Grades 3 – 5
Grades 3 – 5
Grades 3 – 5
This book takes place in the 1960s, when Black Americans faced segregation and civil injustice. Nine-year-old Melody is excited to sing her first solo at her church’s Youth Day, and has to choose the songs she sings wisely. She elicits advice from her older brother and sister, and is inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. Then, when tragedy strikes, Melody is stunned into silence. Can she find her voice again and speak out for civil rights?
Thanks to SLJ for a review copy of this book.
Grades 4 – 6
This novel in verse follows twelve-year-old Natsu and her family who live in Manchuria, near the Soviet Union during World War II. Then Natsu’s father joins the Japanese Army, and she and her younger sister Asa are left to fend for themselves. Desperate to save Asa’s life, Natsu sells Asa to a Russian family after the Soviet occupation, with the ultimate goal of getting her back and making her family whole again.
Thanks to SLJ for a review copy of this book.
Grades 3 – 6
Pie in the Sky is the name of the bakery Jingwen’s father had planned to open back home before he unexpectedly passed away. Forced to move to Australia with his mom and annoying little brother Yanghao, Jingwen feels lost and alone, because he can’t speak English very well and he has major culture shock. He tries to cheer himself up by imagining all the fancy cakes his father would have baked. His mother forbids Jingwen or his brother from using the oven without supervision, so when they bake cakes when she’s not home, they make up intricate stories to hide it from her. Fans of Timmy Failure and the Middle School series will love this book, whose format is part prose and part graphic format.
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Grades 4 – 7
A modern retelling of Little Women, More to the Story follows Jameela Mirza and her three sisters, Muslim American girls living in Georgia. Jam has just been picked as feature editor for the school paper at her middle school. She is very excited to start her assignment, but the editor keeps shooting down her story ideas. When Jam’s father is sent overseas for work for 6 months, she becomes more determined to write the best article possible and make him proud.
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Grades 3 – 7
Ruby Byrd, who likes to be called Red, is counting down the days when she can be back under the care of her mother, who is trying to get her life in order. Until then, Red is placed in foster care with Celine and Jackson Groove, an odd couple who run a petting zoo. Just when Red starts to like her new life with the Grooves, her mother comes back into her life like a raging storm. Will the courts allow her mother to gain custody once more?
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Grades 4 – 6
Twelve-year-old Piper’s hero is astronaut Nellie Dumont. The astronaut’s mantra is “shine on,” and Piper tries to follow it, but she thinks she’s not special enough to shine like other kids. On top of everything, Piper has just been enrolled in her new school, Chumley Prep, where she can’t seem to find her niche. This book is perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Holm and Wendy Mass.
Thanks to Netgalley.com for a review copy of this book.
Grades 3 – 5
Max and the Midknights is the first book in a new series by the author of Big Nate, Lincoln Peirce. It is about a girl named Max, who lives with her Uncle Budrick during the Middle Ages. Budrick is a troubadour—a traveling entertainer—who has dubbed himself “Sir Budrick.” In the Middle Ages, “sir” is the title for a knight, but Uncle Budrick isn’t actually a knight; he is just using “Sir Budrick” as a stage name. When Uncle Budrick gets kidnapped by King Ghastley, it is up to Max to come to the rescue! Read Max & the Midknights to find out what happens in Lincoln Peirce’s newest adventure.
Grades 3 – 5
Iris and Lark are twin sisters who look identical on the outside but couldn’t be more different on the inside. For instance, Iris always knew where she left her shoe and when her library books were due. Lark could always tell when her parents fought and which library book she wanted to check out next. In fifth grade, the girls are split in two different classes, and something changes in each of them. The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu is their story.
