Twelve-year–old Mitch and his mother are spending the summer with his grandparents at Bird Lake after his parents separate, and ten-year-old Spencer and his family have returned to the lake where Spencer’s little brother drowned long ago, and as the boys become friends and spend time together, each of them begins to heal.

Liz says:

“True to form, Henkes delivers a thoughtful story of loss, forgiveness and hopefulness.”

Philip, an adolescent white boy who is blinded in a torpedo attack at sea during World War II, acquires a new type of vision, courage, and love when he is stranded on a tiny Caribbean island with Timothy, a kind, elderly black man.

Liz says:

“This is one of the best survival stories and one of the best historical fiction books for young readers. This is an unforgettable read – a classic!”

Presents an historical fiction written in first-person format that follows Emma, the slave of Pierce Butler, through a series of events in her life as her master hosts the largest slave auction in American history in Savannah, Georgia in 1859 in order to pay off his mounting gambling debts.

Liz says:

“Master storyteller, Julius Lester, takes a real moment in history and brings it to life in this compelling book told through dialogue and reflections (interludes). Prepare to cry!”

In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years.

Liz says:

“What seems like a very simple story at first ends up being an amazingly insightful book. Below the surface there are several side stories that uncover deep feelings and emotions. In addition to Bryce and Julie learning about their feelings for each other, the reader is shown what is really going on in their lives. There are some heartbreaking scenes (with Julie’s uncle) and some hilarious scenes (with chickens and more…).”

Rachel, having chosen to be mute following the sudden death of a classmate, shares responsibility with the other sixth-graders who decide not to report that the substitute teacher failed to show up.

Liz says:

“As this 6th grade class goes through their day without a teacher, they uncover and discover much about themselves as individuals and as a class.”

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

Liz says:

“This is a masterfully written book about a dystopian society; it is absolutely a classic. (There are 2 companion books: Gathering Blue and Messenger. They are less compelling but for fans of The Giver you will find answers to all of the questions you are sure to be left with.) I think this is best read from 6th grade up but many 5th graders do read it. Parents will want to read this as well!”

Seventeen-year-old Josh, a loner-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world, tries to maintain his secret identity as the author of a web site that is receiving national attention.

Liz says:

“This is a perfect book for 7th grade. The premise is so believable that you have to remind yourself that it’s fiction. Josh is a very interesting character with an amazing message to the world. He feels that as a society we are too caught up in material goods and are entirely too commercial. His vehicle for spreading his message is through sermons that he publishes on the Internet under his assumed name, Larry. As the site gains phenomenal attention, someone wants to figure out and expose who the real “Larry” is. This will prove very problematic for Josh/Larry. The format of the book is quite unique – it’s a journal with footnotes. Kids absolutely love this book!!!!”

As further evidence of his family’s bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

Liz says:

“This very popular book (which was made into a movie) is universally loved. It’s a must read!”