Restart by Gordon Korman

2017 Copyright MG

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Grade Level: 3-7

Reading Level: 5.1 (9 points) 256 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 30, 2017)

My Rating: 5 out of 4

Readability: Fun and great story!

MHL Division: Crossover

Summary: 

Chase Ambrose forgets everything after falling off a roof and losing consciousness. He forgets his name. He forgets his parents. He forgets what he was doing up there on that roof. And he forgets that he's the biggest bully at Hiawassee Middle School.

I have heard lots of great reviews on this book and I agree! Chase is a big middle school bully who falls off the roof of his house, hits his head, and gets amnesia. He can't remember anything about his life. He discovers that he was the biggest bully in his school and yet his new outlook on life is so much the opposite. Lots of twists and turns in this book make you keep wanting to read more. The characters were well developed and the plot is makes this book a page turner.  I highly recommend this book!

Real Friends by Shannon Hale

2017 Copyright MG

Genre: Graphic Novel - Memoir

Grade Level: 3-7

Reading Level: 2.6 (1 point) 224 pages

Publisher: First Second (May 2, 2017)

My Rating: 4 out of 4

Readability: Graphic Novel - easy and fast!

MHL Division: Crossover

Summary: 

This graphic memoir follows Shannon's life from kindergarten through fifth grade, during which she experiences the joy of making first friends while navigating the tricky waters of cliques, bullies, and the popular crowd.

This story is a memoir of author Shannon Hale's life making friendships in elementary school. She details the turns she had in friendships as well as the anxiety she experiences finding her place in her family and in her school community.  She experienced heart breaking friendship problems and was always trying to figure out how to make and keep a friend. She tells in a note at the end of the book how she used her diaries to help her write this book although not all the names and situations are exact. I highly recommend this to parents and teachers to read and then pass on to girls who are having trouble with friends.  Shannon gives comfort in showing that they are not alone. 

Maxi's Secrets by Lynn Plourde

2018-2019 Maud Hart Lovelace Nomination List

Genre: Animal Story

Grade Level: 4th – 6th

Reading Level: 4.1 (7 points) 272 pages

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (August 23, 2016)

My Rating: 5 out of 4

Readability: Heartwarming, funny, sad, and a fast read!

MHL Division: Crossover

Summary: 

When a big, lovable, does-it-her-way dog wiggles her way into the heart of a loudmouth pipsqueak of a boy, wonderful things happen that allow the boy to become a bigger, better person.

This is one of the best dog stories I have read in a long time. It is also about middle school and dealing with our differences and handicaps as you try to fit in.  Maxi is a great Pyrenees dog which is one of those big white fluffy dogs that Timminy adopts when they move to a new town where his father will be the new assistant principal. Turns out that Maxi, his new puppy is deaf. Timminy also has difficulty at his new school because of bullies who actually stuff him in his locker. Eventually, he meets his next door neighbor who also goes to his school and they become fast friends.  She happens to be blind. 

Along the way Timminy learns lessons from his dog that helps him in his life.

Animals are sometimes a real gift and this dog is an example of that concept.

I plan on buying this book for my library and I hope kids will love it as much as I did. 

The Littlest Bigfoot by Jennifer Weiner

 2018-2019 Maud Hart Lovelace Nomination List

Genre:  Fantasy

Grade Level: 4th – 6th

Reading Level: 6.4 (10 points) 352 pages

Publisher: Aladdin (September 13, 2016)

My Rating: 4out of 4

Readability: Funny and a fast read despite being a longer story. 

MHL Division: Crossover

Summary: 

Twelve-year-old Alice, a misfit who is ignored by her own family, is shipped off to boarding school. One day, she rescues mysterious Millie Maximus from drowning in a lake. Millie, it turns out, is a Bigfoot, part of a clan that lives deep in the woods.

Alice feels like a misfit and never can figure out why no one really seems to befriend or like her.  Even her parents don't seem to have a bond with her and just keep sending her away to new boarding schools. Alice feels rejected by all. Yet, as the  reader, I befriended her and rooted for Alice along the way. The last school she is sent to is really very wacky but Alice seems to be sorta fitting in until a girl shows us who is the best meanest girl around. Trouble starts all over again. 

Meanwhile, deep in the forest near this school is a Bigfoot clan who is carefully watching this school, making sure that they are not discovered. But, there is a little bigfoot girl who doesn't feel like she fits in either. She has aspirations of becoming a singing star and going to New York City or at least just getting out of the clan's home. As the reader I found that Millie, this little bigfoot, has a loving family, and a really nice life of friendship and community, health and value. 

One day Millie goes too far in her explorations and is rescued by Alice. They begin to discover that they have problems because others know about the bigfoot clan and they set out to make people think it is all a hoax. 

There is a great combination of comedy, heartfelt preteen angst and fantasy in this book. The sequel just came out October 2017. From the title, it looks like MIllie makes it to New York City.