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

Ailey knows he has the moves to make the Scarecrow in his school's production of The Wiz really shine. But at his audition, his mind goes blank and he completely chokes. He isn't looking forward to telling his family, but when he gets home there's much bigger problems: his grampa is in the hospital. Grampa tells Ailey about the time he met Bojangles and was given a pair of tap shoes and invited to audition, but he never worked up the courage to try. It's his biggest regret in life. When Ailey finds the tap shoes in the closet and makes a wish, he's transported back in time. He has the chance to change his grampa's life, and maybe his own too.

The author's love for history shines through. I love how the characters are named after Alvin Ailey, Benjamin Banneker, Mahalia Jackson and more (there's a list in the back with brief bios of their real-life counterparts). Henderson also does an amazing job conveying the tap sequences through onomatopoeia (I would love if it was made into a movie just so I can see the dances). Ailey's love for his family is the moving force behind the novel and a great warmth radiates from that. It' would make an excellent read-aloud with plenty of jumping off points for discussion.

The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson 
2nd - 4th
Erica's Picks
​tags: family life, historical fiction, People of Color, SEL

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

When Louie's father brings home a sickly, newborn mini donkey Louie makes it his mission to care for the pitiful creature. Everyone thinks that he won't last more than a day or two. His friend Nora thinks the baby isn't worth the heartache. But Louie won't be dissuaded. When the donkey defies everyone's expectations there's a new problem: keeping a loud donkey on a residential street.

This is a sweet story of triumph over impossible odds and not being afraid to risk your heart by loving. Of course the main attraction is  the adorable baby mini donkey. But Louie and Nora's friendship shines through as another highlight. A quick read with short chapters perfect for sensitive young souls.

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
​tags: animals, character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, SEL

When Sunflower is orphaned, the poorest family in the village adopts her. They may not have much, but they shower sunflower with love and work hard to give her the best they can. No one is more excited to have her join the family than her new brother, Bronze. He has been mute ever since a horrible fire, but communicates with sign language. The two of them are inseparable, but when the crops are devastated by locusts they are forced to make hard sacrifices to survive.

It's easy to tell why this story is so beloved in China and I'm glad it was finally translated into English. Even though Sunflower and her family go through serious hardships, their love shines through so strongly and the simple joys of childhood are depicted so clearly that the ultimate effect is a sweet, heart-warming story. The language is simple but vivid and displays great wisdom through accessible stories and languages as the very best children's books do. Highly recommended.

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan
Erica's Picks
4th - 6th grade
tags: 

Edie never imagined that when she went into the attic with her friends looking for popsicle molds, she would uncover a mystery that would change her life. Edie's mother is Native American, but she was adopted by a white couple and claims to know little of her native roots. Which is why Edie is shocked when she uncovers letters and photographs of a native woman from the past who looks like her and shares her name. Who is this woman? Did her mother name her after this other Edith? Why have her parents kept this all hidden? As she investigates the mystery with her friends, Edie will learn who she can really trust and the secret history of her family.

This is a sweet, gentle story about a girl uncovering her family past and navigating friendships. I loved learning about Coast Salish Indians along with Edie. The premise is unique, but the basic themes of finding out who your true friends are, standing up for yourself, and learning how to have hard conversations with your family are all universal. A great story for young readers.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: 

After three years of traveling in a wagon, Hanna is excited when they pull up to the frontier town of LaForge. She hopes that she and her father can finally settle down and open a dress shop. She even dares to dream that she can fulfill her mother's dying wish of graduating from school. But when she shows up to the one-room school house, the town is scandalized. Most of them have never met an Asian person before and don't want their children going to school with one. Will Hanna's dreams finally come true? Or will she never find a place that will accept her?

This novel is Park's answer to Little House on the Prairie and set in the same time and place. Fans of the series will recognize much and think about the series in a new light. I particularly enjoyed reading about Hanna's dress-making and designing. Hanna is a strong heroine and easy to root for with her sense of humor and determination to fight for what is right. 

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
5th - 7th grades
​tags: character driven, family life, historical fiction, People of Color, SEL, social justice

When a plane crashes on its way from New York to the Dominican Republic, the lives of two girls are changed forever. They live in the same time zone but worlds apart. Yahaira is a chess champion who lives in an urban apartment with her mother and is dating the girl next door. Camino lives in a rural house with her aunt who is a healer and dreams of going to America to study medicine one day. When tragedy strikes, they are forced to question everything they thought they knew as they cope with loss and unexpected gains.

This novel in verse is a quick, impactful read. The alternating chapters explore each girl's point of view and paint two very different but equally compelling pictures.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Erica's Picks
8th grade
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, global perspectives, issues fiction, LGBTQ, novels in verse, People of Color, SEL, summer vacation, tear-jerker

Muiriel was left at the John Muir Medical Center as a baby. She has taken her namesake as a role model and has spent her life bouncing from one foster home to another, only feeling truly at home when she can go for a walk outside. She is prepared to age out of the foster system without any attachments, until she moves to a small island in Washington for her Senior year. There she meets people who seem to truly understand her and she starts to break her rules and open her heart to them. But her eighteenth birthday is fast approaching and she knows that soon she'll be on her own. What will happen when she has to leave the island, and everyone on it, behind?

This book was inspired by the author's daughter who lived in three different foster homes before being adopted. It works hard to portray a balanced picture even as it points out the inequities inherit in the system. Seeing how foster care as affected Muir is heartbreaking but watching her slowly come out of her shell and bloom warms your heart back up and puts it together again.

What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
7th & 8th grades
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, friendship, issues fiction, romance, school stories, SEL, social justice, tear jerker