18 books on the list
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A heartwarming fantasy tale about a struggling town and the power of generosity and love. As Stone-in-the-Glen falls on hard times, the people look to the Mayor for help. But only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kind Ogress can see the true direness of the situation. When a child goes missing and all eyes turn to the Ogress, the Orphans must find a way to prove her goodness and uncover the true villain in their midst.
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Simon SmithThis powerful novel by a three-time National Book Award finalist delves into the enduring legacies of slavery on an antebellum plantation in Louisiana. Through intergenerational stories, Williams-Garcia confronts the routine horrors, buried secrets, and tangled bonds that bind those bound to the plantation. Essential reading for anyone grappling with America's long history of racism, this empathetic and brutal tale is a tour-de-force of human experience.
Donalyn Miller
2021-07-01T13:53:13.000ZEmbark on a high-flying journey of magic, adventure, and courage with Native American Lily and English Wendy to a fairy-tale island known as Neverland in this beautifully reimagined story by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith. Follow Lily and Wendy's friendship through a summer of family feuds and mysterious occurrences, all while being watched by a boy who calls himself Peter Pan, and get lost in a world of wild animals, Merfolk, Fairies, and kidnapped children. Partnered with We Need Diverse Books, this story is a must-read for lovers of magic and adventure.
Donalyn Miller
2021-06-15T16:17:51.000ZExperience the rise and fall of one of the biggest bands of the rock 'n' roll era in this captivating novel. Follow the story of Daisy, a young woman with a love for music and a heedless beauty that drives people crazy, and Billy, the brooding leader of The Six. Discover how a chance encounter and a producer's idea turned the two into a supercharged success that became the stuff of legend. Written in the form of an unforgettable oral history, this novel by a talented writer captures a time and place in a distinctive voice.
Donalyn Miller
2021-06-08T13:16:37.000ZRecommended by
Brandi RhodesThis middle-grade graphic novel series is all about growing up, friendship, heroes, and cats (lots of cats!). Katie must earn money for camp, and she takes a job catsitting for her mysterious upstairs neighbor. With 217 cats to wrangle, and suspicious behavior from Madeline, Katie begins to suspect her neighbor may be a super villain. Can Katie save her best friendship, uncover the city's biggest story, and become a hero with the help of her feline friends?
Donalyn Miller
2021-06-04T20:53:58.000ZTake a journey back to the late 1970s when farmers united to demand fair prices for their products. Lindsay Metcalf, a journalist who grew up on a family farm, shares the rarely told story of grassroots perseverance and economic justice rooted in the 1980s farm crisis. Join in on this inspiring tale of struggle and triumph that still resonates today.
This romantic novel follows the story of soap opera actress Jasmine Lin Rodriguez. After a public breakup, she returns to her hometown of New York City to star in a romantic comedy for a streaming service. However, a casting shake-up pairs her with hunky telenovela actor Ashton Suárez, and they must generate on-screen chemistry despite a disastrous first impression. As they rehearse in private, their romance becomes worthy of a soap opera, but the media spotlight threatens to expose Ashton's closely guarded secret and destroy Jasmine's new image.
Donalyn Miller
2020-12-12T20:54:08.000ZSmall town girl Liz Lighty dreams of escaping her hometown by attending the prestigious Pennington College and becoming a doctor. But when her financial aid falls through, Liz must compete for a prom king and queen scholarship. Despite her fear of the spotlight, Liz is willing to do whatever it takes to win and achieve her dreams. Along the way, she develops a relationship with the new girl in school, Mack, who is also in the running for queen. Will Liz's crush on her competition get in the way of her goals or help her reach them?
Donalyn Miller
2020-12-12T20:54:08.000ZRecommended by
Nicola YoonA touching story about a young Tuscarora Indian living on a reservation, navigating poverty and discrimination. When a white boy named George moves to town, they bond over their love of rock 'n' roll, but Lewis must hide the truth of his impoverished home life. Facing bullying and racism, Lewis must find a way to stand up for himself and keep his friendship with George intact.
Donalyn Miller
2020-11-27T01:21:19.000ZFive Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Internment by Samira Ahmed
From Striving to Thriving by Stephanie Harvey
Moxie by Mathieu
The Right Word by Jen Bryant
The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye
Outcasts United by Warren St. John