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Pages and Co. Series by Anna James
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy-adventure
The Pages and Co. series deals with the magic of books and the prospect of literally being able to travel into them- the the first book is The Bookwanderers. The series currently has 5 books out and still has more coming soon!
This series is about Tilly Pages, a girl who lives in her grandparent's bookstore, Pages and Co. Then she meets Anne and Alice, characters from her favorite books and discovers her ability to bookwander.
If you like books with references to other books and books that are centered around books, this series is a great choice for you!
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy-Mystery
Winterhouse is a suspenseful mystery revolving around a lavish hotel with a few secrets. This is a trilogy, so there is so much more than one book.
Winterhouse is about Elizabeth Somers, who is sent of to the Winterhouse Hotel for the holidays. She then discovers mysteries surrounding the hotel and her own connection to it.
For those who like mysteries and books revolving around finding them out, this book may be a great read for you.
Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery, realistic fiction
Jennifer Chan is Not Alone is a novel about friendship, bulling, and navigating middle school.
Mallory is extremely shocked when Jennifer Chan moves across the street. She is unlike anyone Mallory has ever met. Jennifer does not care about the laws of middle school and believes in the extraterrestrial. When Jennifer disappears, Mallory tries to locate her and the aliens. '
This is a great pick for those who like tales of friendship and middle school.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery- adventure
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a mystery-adventure that is fast paced and exiting.
When a particular ad in the newspaper appears advertising special opportunities for gifted children, dozens of children flock to it and are faced with tests. Only 4 pass and are selected to go on a special mission.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is an amazing read for those who like mystery and adventure.
This is also a series with several other books- it has so much to explore.
A Duet For Home by Karina Yan Glaser
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Realistic fiction
A duet for home is a heartwarming novel about finding family and home.
June just moved into Huey House, a homeless shelter. Tyrell has been there for 3 years. After a new law is passed that makes families leave before they are ready, June and Tyrell have to find a way to save their home.
This novel is perfect for those who love inspirational and heartwarming novels.
How I Became a Spy by Deborah Hopkinson
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery, realistic fiction
An action-packed World War 2 mystery that is a great choice for historical fiction and mystery lovers.
After finding a coded notebook related to a missing young woman/Eleanor's tutor , a new friend Eleanor, friend David, and pup Little Roo, Bertie sets out to solve a mystery that could impact if a big secret could be revealed to the Nazis.
Emmy In the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Realistic fiction
A lyrical novel in verse that shows anybody can do anything.
When 12 year old Emmy is in a musician family and feels like she is the only one who cannot make music. She has moved due to her dad's symphony job. At first, Emmy is shy and worried about fitting in. Then, she gets into a coding class and immediately loves it. She also then meets Abigail, and they immediately connect. With bad news and challenges, Emmy must try to hold on to what she loves.
Perfect for those who love coding, poems, or inspirational stories.
The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Realistic fiction
For those of you who have read Dress Coded, also by this author, you will recognize Mary Kate (our narrator), Molly herself, and the setting.
An excellent novel about standing up and promoting change.
Mary Kate has been accepted into a class focused on global warming and climate. She then starts to notice all the un-eco friendly acts done in her community. It is then up to her and her class to stand up for what is right and promote change even with obstacles.
This book focuses on activism and standing up for what is right.
Out of place by Jennifer Blecher
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Realistic fiction
When Cove's best friend, Nina, moves off of Martha's Vineyard, Cove feels very lonely and out of place, especially when the means girls from her class bully her. However, when she discovers a fashion show called Crete You! and decides to try to get onto the show herself, after she visits a used clothing store and meets the staff member helping out while the owner is off island, Jonah, she feels a little closer to her best friend. then, on a class trip to a local senior center, she meets Abigail, a senior who was a former dress maker who agrees to teach her how to sew, which is her ticket onto Create You!
Along the way, she discovers new friends, belonging, and hope.
I enjoyed Cove's perspective at some points, but found myself bored at some parts. However, this was a decent novel for the most part.
What happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Realistic fiction, mystery
When 12-year old Anna Hunt's Social Issues class teacher assigns a project she calls an "un-essay", which is anything but an essay on a topic on their choosing, Anna decides to ask the question what happened to Rachel Riley? Anna has been confused as to why Rachel Riley was one of the most popular girls in the school and suddenly was an outcast and reject. Even after being told she can't do it, she still investigates, hoping to use her investigations as a podcast submission for a podcasting camp led by her idol, Mimi Miller. As Anna investigates, she finds that the mystery is harder to solve and more complicated than it seems. Nobody will tell Anna anything at all. So she dives into the mystery itself and finds complicated results.