him? About Kacey? Can someone let go and still remember those they loved before?
Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Wren gets kidnapped at 3:37 in the morning. Her parents watch her go, watch her get shoved into the back of an SUV with only a duffel bag and the knowledge she is now in the legal custody of this guy. They are shipping her off to a survivalist camp in the desert with the hopes that there she will be able to become a better person. But she doesn't need it. She doesn't need them. What she needs is for everyone to leave her alone and take her home.
But then, the first week goes by. And Wren realizes that she will have to learn to start a fire. To gather water. To set up camp. No one will do it for her. And no one is fazed when she throws a fit, rages, or breaks down. Because they've all been there.
So now Wren is stuck in the desert for 8 weeks. And out there, in all that open space, it's hard to hide from yourself.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Wren gets kidnapped at 3:37 in the morning. Her parents watch her go, watch her get shoved into the back of an SUV with only a duffel bag and the knowledge she is now in the legal custody of this guy. They are shipping her off to a survivalist camp in the desert with the hopes that there she will be able to become a better person. But she doesn't need it. She doesn't need them. What she needs is for everyone to leave her alone and take her home.
But then, the first week goes by. And Wren realizes that she will have to learn to start a fire. To gather water. To set up camp. No one will do it for her. And no one is fazed when she throws a fit, rages, or breaks down. Because they've all been there.
So now Wren is stuck in the desert for 8 weeks. And out there, in all that open space, it's hard to hide from yourself.
