|
|
| Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring BlakeWhat it's about: Twelve-year-old Ivy is reeling after her family's home is destroyed by a tornado, her treasured private sketchbook goes missing, and she starts crushing on a girl in her class. Then someone begins anonymously returning her drawings -- along with notes encouraging her to come out.
You might also like: Barbara Dee's Star-Crossed, another authentic, relatable story about a girl finding the courage to be herself. |
|
| The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie ConnorStarring: seventh-grader Mason Buttle, who's big, sweaty, dyslexic, and targeted by bullies. But he's NOT lying about what happened on the day his best friend Benny died, no matter what police Lieutenant Baird thinks.
Who it's for: If you like hopeful stories that let you peek into a unique character's life, you'll enjoy spending time with Mason as he tries to make peace with his memories, as well as make friends with tiny, equally unpopular Calvin Chumsky. |
|
| Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story by Jennifer Roy with Ali FadhilWhat it's about: Things change quickly for 11-year-old Ali and his family in 1991, when the Gulf War hits their hometown of Basra, Iraq. Used to a life filled with soccer, video games, and comics, Ali is now faced with bombings, food shortages, and constant fear.
About the author: Though this book is written as vivid historical fiction, it's based on the real wartime experience of author Ali Fadhil, who later worked as an interpreter at Saddam Hussein's trial. |
|
Books You Might Have Missed
|
|
| Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela CarterWhat it's about: With no memory of their birth parents and a long history of foster homes behind them, Flora and her little brother, Julian, find it hard to believe that they've finally been adopted by a caring family.
Why you might like it: It's both heart-wrenching and moving to follow Flora and Julian as they try to adjust and, with help from new mom Emily, confront the pain of their past. |
|
| Braced by Alyson GerberStarring: Rachel, who's starting seventh grade with awesome friends, a maybe-boyfriend, a spot as forward on the school soccer team, and a bulky spinal brace that makes her life complicated both on and off the field.
You might also like: Kwame Alexander's Booked, which also stars a middle school soccer player who's sidelined by an unexpected medical issue. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for readers ages 10-13!
|
|
|
Cherry Hill Public Library 1100 Kings Highway North Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034 856-667-0300www.chplnj.org |
|
|
|