The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern Fifth grader and future President Maggie has a lot on her plate: her father has Multiple Sclerosis (a subject which is treated with both honesty and sweetness), her two teenage sisters are utterly boy-obsessed, and she’s developing a bit of a crush herself! This humorous and warm-hearted book follows Maggie and her family as they work to keep everything together during a huge shift in their lives—Dad is getting sicker and Mom’s got a new job with long hours. Maggie is a hilarious and insightful narrator who is determined to help her father and family through some pretty intense and scary struggles. Will the rock-and-roll loving Mayfield family make it through? Cassie (J Fiction)
Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
This book is great for reluctant readers. Albie a ten-year-old is not the best student in his class. He struggles with reading and math. Luckily he has one great friend, Erlin, who doesn’t care how he does in school. His parents get very frustrated with his inability to do well in school. He gets a new nanny, Calista, and she really pays attention to him and seems to understand him. She is a great influence and helps him feel better about school and who he is. Kristin (J Fiction)
Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Loftin
Adapting Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Nightingale into a middle grade contemporary novel, Loftin tells the story of Little John, a 12 year-old well versed in loss, and of Gayle, a neglected foster child who may also be a magical nightingale. Little John is spending the summer working for his father's landscaping company when he comes across Gayle, a birdlike little girl who has made her nest in a tree. Gayle's voice is like nothing John has ever heard before and her singing attracts the attention of the richest man in town, a guy the residents call The Emperor. The Emperor wants to record Gayle's voice and he'll stop at nothing to get it, including paying Little John to bring Gayle to him. Little John is torn between protecting his family and protecting Gayle and initially he makes the wrong choice. Can he fix things before Gayle's magic is gone forever? Alia (J Fiction)
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