All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor

Recommended for anyone whose family may not be typical and for anyone who enjoys reading about family, hope, and truth

I do not even know where to start with this one.  Perry T. Cook has spent his entire eleven years living in a correctional facility due to his mother being a resident there.  When a mean well attorney gets word of Perry's situation, he removes Perry from the facility in order for Perry to have a "normal" life.  What he doesn't understand is that normal is not the same for everyone.  As Perry tries to return to his mother and extended family of residents in the facility, he begins to unlock secrets to his mother's incarceration.

This book is very moving and sends an important message about second chances, forgiveness, and things not always being what they seem.  What a beautiful story you tell here, Leslie Connor.

Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley

Recommended for students who are ready to step it up with their reading, but can still benefit from some illustrations and for students who enjoyed reading Ramona Quimby books when they were younger

I have to be honest about something--I had a difficult time beginning this book for my own personal reason:  I am terrified of frogs!  When the book opened with the sentence, "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect.", I wasn't sure I could stomach it, but I am so, so happy that I stuck with it.

"Gertie Reece Foy is 100% Not-from-Concentrate AWESOME." and she attempts to show it in every way possible.  When she finds out that her mother (who is estranged from Gertie and her father) plans to remarry and move from the town where they all live, Gertie sets out on a mission to prove just how amazing she is.  The adventure that ensues is hilarious, emotional, and deeply touching.

Kate Beasley's new novel is one to be read and remembered.  It takes a lighthearted approach to real life problems that many of our students face.  As an author, she has a bright future ahead of her.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Recommended for students who have ever felt as if they didn't fit in for whatever reason:  lack of money, being different, family problems

As a fourth grade teacher, I have many male students who live for sports and anything related to athletics.  This book will be perfect for them.  It sends the message of doing what's right and working hard to overcome the hand that life has dealt you.

Ghost is a runner, but he has never participated in any type of organized sport.  When he shows off at a track team (of which he is not a member) practice one day, his talents are recognized by the coach. While Ghost is a talented runner, he has a lot to learn about the people and the world.  Through the support of many people, he learns to navigate his feelings and control his temper.

While I plan to recommend this book to several students, I have one student in mind who must read this book.  Ghost describes how his insides turn red whenever he loses his temper.  Last year, I had a student who often talked about the "big" coming out.  He and I worked quite diligently on learning to control his "big" and to be able to verbalize those feelings rather than act upon them.  This book is a perfect mirror for this student and for MANY other students who don't always find themselves in what they are reading.

Thank you, Jason Reynolds, for holding up a very important mirror with this book.  I can't wait to see what the rest of your Track series has in store for us.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

                                             

Recommended for middle grade students who enjoy reading fantasy, fairy tales, and adventure

Quotable Quotes:
"She must understand the laws of cause and effect and unintended consequences.  She must learn compassion and curiosity and awe."
"...there is no limit to what the heart can carry."
"That answer is too easy, my friend.  Look deeper."
" 'My love isn't divided,' she said, 'it's multiplied.' "

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is a wonderfully touching and unique read.  I was captivated from page one; however, the last fourth of the book took me to a whole different level as it mesmerized me in every way.  The theme of good vs. evil transcends the pages of this book.

The People of the Protectorate leave a sacrificial newborn for the witch who lives in the forest each year.  Little do they know that the witch is actually deeply kind and delivers the babies to families in another town.  One year, the witch makes a mistake with the baby on her way to deliver it and decides that she must raise her as her own.  The story that ensues is full of magic, love, adventure, acceptance, and truth.

I have many, many students in mind to read this book next.  When I had the cover in my "I'm currently reading..." display, my students were pleading with me to finish it because they were so drawn in by the cover.

I have never read any of Kelly Barnhill's books before, but I have now added her other books, The Witch's Boy, The Mostly True Story of Jack, and Iron Hearted Violet to my TBR stack.  If these other titles are anything like The Girl Who Drank the Moon, then I absolutely cannot wait to see what else this author has in store.