Book Reviews
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President of the Whole Fifth Grade
Start counting your votes . . . and your friends.
When Brianna Justice’s hero, the famous celebrity chef Miss Delicious, speaks at her school and traces her own success back to being president of her fifth-grade class, Brianna determines she must do the same. She just knows that becoming president of her class is the first step toward her own cupcake-baking empire!
But when new student Jasmine Moon announces she is also running for president, Brianna learns that she may have more competition than she expected. Will Brianna be able to stick to her plan of working with her friends to win the election fairly? Or will she jump at the opportunity to steal votes from Jasmine by revealing an embarrassing secret?
This hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to any reader with big dreams, and the determination to achieve them.
From author Sherri Winston for Readers 8-12.
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Hannah Saves the World: Book 1
Hannah’s got a funny feeling that it’s up to her to save the entire world, but before she can do so, she and her skeptical best friend Mia have to figure out what they’re saving the world from!
As the girls’ detective work proceeds, they uncover a chain of clues that might unravel the children’s mystery of the vandalized town playground, but what about the massive space cruiser parked high in the stratosphere, and the aliens inside who are laying plans to invade Earth?
Can a pair of middle-school detectives really save the world?
From author A.M. Luzzader for Readers 8-12.
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Wish
Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite. But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true.
That is until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.
From award-winning author Barbara O’Connor comes a middle-grade novel about a girl who, with the help of a true-blue friend, a big-hearted aunt and uncle, and the dog of her dreams, unexpectedly learns the true meaning of family in the least likely of places.
For Readers 9-12.
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Jackie Wins Them All
This is an unforgettable picture book for Readers 8-12 by author Fabian E. Ferguson. It tells the story of a gifted sixth-grader, Jackie J. Spade, who has a knack for winning everything she’s tried her hand at. Science fairs, spelling bees, swimming, and skating, and just about anything you can imagine!
But Jackie’s about to take on her biggest challenge, the big city track race! Will she win the trophy or will she win something even better?
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Do Pebbles Eat Chili?
Mr. Jay, bestselling author of Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll, brings back the ‘You Rock’ group for Readers 8-11.
Join Ricky, Marvin, Tess and all of their rock friends, as they meet up with a strange purple cow and some tux-wearing ducks; go to a birthday party for a 14-million-year-old boulder; discover the unhappiest place on Earth; form a very unique kind of rock band; engage in a high-speed chase in outer space; and of course, learn the truth about whether or not pebbles actually eat chili.
If you love Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll, or just enjoy fun-to-read, lyrically written stories, Do Pebbles Eat Chili? is the perfect book for you.
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Crenshaw
In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?
For Readers 8-12.
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Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes an illustrated nonfiction collection celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage.
As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn’t have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn’t alone—and her dream wasn’t impossible.
In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women’s stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve.
With an introduction from Misty about the legacy these women have had on dance and on her career itself, this book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early 20th century to today.
For Readers 8+.
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The Boring Days and Awesome Nights of Roy Winklesteen
Most people waste the night sleeping. As for the rest, they know better.
According to nightlifer Roy Winklesteen, daylifers have no idea what they’re missing.
So, when a 2 a.m. glance out his bedroom window reveals a neighbor is hiding a secret of mythic proportions, Roy’s summer break looks a lot more exciting. Seeking a cure for being the most ignored kid in all of fifth grade, Roy knows an awesome adventure will surely get him noticed in middle school.
He watches and waits for the perfect time to move in for a closer look at the mysterious man who lives one street over. Roy’s spy mission doesn’t go as planned. Still, he manages to gain access into his neighbor’s world–where mind-blowing inventions are more common than furniture and fighting crime involves transforming criminals into bumbling fools smothered in questionable goo.
Every night with the neighbor brings Roy one step closer to the most daring adventure of his life. But even if he survives, he can never tell anyone about it.
From author Sally Dill for Readers 8-12.
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Sir Princess Petra’s Talent: Book 2
Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers!
But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra and her funny dragon steed, Snarls, reluctantly, agree to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?
By author Diane Mae Robinson for Readers 7-11.
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IDIOT GENIUS Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy
Nancy Drew meets Steampunk!
Join Willa Snap and her cat, Grayson, on their first big adventure in Grandeur, a city filled with scientists whose ideas are too dangerous to remain Outside.
The mystery begins when a Clockwerk Boy from one of Grandeur’s strange neighborhoods warns Willa she’s in danger—but winds down before he can explain. Grandeur’s as full of secrets as it is inventions: tour the city from the air in a glass-bottomed MiniDirigy, ply its streets from the comfort of a steam-powered rhinoceros cab, or grab a quick bite at the Jolly Rajah Man-o’-War o’ Pancakes—where the french toast is always delicious, and the sea battles are epic. Quick’s the word and sharp’s the action . . . there’s not a moment to lose.
Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman, and the Artemis Fowl series, this action-packed adventure will take you to places you’ve never imagined, but always wanted to visit.
From author Richard Due for Readers 8-12.
