The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

Rating: ★★★★★

It is 1939 in Germany when Liesel Meminger finds The Grave Digger's Handbook at her brothers funeral. Thus begins her stealing of books, that will carry on for years more. When Liesel's family hides a Jewish man in their home, Liesel's life life is changed. The two of them form a bond that is stronger than any either of them have ever had. This book will have you crying, laughing, and just shaking your head at how amazing it is.

I love The Book Thief because it is just so GREAT! It is told by death, which gives you a really interesting perspective. It also is different than most books written about this time period, because it gives you the life of the friend and helper of a Jewish person in Nazi Germany. Not only does this book have wonderful writing, it also has wonderful pictures (that only occur about 20 times).

Also by Markus Zusak:
Getting the Girl
I am the Messenger
Underdog

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Rating: ★★★★★

Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate is growing up in 1899 in Texas with six brothers. One day she wonders about grasshoppers in her backyard and finds out the answer with the help of her naturalist grandfather. Calpurnia starts exploring the natural world and becoming a young scientist and grows closer to her grandfather in the process.

I love this book because it is about girl power, science, and beating the odds which I think is a very cool combination. I read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate with my grandfather and we both really liked it.

Also by this author:

The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (sequel to The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate)

Return to the Willows

To learn more about Jacqueline Kelly go to: http://us.macmillan.com/author/jacquelinekelly/

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Esperanza Ortega lives in Mexico on a ranch with her family. She has fancy things and servants because her family is very rich. Esperanza thinks she will live like this forever, but when something horrible happens, Esperanza must go to California with her Mama and stay in a camp for Mexican farmers.

Esperanza is not ready to experience things like hard labor and money struggles. But when something threatens Esperanza and her Mama, Esperanza must find something to do about it.

I love Esperanza Rising because it shows the struggles of a girl who has gone from "riches to rags." I also read this book with my grandfather, and again we both loved it. 

Also by this author: 
Becoming Naomi Leon
Echo
Riding Freedom 
The Dreamer 
Paint the Wind

To learn more about Pam Munoz Ryan go to: http://www.pammunozryan.com/

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Rating: ★★★★★



Eleven year old Melody Brooks has cerebral palsy and a photographic memory. She is VERY smart but can not speak so no one knows. Melody also can not walk and rides in a wheelchair. Stuck in H-5, a class for kids with disabilities that Melody says "....might be nice for babies..." she longs for something more. So when Melody finds out she and her other classmates will get to participate in some classes with the other kids, Melody is excited but finds her new classmates think she is mentally challenged. Melody will not let her cerebral palsy define her and must find a way to show everyone that. But how?

This story will keep you thinking long after you have read the last page and leave you wanting more of Melody, her friends, and her family. I love this book because it is about a person that you would think isn't smart but really is and how she shows everyone that she is intelligent.

Also by this author:
Stella by Starlight

To learn more about Sharon Draper, visit her website: http://sharondraper.com/.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Rating: ★★★★★



August (Auggie) Pullman was born with facial birth defects. He is10 years old but has been home schooled since kindergarten. But now, he is going into fifth grade which is the first grade in middle school. So his parents decide he should go to Beecher Prep. When the school year starts, he is faced with many social challenges on account of what he looks like. With a new friends by his side and a bully on the other, Auggie zooms into a fifth grade year complete with mean notes and action packed school field trips.

Told in different points of view; his, his sister, and his friends, this story will make you empathize with Augie and his hardships and laugh out loud at his victories. I love Wonder because it is about a boy who doesn't look normal on the outside but inside really is just a normal 10 year old and his struggle to show everyone that. I also like this book because it is told in different points of view.

Also by this author:
Auggie and Me (sequel to Wonder)
365 Days of Wonder: Words of Wisdom for Every Day

To learn more about R.J. Palacio go to: http//rjpalacio.com/

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Rating: ★★★★★



Ten year old Ada Smith has a clubfoot. She has never been out of her Mam's flat in London. When plans are made for her little brother Jamie to go to the countryside to be safer, Ada wants to go too but Mam says no. So Ada runs away with her brother Jamie to go to the countryside. There, they are taken in by Miss Susan Smith who gradually learns to love Ada and Jamie like a mother.

 I love this book because it is about finding love in the midst of World War 11. My Mom and I read this book aloud to each other - we both loved it.

Also by this author:
Jefferson's Sons
Leap of Faith
The Lacemaker and the Princess
And in October 2017, The War I Finally One (sequel to The War That Saved My Life)

To learn more about Kimberly Brubaker Bradley go to: http://www.kimberlybrubakerbradley.com/

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: ★★★★★



This classic book my L.M. Montgomery is about an orphan girl Anne Shirley (pronounced A-N-N-E not A-N-N) who is mistakenly sent to Green Gables instead of a boy but then adopted by stern Marilla Cuthbert and kind Mathew Cuthbert. I love this book because it covers all the little adventures and happenings Anne experiences from finding a "bosom friend" to walking the ridge pole.

Montgomery's flowery style will get you immersed into paragraphs full of delicious words and figurative language.

Also by this author:
The rest of the Anne of Green Gables series
The Emily of New Moon series
The Chronicles of Avonlea series
And many many more (look it up by yourself)

To learn more about L.M. Montgomery go to: http://www.biography.com/people/lucy-maud-montgomery-9412697