I'll Be There

by Holly Goldberg Stein
Lexile: 810
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Sam Border wishes he could escape the strange life his father has created for him. Riddle Border rarely talks, but as long as he has Sam, he'll be fine. Emily Bell is living the perfect life: nice family, nice friends, nice house. Sam, Riddle, and Emily have nothing in common, but when their three lives intersect, they will all be changed forever.

Between Shades of Gray

by Ruta Sepetys
Lexile: 490
Genre: Historical Fiction

15 year old Lina has a great life: a family who loves her, a chance to attend an art school, and the excitement of looking forward to her first date. But that all changes one night when there is a loud knock at the door. The Soviet police are there and they are given one hour to pack their belongings. They are put in a cattle train car and shipped to Siberia where they all have to fight daily to survive. Lina secretly draws pictures of the people and the events along her journey, hoping that someday they will be used to reunite her family and tell the awful story of what was being done to innocent people.

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate
Lexile: ???
Genre: Fantasy

Ivan the gorilla is the star attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade until Ruby, the baby elephant comes along. Ivan makes a promise to his best friend, Stella, that he will do whatever it takes to get Ruby a better life. Ivan can speak to his animal friends, but how will he be able to communicate with humans?

Who is Neil Armstrong?

by Roberta Edwards
Lexile: 810
Genre: Biography

Neil Armstrong is best known as being the first man on the moon. He uttered the words " That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind" which were heard by people all around the world. This book explains Neil's journey from a boy who loved to build model airplanes to the man who first set foot on the moon.

Sundiata: A Legend of Africa

Retold by Will Eisner
Lexile: ???
Genre: Traditional Literature/Graphic Novel

This is the story of Sundiata, a young Mali prince, who led an army to defeat the evil King Sumanguru who had for many years reigned over the country of Mali.

Strega Nona

by Tomie de Paola
Lexile: 800
Genre: Traditional Literature

Strega Nona is known for her magic touch. People in the village come to her with all sorts of problems. Strega Nona is getting older so she hires Big Anthony to help her keep up with the house and garden work. There is just one rule that Big Anthony must follow: "Don't touch the pasta pot."

The Persian Cinderella

by Shirley Climo
Lexile: 760
Genre: Traditional Literature

Settareh is a beautiful young maiden who is neglected by her aunts, cousins, and stepsisters. She is not planning to attend the New Year's celebration at the palace until she gains possession of a strange blue jug that grants her wishes. Will the wicked stepsisters ruin Settareh's chances for a happily ever after?

The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy

A Korean Folktale
by Yangsook Choi
Lexile: 540
Genre: Traditional Literature

"A long time ago in Korea, there was not enough light. It was before the sun and the moon had been created. People lit their homes with oil lamps and warned their children not to open the door to strangers." But in this story, two small children forgot their mother's warning. They opened their door and changed the course of their lives forever.

Rapunzel's Revenge

by Shannon and Dean Hale
Lexile: ???
Genre: Traditional Literature (Graphic Novel)

Rapunzel's Revenge is based on the fairy tale character of Rapunzel. But in this version, Rapunzel does not let her hair down and wait for the prince to rescue her. Instead, she sets off to seek revenge on the cruel woman, Mother Gothel, who stole her form her real mother and has kept her as a prisoner for so many years. Rapunzel has but one goal: rescue her mother from her terrible live in the mines and return happiness to all who have lived in the shadow of evil for so long.

Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhha Lai
Lexile: NP
Genre: Novel in Verse

Ha has spent the first 10 years of her life growing up in the busy city of Saigon, Vietnam. But now that war has come to her home, life has to change. Ha and her family are forced to flee to America where they settle in Alabama with their sponsoring family. Ha doesn't understand her strange, new country with its different sights, sounds, and smells. Will Alabama ever feel like home?

Deadly

by Julie Chibbaro
Lexile: 930
Genre: Historical Fiction

How do you catch an invisible killer? It's 1906 and 16 year old Prudence Galewski has a new job working for the Department of Health and Sanitation. People across New York are getting sick and no one knows why. Prudence and her boss have to try to unravel the mystery. They eliminate many theories before they come across one common link: a cook named Mary Mallon. Disease and even death seem to come to all the homes where Mary cooks. Is Mary the key to solving the mystery?

Addie on the Inside

by James Howe
Lexile: NP
Genre: Novel in Verse

Most people think that Addie is too outspoken for her own good. But there are a few people who appreciate the fact that sometimes, someone needs to speak up. 7th grade is tough for Addie as she struggles to overcome a broken heart and desperately wants to find friends who will accept her for who she is.

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green
Lexile: 850
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Hazel is a medical miracle. The tumor had taken over her body and she had said her goodbyes. But then it stopped growing and now she has a second chance at life. She attends a cancer survivor support group where she meets Gus who changes just about everything in her life. Will those changes be for the good or ???

Iqbal

by Francesco D'Adamo
Lexile: 730
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Iqbal was sold into slavery at the young age of 4, and forced to work day after day making carpets under the watchful eye of a cruel master. Yet Iqbal refused to give up on one thing: hope for a better life. This book is based on his true story of courage and how it changed not only him, but all those who knew him.