Mrs. Malecha Reads!

 by Sarah Sax Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel Viv is a 7th grader this year and she wants her school picture to be memorable.  Her mom wants her to wear her hair in a braid and wear a handknit cardigan.  Viv decides to take matters into her own hands and makes a video of herself cutting off her braid in the school bathroom moments before her school picture.  Viv loves the attention she is getting from her video and looks for other ways to start new trends at her middle school.  Viv is so focused on herself, that she doesn't realize she is leaving her two best friends out.  Is being a trendsetter as great as Viv thinks it is?

 by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel Rex thought that 6th grade was going to be great until he got to school on the first day. He seems to be shorter than everyone, his best friends is hanging with the bullies, and he's having a hard time seeing what is written on the board.  Once his mom discovers that he can't see, he has to visit the eyedoctor where he learns that he needs glasses.  He picks out a pair that he thinks have a chance of making him look cool, but they are too expensive so they have to buy a cheaper pair that he knows kids are going to make fun of.  Rex just knows that becoming a four eyes is going to make it even harder for him to fit in.

 by Zachary Sterling Genre:  Fantasy, Graphic Novel JJ and Althea are struggling to find their place in school.  JJ wants to be accepted into the "in" crowd and Althea wants people to accept her just the way she is.  Their parents don't seem to understand that making them help run their family food truck is only making things worse.  When their mother's lessons about Filipino folklore come to life, they realize that they are going to have to fully embrace the Filipino heritage if they are to save the ones they love.

 by Kelly Yang Genre:  Realistic Fiction Mia Tang is taking on San Francisco!  She is attending a journalism camp during her winter break at the Tribune.  Mia can't wait to start writing stories for the paper.  However, she quickly finds out that getting the editors of a traditional newspaper to publish what she thinks are relevant stories, is not very easy.  Her friends, Jason and Lupe, are in San Francisco too.  Lupe is all wrapped up in trying to get into college, and Jason thinks he might like Emma, a new friend they have met.  Mia isn't sure how she feels about Jason liking someone else, even though she thought she was sure that they would never be more than friends.  So many things to think about...but one thing for sure is that this will be a winter break to remember!

 by Wanda Coven Genre:  Fantasy Now that Heidi is used to life at Broomsfield Academy, she is able to focus her efforts on the most important thing:  her CRUSH.  The object of her affection is the super cute Hunter.  The problem is that everyone seems to have a crush on him.  What can Heidi do to get him to notice her?  She tries to talk to her friends about it, but they seem to be tired of her going on and on about him.  Should she use her magic to create a potion that will make Hunter notice her?  Heidi knows that using magic outside of the classroom isn't allowed at school, but would it really matter if she just used magic one time?

 by Wanda Coven Genre:  Fantasy Heidi Heckelbeck is starting middle school at Broomsfield Academy...a boarding school that has top secret classes for witches-in-training.  Heidi is excited, but also nervous.  Her biggest question is whether or not she will get along with her Broommate!  Heidi is able to say goodbye to her parents, unpack, and settle in before the door opens to reveal her Broommate and Heidi gets an unexpected surprise...her Broommate is a girl from home that she has NEVER gotten along with.  Is learning how to use her magic worth it if she has to live with her enemy?

 by Meg Medina Genre:  Realistic Fiction 8th grader Merci Suarez is finding that navigating friendships can be very challenging.  She spends most of her time with Hannah, Lena, and Edna, but she also plays soccer and sometimes thinks it would be cool to spend more time with Avery and the other soccer girls.  Merci notices though, that Avery doesn't seem to want to include her other friends, which leaves Merci feeling stuck.  Things have gotten more challenging at home too as Merci's grandfather's Alzheimer's disease continues to progress. Merci wants things to go back to the way they were...easy friendships and a grandfather who remembers her.  Unfortunately, life brings changes, and Merci is going to have to navigate some big ones.