Text For Email Subscribers
For notification on blog updates, please enter your email address in the field above. Then confirm your subscription with an email from Feedburner.
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 5.1
Lexile: 730L
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?
I loved the idea of the character Chase making a 180 and turning his life around. I, also, like the fact that Korman included that falling back into Chase's old life would be the easiest thing to do. I found myself routing for the new Chase. I highly recommend this book to 3rd through 10th graders.
Interest Level: YA
Reading Level: 4.4
Lexile: 600HL
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Twelve year old Fern feels invisible. Mom is busy with Fern's baby brother, Charlie, the house or the family restaurant. Eighteen year old, Sarah is working in the family restaurant during her gap year and being a major grump. Fourteen year old Holden is being bullied at school and three year old Charlie is the center of the universe. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart.
I cried. I laughed. I LOVE this book. Having lost a sibling, I found this story very easy to relate to. I highly recommend this book to middle school students and into adulthood.
Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 5.2
Lexile: 670L
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Malu (Maria Luisa) loves punk music, zines and her Dad's record shop. When her mom gets a new job that will take them away from her Dad for the next two years, Malu thinks her life is over. A new school with a dress code, no friends and no connection to her Mexican culture, Malu feels adrift and alone. Will Malu find a way to fit in? Will she make friends?
I recommend this book. I liked the message of finding one's people and not needing to conform.
Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 5.6
Lexile: 700L
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Aven Green is a spunky, funny middle school girl who happens to have been born without arms. When her father gets a job managing an old rundown western theme park, Aven must move across country away from her friends and the only life she has ever known. Her new life at the Stagecoach Pass holds a mystery that Aven is drawn to solve.
I highly recommend this book. I found it funny, touching and relate-able.
Interest Level: YA
Reading Level: NR
Lexile: NR
Genre: Graphic Novel / Memoir
Shing Yin Khor grew up in Malaysia and had no idea what "America" meant. To find out Shing journeys from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois with her small dog.
Although this was an enjoyable story, I don't think middle school students will find it very interesting. Because of that, I give it 4 and not 5 stars.
Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 4.0
Lexile: 610L
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Timothy's brother is very sick and has a lot of medical expenses. His father has left. His mother works long hours and takes care of Levi, Timothy's brother. Timothy steals to help his family and lands himself on house arrest. His therapist and patrol officer have him keep a journal. That journal is this book.
This book in verse is truthful and funny. I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.
Interest Level: 3-6
