Booked

by Kwame Alexander
Lexile:  660
Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse

Nick Hall is unstoppable on the soccer field so don't even bother to try.  He and his friend Coby have big plans to get to the World Cup and show the world what awesome soccer players they are.  But then Nick's world is shattered when his parents announce that they are separating.  His mom moves to Kentucky to continue a career she had put on hold, and now nothing is the same.  Can he figure out how to successfully navigate this change in his life?

T4: A Novel in Verse

by Ann Clare LeZotte
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Novel in Verse

This is a haunting story told in verse that takes place during World War II.  Paula Becker is growing up in Germany with her loving family.  They are patient with her as she learns how to communicate with them as she is deaf.  Her family does everything they can to make her life easier.  But then Hitler comes to power and life in Germany changes. Suddenly, Paula’s deafness could mean the end of her life because of the Nazi regime’s strict orders to kill anyone with a mental or physical disability.  Paula’s family realizes that in order to protect her, they must send her away with a trusted family priest.  Paula’s fight for survival is an amazing story of courage and perseverance in the face of many obstacles.

The Crossover

by Kwame Alexander
Lexile:  750
Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse

Josh and Jordan Bell are twin brothers and the sons of the famous Chuck "Da Man" Bell, former basketball star.  Josh and Jordan are well on their way to becoming basketball stars as well and their dad is a huge part of their success.  But their dad has a secret.  He doesn't like doctors or hospitals and refuses to go for a check up.  His father died of heart disease at age 45 so he is at an increased risk. Josh and Jordan are best of friends until Josh gets a girlfriend and suddenly he doesn't seem to need Jordan like he used to.  Jordan feels left out without Josh and is worried about his father's health.  It's a good thing he has basketball to keep him going, but then he makes a stupid decision that costs him his spot on the team and his brother's friendship.

Brown Girl Dreaming

by Jacqueline Woodson
Lexile:  990
Genre:  Memoir/Novel in Verse

Jacqueline Woodson shares her story of growing up in the '60s and '70s in both the North and the South.  The story of her childhood emerges through a collection of poems that details the struggles her family faced.  Jacqueline knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer, but school was difficult for her and not everyone believed she could achieve.  But with the strong support of her family, she can to believe that anything is possible.

Because I Am Furniture

by Thalia Chaltas
Lexile:  990
Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse

Anke is invisible.  Part of the background.  And that's how she needs it to be, if she is to survive life with family.  Her father is abusive towards Anke's older brother and sister and her mother isn't doing anything about it.  Anke wonders why they don't speak up and tell someone what's going on.  Anke wonders why she doesn't either.  Is it because having this family is better than having none at all?  If Anke wants to stop being invisible, she is going to have find the courage to confront her father and move on with her life.

Ringside 1925

by Jen Bryant
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Historical Fiction/Novel in Verse

This novel in verse reports the story of the Scopes trial from 9 different perspectives, all from the small town of Dayton, Tennessee.  The trial pits high school teacher Mr. Scopes against the State of Tennessee.  At issue is his teaching of Darwin's theory of Evolution which is in conflict with the Butler Act passed by the State of Tennessee.  The controversy brings a crowd to this small town and with it comes the promise of fame and new revenue.  But the excitement is short lived as townspeople take sides and turn on one another. What will the final outcome be?

All the Broken Pieces

by Ann E. Burg
Lexile:  680
Genre:  Historical Fiction/Novel in Verse

Matt is trying to adjust to his new life in America.  He was one of the Vietnamese children airlifted to the United States during the Vietnam War.  While he loves his new family, he is also constantly thinking about the mother and brother he left behind.  Matt's new baseball teammates are not always very accepting of him, and now that their coach is sick, will the team be able to come together and win?

Serafina's Promise

by Ann E. Burg
Lexile:  590
Genre:  Historical Fiction/Novel in Verse

Serafina has a secret:  she wants to become a doctor.  She knows that education is the only way that she will be able to make her dream come true.  However, school is very expensive and her family doesn't have much money and her mother needs her to help at home.  But dreams are important and Serafina isn't willing to give up on hers, even despite the obstacles that continue to challenge her and her family.

May B.

by Caroline Starr Rose
Lexile:  680
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Novel in Verse

May B. can't read.  Her teacher has told her she will never be able to read.  She advises that May she should stop going to school.  May's parents decide she should go and work for a neighbor.  May's father drops her off and says he'll be back for her by Christmas.  May's life is filled with hard work and very little companionship.  One day, the people she is staying with disappear.  May is alone on the Kansas prairie and winter is coming.

Hidden

by Helen Frost
Lexile:  670
Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Novel in Verse

Wren and Darra meet at camp when they are 14, but it is not the first time they've met and neither one of them wants to talk about it.  Wren was 8 years old when Darra's father stole the car she was in and unknowingly kidnapped her.  Wren hid in Darra's garage without food and water for several days before she escaped.  As a result, Darra's dad was sent to jail.  Wren has worked hard to put this incident behind her and Darra has worked hard at building a life without her father.  Then suddenly, the two are face to face, having to share a cabin, friends, and 4 weeks of their lives.

Diamond Willow

by Helen Frost
Lexile:  670
Genre:  Poetic Novel

Twelve year old Willow is trying to figure out who she is.  She desperately wants her family to see her as a grown up young lady.  She wishes she could make more friends at school.  Willow spends most of her time with her family's sled dogs, in particular with one named Roxy.  When Willow convinces her parents to let her make the journey to her grandparent's home with her dogs across the Alaskan wilderness, she feels ready to take on the challenge.  But a surprising accident, leads to consequences that Willow isn't ready for.

Love and Leftovers

by Sarah Tregay
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Novel in Verse

Marcie's life is a mess.  Her mother has taken her all the way from Idaho to New Hampshire for the summer.  Only now it turns out, it's going to be for more than the summer.  Marice wants to get back to Idaho to see her dad, her best friend, and her boyfriend.  Do her mother's problems have to become her own or is Marcie entitled to her own life?

under the mesquite

by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Lexile: 990
Genre: Novel in Verse

Lupita is the oldest of 8 and when her beloved, Mami, gets sick, she is left in charge of caring for her younger siblings. Lupita also has a gift with words and is hoping to be able to graduate from high school and go on to college. But as Mami gets sicker, she is forced to put her family first and her dreams on hold. Can she find the strength to follow her dreams?

Planet Middle School

by Nikki Grimes
Lexile: 680
Genre: Novel in Verse

Joylin's first love is basketball, until she starts middle school and gets interested in something else: boys. She tries to change herself - makeup, clothes, high heel shoes, to catch the interest of the new boy, Santiago. But he doesn't seem to even notice her! Can Joy figure out who she really is?

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?

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.

Orchards

by Holly Thompson
Lexile: ???
Genre: Poetic Novel

Ruth is dead and Kana feels partly responsible. Kana and her group of 8th grade friends never realized how hurtful their actions were until Ruth went to the orchard, alone, for the last time. Kana's family thinks it's best if she spends the summer with her relatives in Japan. Kana doesn't want to go and spend the summer working in the orange groves with people she doesn't know. But once she's there, she learns some things about herself, has time to think about Ruth, and about how she's going to move her life forward.

Hate that Cat

by Sharon Creech
Lexile: ???
Genre: Poetic Novel

Jack and Miss Stretchberry are back in this sequel to Love that Dog. Jack still isn't sure if he's good at writing poetry, but his teacher keeps after him to try. He's pretty sure that he will always, always hate cats...until he gets one of his own!

Out of the Dust

by Karen Hesse
Lexile: ???
Genre: Historical Fiction

Billie Jo is growing up in the middle of the Great Depression in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma. Life is pretty tough - the crops aren't growing, her parents have little money, and have been unable to have more children. Billie Jo is an aspiring pianist and enjoys her making a little money playing the piano. Then, a terrible accident occurs that changes her life forever and forces her to accept many new realities.