Song Bird

by Tololwa M. Mollel
Lexile:  570
Genre:  Traditional Literature

Song bird is an adaptation of a traditional southern African story about a magical bird and a monster. Mariamu's family is in trouble.  The cattle have disappeared and they must clear a field to grow food if they are to survive. A magical song bird arrives and makes a bargain with Mariamu - if she helps protect the bird's eggs, the bird will help her find the missing cattle.

Fiesta Femenina: Celebrating Women in Mexican Folklore

retold by Mary-Joan Gerson
Lexile:  ???
Genre:  Traditional Literature

This is a collection of eight Mexican folktales that reflect the faces of eight of Mexico's heroines.  Read these folktales to learn the extraordinary stories behind 8 women of Mexico.

Gone (Gone Series #1)

by Michael Grant
Lexile:  620
Genre:  Science Fiction

Growing up in Perdido Beach, CA, Sam Temple has led a pretty normal life.  Until, one day in the middle of class, his teacher disappears.  Poof!  There one second, gone the next.  The class is stunned, but things get really strange when they realize that everyone in the entire city over the age of 15 has disappeared as well. Sam and others are left to figure out the mystery.  Where has everyone gone?

A Certain October

by Angela Johnson
Lexile:  870
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Scotty has had to learn a tough lesson - that everything can change in an instant.  Her life has been a series of ups and downs - especially when it comes to dealing with her 7 year old brother who has autism.  Scotty is lucky that she has a good relationship with her parents and a tight circle of friends who are going to help her through this tough October.

The Night She Disappeared

by April Henry
Lexile:  680
Genre:  Mystery

Kayla asked Gabie to switch work shifts with her.  Drew took the pizza order and Kayla made the delivery.  And now Kayla is missing and Drew and Gabie feel responsible.  The police are trying to solve the mystery, but when they focus on a suspect and declare that Kayla is most likely dead, Gabie can't let it rest.  Somehow she is sure that Kayla is alive.  She and Drew seem to be the only ones who can figure this mystery out.

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Lexile:  770
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Willow Chance loves the number 7.  Counting by 7s helps her keep her world in balance.  But counting by 7s doesn't get you many friends.  In fact, most people think Willow is strange.  She mainly keeps to her home where her parents have allowed her to create an amazing garden.  But then one day, a terrible accident occurs and Willow's life is changed for every.  She doesn't know if she will ever be able to count by 7s again.

Allegiant

by Veronica Roth
Lexile:  830
Genre:  Science Fiction

It all started with one choice.  Tris chose to leave her faction and set off on an unknown future with Dauntless.  Along the way she met Tobias and she knew that her life would never be the same.  In book 3, Tris has more tough choices to make.  All she and Tobias want is a simple, quiet life together. They decide that they must leave the world they have known and set off to find out what lies beyond the fence.  This choice could tranform her  life or destroy it.