Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Frances B. Miller who likes to be called Frankly (because it sounds professional) is on her first plane ride with her parents. Her dad is in charge of a conference in Florida. Her dad's business partner has his 11 year old daughter working the name badge table. Franny is younger, but so badly would rather work at the conference than attend Princessland with her mother. They give her her wish. Read how Franny messes up her work responsibilities and learns a lesson.

Interest Level K-3

Reading Level 4.7

Reviewed by Janet Sager

Upon Trixie and her dad's return from an errand it becomes evident from Trixie's tantrum that Knuffle Bunny is missing.
Caldecott Award
Interest Level K-3
Reading Level 2.7
Reviewed by Trisha Sabel

Mrs. Zookey's class has a new love, the game of chess. This is a great story to share in your classroom. Competition, trust, and friendship are all expressed in this children's book.

Interest Level- Ages 7-11

Reading Level- 3.7

Reviewed by Abbie Thill

Have you ever been sad? Michael Rosen takes us through his day and sadness of his son's death. He shows the reader how he really feels and how he copes with it. It is an excellent book to read together as parent and child and then discuss what do you feel and do when you are sad.

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 3.7
Reviewed by Susan Queiser

A descriptive story built around two themes; Asperger's syndrome and school shootings. Caitlin is a 10 year old with Asperger's. As she is dealing with her world she loses her brother to a school shooting. Her brother meant everything to her. To find closures she and her father finish Devon's Eagle Scout project and along the way Caitlin learns to feel empathy and builds friendships.

Interest Level 5-8

Reading Level 4.1

Reviewed by Janet Sager

When Brian crash lands a bush plane in the Canadian forest miles off course, he questions his luck even though he survived. Brian's survival skills will be put to the test, can he survive in the wilderness with only the hatchet his mother gave to him before she sent him off to spend his summer with his father.

Newbery Honor Award
Interest Level 5-8
Reading Level 6.0
Reviewed by Trisha Sabel

Gianna has less than a week to find 25 leaves for a science project. She struggles to get her work done, but has a great friend who encourages her. The best part of the entire book is that her dad drives her to school in a hearse. She has to finish her science project in order to compete in the sectional track meet. Will she get her Science project done?

Interest Level- Ages 9-12

Reading Level- 4.2

Reviewed by Abbie Thill

Trouble will never come if you are far away from it. What do you do when trouble finds you. Henry finds out when tragedy strikes his family. He will do what they planned to do that summer before the tragedy. On his travels he learns more about trouble and how it draws more trouble. Read and follow his journey.

Interest Level: YA

Reading Level: YA

Reviewed by Susan Queiser