Read this coming of age in one day and really enjoyed it! The writing pulled me in from the start and I really empathized with 18 year old Natalie, who finds out at the very beginning of the book that her parents are divorcing. Natalie is recovering from chronic cystic acne and has lots of scars over her body, which makes her super self-conscious and shy around the opposite sex. But her best friend's 19 year old brother starts noticing her, and the two of them together are this delightful combination of awkward, goofy, adorable. 

Highly recommend this one for teens who are looking for a coming of age story.

An informative historical fiction middle grade western set in the late 1800s, highlighting the Oklahoma Land Rush and the chance for a black family to claim land as their own. Covering the period after the Civil War but before the Civil Rights Movement, this epic adventure takes young Will and his father from Texas to Oklahoma, as they set off against the dangers of the unknown terrain of the midwest.

I learned a lot and really appreciated a book set during this time period. Themes of slavery, freedom, honor, family, friendship, and courage are woven in throughout Will's adventure.

Will's relationship with his father and the bond they established through their journey was especially meaningful to me. I also grew quite attached to Caesar, a black soldier from the Union Army who saved Will and his father from bandits and then befriended and accompanied them on their journey.

A must read and a welcome addition to a not often covered period in history for middle grade readers. Recommend for ages 9+. 

I really adored this heartfelt historical fiction middle grade book set during the Great Depression. There's quite a bit going on in America during this period, and at the start we learn that Hurricane (our main character) must leave her beloved home by the sea and her dog, and live with her aunt in the city. The reason why? Orphaned Hurricane is taken care of by her older sister Bronte, and her older sister has just come down with tuberculosis. Bronte is sent to a sanatorium to recover, and Hurricane goes to live with her spunky Aunt Claire, who married into money.

Now widowed, Aunt Claire is not prepared to have 11 year Hurricane move in with them. But I absolutely adored Aunt Claire and her transformation through this novel. Though clearly spunky and determined from the very beginning, Aunt Claire has a lot of rules and is a bit tough on Hurricane. But the woman has a heart of gold! And Hurricane slowly chips away at her brash exterior.

The real joy of the novel is Mr. Keats, who works for Aunt Claire as a live in butler, housekeeper, driver, chef, and who is like a son to Aunt Claire. Mr. Keats is a gem. An absolute favorite, Mr. Keats earns his way into my side character hall of fame.

Another delightful character is Theo, the fish peddler boy, who comes by the grand house to sell fish from his grandfather's boat. He too, is absolutely delightful.

Full of wonderful characters, a lot of heart, and some beautiful themes including found family, this is going to be a favorite for a lot of kids!

Recommended for ages 9+.

Alison McGhee writes heartbreaking books. I adore them to pieces. But they often leave my heart in pieces too.
 
 Weird Sad and Silent made my heart ache. It started off so sad. Daisy is a 10 year old girl who is mostly silent, and counts to cope with anxiety ridden situations. It's a habit she developed to cope with the trauma she experienced in a prior living situation. While things have gotten better at home, Daisy suffers from PTSD and sticks to herself. Unfortunately, this makes her the target of two bullies who tend to pick on the kids at school who are a little different.
 
 Things change when a new boy moves to the school and befriends Daisy. And we see Daisy start to shine and grow. She has always accepted this side of herself, but through this new friendship, and as time and distance help her through her past trauma, she discovers her voice.
 
 She also realizes that maybe the bullies are the way they are because they themselves are scared of being bullied. 
 
 An important and touching story that has McGhee's signature style.

Excellent novel-in-verse historical fiction novel, perfect for middle grade readers and upper elementary classrooms, set during a turmoil period of time, the Civil Rights Movement.

It's 1963 and Cooper is a young girl attending an integrated school (mostly white) in Pittsburgh. She is bullied by a white classmate, and she wonders how she can shine and be radiant in the current climate. 

Excellent historical fiction about a young boy who happens to be a talented baseball player, living in Panama during the aftermath of the US invasion in 1989, who is given an opportunity to train and live in the US.

This book hooked me from the page 1. I was instantly drawn into Danilo's story - mainly that he had quit baseball at the beginning of the book, despite others in his life still wanting him to play. Danilo had so many other things to worry about, such as where his father was, and where his family would live since their building was damaged by the US invasion of Panama. And who could blame him? Baseball indeed did not seem so important compared to the rest of what was happening in his life.

However, and this is a big however, baseball did offer Danilo an opportunity. One that he was planning on turning down, until he realized that it might lead him to his father who had abandoned their family.

I loved seeing Danilo grow and face new challenges throughout this book. His tough as nails coach in the US, his kind but racist host mother in the US, and his careless and neglectful father all played a role in Danilo's time in the US.

Of course, being middle grade, there were valuable lessons about family and home and following your own dreams. 

Incredible book, recommended for ages 9+.