When he joins a predominantly African American “Teen Dream Team” that will be representing the United States in an international basketball tournament in Rome, Jimmy Doyle makes some unexpected discoveries about prejudice, racism, and politics.

Liz says:

“Boys absolutely love this book and so do I. There are lots of great basketball scenes and many poignant moments. Jimmy and the other characters are believable and the story moves quickly. I would not recommend this before 6th grade.”

Things get out of hand for a twelve-year-old boy when a neighbor convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business.

Liz says:

“This is a fun and funny story of what can happen when a twelve year old boy gets a riding lawnmower for his birthday – big money, big business and sometimes big trouble.”

Bobby’s carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes a father and must care for his adored baby daughter.

Liz says:

“This is a little gem of a book. It’s a quick read – short & poignant.”

Stuck working in the lost and found department of the Toronto Transit Authority for the summer, seventeen-year-old Duncan finds the diary of a serial killer and sets out to stop him.

Liz says:

“This is a great, edge of your seat suspense story. Prepare to be scared and to question whether there is justice in the end.”

Through interviews and letters, tells the fictional story of two boys who hold their classmates hostage at a high school dance, and offers facts about guns and school violence throughout the story.

Liz says:

“Readers are shown the planning, implementation and aftermath of a school shooting from the perspectives of the shooters, students, teachers and faculty. This harrowing story is told intelligently and provides notes at the bottom of pages that offer startling facts about guns and school violence in this country.”

A twelve-year-old girl learns about friendship, first loves, and self-worth in a small town in the South.

Liz says:

“Starting middle school can be tough enough without your best friend ditching you but this is unfortunately what happens to Shug (short for her nickname, Sugar). She is an amazingly lovable, resilient character. I’m hoping for a sequel and the ending leads me to believe there just might be one. 6th and 7th grade girls will love this.” (Similar reads: Sixth-Grade Glommers, Norks and Me and Being Bindy.)

Allie Kimball discovers that middle school is a very different place than fifth grade and struggles to learn ways to fit in.

Liz says:

“Follow Allie’s journey as she navigates middle school on her own. Her lifelong friend abandons her but not to worry Allie is going to be more than just okay in the end!” (Similar reads: Shug and Being Bindy.)