Menu
  MCDS LRC
  • Home
    • Summer Reading
      • k Summer Reading
      • 1st Summer Reading
      • 2nd Summer Reading
      • 3rd Summer Reading
      • 4th Summer Reading
      • 5th Summer Reading
      • 6th Summer Reading
      • 7th Summer Reading
      • 8th Summer Reading
  • New Books
  • Resources
    • Librarian Picks
    • Databases
    • Student Resources by Grade
      • 5th Grade
      • 7th grade
    • Building Info
    • Volunteer Resources
  • Lower School
  • Upper School
  • Parent & Teacher
  • Home
    • Summer Reading
      • k Summer Reading
      • 1st Summer Reading
      • 2nd Summer Reading
      • 3rd Summer Reading
      • 4th Summer Reading
      • 5th Summer Reading
      • 6th Summer Reading
      • 7th Summer Reading
      • 8th Summer Reading
  • New Books
  • Resources
    • Librarian Picks
    • Databases
    • Student Resources by Grade
      • 5th Grade
      • 7th grade
    • Building Info
    • Volunteer Resources
  • Lower School
  • Upper School
  • Parent & Teacher

Bloom

11/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
It starts with the rain. A rainstorm that seems to happen simultaneously all over the globe. Next comes the strange black grass that grows at an alarming rate. Then allergic reactions to the pollen in the air. People start disappearing into the ground, consumed by monstrous plants. Soon the world is in a panic. Crops are failing. Buildings are collapsing. People are crowding the hospitals. But there are three teenagers who seem oddly unaffected by it all. What makes them so special and what can they do to save the rest of the world before it's too late?

This is a fast-past thriller told from the perspective of three teenagers. Luckily all three books are out because the minute you finish one you'll want to pick up the next. Perfect for fans of fast-paced science fiction.

The Overthrow #1 Bloom by Kenneth Oppel

Erica's Picks
5th +
tags: fast-paced, horror, people of color, science fiction, survival

0 Comments

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II

11/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
 As we lose those who suffered the horrors of World War II, it is more important than ever to preserve their stories and their voices. Lia Levi's Just a Girl is just one of those many sacred voices we look to uphold for future generations.

 Telling her experience of growing up in Italy during WWII, Levi invites the reader to experience her past through her lens as a young girl of Jewish faith. Perfect for younger readers, Levi's account communicates the collective fears and anxieties of living through the war -- in hiding at a Catholic boarding school, no less -- while still making room for the simple joys and miracles she witnessed during a complicated time where the world changed before her eyes. 

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II by Lia Levi
​Jennie's Picks
4th - 6th
tags: biography, global perspectives, history, survival

0 Comments

Luck of the Titanic

11/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Valora Luck worked as a servant for the crotchety Mrs. Sloane. Mrs. Sloane purchased tickets for them both on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, but died before it could leave port. When Valora attempts to take their first class room alone, she is turned away for being Chinese. But Valora needs to get on that ship. Her last living relative, her twin brother, is a passenger in third class on his way to a job in Cuba. Valora knows that if she can get on board and find him, they can convince the circus magnate on board to hire them as acrobats and start a new life in America together. But fate has other plans, and there's more danger aboard the Titanic than Valora could have ever dreamed.

I should perhaps confess that I never saw the famous movie, but even if I had I'm sure this would still be my favorite fictionalized account of the Titanic. With a large cast of characters, constant schemes, layers of deception, and stunning fashions this is a story I can get behind. Inspired by the eight Chinese passengers of the Titanic who really existed and about whom so little is known due to the racism of the era. A not-to-be-missed historical drama.

Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee 

Erica's Picks 
6th - 8th
​tags:  family life, fast-paced, historical fiction, People of Color, survival, tear-jerker

0 Comments

Canyon's Edge

9/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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

0 Comments

Brother's Keeper

3/29/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
After living a life terrified of being turned in by a neighbor for not being patriotic enough, Twelve year old Sora and her family make the dangerous decision to try and escape to South Korea as the front line of the war moves closer to their village. Fleeing into a war zone with limited resources is dangerous enough without having to worry about being caught by their own country men and punished for trying to defect. In the chaos of a bombing Sora is separated from her parents and left with her eight year old brother to protect. As they struggle through the hunger, cold, and war happening around them they wonder if they will ever see their family again, or if they are even alive.

This harrowing journey is incredibly moving. The resilience of Sora to push on and care for her brother despite everything is astonishing. While appropriate for a middle grade audience, the realities of life at the time are not sugarcoated and you should be prepared for a tear-jerker. The ultimate message though is one of hope and empathy.

Brother's Keeper by Julie Lee 
Erica's Picks
4th - 7th
tags: family life, fast-paced, global perspectives, historical fiction, people of color, survival, tear-jerker

0 Comments

The Weight of Our Sky

8/31/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Melati looks like a typical teen: going to a movie with a friend, talking about music and celebrity crushes. But inside her head, she is constantly waging war with a djinn. Her father is already dead, and the djinn tells her about all the horrible things that will happen to her mother if she doesn't obey. The djinn loves numbers, so she placates it by doing things like tapping in multiples of three. Sometimes, she can do this discreetly while appearing normal and sometimes she loses hours of her life to it. Melati is used to envisioning horrible fates, but that doesn't make it easier when something truly horrifying comes to pass. Riots break out between the Malay and Chinese and Melati sees people massacred. She is quickly separated from her friend and has no way of contacting her mother. How can Melati survive alone in the chaos when she struggles in everyday life?

This book, which takes place during the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur, is gripping, intense and violent. Melati is a powerful character and I found the way she framed her OCD as a djinn inside her head fascinating. Every character is carefully crafted and fully fleshed out. The writing was beautiful and the plot unrelenting. 

Erica's Picks
8th grade
​tags: character driven, global perspectives, historical fiction, mental illness, people of color, survival

0 Comments

The Lovely and the Lost

8/31/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Kira's earliest memories are of survival in the woods where she was found as a child with no memory of her past. Now she trains dogs to help find people in the wilderness. Her adopted family trains elite search-and-rescue dogs. The dogs are part of Kira's family as much as the humans in her life, and sometimes she feels like the dogs understand her better. When a child goes missing in the Sierra Glades National Park after a series of disappearances, Kira's family reports for duty. But this is not a regular mission. The similarities to Kira's own past cause flashbacks and a reunion with estranged family members brings dangerous secrets to the surface. On top of it all is the mystery of what or who might be behind the string of missing persons in the Park.

Barnes is a master of characterization and everyone we meet in the book is layered and nuanced. She manages to do this while maintaining a fast-paced plot. Of course I love the focus on dog characters and was fascinated to read about the particulars of search and rescue. 

The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
Tags:

0 Comments

24 Hours in Nowhere

12/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
There’s a story behind how Dead Man’s Mine got its name. As you may guess, it’s not a pretty one. Which is why Rossi, Gus, Jessie and Matthew do not tell their parents before they go into the cave. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it could be a deadly mistake when a rock slide leaves them trapped inside. 

This is a fantastic adventure story about survival, gold, and dirt bikes. Dead Man’s Mine is dark and full of dangers. But this book shines with life. 

Erica's Picks
24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling

4th - 7th grade​
Tags: Adventure, Fast-Paced, People of Color, Survival




0 Comments

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

11/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​A six seater plane is flying over the Amazon toward the city of Manaus. Fred has been watching the movements of the pilot’s hands on the fuel gauge, throttle, and joystick. Behind Fred are a girl and her brother. They have the same brown skin and long eyelashes. Lila is protective of her little brother Max who is trying to eat the seat belt. In the next row is a pale girl with blond hair down to her waist.  Con’s ruffled collar is clearly bothering her and she stares out the window avoiding contact.
Suddenly the pilot begins to belch repeatedly, his hand gives a violent jerk and the plane dips and lurches away from the river and down towards the canopy.  The children emerge from the crash but the pilot is dead.
Suspicious of each other and low on survival skills, the children try to find food and shelter.  The discovery of a map leads them to head for Manaus.  On the way they fall into an ancient city and meet the Explorer, a man with a mysterious past and keen survival skills who teaches them to eat tarantula eggs among other lore.  As his heart softens to the children, he must balance his need to protect the city and forest with his desire to lead them to safety.
“And all of you - do not forget that, lost out here, you were brave even in your sleep. Do not forget to take risks. Standing ovations await your bravery,' Con swallowed. 'But I'm afraid,' she whispered. The Explorer nodded, scarred and dusty and matter-of-fact. 'You are right to be afraid. Be brave anyway.”
Do yourself a favor and embark on this amazing adventure in this wise and wonderful survival story.
  


Tessa's Picks, 4th-7th grade, Adventure, Survival, People of Color

0 Comments

The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist

11/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Veronika, Caroline, Isobel, and Eleanor have lived on a deserted island for as long as they can remember.  The four girls do everything together and look identical except for their hair color.   Irene and Robbert tell them that their parents all died in a plane crash and do their best to take care of them and provide them with an education.  Despite their tragic circumstances they live a relatively happy and normal life.  Or at least that's what they always believed.  Then one day a very different girl appears on the island who makes them question everything.


The book is written from Veronika's perspective and her limited knowledge and her inability to see how unique her life is creates tension as little hints are dropped which left me constantly guessing and trying to extrapolate to figure out what was going on. It reminded me of psychological thrillers like The Twilight Zone.  Veronika even talks in a way that is a bit off (read a bit of the beginning to see if you can get used to this style or not.)


The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist


Erica's Picks 
6th - 8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Dystopian, People of Color, Science Fiction, Survivor

0 Comments
<<Previous

    RSS Feed

    Need a book?

    Then you've come to the right place!  Follow the blog to see the latest recommendations from Erica and Jennie.  Browse by subject to see past recommendations in each category.  

    Book Talk Videos

    Find Erica's video book talks here

    Categories

    All
    1st Grade
    2nd Grade
    3rd Grade
    4th Grade
    5th Grade
    6th Grade
    7th Grade
    8th Grade
    Adventure
    Animals
    Art
    Biography
    Book Fair 2020
    Character Driven
    Comics
    Contemporary Fiction
    Crime Caper
    Diaries
    Disability
    Dystopian
    Erica's Picks
    Fairy Tales
    Family Life
    Fantasy
    Fast Paced
    Friendship
    Global Perspectives
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Horror
    Humor
    Issues Fiction
    Jennie's Picks
    Kindergarten
    LGBTQ
    Magical Realism
    Makers
    Mental Illness
    Mystery
    Mythology
    Nonfiction
    Novels In Verse
    People Of Color
    Picture Books
    Poetry
    Retellings
    Romance
    School Stories
    Science
    Science Fiction
    SEL
    Short Stories
    Social Justice
    Sports
    Steampunk
    Summer Vacation
    Supernatural
    Survival
    Tear Jerker
    Tessa's Picks

    Archives

    November 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.