Book Recommendations

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

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

What would you do if a jet plane crashed in your backyard? Would you have the courage to rescue injured and dying people even if it meant putting yourself in the middle of pure destruction? See what sixteen-year-old Heidi does when a jet crashes into the woods behind her house. This is an action-packed novel!

Mrs. Spisak

Crispin is a poor boy growing up in medieval England, when he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He is declared a “wolf’s head,” which means anyone can kill him on the spot. He must leave his village and live on the run in order to survive. Why are his enemies so determined to find and kill him? I thought this book was action-packed and suspenseful. I loved it!

Mrs. Spisak

I love this book, and over the years I have recommended it to many middle school boys. It is always well-received! Alfred Brooks is growing up in Harlem. His best friend is becoming a drug addict, and he is being recruited and terrorized by gangs in his neighborhood. Trying to avoid this life, Alfred begins boxing at Donatelli’s Gym where champions have been trained. Check out this book to see if boxing can lead him to a better life.

Mrs. Spisak

One of my favorite books is So Be It by Sarah Weeks. This is the story of Heidi who lives with her mentally challenged mother and a helpful neighbor Bernadette. Her mother can only communicate through 23 simple words such as good, more, and out. Heidi becomes intrigued and then haunted by the one word only her mother says, “soof.” Her journey to discover the meaning of this word leads to the discovery of who her mother really is and eventually leads to Heidi’s discovery of herself and her own potential.

Mrs. Branyon