The Friendship War

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements, 173 pages

When Grace finds 27 boxes of buttons in an old textile mill that her grandfather just bought she has to own them.  She’s not sure why, but she knows that she does.  Then, when school starts and she sees her best friend, Ellie, for the first time that year, she tries to Ellie about her trip and about the buttons, but Ellie, as usual, interrupts to tell Grace all about her summer.  A series of events at school leads to kids bringing buttons, comparing, crafting, and trading.  And Grace has more buttons than anyone, many that are rare, unusual, and highly coveted.  This leads to big problems for Grace and Ellie’s friendship, because Ellie isn’t used to anyone upstaging her and Grace is tired of being second fiddle.  This is an awesome story about how fads get started and about friendship in middle school.  Kids who like realistic fiction will love it.

Top Prospect

Top Prospect by Paul Volponi, 270 pages

“Travis Gardner lives to play quarterback. He's a standout QB by the middle school, and he's prepared to put everything he has into the game. Then Gainesville University's head coach makes Travis a promise: Travis will have a place on the team, and a scholarship to go with it. He just has to get through high school first. As Travis starts ninth grade, he'll have to earn his teammates' trust and dodge opponents aiming to sack the star quarterback. But his biggest challenge might be staying focused in the face of sudden fame. Because now the pressure is on, and Travis has to prove himself with every pass.” This was a good story with well developed characters.  I’m not sure that I really liked the main character, because he was pretty arrogant, but I was still rooting for him.  He was definitely real and Volponi does a good job of making you care.  This is a good read for teens who like sports stories.

Mango Delight

MangoDelight by Fracaswell Hymna, 219 pages

Mango’s life is pretty good.  She has a best friend, a loving family, does well in school, and loves running in her club after school.  Then Mango wins a race and Brook, her best friend, gets jealous.  Brook gets a cell phone and immediately starts hanging out with the group of girls who have phones, led by her former arch rival, Hailey Joanne.  Mango is hurt and confused, especially when she accidentally sees a mean text that Brook sent about Mango’s mom.  Mango’s life is suddenly in shambles, both at school, and at home.  To confuse matters even more, Hailey Joanne starts to be nice to Mango.  Mango isn’t sure how her life got turned upside down and isn’t sure how to fix it.  This book was all right.  They story was decent and would probably be fairly popular right now because of the subject matter, but the book is very dated with a lot of references to text speak that will mean it probably won’t go over well in a few years.  Also, although Mango is confused about a lot of things in this book, there is very little that isn’t clear to the reader, unless it’s because you’re dizzy from being hit over the head with the author’s message.  I can’t say that I would recommend it, unless I had a kid that wanted a story like this by an African American author.  Then, I might consider it.

Waiting For You

Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti, 322 pages

“Fifteen-year-old high school sophomore Marisa, who has an anxiety disorder, decides that this is the year she will get what she wants--a boyfriend and a social life--but things do not turn out exactly the way she expects them to.”  I didn’t feel like this was Colasanti’s best work.  It was the very typical teen romance and was extremely focused on the “woe is me, when will someone love me and if someone does, how can I keep him” aspect.  A lot of this book felt whiny and it was annoying.  The anxiety disorder added some interesting bits and I wish there had been a little more of that and maybe more focus on the friend who keeps trying to date older boys and getting involved with people online.  More about those dangers might have improved the story.  I feel like she’s done better teen romance than this. This would definitely not be my first choice of an introduction to this type of work.  For a teen who loves romance, this would be an ok pick though.

A Separate Peace

ASeparate Peace by John Knowles, 204 pages

"Set at a boys' boarding school in New England during the early years of World War II, A Separate Peace is a harrowing and luminous parable of the dark side of adolescence. Gene is a lonely, introverted intellectual. Phineas is a handsome, taunting, daredevil athlete. What happens between the two friends one summer, like the war itself, banishes the innocence of these boys and their world. A bestseller for more than thirty years, A Separate Peace is John Knowles's crowning achievement and an undisputed American classic."  I read this because it's one of those books that it seems like I ought to have read.  I'm not sorry that I read it, but I'm not sure that I can say I enjoyed it exactly, either.  I tend to like books that are a little happier but I felt like it was worthwhile.  If I had been required to read it for class I might have enjoyed it more since I definitely had to read worse things for school.

Real Friends

Real Friends by Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham, 212 pages

“When her best friend Adrienne starts hanging out with the most popular girl in class, Shannon questions with whether she and Adrienne will stay friends, and if she is part of the clique.”  This is a graphic fictionalized memoir of Shannon’s life.  LeUyen did the graphics.  I thought it was well done.  Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love this story.

Con Academy

Con Academy by Joe Schreiber, 236 pages

Will Shea has conned his way into the exclusive Connaughton Academy to find that a con artist is already in residence, Andrea Defresne.  Will likes Andrea’s moxie but he likes being at the comfortable school more. This school is clearly not big enough for the two of them so they set up a contest.  Whoever pulls off the con first gets to stay.  This story had a lot more going on underneath the surface than I anticipated so I was surprised by the ending.  This was a really well crafted story that I enjoyed a lot.  I would give this to teens who like realistic stories that still require you to suspend some disbelief.  Mystery lovers may also like it.

Stars So Sweet

Stars So Sweet by Tara Dairman, 278 pages

In the third and final book in the All Four Stars series Gladys is beginning seventh grade in a new school.  Although some of her friends will be there, she is nervous about meeting new people and learning a new routine.  Gladys is also prepared to tell her parents about her freelance job as a restaurant critic but is sidetracked when her aunt, Lydia, surprises her with a visit.  Gladys doesn't know what to do when her editor wants to meet face-to-face.  She is also overwhelmed with requests for help with bake sales for several school clubs.  Despite all of her troubles, Gladys finds that she's enjoying school, her aunt's company, the restaurant reviews and even the bake sales.  If she can figure out how to handle some of the problems, Gladys just might have a great year.  I really loved this series.  It's a little sweet but some parts are hilarious and Gladys is easy to root for.  This is a good pick for elementary and middle school kids who like realistic fiction.

Stand Off

Stand Off by Andrew Smith, 401 pages

“It's his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he's haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team's stand-off and new captain. And somehow he's stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman--aka Ryan Dean's girlfriend, for now, anyway. Equally distressing, Ryan Dean's doodles and drawings don't offer the relief they used to. He's convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner--and then he runs into Joey's younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he's avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?” This sequel was great.  I read the first book a while ago and found that it didn’t matter that I didn’t remember many details.  A good read for teens, especially boys, who like realistic fiction.

Okay For Now

OkayFor Now by Gary D. Schmidt, 360 pages

"As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage."  I read this for the first time the year that it came out.  I re-read it recently and I think I liked it more the second time around.  I had only rated it 3 stars on Goodreads and I changed it to 4 after this time.  Definitely a good novel for teens who like realistic "problem" novels.  I read this one in the ebook version because no hard copies were available.

Class Election

ClassElection by Neil Swaab, 232 pages

This is the sequel to The Secrets To Ruling School Without Even Trying.  Max Corrigan is back, as incorrigible as ever, and this time he’s encouraging the new kid to run for class president.  He’s got a foolproof way to get the new kid elected and, as in the first book, it relies on enlisting several people’s help along the way.  Some of Max’s ideas are a little less than ethical, but the new kid seems to recognize this and is willing to take the risks.  This book definitely had a surprise twist near the end.  I liked this book even better than the first and would recommend the series to fans of the Wimpy Kid series.  They are great for middle to later elementary school age kids.

The Secrets To Ruling School Without Even Trying

The SecretsTo Ruling School Without Even Trying by Neil Schwab, 226 pages

“It's the first week of middle school, i.e., the Worst Place in the Entire World. How do you survive in a place where there are tough kids twice your size, sadistic teachers, and restrictions that make jail look like a five-star resort? Easy: with the help of Max Corrigan, middle school "expert" and life coach. Let Max teach you how to win over not just one, but all of the groups in school, from the Preps to the Band Geeks. Along the way, Max offers surefire advice and revealing tips on how to get through universal middle school experiences like gym class, detention, faking sick, dealing with jocks and bullies, and acing exams (without getting caught cheating).”  This is a fun book for kids.  This is the Reading Pays book this fall and I’m pretty sure it will be an easy sell to kids if they like humor in their stories at all.

Stewie BOOM! Starts School

Stewie BOOM! Starts School by Christine Bronstein and illustrated by Karen l. Young    48 Pages

Starting school, be it preschool or kindergarten, is scary for kids. Especially for those who have stay-at-home moms. Stewie BOOM! is one of those kids.

Stewie is loud, sometimes cranky, and often comical. He has just been told by his Mommy and Daddy that tomorrow he will go to school. He’s anxious because he like structure but has no idea of what structure is during the school day.

His first day is a disaster. His teacher had to call Mommy to come get him, which made the teacher, Mommy, AND Stewie mad.  But as Stewie tosses and turns in his bed, he comes up with an ingenuous plan to help him with learning how school operates.

Designed for kids ages 3-6, the book also has an important section for adult: an interview “with two well-regarded child psychologists who give simple tips and practical advice” for parents.

This is a book that both children and parents can reap benefits. 

I give Stewie BOOM! Starts School 5 out of 5 stars.