Book picks similar to
Oonawassee Summer by Melissa Forney


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Drita, My Homegirl


Jenny Lombard - 2006
     Fleeing war-torn Kosovo, ten-year-old Drita and her family move to America with the dream of living a typical American life. But with this hope comes the struggle to adapt and fit in. How can Drita find her place at school and in her new neighborhood when she doesn't speak any English? Meanwhile, Maxie and her group of fourth-grade friends are popular in their class, and make an effort to ignore Drita. So when their teacher puts Maxie and Drita together for a class project, things get off to a rocky start. But sometimes, when you least expect it, friendship can bloom and overcome even a vast cultural divide.

BenBee and the Teacher Griefer


K.A. Holt - 2020
    J tells them: they simply approach things in a different way than traditional school demands.• Each chapter is told through the perspective of one of the four students, who each write in a different style (art, verse, stream of consciousness).• Celebrates different types of intelligence• A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verseSoon, the kids win over Ms. J with their passion for Sandbox, a Minecraft-type game. The kids make a deal with Ms. J: every minute they spend reading aloud equals one minute they get to play Sandbox in class. But when the administration finds about this unorthodox method of teaching, Ben B. and his buds have to band together to save their teacher's job—and their own academic future. The first in a series of complementary storylines, this is an honest, heartfelt book about friendship, videogames, and learning to love yourself.• Features a distinct and engaging cast of characters• Encourages even the most reluctant reader to embrace their own "divergent" self• Perfect for parents of kids age 10 and up who love Minecraft, educators and librarians, middle grade readers, new readers of poetry, and fans of videogames• Add it to the shelf with books like Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Patina by Jason Reynolds, and Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

Pay It Forward


Catherine Ryan Hyde - 2014
    Trevor’s idea is simple: do a good deed for three people, and instead of asking them to return the favor, ask them to “pay it forward” to three others who need help. He envisions a vast movement of kindness and goodwill spreading across the world, and in this “quiet, steady masterpiece with an incandescent ending” (Kirkus Reviews), Trevor’s actions change his community forever.This middle grade edition of Pay It Forward is extensively revised, making it an appropriate and invaluable complement to lesson plans and an ideal pick for book clubs, classroom use, and summer reading. Includes an author's note and curriculum guide.

The Place of Lions


Eric Campbell - 1991
    “The exciting action in a fascinating setting, coupled with the intriguing spiritual element, make this a worthwhile and thought-provoking book.”--School Library Journal

Watership Down


Richard Adams - 1972
    Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

Challenge to Efrafa (Watership Down)


Judy Allen - 1999
    But to do this they need to outwit the evil General Woundwort.

City of the End (Book 1): The World Above (An Unofficial Minecraft Diary Book for Kids Ages 9 - 12 (Preteen)


Mark Mulle - 2016
    But what Lana didn’t expect is that everything she knows about the Overworld is not what it seems! Her supposedly easy mission is bound to become one of the most difficult challenges in her life! Just behind the portal, more mystery and exciting adventures awaits Lana. And along the way, she will discover not only the real story between the Overworld and the End City, she will also discover the true importance of trust and friendship. Grab a copy of this book today and find out how Lana’s simple life suddenly became an interesting one filled with exciting adventures! This unofficial Minecraft book is not authorized, endorsed or sponsored by Microsoft Corp., Mojang AB, Notch Development AB or any other person or entity owning or controlling the rights of the Minecraft name, trademark or copyrights. All characters, names, places and other aspects of the game described herein are trademarked and owned by their respective owners. Minecraft®/ /TM & ©2009-2016 Mojang/Notch.

The City Under Ground


Suzanne Martel - 1963
    Despite the widespread belief that Surreal is the only remaining society, it suddenly develops that there is another, apparently hostile, group of people which is draining off the city's all-important electricity. Meanwhile a 12-year-old boy, Luke P 9 becomes so curious about the outer world that he overcomes his fears of the poisonous gases on earth, against which the citizens of Surreal are continually warned.

Trouble Dolls


Jimmy Buffett - 1991
    "A welcome blend of myth and reality, set in modern times but connected by folklore to the world of animals and magic."--Publishers Weekly

Betsy Was a Junior / Betsy and Joe


Maud Hart Lovelace - 2009
    But when her crowd gets into trouble, Betsy's best year could turn out to be her worst.Betsy and Joe: Betsy always thought she and Joe Willard were made for each other—and now that summer's over and senior year's begun, it seems her dream is coming true! But her friend Tony Markham has come calling as well—and his intentions are definitely romantic.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears


Meg Medina - 2018
    For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass


Lewis Carroll - 1871
    This mini book contains the entire topsy-turvy stories of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, accompanied by practical notes and Martina Pelouso's memorable full-colour illustrations.

The Listmaker


Robin Klein - 1997
    While living with her old-fashioned great-aunts in a small Australian town, twelve-year-old Sarah makes an unlikely friend, learns something about the amazing Piriel Starr, and breaks the habit of a lifetime.

Anne of Green Gables


L.M. Montgomery - 1908
    Anne Shirley, an eleven-year-old orphan, has arrived in this verdant corner of Prince Edward Island only to discover that the Cuthberts—elderly Matthew and his stern sister, Marilla—want to adopt a boy, not a feisty redheaded girl. But before they can send her back, Anne—who simply must have more scope for her imagination and a real home—wins them over completely. A much-loved classic that explores all the vulnerability, expectations, and dreams of a child growing up, Anne of Green Gables is also a wonderful portrait of a time, a place, a family… and, most of all, love. WITH AN AFTERWORD BY JENNIFER LEE CARELL

Broken Soup


Jenny Valentine - 2008
    But next moment he's gone, lost in the crowd of bustling shoppers. And she can't afford to lose her place in the checkout queue – after all, if she doesn't take the groceries home, nobody else will.Rowan has more responsibilities than most girls her age. These days, she pretty much looks after her little sister single-handedly – which doesn't leave much time for friends or fun. So when she finds out that Bee from school saw the whole thing, it piques her curiosity. Who was the mysterious stranger? Why was he so insistent that the negative belonged to Rowan?Bee invites Rowan to her house where they make a print of the negative. And the face that appears in front of Rowan's eyes is that of her dead brother Jack…