My name is Emily, and fifth grade is going to be a disaster! Our teacher Ms. Graham says we can't change seats all year, and I didn't get to sit in a group with my best friends. Her teaching style is a little strange, like having a class frog, but I like some parts of it. I got elected to the class council, so I get to decide any new class rules. I used to miss sitting by Aviva, but the change has made me meet new classmates who I really like. Sharon and Cecilia are really cool, although I wish they'd talked me out of my idea for the class project. I should have known it was really dangerous and wouldn't end well. However, I never would have imagined how it might affect Ms. Graham. Some parents are making it into a huge problem for her, and I know I have to do something to help.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. The frog in the title refers to the classroom pet. The most notable feature of the story is that it's told from the journals of various fifth grade students using different genres. It shares a myriad of personalities that span those found in common classrooms. They include a high-achiever, a shy/quiet girl, a class clown, and a mental bully. Readers can experience the assorted points of view and hopefully find a connection with one of them. However, I found it more difficult to identify with one character due to the constant changes. Emily was the main character, but her story alternated with seven other classmates. I found the second half of the book more enjoyable, as the students developed a common purpose. This made their stories flow together better, plus the issue was pretty serious. The book addressed many current social issues like poverty, immigration, access to education, and homelessness. Overall, the book made me think, which is the sign of a good story. I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Rain, and we're moving from Vermont to New York City. Only three of us are moving, not four, but I can't talk about Guthrie. It'll upset my parents more, and they're fighting enough as it is. Plus, there's my secret that no one knows. Our new apartment is tiny, only two bedrooms and one bath, and I've never heard so much Spanish being spoken in one place. Frankie is the super's daughter, and at least she doesn't seem to hate me anymore. We both love to run, and she's talked me into joining her relay team at the City Championship. Until, I found out the race is on June 15. There's no way I can run on the day of The Anniversary. That's Guthrie's day. I don't want to let the team down, but that day will be painful.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. The main issue concerns how the Andrews family deals with the loss of a child. Mom wants to not talk about it and move on, dad's still in mourning, and Rain is somewhere in between. Rain tries to deal with the tragedy herself, but Frankie and running help her develop a support group. The school poetry project introduces another genre into the book, as Rain tries to sort out her feelings. Frankie is also dealing with the loss of someone close to her, although Reggie only moved away. The neighborhood is filled with many Spanish-speaking people, so Rain felt really out of place in the beginning. However, this setting provided many opportunities to share culture from the Dominican Republic. Spanish words were blended well into the dialogue, and cultural foods were available around the streets. The book points out that only 25% of marriages survive the loss of a child, so that's a big problem for Rain. The book touches on homelessness, and the community comes together to help one of its own. Overall, this was a fantastic book dealing with compelling problems, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Viji, and I knew I needed to take you far away from our parents, Rukku. When Appa first hit us, I knew he'd never stop and Amma wouldn't do anything about it. I'd never seen so many people in one place until we got to the city. Teashop Aunty showed us kindness that first day, and she even gave you beads to make necklaces. That was your favorite thing to do. Later, we made a "home" under the bridge where Arul and Muthu made us part of their family. They were so nice to us, especially you, and they made me see that maybe I'd underestimated you. It was my job to protect you. The boys showed us how to live on the streets, but they couldn't protect us from all the dangers.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. The author addressed the poverty in India that was reinforced by its caste system. Viji's relatives had disowned the family, since her mother had eloped and married a man from an even lower caste. Viji said her sister was slow, but there wasn't any more detail until the term learning disability was brought up late in the book. The sisters were lucky to find Arul and Muthu, although the homeless boys didn't want to think about the future. It was hard enough to live one day at a time on the streets. In contrast, Viji dreamed of someday becoming a teacher, and she thought Rukku could open her own bead shop. An interesting subplot was Arul's belief in the Christian religion. He prayed to one god and told the others stories from the Bible. They listened but didn't really understand his thinking. The book shared a lot of information from the Indian culture, but the author blended it smoothly. I never felt like the book was trying to teach me new knowledge. The last part of the book was pretty emotional, but most of the main characters lived happily ever after. The fact that Viji was narrating the story provided some foreshadowing of the end. Overall, this was a wonderful story, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Iris, and I know I have to do something to help Blue 55. He's a hybrid humpback whale, so his song is at a decibel level that other whales don't understand. It forces him to travel the ocean alone since he can't communicate with other whales. I have a similar problem with some non-deaf people. Scientists are trying to tag Blue 55 at a Sanctuary in Alaska, so I emailed a woman there named Andi. That gave me an idea. What if I came up with a song for Blue 55 to show him he's not alone? I talked to our school's music teacher, and he thought it was a great idea. Other students helped out, and now I have a perfect song for Blue 55. But how will I get him to hear it? And I can't explain my feelings, but I just need to be there when he does.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. The most unique aspect of this story was the fact that Iris and her grandmother were deaf. Communication with non-deaf characters sometimes frustrated Iris, and she hated when she was underestimated by strangers. She was a tech-wizard and loved repairing antique radios, a very unique hobby for a middle-grade student. The story promoted the importance of conserving wildlife, with a focus on whales. It shared many facts about whales including their different water spouts, migration, and feeding habits. In addition, the book includes details about sign language and communication between the deaf and hearing communities. Iris was quite resourceful. A subplot dealt with Iris's desire to attend a middle school for the deaf along with her best friend. Her parents didn't feel she was responsible enough, but the issues went deeper than that. Overall, this book was very entertaining and enlightening, and I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Ellie, not Lily. Most people notice my wheelchair first, and that really bugs me. My mom and I are temporarily staying in my grandparents' Oklahoma trailer park, since my grandpa's Alzheimers is getting worse. I mean, he found out where Mema had hidden the car keys and drove right through the front window of the grocery store! Enrolling in the tiny middle school would have been worse if it hadn't been for Coralee. My first, and only, best friend gets me and doesn't judge me because of my Cerebral Palsy. She's going to be a famous actress someday, and I'm going to be the world's best chef. I practice cooking whenever I can, even though most kids don't understand me. The next step in my cooking career is winning the Bethlehem Methodist Bake-Off, if I can only figure out what to make.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. Ellie's disability was a central topic, as she dealt with the complications and tried to be "normal". Her mother made this more difficult, as she tended to be overly protective. The other main topic was her grandfather's deterioration with Dementia. He had good days that evoked Ellie's fond memories, but the more serious ones had the family discussing his future in assisted-living. The highlights of the book were Ellie's interactions with her friends. Coralee immediately became her best friend, although Coralee's bluntness and openness weren't always welcome. She liked to tell Bert to work on his filter when speaking, but she needed to heed her own advice sometimes. Social status was an issue too, as Coralee said being from the trailer park made other students view them as inferior. All of these problems, and others, had Ellie's mind all jumbled. Again, she just wanted to be like everybody else, but her troubles would continue until she accepted herself. The book was a wonderful blend of humor and serious, and I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Mila, and I'm slowing realizing I have a problem. I know seventh grade boys are weird, so I wasn't sure what to think when some basketball players wanted to hug me. One of them said it was for good luck, but they've been making me feel very uncomfortable. After the incident on the bus ride home from school, I know other people are noticing too. However, I'm embarrassed to tell my friends, and I think Zara is getting mad at me. Maybe I'm overreacting. I've told the boys to stop touching me, but now I know they won't. Callum and Dante made that clear during band. My mom seems stressed about her job and her new boss, so I can't bother her.
This book was a finalist for the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. Its primary audience is middle-grade girls, although middle-grade boys should read it too. I'm doubtful it will appeal to the boys. The theme of the book is sexual harassment even though it's not given that label until late in the book. Mila feels uncomfortable with how the boys are treating her, but she doesn't understand how to deal with the problem. Is it teasing or flirting, or something more? Her reluctance to seek help allows the problem to grow, and one friend suggests that she's partly to blame or she's over-reacting. These situations and reactions are common for females of all ages, so the topic is very relatable for everyone. The author is able to evoke emotions from readers that will allow you to empathize with Mila's plight. The attacks seem small in isolation, but the seriousness grows as they accumulate. She feels lost, desperate, and alone. Ironically, she's most urged into action by a boy she knows and a girl she barely speaks to. The climax to the plot was unexpected, but effective. Overall, the story was compelling, and I recommend you check it out.
My name is Coyote, and Rodeo and I have been driving around the country in an old school bus for the past five years. I can't ever let Rodeo hear me call him dad, since he doesn't want to think about what happened. I miss my mom and sisters too, and I can't let bulldozers ruin my memories. I've got four days to figure out a way to get Rodeo to drive us back to Washington State. We've added a diverse group of passengers along the way, and I hope they'll help me in my quest. The mapping app on their cellphones has helped me calculate our driving time, and I think we'll have a few hours to spare. If nothing unexpected happens. Rodeo's going to start suspecting something's fishy, if he doesn't already, but I've got to get home before it's too late.
This book was the winner of the 2019 Cybil's Book Award in Middle-Grade Fiction. My favorite part of the book was Coyote's character. I felt sorry for her, as Rodeo's difficulties in dealing with death made it harder for Coyote to handle it. However, the girl had spunk, compassion, and determination. She had no trouble meeting strangers and was more than willing to help them with their issues. There were Latinos fleeing an abusive situation, a black man caught between his girlfriend and his career, and a runaway teenager trying to cope with her identity. Coyote's need to return home was always at the center of the plot. Some readers might disagree with Rodeo's parenting style, but I have a different spin on that. Coyote was a phenomenal girl, and that grew from Rodeo's role as her father. He was a good person. His mind chose to avoid death, but he displayed an empathy for others and Coyote knew she was loved. The manner in which the author chose to handle death opens the door for discussion and thought, which are positive things. Overall, this book was my top choice for the 2019 Cyblis Award, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
