Can You See Me is a book about an autistic girl named Tally. For Tally, autism means she cannot understand expressions or sarcasm, she hates it when people order her to do things, and when they do, she often boils over and throws what we would call a tantrum, but she literally has no choice. It is called Demand avoidance. That means, if someone tells her to do something, she might know she has to do it, but if someone asks her to, then she feels like it is a demand and immediately refuses. Her five senses are also super good. that sometimes gets her in trouble though, because she gets accused of eavesdropping even though she can't help but overhear. That triggers her Demand Avoidance, and she then gets in a fight with her family.

She goes through sixth grade trying to pretend to be "normal". Her best friend Layla is the only one at the new middle school that knows of her autism, but they are slowly drifting apart, because Layla and her other friends (Lucy and Ayesha) start to get embarrassed about the way Tally acts. Tally gets bullied a lot because other kids think she is weird, and suffers through her classes (mostly P.E.) without any good friends. The really cool thing about this book is that it was written by an eleven year old girl with autism and her teacher. If you like wonder you would really love this book too!

Can You See Me? by Libby Scott, Rebecca Westcott
Grades 5-6
Genres: friendship, realistic, tear-jerker
Reviewed by Isa

The thing about jellyfish is a book about a girl whose best friend drowns while they were 'fighting' and she never gets to say goodbye. She is determined to find out what happened to her friend, and it leads her to a conclusion--without much evidence. This book is full of flashbacks. For example, she lets us know what happened with her and her friend's friendship through a series of flashbacks. The main character is quite academic, and gets bullied for not only caring about fashion and boys. This story is very sad, but I would still recommend this book for fourth and fifth graders.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Grades 4-6
Genres: friendship, mystery, realistic, tear-jerker
Reviewed by Isa

Book #1 of this awesome trilogy is amazing! It's about a kid named Arlo Finch who moves to a place called Pine Mountain in Colorado. He and his sister and mom (not dad because he's hiding from the FBI) move in with Arlo's Uncle. He starts Rangers (Scouts) like his Uncle did and Pine Mountain is a very special place because there's mystical creatures and a whole other world! He finds out that he's not safe and that those mystical creatures want him dead! There's so many secrets that he has to uncover. Will he find out why they want him or will he be murdered!?

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire by John August
Grades 3-4
Genres: adventure, fantasy, humor, mystery
Reviewed by Grant

This is a book with magic and victory. It is about a boy named Alex, his friends, and his evil twin. If you like Harry Potter or Land of Stories, this is a book you'd love. As you cheer for you favorite characters and boo your enemy's experience becoming unwanted and learning magic. This book is great mix of friendship, betrayal, and loyalty.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Grades 4-5
Tags: Adventure, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Friendship, Mystery
​Reviewed by Hannah

I recommend this book because it shows the real struggles of a black girl's life nowadays. If you like realistic fiction from a view people don't normally write about you will love this book.

A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee
Grades 4-6
Tags: Realistic, Friendship, Romance
​Reviewed by Ella