Flipped

Van Drannen, W. (2001). Flipped. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Plot Description: For weeks, Juli was looking forward to the new neighbors moving in because they had a son her age and she desperately wanted someone to play with.  When Bryce finally arrives Juli immediately falls in love, and stalks Bryce for the next six years until her feelings all of a sudden change in eighth grade.  She overhears Bryce talking with his friend about her Uncle who has special needs and she decides he isn’t worth her time.  That is when everything flips and Bryce starts liking Juli.  She wants nothing to do with him. but that doesn’t stop him from trying to kiss her and climbing in her window.  As a last attempt to win her over he plants a tree for her in her front yard.  As he is walking away he see Juli in the window staring at the tree and then she waves to him.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 5-8.

Similar Books:

Personal Thought: The two main characters in this book take turns narrating each chapter.  It gives the reader the perspective from each character.

Subject/Themes: Love, Friendship, Relationships

Awards: School Library Journal Best Book, IRA-CBC Children’s Choice, IRA-CBC Teacher’s Choice, & Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Winner.

Character Description: Bryce is seven years old at the start of the book.  He has just moved in across the street from Juli and has been trying to avoid her ever since.

Julianna (Juli) is also seven at the start of the book.  She falls in love with Bryce from the moment she sees him because of his blue eyes.

Annotation: It is love at first sight when Juli lays eyes on Bryce for the first time but she is seven and obviously Bryce doesn’t feel the same way.  Over the years Julie love only grows but will Bryce ever change his mind?  Read along to find out.

Alchemy and Meggy Swann.

Cushman, K (2010). Alchemy and Meggy Swann. New York: Clarion Books.

Plot Description: Meggy has crooked legs and has to use sticks for walking.  Most people either spit at her or call her names so she doesn’t like to go out much but all that changes when she is sent to live with her father.  He is an alchemist and doesn’t have time for her so she is on her own.  She meets Roger, a boy that becomes her friend, and starts to realize that not all people are mean and inconsiderate.  She starts meeting more people and helps save the Baron from a plot to kill him through a ballad she writes.  Her father then deserts her but she comes to find out that he has left her a coin and hasn’t completely forgotten about her.  Meggy ends up becoming a stronger person both emotionally and physically and learns she can overcome almost anything.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 5-8.

Similar Books: The Midwives Apprentice & Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman.

Personal Thought: In this book Meggy learns that people are able to look past her handicap and see who she really is as a person.

Subject/Themes: Family, Disfigurement, Perseverance

Character Description: Meggy is a young girl with crooked legs.  Her mother sends her away to live with her father because she does not want her. 

Louise is Meggy’s goose and her only friend for a long time.

Master Peevish is an alchemist and Meggy’s father.  He is trying to find the secret to immortality.

Roger is a young boy that originally gives Meggy food and advice and they become friends.  He is an apprentice for Master Merryman.

Master Merryman is a player and he is also disfigured.

Master Allyn owns the printing press and allows Meggy to work and live with him after her father leaves her.

Annotation: If only Meggy could dance and walk like everyone else than she might be happy.  She is sick of everyone calling her names and spitting at her and she doesn’t think her move to London to live with her father will make it any better.  Will Meggy learn to ignore the ignorant people that cause her pain or will she continue to hide inside from them?

Miracle’s Boys.

Woodson, J. (200). Miracle’s Boys. New York: Speak

Plot Description: Lafayette wishes that his life was back the way it used to be.  He wishes that his mother was still alive and that his brother still liked him, but ever since Charlie got back from Rahway he has been mean.  Lafayette even calls him Newcharlie now because he isn’t the same person.  Newcharlie is now friends with Aaron, a guy who is usually getting in trouble.  One day, Ty’ree and Lafayette, get a call that Charlie is at the precinct.  He was picked up for being in a stolen car.  The police let him go with a warning and he finally reaches his breaking point and lets his feelings out.  He realizes what is important in his life and the three boys are back to being a family again.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 6-9.

Similar Books: Behind You, Hush, & The Dear One all by Jacqueline Woodson

Personal Thought: This book depicts the life struggle one family faces and the hardships they overcome.

Subject/Themes: Family, Death, Hope

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

Character Description: Lafayette is twelve years old.  He found his mother dead in her bed when he was nine.

Ty’ree is Lafayette’s older brother.  He works full time to take care of his two younger brothers.

Charlie aka Newcharlie is the middle brother.  He was in juvenile detention for two years for robbing a convenience store and wasn’t around when his mother died.

Mama is the boy’s mother.  She died from her diabetes.

Aaron is Charlie’s new friend.  He is in a gang and ends up getting Charlie beat up as part of an initiation.

Annotation: Lafayette wishes his mother was still alive and that his brother Charlie still loved him, but things have changed and they will never be the same again.  Will Lafayette be able to make things with his family better or will they continue down the same path?