Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 by Chrissie Krebs Genre:  Animal Story, Humor, Fantasy, Graphic Novel Bear was just an average old bear until the day a tornado hits the woods and causes a wizard's wand to fly into bears head.  He can't pull it out and now he looks like a giant unicorn. But the good news is that he can now grant wishes.  This works out okay at first until everyone in the forest starts lining up to have their wishes come true.  How will Bear manage his newfound popularity?

 by Karyn Parsons Genre:  Historical Fiction Stevie's life is changing...new school, new friends, new cousin coming to live with her.  The kids at school make sun of her hair and her old best friend is too cool to hang out with her anymore.  When Stevie learns that her cousin Naomi is coming to stay, she figures that will just be another thing to struggle with.  As she is adjusting to having her cousin around, her parents seem to start having problems.  Stevie's mom wants to get a college degree, but Stevie's dad thinks she should just stay at home. Will Stevie be able to navigate these changes and come out in one piece?

 by Alina Chau Genre:  Fantasy, Graphic Novel Jordan was a star player on her school's basketball team until an injury left her paralyzed from the waist down.  She still hangs out with the team, but it's not the same as when she was able to play.  One day on her way home she comes across a mysterious white elephant who has been injured.  She takes the elephant home and names her Marshmallow.  Marshmallow shows Jordan that there are lots of things she still can do and one of them is swim.  Jordan discovers that water polo is a new sport that will allow her to compete with a team.  But will her basketball friends understand why she isn't coming to their practices and games anymore?

 by Dave Eggers Genre:  Fantasy, Animal Story Johannes is the fastest dog ever and he uses his speed to be the Eyes of the urban park by the sea.  Every day he runs throughout the park and then reports back to the ancient bison about what he sees.  But things in the park are changing and disrupting their way of life and Johannes isn't sure what to make of all the changes.  Her really likes looking at the mysterious rectangle pictures that are suddenly appearing and he is curious about the new building that is being constructed in the park.  Johannes must run faster to stay ahead of those who wish to capture him so that he can continue to be the Eyes of the park.

 by K. Ibura Genre:  Realistic Fiction No one expected that one little virus could change the world the way it did.  School has stopped for Shayla, Liam, Ben, and Ai and now they aren't sure what to do.  The things that used to be safe, no longer are and even though they are being told to stay apart, the more they want to be together.  Each of the adults in their lives are struggling with their own feelings about the pandemic so the four friends decide to see what they can do to help others.  They hang up fliers in the building that advertise their availability to help out with odd jobs, walking dogs, running errands, etc.  The building superintendent takes them up on the offer of help and soon they are sanitizing and organizing recycling pickup.  While there are lots of things to not like about their new situation, the 4 friends find that by working together and helping others, they have more and more things to feel good about.

 by Angie Thomas Genre:  Fantasy It's not easy being a Remarkable.  All Nic Blake wants is to understand more about who she is and how she can use her Gift to be a powerful Manifestor like her dad.  Her dad seems hesitant to teach her, but all of a sudden things are happening to her and those around her, that Nic doesn't understand.  Before her dad can fully explain, he is taken prisoner because he kidnapped her when she was a young child.  A mother and brother she never knew existed have shown up and are trying to fill her in on the details of a life she knew nothing about.  Nic learns that she must hunt for a powerful magic tool and she must find it if she wants to save herself and the rest of her family.

 by Dan Santat Genre:  Memoir, Graphic Novel Dan should be excited about his class trip to Europe, but he has low expectations because the girls who made fun of him all through middle school are going on the trip too.  He is hoping that his troubles in middle school will not follow him to Europe or worse yet, to high school.  As he travels he experiences a number of firsts that give him hope for the future.  Being a tenneager can be tough, awkward, and exciting, all at the same time.

 by Nina Moreno Genre:  Realistic Fiction Maggie is loving 7th grade!  She's on the track team and is being coached by her sometimes bossy older sister, Caro.  Her two best friends, Julian and Zoey, are having fun planning to go on their school's 7th grade field trip to St. Augustine.  But then Maggie learns that her Abuela is going to chaperone and Zoey finds out that she can't go.  Then Julian decides he'd like to be bus partners with a new girl, Vanessa. And then there is Julian's friend, Eddie....who Maggie feels like she is spending a lot of time thinking about. Why do things have to change?  Maggie is about to learn that middle school is all about change and that some changes are not necessarily bad.

 by Renee Watson Genre:  Realistic Fiction Ryan Hart is trying to think about her future.  Now that she is in middle school, it seems that everyone is thinking more about what they want to do when they grow up.  Ryan isn't totally sure, but she knows she wants to do something with cooking.  She also wants to be a leader.  But things feel up in the air because her best friend Kiki is thinking about changing schools.  Ryan can't imagine not seeing her everyday.  Sometimes you just have to wait and see how the future unfolds...

 by Kate DiCamillo Genre:  Fantasy A king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl puppet have been trapped in a trunk.  They are tired of living all together in the dark so the day when the lid is lifted and they see daylight again...they are beyond excited.  They are finally taken out and placed on the mantel in the home of two little girls.  There next chapter is about to unfold, and they have no idea what to expect.  But that is what makes living out of the trunk exciting, right?

 by Kelly Yang Genre:  Realistic Fiction Knox and his 2 siblings just found out that they have two days until they leave Hong Kong to move to California.  There is a new virus named COVID-19 that is making people really sick and Knox's parents think the family will be safer in California.  Knox is very unhappy when he learns that his father will be staying behind in Hong Kong so that he can keep working.  Knox cannot imagine a life without his dad, especially while he is adjusting to a new country.  As the virus spreads, Knox and his family realize that being in California will not keep them safe either and they are having to deal with acts of racism from people who are scared that they may have brought the vitus with them from Asia.  Knox and his siblings will have to stick together and stand up to the hate if they are going to make California their new home.