Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

This is a great young adult book about a girl in high school who has recently been abandoned by her popular friend group. In her loneliness, and through the persistence of the schools guidance counselor, Chole is thrown into helping out the school's failing radio station. Although her interactions with the other students who run the station are initially unpleasant, as they work together to make the radio station successful they slowly but surely become friends and in some cases much more.
      I really enjoyed reading this book, Chloe, although a bit oblivious, is an engaging and fun character. The little romance in it is both sweet and exciting. Chloe's changing relationships with her classmates are both interesting and funny. This book would be best for middle school and high school students.
Introduction to Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by the author .

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This novel is sent in 1943 Denmark, during the beginning of the Nazi occupation. It details the struggles of Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen. Ellen is jewish and is in danger of being caught and sent to a Nazi death camp. Annemarie and her parents decide to hide Ellen in their family as Annemarie's sister who had died. Because of Ellen's coloring she looks very similar to Annemarie's sister. As things in Denmark increasingly worse, it becomes clear that Ellen must leave on a ship heading for a safer place. Annemarie must bravely assist her best friend to freedom.
        Number the Stars is a fantastic holocaust novel that showcases Lowry's storytelling abilities. This novel is one of my very favorites, and instilled in me a love for historical fiction, specifically about the holocaust. This book is both suspenseful and intriguing, the characters are likable and many children will relate to the thought processes and struggles they deal with. This is a great story of the bravery and moral integrity that characterized the Danish people's reaction to Nazi occupation. This Newberry Award winner is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.

The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsberg

The View From Saturday is a novel about four sixth graders who were chosen to represent their class in a knowledge bowl. At the beginning of the book the reader finds out that these four students are the first sixth graders to beat an eighth grade team in the history of the school. The novel details their lives leading up to the bowl as well as the strange ways in which the students are connected. It also shifts to their teacher, Mrs. Olinski's point of view. At various points she is asked by people why she chose these for kids and parts of the book are her explanations. The group of students form a club called "The Souls", set in motion by Julian's invitation to all of them for tea at his home. 

     This is a wonderful novel that won the Newberry Award in 1997. What makes it particularly interesting is the shifting points of view from teacher to the various students who are a part of "The Souls". The narrative is both interesting and engaging, the story is set up in a way that is very entertaining. The way this book is written, at some points in the novel you feel like you are solving a mystery. This book is appropriate for middle schoolers or high schoolers. 

Anything But Typical by Nara Raleigh Baskin

Anything but Typical details the life and struggles of Jason Blake. Jason, we find out,  has been diagnosed as autistic. Jason tries desperately to make life easier for his parents and teachers, but things seem to keep going wrong. Jason loves his computer and especially his time on the Storyboard website, a place for writing stories and fan-fiction. When Jason starts exchanging messages with a girl his age, he thinks he has finally found a real friend, but chaos is always right around the corner.

            This is a great novel for people who are trying to better understand what it is like to be autistic. The reader is privy to Jason’s candid thoughts and feelings, making the mystery of autism a little more understandable. This novel is well written and entertaining; you really get a feel for the characters and what they are going through. 

Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith   is a non-fiction book about Charles Darwin and his wife Emma. It catalogues Darwin’s struggle with faith, as well as much of his life and work. It is an in-depth look at Charles’ and Emma’s relationship and romance as well as the reception and development of Darwin’s theories.

            I will be honest--I had a hard time with this book. Although the subject matter is interesting, I found the writing to be lacking. The text was a bit disjointed and it didn’t flow as smoothly as most biographies I have encountered. Although it is incredibly informative, it is dry in parts and as I said, I had a hard time getting through it. This book is appropriate for junior high students, especially those interested in science and evolution.

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Kira’s life is meager and simple. As the book opens, Kira’s mother has died and she is struggling to find her place in a village that looks down upon her and her crippled leg. Kira has always had a knack for embroidery, and when the council in the village see this they commission her to repair a ceremonial robe. Even though Kira’s life improves, she is now privy to the secrets that town council hides. As her skills grow, Kira becomes more aware of some lurking power that allows her to thread the future into her cloth.

            Gathering Blue is book number two in The Giver Quartet. Although this novel seemingly has nothing to do with The Giver, it is set in the same place a number of years after Jonas’ escape. Lowry’s portrayal of strong willed Kira reflects the same depth and beauty as seen in The Giver. This is a great novel that leaves you wanting to know more about the inhabitants of this strange world. This book is ideal for upper elementary and junior high school students. 

Messenger by Lois Lowry

Messenger is the tale of Matty, Kira’s friend from her original village. Matty lives in a village that is a refuge from the harsh surrounding villages with a man named Seer.  Matty is the unofficial messenger for the town as well as the communities surrounding. Very few people manage to go into the dark forest around the village without the forest attacking them. For some reason Matty is able to continually go in and out of the forest with no repercussions. As the people of his town are slowly infiltrated by the foreboding figure Trademaster, Matty is charged with telling the surrounding communities that they will be longer be accepting people into their once friendly village.

            Messenger is book number three in The Giver quartet. Matty is a great character that readers will think very fondly of.  The inclusion of characters in The Giver and Gathering Blue will be a delight and relief to readers. Lowry’s characteristic rich description and masterful story telling will leave the readers anxious to learn of the fate of sweet Matty and his friends. This book is great for upper elementary and junior high students. 

Son by Lois Lowry

Son, Lois Lowry’s final novel in The Giver quartet, follows the travels of Gabe’s birth mother, Claire. Once her escape from the oppressive community is secured, Claire, who is lost at sea during a fierce storm, arrives on the shores of a small community nestled on the base of daunting cliffs. Although most of Claire’s memories are faint, she does remember the pain of her son being ripped from her shortly after his birth. As she slowly becomes a beloved part of this new community, Claire becomes and more and more determined to find her son. Although the community is safe and friendly, the cliffs keep the inhabitants from leaving; no one has dared leave except a mangled young shepherd who has graciously offered his knowledge to help Claire leave. As Claire embarks on her journey she encounters a strange figure who will trade the knowledge of where her son is for her youth.

            There have been a lot of reviews out there that say that Lowry has done a disservice to her readers by answering all the questions posed in The Giver and the following novels. I would have to disagree. Son is a beautifully told novel that has characters and problems with depth and brilliance. Lowry once again has outdone herself  by snaring the reader with issues that are both relatable and intriguing. Son is incredibly well written, and Lowry ties the four books together seamlessly. This dystopian novel would be great for junior high and upper elementary students. 

Payback Time by Carl Deuker

Mitch wants nothing else but to write for the school paper. When the new editor assigns him to be the head of the sports section, Mitch, dubbed the Michelin Man because of his weight by his classmates, is anything but thrilled.  Despite his initial hesitancy, Mitch soon becomes wrapped up in sports, as well as in the sports photographer, Kimi. Although Mitch has been directed to focus his writing on Horst Diamond by the football coach, another player, Angel, catches his eye.  Angel has transferred to Mitch’s school and is quickly becoming the star player, but there is an air of mystery surrounding this golden boy, and Mitch is determined to get the bottom of it.

            This is a great sports novel that is also a bit of a mystery. The character Mitch is a great narrator and his struggles will resonate with high school and junior high school students alike. Deuker’s character development is believable and interesting; this is a great book for hesitant boy readers who need a little action to get them hooked. 

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Jack Gantos is preparing himself for a summer of baseball and lounging when he gets in trouble for mowing down his mom’s cornfield and shooting off his dad’s Japanese rifle. Jack, instead of spending time with friends, is commissioned to help his neighbor Ms. Volker , who is crippled by arthritis, write obituaries for the quickly diminishing population of Norvelt.  As more and more originally founders of Norvelt die off, Jack becomes suspicious of the causes.

            This Newbery winner is a delightful tale of a small town and the people in it. Jack’s character is vibrant and funny. His relationship with Ms. Volker is endearing, and the mystery surrounding the town keeps you interested.  The narrative is both humorous and relatable. This book would be great for middle school or high school students. 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Miranda, the main character of When You Reach Me, is a sixth grader who lives with her mother in New York City. Miranda starts the book by explaining that the story she is telling is being told for a mysterious stranger who has been leaving her notes; he has requested that she tell the story of her sixth grade year. As the book progresses, Miranda puzzles over the mysterious notes, the abrupt end to her relationship with her best friend Sal, as well as the curious boy Marcus who seems to continually be in the periphery.

            This is a great story. The underlying mystery keeps you wanting more, while Miranda’s relationship with her mother and schoolmates allows the reader to feel connected to her and her struggles. Miranda’s fascination with A Wrinkle In Time and time travel provides the reader with much to contemplate. I loved this book and would recommend it for any middle schooler who likes science fiction or contemporary fiction. 

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Hope Was Here is a story about a young girl named Hope and her aunt who move from bustling New York City to small town Wisconsin. There they help run the Welcome Stairways Diner. The owner of the diner, G.T., decides shortly after their arrival to run for mayor against the town's current devious and greedy incumbent. With the help of Hope and her new friends from school, and  her new love interest Braverman, G.T’s campaign has a fighting chance against the slimy Eli Millstone.

 I will be honest, Hope Was Here made me cry. Not just the normal shed a tear for the characters in the book, but a full out bawl for Hope and her little family. This is a wonderful book that has great approachable and relatable characters. The plot is engaging and you feel genuinely invested in the characters' lives. This book would be great for middle schoolers.  

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman is the second book in the Unwind trilogy, Unwholly is a startling book. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view and the insight you get from each of these perspectives provides a depth to this book that makes it unlike many other dystopian novels. The story follows a group of teens who have escaped the fate of being unwound-their organs and limbs removed and donated to save other people. In this society parents have the option to “unwind” their children if they no longer want them. This rag-tag group of kids who have escaped are on a mission to change the laws of their society.

I absolutely loved this book. Specifically the character of Cam resonated with me. Shusterman’s comments on identity and consciousness through this character make it an ideal book for use in the classroom. This book had me on the edge of my seat half the time and in deep thought the other half. For days after I read it I thought about the implications of this novel and how it connected to my life. It is a great dystopian read and appropriate for late middle school to high school readers. Reader be warned, Unwholly has vulgar language as well as a fair amount of violence.