“Sahara Special,” by Esme Raji Codell

“Sahara Special,” by Esme Raji Codell is the story of a fifth grader who is an aspiring writer.

Sahara Jones has two files. One is the school file, which contains the test scores, letters, and notes that took Sahara out of the regular school classroom and put her into a special education class. But Sahara ignores the teasing of other kids and the humiliation she feels because she has another file, hidden behind the books at the local library. This concealed file is about the real Sahara, the Sahara who wants to be a writer when she grows up and is currently compiling her Heart-Wrenching Life History and Amazing Adventures. Sahara adds to the file from time to time, but she always keeps it secret. Read the rest »

“Project Mulberry,” by Linda Sue Park

“Project Mulberry,” by Linda Sue Park is a junior novel about a surprisingly enthralling science fair project.

The two main characters are Julia Song and her friend Patrick. They have always worked on school projects together but this time they have a more important goal: win the blue ribbon at the school science fair. The only problem is that they need an idea that is sufficiently interesting. Then Julia’s mother suggests that they raise silkworms and harvest the silk like she did when she was a young girl in Korea.

Patrick immediately accepts the idea wholeheartedly, but Julia is a little more hesitant. Read the rest »

“Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies,” by Jill Wolfson

“Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies,” by Jill Wolfson is a novel about a young orphan named Whitney and her fight to save a giant redwood tree from the local loggers.

When Whitney’s social worker takes her to Foster Home #12, Whitney is certain that the experience will be short-lived. She will be living in Northern California, in a small town surrounded by redwood trees. Most of the men in town are unemployed because logging regulations have caused the town logging company to lay off its workers. As a result, many of the families in town have taken on foster children as a means of income. Read the rest »