Storm Chasers
By Kevin Walker
J 551.553 WALKER
- Learn about the exciting and dangerous world of storm chasing. This book gives an inside look into how and why these daring people brave extreme weather and what they are trying to accomplish. (from Amazon.com) You can learn more about extreme weather at kidsahead.com. They have a ton of fun activities on their website, including making lightning in your mouth!
The Jumbie God’s Revenge
By Tracey Baptiste
MFIC BAPTISTE
- When an out-of-season hurricane sweeps through Corinne’s seaside village, Corinne knows it’s not an ordinary storm. At first Corinne believes Mama D’Leau, the powerful and cruel jumbie who rules the ocean, has caused the hurricane. Then an even more ferocious storm wrecks the island, sending villagers fleeing their houses for shelter in the mountains, and Corinne discovers the storms weren’t caused by a jumbie, but by the angry god Huracan. Now Corinne, with the help of her friends and even some of her enemies, must race against time to find out what has angered Huracan and try to fix it before her island home is destroyed forever.
- If you have not read the first two books in the series, you should read those first:
Fighting Words
By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
MFIC BRADLEY
- Did you know that 1 child out of every 150 has been in foster care? Fighting Words is an award-winning, honest, heartbreaking story about foster care, consent, and resilience. While it is written for 5th grade readers and up, it is very intense and includes abuse, so it is recommended that this one be read with an adult. Ten-year-old Della and her older sister Suki are foster kids who have really had a difficult past. Their mom is in prison and both she and her boyfriend have treated them terribly. Suki has always been around to protect and care for Della through it all. But who has been taking care of Suki?
The author, Kimberly Bradley wrote this book based on her own experiences. Adults who would like more facts on the topic can find them on Kimberly Bradley’s webpage.
You should also check out Kimberly Bradley’s other award-winning title, The War That Saved My Life.
El Deafo
By Cece Bell
MGRAPHIC BELL
- This graphic novel is an autobiography of Cece’s life experiences with deafness. When she was four, she got meningitis and became deaf. She has to relearn how to do many things and wear hearing aids. At first, she went to a special school where everyone was deaf. But she is now starting at a new school, where none of the rest of the kids have hearing aids.
Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! She’s sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom but anywhere her teacher is in the school—in the hallway . . . in the teacher’s lounge . . . in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different . . . and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend? (from Amazon.com)
If you would like to see photos of how illustrations in the book relate to Cece in real life, head to this Guardian article.
Willa and the Whale
By Chad Morris
MFIC MORRIS
- In this sad story, Willa’s marine biologist mom just died and Willa is forced to move from Japan back to the United States to live with her dad and new stepmom. Willa has to adjust to living with all of her stepsiblings while grieving the loss of her mother and it is all just getting to be too much.
While on a whale-watching excursion with her dad, who is trying to cheer her up after Willa is sent to live with him and his new family, Willa is alone on one side of the boat when she sees a humpback whale. Her awe and wonderment about this massive and beautiful creature turns to shock when the whale communicates with her, introducing herself as Meg and exchanging small talk. As their friendship develops, Willa views Meg as a trusted confidant who offers sound advice about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her best friend, Mark, is keeping secrets about his family life—all the kinds of talks her mom would normally have with her. But will Meg be able to help Willa when she faces one of the most difficult challenges of her life? Willa and the Whale is a moving story about caring and loss and the deep connections that make us human. (from Amazon.com)
For more information on humpback whales, you can head to World Book Kids. If you enjoy this story, you should also check out the author’s other book, Mustaches for Maddie.