The Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen
Lexile:  650
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Jessica is a runner.  It's all she does.  It's all she wants to do.  It's who she is.  Until a terrible accident occurs during the spring of her junior year in high school.  The accident takes the life of a teammate and takes Jessica's leg.  With the loss of her leg, goes all of the hopes and dreams she had of future running events and for awhile, her sprit disappears too.  But with the help of a supportive family and amazing friends, Jessica is able to overcome this loss and thrive in spite of it.

Escape Under the Forever Sky

by Eve Yohalem
Lexile: 820
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Lucy's mother is the American ambassador to Ethiopia which means that Lucy is living in yet another new country.  She loves the idea of living in Africa, surrounded by amazing wilderness and wildlife. However, her mother is very protective and restricts what Lucy is and is not allowed to do.  Like any thirteen year old, Lucy wants to fight those restrictions and do the fun things that other 13 year olds are allowed to do.  Unfortunately, her refusal to follow her mother's rules, leads to her being kidnapped and held hostage by 3 people who want money for her return.  Will Lucy's parents and the U.S. government cooperate in time?

Heart of a Shepherd

by Rosanne Parry
Lexile:  850
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Brother's father has been sent to Iraq which means that Brother, along with his grandparents,  is suddenly in charge of his family's ranch.  Brother can ride a horse, deliver calves, and feed newborn lambs, but he's not sure if ranching is the way of life he wants for himself.  But for now, he has no choice.  His family is depending on him to keep the ranch running in his father's absence.  Will Brother be able to meet the many challenges that come his way?

Alibi Junior High

by Greg Logsted
Lexile:  570
Genre:  Mystery/Suspense

13 year old Cody has never been to junior high.  His father is an undercover CIA agent and Cody has been his partner.  They have been all over the world and rarely stay in the same place for more than a few weeks.  As a result, Cody has been home schooled by his father in the topics of government, politics, and world languages.  Now he has been sent to live with his aunt in a small town in Connecticut and he assumes that fitting in will be no problem.

The Emerald Atlas

by John Stephens
Lexile:  720
Genre:  Fantasy

Kate, Michael, and Emma have been bounced around from orphanage to orphanage ever since the night their parents mysteriously disappeared.  Only Kate can remember the promise she made to her mother that she would take care of her siblings no matter what.  And that is what Kate has been doing for 10 years.  But when they arrive at the town of Cambridge Falls, strange things involving time travel begin to happen.  Kate, Michael, and Emma are in the midst of a new adventure, on that they may not survive, but one that they were destined for.  Saving Cambridge Falls becomes their quest.  If they can do it, they may learn more about who they are and the story behind the disappearance of their parents.

One Crazy Summer

by Rita Williams-Garcia
Lexile:  750
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are going on a cross country adventure to get to know their mother.  All they have are stories of the woman they know only as Cecile.  Cecile left the girls and moved to Oakland, CA and now their father thinks it's time for them to visit.  Cecile isn't at all what they expect and doesn't seem to be interested in being much of a mother, but Delphine is determined to make the best of it.  She had visions of a trip to Disneyland, but quickly realizes that's not going to be part of this trip.  But maybe, just maybe, the girls can still have a good time.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

by Mary E. Pearson
Lexile:  570
Genre:  Science Fiction

Who is Jenna Fox?  Even Jenna Fox herself doesn't know how to answer this question.  Emerging from a year long coma, she is trying to remember the accident and the girl she was before.  Memories start to return, but not all of them make sense.  She also sense that her parents are hiding something from her.  They say it's for her own protection, but what are they protecting her from?