Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 by R.J. Palacio Genre:  Historical Fiction, Graphic Novel Julian is best known as the bully in the best selling novel, Wonder.  But how much do readers really know about Julian?  In this story, Julian interviews his grandmother about her life.  It is painful for her to talk about, but decides that she must tell him her story so that his generation never allows the things that happened to her to happen to anyone else every again.  Julian learns the story behind his name and the story of how his grandmother survived the Holocaust.

 by Shaunta Grimes Genre:  Realistic Fiction Gideon is the new kid in town and adjusting to life in the middle of nowhere Nevada after growing up in New Jersey is going to take some adjustment.  The first person Gideon meets is his neighbor Roo who is unlike anyone Gideon has ever met before.  Roo lives with her mother who tries to manage her mental illness by baking and things are not going well.  Roo is convinced that her mom is sad because her dad hasn't come home in a really long time.  Roo convinces Gideon that the only way to help her mom is to get to Las Vegas and bring her dad home.  Gideon has never gone across the street by himself before, let along get on a bus and ride halfway across the state without an adult.  Roo says she will go on her own whether Gideon comes with her or not so Gideon has a tough decision to make.  He wants to help his friend...but he also doesn't want to be grounded for life.

 by Keith Calalbrese Genre:  Realistic Fiction Ernest and Ryan are growing up in the small town of Cliffs Donnelly, Ohio where not much happens on a daily basis.  Ryan is trying to steer clear of Tommy, the class bully, but when Tommy appears ready to fight Ernest, Ryan steps in.  As they both try to stay away from Tommy, the run across the town's old well, that is rumored to be magic.  Ryan doesn't believe in magic or wishing wells, but when strange things start to happen, Ryan is forced to reevaluate his thinking.  Suddenly people's quietly whispered wished are starting to come true.

 by Stacy McAnulty Genre:  Realistic Fiction Middle school days are tough and Eleanor would be fine with school being over forever.  So when she hears that a scientist has reportedly confirmed that there is an asteroid streaking towards Earth, she is interested in knowing more about the predicted end of the world.  She and her friend, Mack, create the Nature Club, which is really a club that is going to prepare people for the end of the world as we know it.  Which according to Dr. Cologne is going to happen on April 7th.  How can Eleanor convince her friends and her family that they need to take action now if they want to survive?