hold still by Nina LaCour

Do you keep a journal? Ingrid did. Ingrid slips it under Caitlin's bed. Why would Ingrid do that, was it her way to say good bye? They were best friends. Caitlin learns through Ingrid's journal to live again making friends.

Artichoke's Heart written by Suzanne Supplee

Artichoke's Heart, I waited to read this book especially after a student said it was about a 'fat' girl. I am by no means a size 2 never have been and right now I dont think it would fit my life style. I am not happy with my weight but I am comfortable at where I am.

The heroine in this story is Rose. Rose weighs less then 200 lbs and the kids at her school call her all sorts of names but especially artichoke because back in middle school her mom got her a green jacket that when she wore the jacket she looked like a 'green' artichoke in it. So forever now Rose has been called many fat girl names. As the book progresses, Rose realizes that with perseverance and a new good friend Kay-Kay that she can lose the weight her Mother and Aunt have been nagging at her to lose. But Rose is also recognized by another student at school. He smiles at her and even talks to her. He is one of the school's jocks. Play many sports but likes Rose. Kyle and Rose begin to date. Rose has a boyfriend, never thought she would have a boyfriend but she does.

As the story progresses we find out that her Mom has a form of cancer. Rose and her mom weren't close but the illness brings them closer so they can share lifes up and downs.

No tissues needed for this book but at times there was that possibility. Overall a good story, another book I wish was written many years ago for myself to read. In some ways a Rose is inside me.

The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had written by Kristin Levine

At first I was taken back by the use of the word nigger. But as I read the book other words were used to describe African Americans that were not pleasant to read. Especially as Dit and Emma became friends, best friends. Dit took alot of grief as his friendship developed with Emma. Emma's family moved to Moundville, Alabama from Boston. Her father was the new Postmaster for the town. The Walker family would be staying until Mr. walker could pass the post office examine once again, then he would be transferred back to Boston. Dit taught Emma how to fish, skip rocks, throw a baseball and bat from home plate.Emma helped Dit learn another way of life not hunting, killing animals only for the sake of killing animals and helped with his homework.

The author took the memoirs of her grandfather and put them together to write this book. The setting is in Alabama 1917 and this book does have rough spots in it that can be troubling to some students, such as hangings and chastising Emma because of her skin color.

Red Kayak

Red Kayak- Priscilla Cummings

Brady, JT, and Digger are 14-year old boys who have grown up together in a small town surrounded by extended family. They’ve enjoyed a lot of fishing and swimming in the local creek. When Diggers grandfather gets sick and sells his house on the water to move into a nursing home, the boys continue to use the properties dock and swimming hole. The new owner, Mr. DiAngelo, is not thrilled about their being there and runs them off. Soon after, the Mrs. DiAngelo and her son have a kayaking accident. Were the boys the cause of the accident? Read this captivating tale of old-fashioned values such as hard-work, respect, and doing the right thing to find out what happens to the friendships when a line is crossed.