Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 by Rukhsanna Guidroz Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse Samira has divided her life into 2 parts - before her family had to flee their home in Burma and after when they escaped to Bangladesh with barely anything.  Samira and her family are struggling to create a new life for themselves.  Work is scarce and everyone has to do their part.  Samira sells eggs to tourists who line the beaches, but what she really wants to do is surf.  Her parents have told her no, but she convinces her brother to secretly teach her.  When a surfing contest is announced and girls are allowed to participate, Samira looks at it as a way to finally help her family get back on their feet, if she could win the large prize.  Does Samira have what it takes to be a surfer?

 by Terri Libenson Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel The middle school years can be challenging and Tyler is right in the thick of it.  He has some good friends from elementary school, but he is also meeting new people and exploring new interests.  Basketball has always been his thing, but lately, he has really been enjoying art class.  When Emmie asks him to partner with him on a class project, he thinks it will be fun.  But then his friends start teasing him and telling him that the time he's spending with Emmie and on his art project is taking away from his performance on the basketball court.  Are they right?  And if they are, does Tyler really care?

 by Terri Libenson Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel Middle school is full of challenges and Bri is facing them head on.  Her mom has decided that she would really like Bri to have a bat mitzvah and once Bri agrees, they both are completely stressed out.  Bri's mom wants to plan the perfect party and Bri is busy working on learning Hebrew and writing her speech.  Suddenly, everyone is talking about how Bri's party will be the event of the summer and everyone is trying to get on the invite list.  What has Brianna gotten herself into and more importantly, how will she get herself out of this mess?

 by Maria Scrivan Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel Natalie is excited for the summer mostly because she and her friends will be spending it at Camp Mosquito!  She is planning on spending the whole time with Zoe, but on the first day learns that they won't be in a cabin together.  Instead, she will have to be with Lily, her ex BFF who basically spent the whole year ignoring her.  Natalie is willing to try most of the things at camp, except for anything involving the lake as it is called Surprise Lake.  Natalie has no interest in learning what the surprise is...but her fears are going to hold her back and leave her out of some fun experiences with her friends.

 by Maria Scrivan Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel On the first day of middle school, Natalie gets note from her BFF, Lily, telling her that they are no longer friends because Natalie isn't cool enough.  So begins her quest to re-invent herself into someone who will be cool enough to hang out with Lily.  In the process, she meets some new friends who help her to see the importance of being okay with who she is.  Being herself turns out to be cool enough!

 by Brenna Thummler Genre: Realistic Fiction/Paranormal, Graphic Novel Marjorie is still trying to figure out life.  Ever since her mother died and she discovered that she has a family of ghosts living in her laundromat, nothing has been the same.  She's having trouble getting along with and relating to her friend group and she is worried about her dad and little brother.  Starting 8th grade is tough and now Wendell, one of her ghost friends, is sneaking out of the laundromat and causing trouble.  Will Margie be able to sort everything out and have a successful 8th grade school year?

 by Lila Quintero Weaver Genre:  Historical Fiction Lu is in 6th grade and her biggest challenge is to get along with everyone in her class at a time when things are changing.  The black kids sit on one side and the white kids sit on the other, so that leaves kids like her, somewhere in the middle.  Lu's family is from Argentina and she is mostly accepted by both sides of the classroom.  But her 6th grade friends are going boy crazy and all she really wants to do is focus on running.  Her parents aren't really supportive so she has to hide how much she likes it from them.  Her PE teacher wants her to join the track team which will mean choosing which friends she wants to hang out with and explaining to her parents how much she wants to run.  Does Lu have the courage to be herself?