A Long Way from Chicago
By: Richard Peck
Venture to a sleepy Illinios town where an old Mrs. Dowdell, a tough cookie and a good shot, has to watch her young grandkids every summer. Mary Alice and her older brother Joey are extremely bored and near dead during thier first visit when a sudden gun shot to 'put the dead back in the grave' awaken thier love for thier grandmother. Mary Alice and Joey visit thier grandmother for seven consecutive years and learn many important things about thier grammy and life. Told from the point of Joey, this novel is inticing, enthralling, and lovable. You will flip for this cute and humorous book. Peck is also the author of A Year Down Yonder which tells of one of Mary Alice's adventures with Gramma Dowdell.
Before We Were Free
By: Julie Avarez
Twelve-year-old Anita thinks that everything in the Dominican Republic is going fine until her Uncle Tony dissapears and the Garcias, her cousins and Aunt and Uncle, have to move to America. Soon, her and her family have to adjust thier social gatherings and conversations so as not to have their nosy maid overhear them. Anita later discovers that her father, Uncle, and possibly her whole family is involved in the conspiracy to assasinate dictator Trujillo. Thier lives spin out of control when Uncle Tony moves back and hids out in his old bachelor pad and the family spends time with him plotting. Travel back in time and discover what happens to Anita and her family.
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Audrey C., 8th grade student webmaster
Hang a Thousand Trees With Ribbons
The Story of Phillis Wheatley
By: Ann Rinaldi
Phillis Wheatley is the First African American to have their work published. Never heard of her?? Well, this breathtaking novel tells of her life as a slave, including the middle passage, her new home and master, and her developing mind that needs nourishing. This book IS history fiction, but only some of the components are truly imagined and false. This retelling is beautifully written and Ann Rinaldi has done a fantastic job of painting Phillis in a way that we can all relate to her.
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A. Clay, 8th grade student webmaster
Dread Locks Dark Fushion: Book One
By: Neal Shusterman
We center in on a priviledged fifteen year-old Parker who is as bored as his family is rich. He has no goals to strive towards, but when some people move into the alleged haunted house, his curiosity is perked. He's introduced to Tara in a strange way, she's asleep in his bed! Thus starts a strange friendship consisting of Parker bringing people to Tara. He doesn't know what's going on until it's to late. Dive into Shusterman's gripping novel of misguided love, exploration, and greek mythology. Shusterman has written many other novels including:Full Tilt, The Schwa Was Here,Antsy does Time,Everlife, and more! If you enjoy Dreadlocks, chances are, you'll love his many books.
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A. Clay, 8th grade student webmaster
