We had a more manageable list this month so I have included some comments from submitters.
We were reading Realistic Fiction in February. In March, we’re reading Humorous Books–March is a month when I could use some humor…If you read a book, please fill out this short form to help crowd-source next month’s list!
Here’s what we read:
Realistic Fiction
Younger Readers
Alexander, Kwame. Crossover. 2014.
Leah recommends this year’s Newbery Medal winner for middle grade and middle school students, especially those who like basketball. It is a family story told in verse.
Bell, Cece. El Deafo. 2014.
Leah enthusiastically recommends this Newbery Honor graphic novel, based on the author’s childhood, for middle grade students. It navigates friendships, siblings, school stress, and profound hearing loss with humor and poignancy.
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza series. various, most recent in 2014.
Enthusiastically recommended by Sam at LEPMPL. “When I found out these books don’t circulate well, I wanted to cry. I think this writer is BRILLIANT!” She recommends it for anyone who likes to laugh, or thinks their family is a little strange.
Herrera, Robin. Hope Is a Ferris Wheel. 2014.
Nora from New Richmond says this book is one she’d recommend to certain middle grade readers.
Hiaasen, Carl. Chomp. 2012.
Kathy from Bloomer recommends this book to middle grade and middle school kids, especially those who are interested in animals, adventure, and uncovering the truth. “Behind the scenes of a reality TV show, chaos and mishap abound. My 9-year-old loves the sarcasm of the real wildlife wrangler who handles the animals for the actor. I read and listened to it…I’ve found myself laughing out loud.”
Higgins, Melissa. Sgt. Reckless. 2014.
Patti from Durand recommends this picture book based on a true story about a horse used during the Korean War for all ages, especially kids who like war and horse stories.
Martin, Ann. Rain Reign. 2014.
Monica from River Falls enthusiastically recommends this Schneider Family Book Award winner for adults and families, middle grade and middle school readers. The book is narrated by a girl with a disability, but she is not defined by her disability. Written for middle grades, but can be read by a wide age range. She says there are “lots of appeal factors, including animals, great writing, word play, and a main character who will have you cheering for her.”
Mills, Claudia. Kelsey Green, Reading Queen. 2013.
Valerie from Ladysmith enthusiastically recommends this one for primary grades.
Sovern, Megan Jean. The Meaning of Maggie. 2014.
Cassie from Augusta recommends this one for middle grade readers.
Wertheim, L. Jon and Tobias Moskowitz. Rookie Bookie. 2014.
Kathy from Bloomer would especially recommend this title to boys who like sports or math. In it, she says the protagonist “runs a gambling ring and makes a lot of money for it, but he gets in big trouble for it.”
Middle School/High School
Carter, Ally. All Fall Down. 2014.
Cassie from Augusta recommends this book for high schoolers who like mysteries and political intrigue.
Cherry, Alison. For Real. 2014.
Valerie from Spooner recommends this for high school age kids who like reality TV. It’s about two sisters who enter a show.
Cooney, Caroline. Three Black Swans. 2010.
Pat from Deer Park recommends this book for middle and high school students who liked the Face on the Milk Carton series. It “shows how quickly social media can impact a life–the book takes place in three days.” It has a “typically happy ever after ending.”
Czukas, Liz. Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless. 2014.
Valerie from Ladysmith recommends this for high school students. It’s about “a diabetic grocery store clerk and her co-workers are accused of stealing donated money and try to solve the crime.”
Haskins, Nora Raleigh. Anything but Typical. 2009.
Krissa from Roberts enthusiastically recommends this title for middle grade and middle school students. “Our teen book club read and discussed this title during National Autism Month. They all loved it so much we decided it should be a mandatory read for 5th and 6th graders….It was perfect to provide awareness to students.”
Marr, Melissa. Made for You. 2014.
Cassie from Augusta recommends this title to high school students who like mystery and suspense.
Murphy, Julie. Side Effects May Vary. 2014.
Megan from Bloomer would recommend this title to high schoolers, especially those who like John Green or Rainbow Rowell. “While the book was not flawless…the relationship between the two main characters was complex and interesting.”
Nelson, Jandy. I’ll Give You the Sun. 2014.
Colleen from Menomonie enthusiastically recommends this year’s Printz winner for high school students.
Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Places. 2015.
Monica from River Falls recommends this title for certain high school students, particularly those who liked The Fault in Our Stars, or books dealing with depression and suicide. She says it is “a heart-wrenching romance…Warning: there is no happy ending in store and this book isn’t for every reader. It is beautifully written and a fabulous story, but it is very sad and does deal with topics that may be hard for some readers.”
Nolan, Han. Crazy. 2010.
Krissa from Roberts recommends this title for middle and high school student. “The writing is on the lower lexile level, but the content is definitely for 13 and up. It covers friendships, family problems, missing persons, mental illness and loss of a parent…I would highly recommend it!”
Patterson, James and Maxine Paetro. The Private School Murders (Confessions #2). 2013.
Cassie from Augusta recommends this title for certain high school kids who like mysteries and suspense.
Wilson, Rachel. Don’t Touch. 2014.
Leah from IFLS thinks this book would appeal to teens who love Shakespeare, since it is about a girl who is trying to manage her OCD along with playing Ophelia in a high school production of Hamlet. She was a little impatient with the protagonist, but read a Disability in Kidlit review of it that felt the portrayal of OCD was authentic.