Bystander by James Preller

Eric Hayes is the new boy at school. He meets Griffin and is trying to decide if Griffin is a friend or a bully. This is a facinating story! It is great read for any student who has been the "new kid" at school.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Addie's family live had never been what she would call "normal". With her Mommer's, it has been "always or nothing". Addie"s stepdad, Dwight, has come the closest of anyone trying to show her a normal family life. You will be touched by Addie's story. Addie is a remarkable young girl who makes some true friends while dealing with the most unpleasant family situations always finding a way to make the best of her life.

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Did you ever feel like your brother or sister was more loved, got more attention, always had the lucky things happen to them? That is the story Sarah Louise tells. Her twin sister, Caroline, has always seemed to be the favored child. For example, the two girls live on a fishing island which is very secluded. To go to high school, you must leave the island to go to a boarding school. Sarah Louise wants desparately to go, but there is only enough money to send Caroline. And thus the story goes, Caroline gets all the good things while Sarah Louise gets the left overs.

This is a story about growing up. Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair, but we can become stronger from each experience.

I listened to this book on one of our Playaway books. If you haven't tried listening to a book, I would recommend that you do.

Little Wolf's Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow

We all know wolves are supposed to be mean and dangerous animals. In this very funny, beginning chapter book, Little Wolf is worrying his parents because he is too well behaved. He is even nice to his baby brother, Smellybreff!

So, Little Wolf's parents send him on a journey through a dark forest to attend his Uncle Bigbad's school, Cunning College. There Little Wolf can learn the proper way to act wild and become a bad wolf.

This book will keep you laughing right up to the last page!

Among the Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This is the sequel to Among the Hidden. If that book captured your interest, you won't be disappointed with Among the Impostors. Luke tells his story of being left, with a new identity, at the Hendricks School for Boys. In this society, parents can not have more than two children. Any third child lives in fear for his/her life. Strange, even mysterious things happen at the Hendicks School and Luke is determined to discover the secrets of the school.

Jane Goodall Legendary Primatologist by Brenda Haugen

This book tells the story of Jane Goodall, the famous researcher, who taught us so much about the life of chimpanzees. It is fascinating to hear Jane tell her life story, how from a very young age, she wanted to travel to Africa to learn about the animals that lived there.

Jane ends the book with a message hoping that all of us can help make our world a better place.

Wing Nut by M.J. Auch

Twelve year old Grady and his mother have been moving from place to place since Grady's dad died in a tragic accident. His mom always seems to be able to get some kind of a job to support the two of them.

The most recent move is living with and caring for an elderly man, Charlie. Grady learns what it is finally like to have a real home. He also learnsfrom Charlie about mechanics and bird watching.

At the same time, Grady teaches Charlie to enjoy his life again.