It’s hard to be a 13-year-old girl. But it’s even harder when your father’s a drunk. It adds an extra layer to everything — your family’s reactions to things, the people you’re willing to bring home, the way you see yourself and the world. For Samantha, it’s something that’s been going on for so long that she’s almost used to it. Only, you never get used to it. Especially when it starts to get worse…

I love this book. Fantasy, adventure, fun.  First in a series.  Great series!

Fifteen-year-old Ever Davies is a “300- pound girl who just wants to be invisible,” but her life—and her weight—change dramatically when she has gastric bypass surgery to win back her childhood sweetheart. A fascinating story of the self doubt voices that lurk in our heads and the realization that if you aren’t at peace on the inside, what is on the outside just doesn’t matter. Solid realistic fiction!

13 year old Connor awakes one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from his reoccuring nightmare. This one is an ancient wild creature that only wants him to face his deepest fear. Not only is Connor dealing with this monster, but his mother is dealing with cancer. A heavy load for a 13 year old.

I will admit that my emotions got the better of me during parts of this story. While there is a terrifying monster involved, there is also heartbreak on several different levels. Check out this book which has fabulous illustrations throughout!

A field trip turns into a Zombie Apocalypse – how’s that for an attention grabber! The majority of students go into the cafe for lunch but Boobby and Smitty stay in the bus. A while later a student stumbles out crying that everyone has turned into zombies. Let the adventure begin!

 A horror book not for the faint of heart! Feel free to chat with me about it before reading.

 If you are a mystery fan, you will LOVE this book! 13 year old Oz reports to work at his family’s restaurant to find a dead man in the walk in refrigerator. Oz’s brother is automatically accused, but Oz vows to find out the truth. He has no idea that he will put his life in danger and challenge everything he thought he knew about his family. A page turner for sure.

Perhaps you have had a pimple on our face that has caused  embarrassment and what you think are stares from others.  This book will put all that into perspective as we follow 5^thgrader Auggie who is born with a severe facial deformity. He enters public school for the first time and deals with the stares, whispers, and social torture of others. Told from different points of view throughout the book, the story a look into to what empathy and sympathy are, and the importance of being kind and rising above peer pressure.

Stop by to check out this Realistic Fiction book today. I so enjoyed it and I know you will too!

This book is great for lovers of mystery and sci-fi! It’s kind of a combination of the two. The main character is Benson Fisher. He’s had a pretty bad life, and when he gets an offer to attend Maxfield Academy, he thinks its his chance to start a new future. But from the minute he arrives there, he can tell something is wrong. There are no adults at the school. There are security cameras everywhere-the kids are constantly watched. Benson is pressured to choose a “gang” and chooses the V’s, or variants. The author keeps you hooked until the last page, as your mind races to figure out the mysteries of Maxfield Academy. I recommend this book- a great read!

How would you feel if a careless act on your part leads to the disappearance and possible murder of your brother?

This is what 7th grader Addie Anne Pickett must deal with in 1963 in Mississippi. Set in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, this novel takes a look at the racism and violence endured by the African American community. An uncomfortable read at times due to the disregard white citizens had for the rights of the black citizens, but it is a part of our country’s history. You will root for Addie to stay brave and wish hard for the safety of her brother. Stop by to pick up this Historical Fiction read today!