Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 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 Yehudi Mercado Genre:  Memoir, Graphic Novel When Hudi's parents learn that he needs to lose weight, they tell him he has to play a sport.  The only problem is that Hudi is the least athletic kid and every time he has tried to compete he ends up in the emergency room.  With the help of an imaginary friend, Hudi is optimistic that maybe things will be different this time.  He decides to try baseball first and when that doesn't go well, he moves on to soccer.  Eventually he discovers that he is going to have the most success by embracing who he is...a performer, not an athlete!  Will his parents ever accept the person he is and wants to be?

 By ibtihaj Muhammad Genre:  Memoir Ibtihaj Muhammed always set high goals for herself so when she set out to make the 2016 Olympic Games in the sport of fencing, her family and supporters knew she would achieve it.  Ibtihaj has been in the spotlight for most of her life as a hijab wearing Muslim American.  She is used to the questions, stares, and preconceived notions about who she is and what she represents.  But Ibtihaj was determined that no one was going to stop her from achieving her dreams and she made it all the way to the very top of her sport.

 by Kenan Trebincevic Genre:  Memoir Kenan loves drawing and playing soccer like most boys his age who are growing up in Bosnia.  But when the people in his country go to war against each other, life changes in an instant.  His so called friends won't speak to him and his most beloved teacher has reported his family to governmental officials.  Suddenly the family has only moments to escape their country and start their lives completely over. They make it to Vienna, Austria where they have to rely on the generosity of strangers to help them survive. When they get approval to come to the United States, Kenan is unsure about how he feels about having to start over again without knowing when he might ever get back to his home.

 by Aaron Philip Genre:  Memoir Aaron Philip is no ordinary kid. He is a 14 year old kid who has cerebral palsy.  He has his own blog and regularly speaks to educators about what it is like to have CP.  His family has given up a lot so that he can live in New York and have access to the best care.  His mom and dad take turns living in New York while the other lived in Antigua.  Aaron's story shows how the power of possibility and determination can take your life to all kinds of places.

 by Uri Shulevitz Genre:  Memoir Uri was just 4 years old when the Germans started bombing Warsaw, Poland.  His mother helped him put on his boots and told him they were going to take a long walk.  This book chronicles the 8 years that Uri and his family spent on their "walk" as they were relocated and struggled for survival each day.  Throughout their journey, the family remained hopeful that one day they would find a home again and not have to worry about food and safety on a daily basis.

 by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Genre: Memoir, Graphic Novel Omar and Hassan are refugees at Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.  They were separated from their mother when their village in Somalia was destroyed.  Their UN appointed foster mother has kept them safe as best as she could, but Omar feels fully responsible for caring for his brother, who has special needs.  Omar is given the opportunity to go to school, but he is not sure if it makes sense for him to plan for a future that seems so uncertain.  Ultimately, he decides that an education will best prepare him for whatever his future looks like and he knows that a better future for himself means a better future for Hassan too.  Some people in the camp are getting the opportunity to resettle in Canada or the United States.  Will Omar and Hassan get that chance>. And if so, is resettling their best option?

by Rena Finder with Joshua M. Greene Genre:  Memoir Rena was only 13 years old when the Nazis invaded Poland and forced her family into the Krakow ghetto.  From there, she and her mother worked as slave laborers at a factory where food was scarce.  But there situation was not as dire as that of many others because they were working in a factory owned by Oskar Schindler who did what he could to make sure his prisoners were fed and healthy.  He had to do this under the watchful eyes of Nazi guards so when he learned that his factory was to be closed and his prisoners were about to be sent to concentration camps, he came up with a plan to transport his prisoners to a new location in Czechoslovakia.  This group of people became known as "Schlindler's List."  For Rena and her mother though, there was a nearly life ending mistake, that sent them to Auschwitz instead of Czechoslovakia.  But Schlindler again came through for them and was able to get them out j...

by Diane Guerrero, with Erica Moroz Lexile:  730 Genre:  Memoir Growing up, Diane always knew that her family's situation could change at a moment's notice.  One wrong move or misstep could draw the attention of immigration officials.  Most of the time, Diane was able to push these "what it" worries to the side and go about her business of growing up.  But when her parents are deported and she finds herself completely alone, she has to make a tough decision.  Does she go to Columbia with her parents or stay in the United States and continue on with her education while relying on other family members and friends?  Neither option will be without risk and hard work, but Diane is the only one who can figure out what is the best pathway to her future.

by Deborah Heiligman Genre:  Informational, Memoir When German bombs came to England, many parents feared for the safety of their children.  Some parents decided to send them out of the country in hopes that they would avoid the dangers of the war.  In September of 1940, the passenger ship, SS City of Bernares set out with 100 children on board with hopes of getting them safely to Canada.  They knew there were risks as they were sailing through waters there German submarines were lurking.  One moment the ship was filled with the happy sounds of children laughing and playing and then next moment, after a torpedo struck the side of the ship, everyone was in a fight for survival.  This is the true story of the sinking of the SS City of Bernares .

by Derek Jeter Lexile:  730 Genre:  Memoir Derek is looking forward to an awesome summer.  School is nearly out, his baseball team is showing promise, and he is going to spend all kinds of time with his best friend Dave.  But just when things seem to be perfect, Dave starts acting strange.  He no longer wants to hang out at Derek's house and acts differently around him at school.  Dave's behavior is not only effecting their friendship, but it's impacting the way they are playing baseball.  Derek needs to figure out what exactly is going on.

by Jim Murphy Lexile:  890 Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Memoir Jim Murphy is really hoping that 6th grade is going to get off to a good start.  But on the third day of school, he already has wound up in trouble.  Jim attends a strict Catholic School and he thinks that all the nuns are out to get him, but particularly Sister Angelica Rose.  She has a thick red file on her desk with his name on it and she seems determined to make his year miserable.  Jim and his friends decide to plan a prank that will get back at her and teach her a lesson in order to get the revenge they think she deserves.

by Derek Jeter Lexile:  800 Genre:  Memoir Derek cannot wait for the baseball season to begin.  He is sure this will be the best year yet because his dad is going to be the head coach.  Derek can't wait to play shortstop and win some games.  But Derek is surprised by the kids who end up on his team and even more surprised that his Dad expects him to get along with them, especially the ones that he doesn't like.  Derek doesn't understand why his dad won't listen to him, and it looks as if the season is going to be a long one.  How did things possibly get so messed up?

by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu Photographs by Peter Greste Lexile:  920 Genre:  Memoir This is the true story of two unlikely friends:  Owen, a hippopotamus, and Mzee, a giant tortoise. When Owen loses his mother in a tsunami in December of 2004, he is found on the beach by rescuers who take him to Haller Park for rehabilitation.  That is where he meets Mzee who becomes Owen't new mother.  No one is sure why the two bond the way they do, but is clear to everyone who visits, that this friendship is keeping both of them thriving.

by Jeanette Winter Genre:  Memoir This book is contains two words: "Mama" and "Baby." So most of the story is told through the artwork.  It is the true story of two unlikely friends:  Owen, a hippopotamus, and Mzee, a giant tortoise.  When Owen loses his mother in a tsunami in December of 2004, he is found on the beach by rescuers who take him to Haller Park for rehabilitation.  That is where he meets Mzee who becomes Owen't new mother.  No one is sure why the two bond the way they do, but is clear to everyone who visits, that this friendship is keeping both of them thriving.

by Vikki Myron and Bret Witter Illustrated by Steve James Lexile:  590 Genre:  Memoir One day, a small orange kitten showed up in the book return bin at the public library in Spencer, Iowa.  Vicky, the librarian, decided to clean the poor frightened kitten up and turn him into the library cat.  At first, Dewey wasn't sure what to make of all the people and all the things in the library.  But eventually he decides to become a library cat and help make the day brighter for every person who visits.  It's exhausting work, but someone has to do it, so why not Dewey, the library cat?

Notes From a Colorful Life Written and Illustrated by Lois Ehlert Lexile:  640 Genre:  Memoir Lois Ehlert shares the story behind the art in her many award winning books.  She takes the reader on a journey that begins when she was a small child whose parents filled their house with colorful scraps of fabric, paints and other art supplies.  Lois was always creating...and she shares the story of where she got all of her ideas and inspiration that turned into the books that millions of children have read.

Ballerina Misty Copeland Shows a Young Girl How to Dance Like the Firebird by Misty Copeland Illustrated by Christopher Myers Genre:  Memoir Misty Copeland explains to a young girl what it takes to be a ballerina.  She draws on her childhood experiences when she felt shy and quiet.  Misty encourages this young girl to become more confident through hard work and dedication to her dreams.  If you love ballet, then this book will speak to you.

by Cece Bell Genre:  Memoir, Graphic Novel Award:  2016-17 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominee, Newberry Honor Book Cece Bell is starting a new school and she is worried about what others will think about her.  Cece is deaf and has to wear hearing aids that are clearly visible to everyone else and her teacher has to wear a special microphone that works in conjunction with her hearing aid.  Cece feels like everyone looks at her strangely and she isn't sure if kids will want to be friends with her.  All Cece wants is to fit in and make new friends.  Will it be possible or will she need to develop a superpower to overcome her problems?