Wink by Rob Harrell

Based on the author's experience a fictional story about 12 year old Ross discovered he had cancer in his eye.  This is an experience where he goes from having his eye removed, to then having proton
radiation. His face swells and his eye is dry and itchy.  One friend, Abby, sticks by him through it all, but Isaac seems to disappear.  Abby finds out she is going to have to move to another city.  Now Ross and Abby are dealing with the separation between them.

Good story to help kids know what it might be like to go through cancer.

Aru Shah Pandava Series by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah lives in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture with her mother.  She doesn't fit in at school and makes up things about herself to try to fit in.  Some kids from school stop by to confront her and she tries to impress them by opening a lamp she knows she is not supposed to touch and ends up releasing The Sleeper who is out to destroy the world.  Aru learns she is a Pandava (demi-god) and meets another Pandava sister, Mini.  Together they try to stop The Sleeper and unfreeze the world.  Great story of Indian mythology.  If you love Percy Jackson, or any of Riordan's books this is a series for you.  

Book 2 starts with Aru and Mini on a mission to get back a missing bow and arrow that have been stolen.  They think another girl, Brynne, stole it but then they see Aru with it!  WHAT??!!  Two Arus?  Now the council thinks Aru stole it and send Mini, Aru, Brynne (who is another Pandava sister) and Aiden off to find the bow and arrow and Boo is put on lockdown.  If they don't find it by the next full moon they will be out of the Otherworld forever!  More action and adventure for all!

The 3rd book in the series will be available on April 7.  If you're curious keep reading if not stop here.

Still curious?

Are you sure?????

Okay, in book 3 Aru and the gang are off to find two sisters who have been kidnapped.  One of the sisters Sheela can predict the future.  The other sister, Nikita, is good with plants and clothes.  The sisters are twins and the next two Pandava sisters.  This adventure starts with the Pandavas looking for the Tree of Wishes, but The Sleeper is looking for it too.  It is pretty much a race of who will find the tree first.  Lots of challenges, clues, and excitement kept me turning pages until the end.  I will say the end left me hanging and I can't wait for the 4th and final book to come out!!

Don't Check Out this Book! By Kate and Sarah Klise

A new librarian, Rita B. Danjerous, is coming to Appleton Elementary School. There is also a new School Board President who is a school board of one, Ivanna Beprawpa. Ivanna wants the school to be more proper and mannerly, and she wants to get rid of the new librarian. Told through letters this story is funny and quirky, but also teaches about appearances and censorship.

More geared for elementary, even though it says through 7th grade.

The Copycat by Wendy McLeod MacKnight

Alison Sloane has moved around her entire 12 years.  Ali,her dad, Digger, and mom, Ginger  are living with her great-grandmother Gigi.  Ali is sure they are going to settle down and stay this time.  Digger is a Copycat.  He can change into anything and is pretty much himself and a dog.  He doesn't work, except for being an unemployed artist.  Her mom is normal or a Constant.  She is a nurse in a nursing home.  Gigi is about to turn 100 and Ali decides to try to reconnect the family by having a giant birthday party, but they have a feud going on and it won't be easy.  She also discovers that she is a Copycat and going to a new middle school is hard enough without adding her new powers into the mix.

Excellent middle school read.  Is slow in some parts, but overall kept my attention and WOW what a surprise at the end!

Daphne and Velma: The Vanishing Girl by Josephine Ruby

Fans of Scooby-Doo will fall in love with this book. Daphne Blake and Velma Dinkley used to be best friends, but at 10 years old they had a falling out and went their separate ways.  Now in high school Velma's family is struggling along.  Her dad is depressed, her mom is working the night shift at a theme park, and they are living in an apartment.  Daphne's parents are divorced.  Daphne lives with her dad in a nice house and is well off, but her dad has to go on a trip and so her estranged mom and stepdad along with her "new kids" are coming to stay.  Weird things start to happen at the "Haunted Village" where Velma's mom and she work.  Marcy saw a ghost, a week or so later she disappears. 

In true Mystery Inc. style the girls come back together to solve this mystery and find Marcy.  Told in alternating voices of Daphne and Velma the book keeps you coming back for more.  True sleuths will be able to pick up on the clues and know where the book is heading.

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Stefania Podgorska is living in Poland in 1943.  She is a young Catholic girl, living and working for a Jewish family, the Diamants.  She has been with them for many years and has even secretly accepted their son's proposal.  As Germans invade Poland things begin to change and Stefania is left behind as the Diamants are moved into a ghetto.  When Stefania decides to go home she finds her mother and brother were taken to a work camp and her little sister, Helena, is left behind.  Stefania takes Helena with her back to the city and her fiance, Izio, is killed in a concentration camp.  His brother Max approaches Stefania about hiding some Jews and she agrees.  

This book is based on a true story, but some of it was fictionalized.  Cameron did her research though and included some pictures from the family of Stefania, Max, Helena, and others.  There is also a movie out based on the same story Hidden in Silence.