Everyone knows the story of Rosa Parks, but have you ever heard of Claudette Colvin, the fifteen-year-old who refused to give up her seat nine months before Parks? Claudette was sick of witnessing injustices every day and seeing the adults around her do nothing to fight them, so she decided to do something herself. Claudette was mistreated and arrested for refusing to give up her seat and went to court in two separate cases to fight bus segregation. The second trial, Browder vs. Gayle is what led to the desegregation of buses in Montgomery and ended the bus boycott. She was only fifteen and sixteen during these trials, but she was a passionate activist and found the courage to stand up in the face of injustice under the threat of violence that quieted voices all around her, and she succeeded in changing history. 

Not only is Claudette's story inspiring, but the events surrounding the bus boycott are fascinating as well. Large chunks of the story are told in Claudette's own words. This really helps to give a sense of what these events were like when they were happening. This is an engrossing read for people of all ages and there is plenty for adults to learn and enjoy in it as well. 

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose

Erica's Picks
5th-8th
Tags: Biography, Nonficiton, People of Color

Doug Swieteck once played catch with Joe Pepitone of the New York Yankees and he gave him his signed baseball cap. It was the first thing Doug ever owned that didn't belong to another Swieteck before him and like most good things, it didn't last. His brother took his cap and his father lost his temper and his job and now they have to move to stupid Marysville where everyone looks at him like he doesn't belong. Marysville isn't all bad. There's Lil Spicer who can burp louder than anyone he's ever heard, and the library has these Audubon prints on display with birds that look like they're about to fly off the page. But the prints are being sold off and just when his life starts going okay, things get messed up all over again.

Things start off bad for Doug, then they get worse. Then they start to get better but that glimmer is stamped out and he's thrown ever farther into the abyss. But then things start to improve again and the complicated knots his life has been tied up in start to get unraveled.  Things will never be perfect for Doug, but they will be okay. This novel gets very dark but it left me uplifted with a sense that no matter how bad things get, there is always a way to make them okay again. The narrative voice is compelling and believable and adds humor to the dark corners of the novel. This book could be enjoyed by anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong somewhere.

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

Erica's Picks
5th-8th
Tags: Character Driven, Family Life, Historical Fiction, Humor, Issues Fiction, School Stories

Ha's mother says that it's luckier for a boy to be the first one to walk around the house on New Year's Day so that honor always goes to one of her brothers. Still, she can't resist secretly waking up just after midnight to touch one toe to the ground. Perhaps she shouldn't have, because this year everything has gone wrong. The war is spreading and Ha's family is fleeing to America for safety. Ha was happy with her family in Vietnam but now everything seems inside-out. She wonders if things will ever go back to the way they were or if her family will be cursed forever.

This novel is written in verse that is sparse and beautiful, yet says so much. The plot moves along and the reader gets to know Ha and everyone around her through her poems. Each poem has a clear subject and could stand on its own, but together they form a bigger picture. The novel is based on the author’s life, so it felt very authentic. Fans of poetry will enjoy this book, but those aren't the only ones. The book reads very similarly to a regular novel so anyone interested in learning about other cultures, and Vietnam in particular will be able to enjoy this book. Anyone who has ever felt like a fish out of water or who has had to deal with older brothers will be able to relate to Ha.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th Grade
Tags: Family Life, Historical Fiction, Novels in Verse, People of Color, Poetry

“Akata Witch!" Sunny was used to the taunt, but that didn't make it sting any less. As an albino who spent the first nine years of her life in America, Sunny was used to not fitting in with her Nigerian classmates, but she had no idea how different she was until she saw the end of the world in a candle's flame and discovered that she really did have magical powers. In Nigeria, those with magical abilities are called Leopard People and at first Sunny doesn't know what to make of their world. Among Leopard People what sets you apart is what gives you strength and because Sunny is so different she is also very powerful. At first her abilities and the new world they show her are thrilling, but before long she realizes that with her powers come a price and for every benefit the Leopard People have to offer there is a hidden danger lurking as well.

I have always been drawn to tales of outsiders and this is a story that any outsider will love. In the world Okorafor creates being different means being powerful. Wisdom is also highly valued: when you learn something chittim, the Leopard People currency, rains down from the sky. That means the most powerful Leopard Person in town is the head librarian--what's not to love about that? Fans of fantasy who are looking for something beyond the usual fare will delight in this unique world of imagination and magic.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor


Erica's Picks
5th-8th
Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, People of Color

Before Joan moved to California she only read stories. After she moved to California, Joan began to live them. It all started when she was exploring in the woods near her house and she found what looked like a troll's living room. It turned out that it belonged to a girl named Sarah who called herself the Queen of Foxes. Joan soon became newt in turn and newt and fox explored secret grottoes, defended their fort from invaders, and hid in the woods. Their real life mixed with a fantasy life and they turned their story in to a writing competition. But eventually they had to return to reality, and the cold hard truths they could not avoid.

I would have loved to have been friends with these girls when I was their age! The novel is set in the Bay Area in early 70s and it was interesting to read about what has changed (and what hasn’t.) They bond over defending their fort and writing stories where they save themselves without any princes needing to intervene.  Anyone with a lot of imagination or an interest in writing will enjoy this book.

The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy


Erica's Picks
5th-8th
Tags: Character Driven, Family Life, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Issues Fiction

What goes up, must come down—which is why the police don’t believe Ted and Kat when they say that their cousin Salim went up the London Eye and disappeared. But that is exactly what happened. Ted and Kat followed his pod up and around but when it came back down, there was no Salim. The police are exploring other possibilities, but Ted and Kat were there; they saw it happen with their own eyes. Ted doesn’t see the world like everyone else, so perhaps his unique perspective will help him see clues that others overlook. Ted and Kat are determined to crack the case and find their cousin, but they have to work quickly if they ever want to see him alive again.

Ted describes his brain as ‘running on a different operating system.’ The novel is told from Ted’s perspective and it is interesting to hear about the way he sees the world. He has difficulty reading body language and social clues which adds another layer to the mystery as he tries to decipher the actions of those around him. I'd give it to anyone looking for a good mystery.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd


Erica's Picks
4th-6th Grade
Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Family Life, Mystery

What would you do if you found something that didn't belong anywhere? Something that was just plain lost. Would you bring it home? Would your parents let you keep it? Would you put it away and forget about it, or would you try to take care of it? Or are you too busy to notice a lost thing at all?

Shaun Tan met and exceeded my expectations in this quietly profound collection. The narration is sparse and the pictures detailed. They complement each other incredibly well and provide the reader with layers upon layers to unearth with each new reading. Anyone who has ever felt lost will feel found when they read this collection. 

Hazel and Jack were best friends until one snowy day in winter. "It was the sort of snowfall that, if there were any magic to be had in the world, would make it come out. And magic did come out. But not the kind you were expecting." Suddenly Jack starts acting strange and stops being friends with Hazel. Her mother says that these things happen sometimes and to make new friends, but Hazel knows that something is wrong. Then one day, Jack disappears entirely and no one even seems to notice. Hazel has read about this sort of thing in books. She may be the only one who can save him, so what choice does she have? She packs her supplies and sets off into the icy heart of winter.

I love Hans Christian Andersen and many references to his stories are made, with the main story following “The Snow Queen.” It's a great outsider tale and Hazel is a wonderful, strong main character. Book worms will appreciate all the literary references Hazel makes. I’d give this to anyone looking for a fairy tale retold, a modern school story, or a fantasy because it is all three.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu


Erica's Picks
3rd-6th
Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Friendship, People of Color, Retellings, School Stories

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die." It's time for the annual Scorpio Races where riders race on horses that came from the sea and long to return there. Some horses may be overcome with this desire and run back to the surf, drowning their riders in the process. Some may simply eat or trample their riders, making the sea red with blood. The races may kill several people, but they all ride anyway because no matter how likely it is that some will die at least one person is guaranteed to win. So they race for all that they're worth--for fortune, for fame, for glory, and for their lives. 

The story alternates between two characters and each have a distinct voice and background. Both are orphans, but on an island plagued by carnivorous horses that isn't rare. The island is full of interesting characters and the tension remains high throughout as they train for the races that may give them their heart's desire or kill them.   I’d give this to readers looking for a gritty story with supernatural creatures or an unconventional romance.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Erica's Picks
7th-8th Grade
Tags: Animals, Character Driven, Romance, Supernatural

Braces were going to be bad enough, but when Raina trips and knocks out her two front teeth she's in for an even longer journey full of pain and trips to various -dontists. It will take years to get her mouth looking normal again. While she waits she has to deal with friends who are acting less and less friendly, decide who she wants to be, and cope with all the other usual pains of growing up. Sometimes it seems like nothing will ever be right again and it's becoming more and more difficult to find reasons to smile.

I went through braces, an expander, retainers, and headgear when I was growing up, but that was all nothing compared to Raina. It was cathartic to read about experiences that were similar to and even worse than my own. I love the artwork and way Raina illustrates concepts as well. I'd give this to anyone who has had any major dental or orthodontic work done or who soon will. Of course anyone looking for a good comic about middle school will enjoy it as well.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier



Erica's Picks
4th-8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Comics, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, School Stories