Book Recommendations

Ant, or Antonia as her parents like to call her, is different from her two perfect sisters. She dresses in camouflage and black, she isn’t into ballet, and her hair is unruly and brown instead of styled and blond. Ant feels as if she can’t do anything right, so she may as well lie about everything. It’s easier and more fun. The only things Ant seems to care about are her best friend Harrison and her tiny dog Pistachio. Before long though her lying becomes too much and starts to jeopardize things for those she cares about.

Margaret and Maizon may not be family but they feel like sisters. they have done everything together since they can remember on their block in Brooklyn. Everything might be changing though. Margaret’s father is int he hospital and for the first time she and Maizon will be split up. Maizon is afraid to go to a school with hardly any black students and Margaret is afraid of feeling all alone. Will they both survive the fall?

Mrs. Branyon

Have you ever wished you were someone else? Mary Elousie is dying to be in the school play, but the part she gets is the last one she wants–narrator of the Black History skit. Even though her grandmother, Big Momma, says it’s important to remember her heritage, Mary Elouise hates being reminded about slavery and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She’d rather be int he skit about presidents with Brandy, the girl in her class with beautiful blond hair. Then one day, two stroytellers come to school with glorious tales of Africa…and a new way for Mary Elouise to see herself and her heritage.

Mrs. Branyon

Cuban-born Michael Arroyo is a phenomenal little league baseball player. One day he hopes to play for the pros, but for this year, he is hoping his Bronx little league team can make it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. At 12 years old, this is his last chance. Michael is so good that players and coaches from other teams begin to question his age. What will happen to Michael if he can’t get a copy of his birth certificate from Cuba? In addition to this difficulty, Michael and his brother Carlos have been keeping a secret. Their father died in March and they are trying to make it on their own until Carlos turns 18 in nine months. I loved this story!

Mrs. Spisak

Shortly after moving to Florida, India Opal Buloni adopts a dog she names Winn-Dixie, after the supermarket where she finds him. Winn-Dixie becomes her first true friend. Soon after, she begins to make many unusual friends who help her deal with the loss of her mother. Very sweet story.

Mrs. Spisak

Georgia Nicholson’s journal is laugh-out-loud funny! Her story takes place over the course of one year and details her interesting views on life, her interest in one particular guy, and her most embarrassing moments. This is the first of multiple books about Georgia’s crazy life. This book made me laugh so loud when I was on a plane that my husband made me put it away! He was too embarrassed!

Mrs. Spisak

After being left in a parking lot by their mother, thirteen-year-old Dicey and her three younger siblings have to figure out how to survive. Dicey knows if she goes to the authorities, she could risk having her family split up. So, she chooses the only other option: walking. For days they try to stay hidden and find food while journeying to find a great-aunt they have never met who may not want them. I love the connection of the family in this story, and their desire to stay together against all odds. This is one of my favorites, and the sequels are awesome, too!

Mrs. Spisak

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has always seen herself as an outsider and as “nobody special.” For the last seven years she has been raised by her grandmother who tries to look at life positively. But when her mother suddenly reappears in her life, Naomi becomes determined to discover who she is. I love seeing the different cultures present in this book. Naomi shows us her life as an American, but we also see her Mexican culture as she travels there to discover more about herself and her family.

Mrs. Spisak

Delia and her friends have been preparing for the World Double Dutch Championships forever, it seems. Jumping Double Dutch is their favorite thing to do. But Delia is keeping a secret that may prevent them from jumping in the championships. I liked the friendships in this book and how the characters eventually choose to deal with their problems. Plus, the double dutching in it is fun!

Mrs. Spisak

As the school bully is terrorizing him, Roy Eberhardt sees a boy running outside of the bus window. His desire to find out more about the running boy leads him on an adventure that involves potty-trained alligators, poisonous snakes with sparkling tales, and a quest to stop a big corporation from building in his town. I love a good story that shows how kids can make a difference in the world!

Mrs. Spisak