The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner

Interest Level: 3-8
Reading Level: 4.8
Lexile: 720L
Genre: Fantasy

Charlie (Charlotte) feels ignores by her family. Her sister is struggling in her first year away at college. Thanks to a magical fish and a wish Charlie makes her mom gets a new job that takes up more of her time. Charlie can't seem to catch a break. As she continues to wish, things get worse. This middle school student faces some grown up problems.

Slow to start, this book appears to be aimed at 3rd to 6th grade. But as Charlie continues to wish and her problems continue to escalate, the story becomes more interesting. Because of this, I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I do recommend it.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 4.6
Lexile: 730L
Genre: Realistic Fiction

This was the fifth of eight ORCA nominees that I have read. Castle Cranshaw is a middle school student. He struggles with his temper and his situation. He finds himself when he joins a community track team. I recommend this coming of age story for anyone who is a fan of track and field. Although I do recommend this book, I give it only 4 1/2 stars. "Ghost" does not beat out "Wolf Hollow" for my choice for the 2019 ORCA.

My Seventh Grade Life in Tights by Brooks Benjamin

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 4.1
Lexile: 560L
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Dillon wants to be a dancer. His did wants him to play football. Dillon and his friends have a YouTube channel on which they post videos of them dancing. Dillon has never had a formal dance lesson but the girl in his crew that he has a crush on hates dance studios. When Dillon finds out about a dance competition for free dance lessons at a locate studio, he must decide between the girl and his dream to dance.

Another ORCA nominee (& OBOB book), I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I liked it but not as much as "Wolf Hollow".

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Interest Level: 3-6Reading Level (Reading Counts Level): 4.6
Genre: Historical Fiction 


Lexile: 800L

I choose to read this book because it is a nominee for the 2019 Oregon Readers Choice Award. I simply loved it. I carried this book everywhere. I did not play games on my phone when I went to bed. I read instead. I highly recommend this book.

Set in 1943 in rural Pennsylvania, 11 year old Annabelle has a kind heart. Although World War II has everyone on the edge. Annabelle befriends Toby, a World War I vet, who others in her community think is dangerous. But Toby help Annabelle with the bully whose malice grows each day.