One year ago Nora's family went out for dinner to celebrate her birthday. One year ago, Nora's mother was killed when a shooter opened fire in the restaurant. Ever since, her father has kept her close and withdrawn from everyone else, even pulling Nora out of school. This year for Nora's birthday her father has chosen a remote celebration, miles from the nearest person. They get out their gear to explore a slot canyon. But when the worst happens, their remote location means no one can hear their cries for help. So it's up to Nora to survive, find her father, and save them both.

This novel starts and ends in prose but when Nora is fighting for survival in the canyon it switches to powerful verse. The story moves quickly as her situation goes from bad to worse and death seems inevitable. Watching Nora fight is thrilling and inspiring as she combats the real environment around her and the memories that have haunted her ever since her mother's death. A quick, impactful read.

The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th grade
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, fast-paced, mental illness, novels in verse, survival

Will loves turtles, but he hates being called turtle boy. The specimens he collects from the nature preserve behind his school are silent but supportive friends he can study and understand. The kids at school, on the other hand, only call him "turtle boy" because of his small chin. It turns out to be more than just a cosmetic concern, and the doctor says he'll need corrective surgery soon. But Will has been terrified of hospitals ever since his father unexpectedly died during a routine operation. Then his rabbi assigns Will to cheer up a RJ, a teen dying from an incurable illness, as his community service project for his Bar Mitzvah. Both boys seem to hate it at first, but Will's life changes in ways he never would have believed once he discovers RJ's bucket list and becomes determined to help him finish it.

This is such moving story that I didn't even mind the buckets of tears it made me cry. All of the characters are well drawn and learning about their interests from herpetology to drumming was fascinating as well. Highly recommended, but have the tissues ready.

Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein 

Erica's Picks
4th - 7th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, SEL, tear jerker

Everything in Kaia's life is changing. Her older sister is gone for the summer and then is off to college in the fall. If that wasn't bad enough her great-grandfather, Tatang, who has always lived with them, has decided to move back home to the Philippines. Kaia knows she's not like her valedictorian, pre-med older sister, but she thinks that if she can pull off something to make Tatang really proud maybe he won't want to leave after all. That's when she hears about the movie contest with a real red carpet premiere for the winners. With her special effects makeup prowess and her friends' acting and directing skills they're sure to win.

Another sweet family story from Respicio. Tatang is a great character and I loved reading about Kaia's movie-making exploits with her friends. This is a perfect, heart-warming summer read.

Any Day with You by Mae Respicio 

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, people of color, summer vacation

Nala was hoping to find love this summer, but she never thought she'd find it at an Inspire Harlem event. The activist organization is her cousin-sister-friend Imani's thing. Tye is perfect and she can't believe he's into her, so she pretends to be a vegetarian and acts like she's volunteering at a local retirement home instead of just hanging out doing puzzles with her grandmother. At first being with Tye is better than her wildest dreams. But soon she gets tired of pretending to be someone she's not. What will happen when Tye finds out she's been lying to him? Why shouldn't she be enough as she is? Soon her dream summer turns into a nightmare.

The theme of the novel is captured by the title and watching it all unfold was incredibly moving. Topics ranging from self-image to activism are explored without it ever feeling preachy. Every character is well-drawn and layered and the way the plot all comes together is masterful. I absolutely adored this novel and highly recommend it

Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

Erica's Picks
7th - 8th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, issues fiction, People of Color, romance, social justice, summer vacation

It's Ellen's last summer before college, and all she wants is to spend the time with her best friends before everything changes. But Xiumiao seems like she's already moved on. Then Ellen gets grounded for the whole summer by her step-mother. Luckily her other best friend, Melissa finds a loophole. Ellen's parents are always on her about getting outside and exercising more, so Melissa convinces them to let Ellen out of the house for quidditch practice. At first Ellen only agrees to it because the alternative is being stuck indoors doing chores all day. But soon this all-gender, full-contact sport with a bunch of geeks running around with PVC pipes between their legs starts to grow on her. She finally understands the appeal of sports, and she starts to understand some more things about herself too. It wasn't the summer Ellen wanted or expected, but it will turn out to be one she will never forget.

There's a lot to love about this book full of enthusiastic geeks and misunderstandings. The relationships are complicated and authentic. The protagonists are on the cusp of adulthood and figuring out their identities and exploring their gender and sexual orientation in a way that will ring true to many teens. I am not a sports fan but Ellen's journey from hating exercise to enthusiastic team player was moving. As was the way the characters learned from their mistakes and false assumptions. A great summer read.

This is How We Fly by Anna Meriano
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, LGBTQ, People of Color, SEL, sports, summer vacation

Henri is a charming, popular student, star debater, and dog walker extraordinaire. He's passionate about taking care of his neighbor's dogs, but he knows they'll trust a corporation more than some kid, so he makes a fake dog walking company complete with its own website. No one suspects he's the only employee, except for his neighbor Corinne. She has problems of her own. She knows recommendation letters can make or break a college application and hers keep saying that she's too intense and doesn't fit in socially. She promises Henri she'll keep his secret as long as he uses his popularity to reform her image. At first it's a grudging arrangement, but as they get to know each other better Henri's feelings change. Which is why it's so devastating when he has to decide between his dreams for his future and betraying Corinne.

Ben Philippe is just as charming as his protagonist, judging from this and his other book. Reading a book of his is always a pleasure. This book is a classic rom-com premise but with thought-provoking messages of society's expectations for its main characters and academic integrity. 

Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, friendship, people of color, romance, school stories

Ever since they moved to Seattle, Cici has missed her grandmother back in Taiwan. With her 70th birthday coming up, Cici wants to buy her a plane ticket to visit. When she sees the flyer for a cooking contest for young chefs, she knows it's the perfect opportunity. Cici grew up cooking with her grandmother, but she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. So she turns to Julia Child to expand her cooking skills. When she combines her Taiwanese food with classic French style she knows it will be a wining combination.

This is a great comic for anyone who loves to cook, or even those who love to watch other people cook. Reading about Cici's struggles adapting to life in America is eye-opening and reading about her dishes is mouth-watering.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, Ann Xu (Illustrations)

Erica's Picks
3rd - 7th
​tags: comics, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, global perspectives, People of Color

There are a lot of great things about being quadruplets. But it's hard for Becca when her three brothers all have something that makes them stand out, and she's still finding her path. Jammer is a sports star, KC is a science genius, and Bailey has a passion for music. Not only that, but there's something wrong with her. When her best friend needed her most, she wasn't there for her, and now she's moved away. When Becca comes across a sick piglet, she knows it's her chance for redemption. Becca loves the saucy pig. But it's surprising how much trouble even a small pig can get up to. And the vet says she could grow up to 600 pounds! It's clear that Becca can't keep Saucy forever, but she can't bear to part with her. When Becca finds more piglets in trouble, she knows she'll need the help of the whole community to save them.

Quadruplet or not, a lot of children will relate to Becca: her struggle to stand out, her guilt over betraying her friend, and most of all her love of animals. Saucy is the star however, and readers will fall in love with her as easily as Becca does. The pictures only sweeten the story and show off Saucy's personality more. An inspiring story about finding yourself and taking action to right wrongs.

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata, Marianna Raskin (Illustrations)

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: animals, character driven, contemporary fiction, disability, family life

Ryan always tries to make her parents proud, but her fourth grade year is a difficult one. Her family has to move to a new, smaller house. Her older brother doesn't want her around. She doesn't know how to show off her talent of cooking onstage in a talent show. And even her best friends present their own challenges. Despite it all Ryan finds ways to rise above and bring sunshine to even the stormiest of days.

This charming story follows a young girl struggling with, and ultimately triumphing over the kind of setbacks many kids can relate to. It's easy to root for Ryan in this slice-of-life story that is sure to please young chapter book readers and would make a great read-aloud with plenty of springboards for further discussion. 

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, People of Color

One day Avery was sleeping in her car. The next she was a billionaire. Avery has no idea why Tobias Hawthorne chose to leave his vast fortune to her instead of his family. She's never even met him. But she was not prepared for all the challenges and danger that her new-found wealth would bring. Now she's living in a mansion filled with secret passages and Tobais's bitter relatives. Tobais's grandsons are convinced he's left them answers in the form of a puzzle and clue filled treasure-hunt. Avery teams up with the handsome Jamie to uncover the mystery, but when attempts are made on her life she realizes how deadly these inheritance games are.

This is a fun mystery full of quirky characters, puzzles, and intrigue. Even though Tobias is dead when the book begins, the eccentric billionaire plays a big role in the novel along with his passion for building secret passages and creating puzzles. He has four grandsons around the age of Avery and her sister, who all have their own unique personalities and reactions to being disinherited. On top of that there's a mystery surrounding an ex-girlfriend of the grandsons who recently died. There's a lot going on, but it all comes together in the end in a satisfying conclusion. A page-turning adventure. 

​The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Erica's Picks
7th & 8th grade
​tags: contemporary fiction, family life, mystery, romance