Virginia Readers' Choice selection 2013-2014. Recommended for gr. 5-up. The reading level is fairly low, but the story may be disturbing for younger c...moreVirginia Readers' Choice selection 2013-2014. Recommended for gr. 5-up. The reading level is fairly low, but the story may be disturbing for younger children. No graphic violence, but it is based on a true story of a violent situation.
There are two alternating narratives: one is Nya's story in 2008-2009, telling about how her days are spent walking several hours each way to the lake to bring water to her family. The other is Salva's story beginning in 1985 as a boy in the southern Sudan. He must run for his life when his school is destroyed by soldiers and spends the next 11 years walking from place to place and staying in refugee camps, until he is sent to America to live with a family. The two storylines eventually meet.
4.5 stars. I really, really liked this book. I think the Virginia Readers' Choice 2013-2014 books are very strong this year, judging by the 4 that I'v...more4.5 stars. I really, really liked this book. I think the Virginia Readers' Choice 2013-2014 books are very strong this year, judging by the 4 that I've read so far. This one is recommended for gr. 5 and up.
This is a book about kindness and unkindness, courage and perseverance. Based on an incident in the author's life (see the faq's on her website: http://rjpalacio.com/faqs.html), she writes a story about a boy with severe facial deformities and what happens when he starts middle school after being homeschooled (due to health issues) his whole life. That's all I'll say. It may change the way you react to people who are different.(less)
2011-2012 Virginia Readers' Choice middle school selection. Recommended for gr. 6-10. Serious topics include early Alzheimer's in a former pro footbal...more2011-2012 Virginia Readers' Choice middle school selection. Recommended for gr. 6-10. Serious topics include early Alzheimer's in a former pro football star, the young protagonist's difficult relationship with his somewhat estranged father, and some pranks gone wrong, but the story is told with Korman's usual humor and understanding of the teen psyche.(less)
Recommended for gr. 4-8. Kids of all ages will enjoy this offbeat story, told from several viewpoints, of weird Dwight and his Origami Yoda finger pup...moreRecommended for gr. 4-8. Kids of all ages will enjoy this offbeat story, told from several viewpoints, of weird Dwight and his Origami Yoda finger puppet. Is Dwight really channeling Yoda's wisdom? That's what the students of his middle school are trying to find out. This was a big hit at my middle school. Now having read it, I can see why. It's quite funny and very true to the middle school mind.(less)
Virginia Readers' Choice Middle School book for 2010-11. Suitable for gr. 5-10. One character's brother is gay and there is some discussion of how he...moreVirginia Readers' Choice Middle School book for 2010-11. Suitable for gr. 5-10. One character's brother is gay and there is some discussion of how he acts in a "yeah, he's different, but he's ok" vein. This same character is in prison and as the family visits him, the reader learns of the set up that landed him there and hears him caution his younger brothers about getting in trouble.
The D Foster of the title is a girl who enters into the lives of Neeka and our narrator, also girls about to turn 12. D is in the foster care system and yearns for a stable family life. Neeka and friend live sheltered lives with their parents and are not allowed "off the block". They yearn for the freedom that D has. The three share a love for the music of Tupac and follow the details of his life (and death) closely. The girls discuss how to find the "Big Purpose" in their lives, even as things constantly change around them.
Although the story is told by a girl and centers on the lives of girls, it is not a "girly" story and the cover does not scream "girly". Boys who give it a chance will probably enjoy it.(less)
Recommended for gr. 4-8. A different take on the WWII/Holocaust YA novel. The narrator is a deaf girl who falls under the T4 edict which calls for the...moreRecommended for gr. 4-8. A different take on the WWII/Holocaust YA novel. The narrator is a deaf girl who falls under the T4 edict which calls for the elimination of "Disabled" persons. A neighborhood priest takes her to a shelter where she is hidden until the end of the war. The reader learns what euthanasia is, and a bit about the plight of Jews during the war. The story is told in "verse", although I'm not sure it was great verse. It was a very quick read - I finished it in about 15 minutes.(less)
Recommended for gr. 4-8. Piper is an unusual girl. She has been able to float above the ground since she was a baby and eventually teaches herself to...moreRecommended for gr. 4-8. Piper is an unusual girl. She has been able to float above the ground since she was a baby and eventually teaches herself to fly. Her parents forbid her to fly, but Piper can't resist using her talent to catch a fly ball in a baseball game. The townsfolk are horrified and Piper's dreams of having friends are gone. Here the story takes a darker tone. Dr. Letitia Hellion and her minions turn up and take Piper to an special school ominously called I.N.S.A.N.E., where she and her family are assured that her talent will be treated the way it deserves. The reader and Piper soon discover that the school is really designed to "normalize" its students by destroying that which makes them special. Through an unlikely set of circumstances, things are positively resolved for the children in the school, and Piper's parents realize that different is not necessarily bad.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-8. Historical fiction novel told in dialogues relating to a slave auction. The auction really took place, and the author's note...moreRecommended for gr. 5-8. Historical fiction novel told in dialogues relating to a slave auction. The auction really took place, and the author's note gives details on some of the historical characters.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-9. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Some of the situations were a bit unbelieveable, and the ending was a rather...moreRecommended for gr. 5-9. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Some of the situations were a bit unbelieveable, and the ending was a rather predictable, but it still kept me reading!(less)
Recommended for gr. 6-8. A pretty quick read - involves a mystery, history and Shakespeare. It was enough to make me want to read "Much Ado About Noth...moreRecommended for gr. 6-8. A pretty quick read - involves a mystery, history and Shakespeare. It was enough to make me want to read "Much Ado About Nothing" - the protagonist was named for a character in that play. Should appeal to both boys and girls. There is a strong male 8th grade character, in addition to the 6th grade female protagonist. Other issues touched on include moving, not fitting in, teasing/bullying, parent/child/sibling relationships.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-10. Similar in tone to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, the narrator is a mildly autistic boy. His cousin goes...moreRecommended for gr. 5-10. Similar in tone to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, the narrator is a mildly autistic boy. His cousin goes missing during a ride on the London Eye, and he and his sister figure out clues and attempt to solve the disappearance in the midst of distraught family members. A good, fairly quick read.(less)
Great middle school read. Adam Canfield, eighth grade co-editor of the Harris Elementary/Middle School newspaper, the Slash, has his hands full trying...moreGreat middle school read. Adam Canfield, eighth grade co-editor of the Harris Elementary/Middle School newspaper, the Slash, has his hands full trying to put together a newspaper that the students will read, but will also pass the scrutiny of Principal Marris. Adam, his co-editor, Jennifer, and "Front-Page" Phoebe, a third-grade cub reporter, discover that Ms. Marris is hiding some facts about a recent bequest to the school. How they uncover the truth and distribute it to the school and community makes for a fast-paced story. There is a sequel which I am looking forward to reading.(less)
This one goes up near the top of my Virginia Readers' Choice list. I enjoyed the feel of it, and the historical notes rang true. Based on the author's...moreThis one goes up near the top of my Virginia Readers' Choice list. I enjoyed the feel of it, and the historical notes rang true. Based on the author's father's experiences as a child in Denmark during the Nazi occupation, the reader gets a sense of the Danish people and their solidarity in undermining the occupation. Recommended.(less)
This is a heart-wrenching story of a boy trying to illegally cross the border (la linea) from Mexico into the US. He has waited much of his life for h...moreThis is a heart-wrenching story of a boy trying to illegally cross the border (la linea) from Mexico into the US. He has waited much of his life for his parents to send the money to allow him to make the journey. The journey is complicated by many factors, and he learns a lot about himself and depending on others along the way. An epilogue gives the reader a picture of how his life turns out several years later. Boys will enjoy this one.(less)
This story takes place in 1949-1950, narrated by a Catholic schoolgirl named Francine Green. Francine has lived her life as a good Catholic girl, tryi...moreThis story takes place in 1949-1950, narrated by a Catholic schoolgirl named Francine Green. Francine has lived her life as a good Catholic girl, trying to avoid trouble. One day Sophie Bowman moves in next door, having been expelled from public school and starting in Francine's class at the Catholic school. Sophie is all about freedom of speech, which goes against both the strict nuns at the school and the "anti-Red" sentiments of the times. Francine is conflicted between her friend's logic and her family and society's traditions. In the process, she learns things about human nature.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-10. The story begins with the death of 11-year-old Gabe's Uncle Vernon, with whom he has lived for the past two years after a su...moreRecommended for gr. 5-10. The story begins with the death of 11-year-old Gabe's Uncle Vernon, with whom he has lived for the past two years after a succession of foster homes. How Gabe manages his life after this event involves secrets, caring adults and a strength of character and depth of feeling he did not know he had. Uncle Vernon's voice (he is quoted in flashbacks) is pretty crusty as he passes on wisdom learned during the Vietnam War, but no profanity. This was a great book that will appeal to boys (and girls), but be prepared - the ending is very moving.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-9. The story follows a young girl during the polio epidemic in Hickory, NC, during WWII. Her father goes off to fight in the war...moreRecommended for gr. 5-9. The story follows a young girl during the polio epidemic in Hickory, NC, during WWII. Her father goes off to fight in the war, her younger brother is hospitalized with polio and her mother stays at the hospital with him. Ann Fay, at thirteen, becomes father and mother to her two sisters, and takes care of the house and garden while they are under quarantine. I liked this one a lot.(less)
Virginia Readers' Choice 2008-2009. Recommended for gr. 5-8. Should appeal to boys. The bulk of the story is told as a flashback. David is a 14-year-o...moreVirginia Readers' Choice 2008-2009. Recommended for gr. 5-8. Should appeal to boys. The bulk of the story is told as a flashback. David is a 14-year-old who wants to break into the newspaper business so that he does not need to follow his father into landscaping. He decides to research rum-running in his community during the Prohibition era. He interviews Ruben, an older man who is rumored to have been involved in rum-running. Ruben's story takes over the book, interspersed with brief returns to the present as David asks questions. When Ruben was David's age, he and his friend, Jeddy, the son of the local police chief, find a dead body on the beach. When they finally get the authorities to investigate the body is gone leaving no traces, except for the pipe and tobacco pouch Ruben had taken from the body earlier. The boys are drawn into a web of intrigue, making decisions about following the law, closing their eyes to illegal happenings around them, and sometimes getting involved in the rum-running itself. (less)
Recommended for gr. 5-8. An intriguing view of Annie Sullivan's first few weeks with Helen Keller, as told by Sullivan herself. Each chapter is headed...moreRecommended for gr. 5-8. An intriguing view of Annie Sullivan's first few weeks with Helen Keller, as told by Sullivan herself. Each chapter is headed with a quote from one of her letters, and is based on these actual letters. The reader experiences firsthand the frustration she feels trying to communicate with the deaf/blind 6-year-old Helen, and also learns about Annie's difficult early years. An afterword tells what happened to Annie and Helen in their later years, and an "About this Book" section talks about the sources the author used. Also included are a series of pictures of Annie, Helen and places mentioned in the book, as well as a list of additional sources.(less)
Recommended for gr. 6-9. Described as a "little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm...reimagined and reset on the central Asian steppes"....moreRecommended for gr. 6-9. Described as a "little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm...reimagined and reset on the central Asian steppes". A lady-in-waiting and her mistress are bricked up in a tower by the lady's father because she refused to marry the evil man her father has chosen. When they run out of food, they manage to break out of the tower and head for a faraway city. Their experiences in the tower and during their travels help them each to blossom in their own way. There is a happy ending, of course, and one of them ends up with the man of her dreams.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-10. The main character is young, but the story is sophisticated enough for older readers to enjoy. In escaping from a terrible l...moreRecommended for gr. 5-10. The main character is young, but the story is sophisticated enough for older readers to enjoy. In escaping from a terrible life, Ludlow Fitch becomes the assistant to a mysterious man who records people's deepest secrets in his Black Book. But Ludlow has a secret of his own. How it comes to be recorded makes for a satisfying story.(less)
Virginia Readers' Choice book for 09-10. Recommended for gr. 5-9. Mibs (short for Mississippi) is about to turn 13, and is a bit worried about her "sa...moreVirginia Readers' Choice book for 09-10. Recommended for gr. 5-9. Mibs (short for Mississippi) is about to turn 13, and is a bit worried about her "savvy". The members of her family develop a talent of sorts on their 13th birthdays - one brother has an effect on electricity, another on wind, and things her mother does tend to turn out well. Unfortunately her father is injured in an auto accident and Mibs and her brother are left with other family while her mother and oldest brother go to the hospital. Mibs is determined to develop a healing savvy and wants to go to her father also. She stows away in a pink Bible van and acquires unexpected allies in what turns out to be quite an adventure. A charming story that should appeal to both boys and girls.(less)
Recommended for gr. 5-9. This is a contemporary story of Martin Conway, who does not fit in at his private school (he attends because his mother works...moreRecommended for gr. 5-9. This is a contemporary story of Martin Conway, who does not fit in at his private school (he attends because his mother works in the office and gets free tuition). He and some friends are bullied by a gang led by Hank Lowery, the grandson of a WWII hero who gave a lot of money to the school. Martin inherits a 1940's era radio that belonged to his grandmother. While listening to the radio, he is transported to 1940 London where he meets a young boy named Jimmy. As he learns more about (and from) Jimmy, he discovers hidden facts about his family and General Lowery. These facts lead to circumstances that must be resolved in the present with the help of his alcoholic father and brainy older sister who works as a history writer for an encyclopedia. The reader will learn a lot about London during the Blitz. Will appeal to boys.(less)
Virginia Readers Choice middle school book. Recommended for gr. 5-8. This short book is more "fluff" than much of Paulsen's writing, but it is an ente...moreVirginia Readers Choice middle school book. Recommended for gr. 5-8. This short book is more "fluff" than much of Paulsen's writing, but it is an entertaining quick read (I finished it in 30 minutes on the treadmill). The 12-year-old narrator is given his late grandfather's lawnmower. A neighbor hires him to mow his lawn and suddenly he is on his way to a complicated financial situation, complete with a stockbroker, a boxer and a stable of employees. Boys will enjoy this story, however unrealistic.(less)
Recommended for gr. 6-10. My favorite so far of the Virginia Readers' Choice middle school books. Mark is a contemporary middle schooler who is excite...moreRecommended for gr. 6-10. My favorite so far of the Virginia Readers' Choice middle school books. Mark is a contemporary middle schooler who is excited to miss school to accompany his parents to Greenland where his scientist father is studying global warming. Thea lives in an underground world created by her people generations ago to escape persecution. How their separate worlds come together makes for fascinating reading. Students who liked City of Ember should like this one. It will also appeal to both boys and girls.(less)
Recommended for gr. 4-8. The bad luck of the title shows up as the new postmaster arrives in Dit Sims' town. Instead of a son, the new postmaster has...moreRecommended for gr. 4-8. The bad luck of the title shows up as the new postmaster arrives in Dit Sims' town. Instead of a son, the new postmaster has a daughter, thus dashing Dit's hopes for a new friend. The new family is black, and in 1917 Alabama, this makes them suspect in the town and the daughter, Emma, is lonely. Despite the fact that Dit is into outdoor pursuits including baseball and Emma prefers to read books, they become friends. Several instances of racial injustice occur, and in one case, the two friends (with the help of some sympathetic adults) work together to save a man who has been sentenced to death. The n-word is used several times in this book, true to the time in which it is set. This may be objectionable to some readers and parents.(less)
I decided to get started on the 2010-2011 Virginia Readers' Choice (middle school) books early. This one is appropriate for 6-9 grade. Older readers w...moreI decided to get started on the 2010-2011 Virginia Readers' Choice (middle school) books early. This one is appropriate for 6-9 grade. Older readers will probably enjoy it also, but the main character is only 12, and that may turn them off. Jamie is a highly patriotic Army brat who idolizes her father, whom she refers to as "the Colonel". Her beloved older brother enlists in the Army right out of high school and is sent to Vietnam. Jamie can't understand why the Colonel is against this since he is so pro-Army. Her brother sends roll after roll of film to Jamie, which she must learn to develop. Some of the photos she shows to her parents, others she keeps to herself, and in the process, she discovers that she does not know everything about war and the Army. A moving story.(less)
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