The Refugee by Alan Gratz

• Amazing book that covers 3 different time periods, yet somehow manages to connect all 3 characters.
• Nazi Germany, Communist Cuba, and War-torn Syria
• Intense moments, life and death situations; some very sad moments of losing family/friends
• Definitely 5th grade or older (might need parent permission to read w/5th graders or lunch book club)
• Great for history and geography lessons

 

RIP Eliza Hart by Alyssa Sheinmel         

•  A book about lost friendship, mental health and the struggle to hide hurts, family secrets, and your true self.
• Demonstrates how to overcome fears, reach out to people and trust others.
• Middle school or high school appropriate

 

Gone by Michael Grant   

• Suspenseful Science Fiction read that is the first in a series of 6 (I actually read all 6 this summer)
• One day every person over the age of 15 disappears and strange barrier appears around the community of Perdido Beach leaving the kids the challenge of surviving.  Also, to make things more interesting and challenging, some of them are developing supernatural powers and wildlife is mutating.
• Middle school or high school appropriate

 

 

Wedgie and Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors 

• A hilarious read told from the point of view of a guinea pig and a dog, with some human dialogue in between.
• Great for empathizing with blended families, overconfidence and different perspectives of situations.
• A must read for 2nd-3rd graders
• I had my 3rd grader read it to see if he thought it would be a good one for book club, he read it twice and then sat next to me while I read it waiting for his favorite part!
• I plan on doing a 3rd-grade lunch book club with this one!

Lions & Liars by Kate Beasley 

• A story about friendship, finding your true self and seeing through perceptions
• Frederick Frederickson finds himself in a tricky situation. Will how he responds and reacts help him find his true self and his confidence?
• A definite read for 3rd grade and above

 

 

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Lauren Connor          

• A heartwarming and unfolding story about a boy born and raised in a minimum security prison.
• Read to find out the true meaning of love, family and how to overcome obstacles!
• It teaches empathy and demonstrates how people can change.
• Will for sure read this book with 5th grade lunch book club.

 

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Lauren Connor 

• Loved this book about acceptance, innocence and giving people the benefit of the doubt.
• Read it for a heart-warming story about a boy named Mason who has overcome heartache.
• A little twist at the end!
• Definite contender for a lunch book club for 3rd or 4th grade.

 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

• Must, must read!
• Heart-wrenching, convicting and inspiring novel about issues that threaten to tear our country apart.
• Empowering for our youth who have a voice and need to share it.
• Probably my favorite read of the summer!
• Appropriate for high school-warning there is strong language.