Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 by Jessie Ann Foley Genre:  Realistic Fiction Breda has never met her Granda before, but her mom has decided to send her to Ireland to spend the summer with him.  Breda's mom has been busy working to open her own salon and that hasn't left her much time to spend with Breda.   So now Breda finds herself in a strange country, on a farm with a person she doesn't know.  Granda doesn't seem that excited to have Breda there either.  Her mother warned her that sometimes at night her Granda has terrible night terrors because of things that happened to him as a child.  Breda wants to know his secrets and in the process uncovers some of the secrets that her mom has been keeping from her.

 by Gary D. Schmidt Genre:  Realistic Fiction Hercules Beal had no idea what to expect from his new middle school, but it certainly wasn't Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer.  Recently retired from the military, Mr. Hupfer runs a tight ship and his assignment for Hercules is for him to duplicate the 12 myths.  Herc is already struggling with being a new student and is still having a hard time accepting that his parents will not be coming back.  The last thing Herc thinks he needs is a grouchy old English teacher telling him what to do.  But as he moves through the assignment, be starts to realize that maybe Mr. Hupfer does have a point to what he is making his students do.

 by Ritu Hemnani Genre:  Historical Fiction, Novel in Verse Raj and Iqbal love to fly kites together and are hoping to be able to fly them in honor of India's independence from Britain celebration.  But what they don't realize is that this celebration is going to divide their country into 2 parts and that their families are going to be impacted.  Raj's family is forced to flee the only home they have ever known and start their lives over in a brand new country.  Will Raj ever find a friend like Iqbal again?

 by Linda Williams Jackson Genre:  Historical Fiction Ellis Earl Brown has big dreams.  He would like to be a teacher or a lawyer or someday, or maybe both!  But growing up poor in Mississippi is making it hard for him to stay focused on his dreams. He has eight siblings and his momma has a hard time finding enough work that will keep food on the table. When his teacher invites him to memorize a speech for the Easter breakfast, Ellis Earl decides to give public speaking a try.  Can he use his voice to help his family have a better life?

 by A.J. Sass Genre:  Realistic Fiction Ellen knows that she is different then other kids.  In order for her to best function, she needs to have every detail planned out in her life. She has one best friend, Laurel, and they have planned to be in the same group during a class trip to Spain.  When Ellen learns that she and Laurel will not be in the same group, she is panicking that things will not work out okay.  Ellen learns to adjust to this and other changes throughout the trip and while she and Laurel have some ups and downs, Ellen learns that there are advantages to getting to know other kids too.  Ellen realizes that sometimes changes and surprises can turn out to be okay.

 by Erin Entrada Kelly Genre:  Science Fiction Michael and Giddy aren't sure what to make of the new kid who has mysteriously appeared in the courtyard of their apartment building.  The kid is acting strangely and is dressed unusually.  When they finally speak to him, he tells them that his name is Ridge and that he is from the future.  Michael and Giddy don't really believe him until he talks more about the future and shows them the device that got him to their small town.  Michael is more worried about what is going to happen on January 1, 2000, but Giddy wants to know more about how they can help Ridge.  Can Michael put his worries aside and help Ridge get back to where he belongs?