The Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Preus, M. (2010). Heart of a samurai. New York: Amulet Books. 

Summary

Manjiro is only 14 years old when a terrible storm washes him and his four companions onto a tiny island after a simple fishing expedition. They are eventually rescued by an American whaling ship but both groups distrust one another. The captain, William Whitfield, forges a bond with Manjiro and when he asks him to come along, Manjiro gives up everything that he knows and sets sail for America making him the first Japanese person to reach America. 

Review

What can I say? I am a sucker for a great adventure at sea. This is a great book for tweens to read about the first person from Japan to visit America in 1843. They will become motivated as they read about someone who started with nothing and took a chance that changed his life and the history of the world. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Ship Breaker- Paolo Bacigalup

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon- Grace Lin

The Samurai Kids series- Sandy Russel

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

Nimmo, J. (2002). Charlie Bone: the time twister. New York: Orchard Publishing. 

Summary

Charlie discovers new dimensions of his magical powers as he helps Henry Yewbeam, a magically transported relative from 1916, escape from the Red King's wrath. Just as in the first book, Charlie can hear voices in paintings and now he has discovered that he can enter them as well. Old characters are present as well as new ones like the jealous Ezekiel who uses the time twister to his evil advantage,

Review

I started reading this series after finishing the Potter books but it is still not doing much for me. The story and characters are eerily familiar to the Harry Potter series but always seems to fall a little short. Even re reading this book for the second time, I am still more confused then ever. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo

Keys to the Kingdom- Garth Nix

Bartimaeus Trilogy- Jonathan Stroud
Characters

Charlie Bone: Descended from the Yewbeams and a Welsh magician that was friends with the red king, Charlie can hear voices of people in photographs or go into photographs.

Manfred Bloor: A student at Bloor's Academy, he is a hypnotizer.

Asa Pike: A student at Bloor's, Asa can change into a beast at dusk.

Billy Raven: Also a student, Billy can understand and talk to animals.

Lysander Sage: A student, he can call on his spirit ancestors.

Emma Tolly: Until recently, her name had been Emilia Moon. Emma can become a bird. She turns into a fictional bird called the tollroc and saves Olivia and Henry. She has a crush on Tancerd Torrson.

Fidelio Gunn: An unendowed student, although he is the lead violinist at Bloor's and a good friend of Charlie.

Olivia Vertigo: An unendowed student at Bloor's, she's in drama and is one of Charlie's friends.

Tancred Torsson: A student, he can make, bring, or change the weather.

Paton Yewbeam: A power-booster, he is the only Yewbeam that favors Charlie.

Mr. and Mrs. Onimous: Together, they run the Pet's Cafe on Frog Street. Their 5-year-old niece, Una, is endowed.

Cook: The friendly cook at Bloor's Academy who helps Henry when he was at Bloor's after the Time Twister stopped.

Henry: Charlie's unendowed great-great uncle. Henry is transported forward in time by his cousin, Ezekiel Bloor.

James:Charlie's unendowed great grandfather. Brother of Henry and Daphne, who died of diphtheria.

Readers Annotation

Just when Charlie is trying to live with his newly discovered magical powers, he is thrown for a loop when a simple marble can change destiny. 

The Pricker Boy by Reade Whinnem

Whinnem, R. (2009). The Pricker Boy. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

Summary

14 year old Stucks and his best friends Pete live year round at a sleepy lakeside community and await the summers when all the "summer kids" come and hang out. Stucks and Pete love listening to ghost stories around the campfire, especially one about The Pricker Boy. Legend tells a tale of a boy who was lured by a mean joke into the dark woods and got caught in an animal trap. When he didn't return, searchers found only blood and ripped clothes laying about, there was no sign of the boy. Now, Pricker Boy seeks revenge and he has found the perfect group of boys to seek it on. 

Review

Author Whinnem is great at making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and his silence between words is scary and believable. I was constantly looking over my shoulder while reading this and I would sleep with all of the lights on for a whole week after reading this book. Tweens will devour this book the same way they devour anything written by R.L Stine. 

Genre

Horror

Reading Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Monstrumologist- Rick Yancey

Coraline- Neil Gaiman

Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror- R.L Stine

Readers Annotation

Not your typical ghost story around the campfire! You will need all the lights on for this one!

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, J. (2002). Stargirl. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Susan is an eccentric and bizarre new classmate at Area High School, a school that prides itself on popularity and conformity. She wears costumes to school, drops change on the sidewalk for those who need it more than her, and she cheers for both teams because she doesn't like winning. Nicknamed Stargirl, she is nothing like anyone has ever experienced and everything that Leo has ever wanted. Throughout the school year Leo tries to get others to accept Stargirl for who she is but when that fails, he begins to look at her the same way others do and finds himself trying to change her, and himself.
Review
I love anything by Spinelli and this book does not disappoint. Tweens need books like this that show them that being different is ok. This book shows that individuality is a hard thing to hold onto during a time where everyone wants to be like everyone else and Stargirl shows them that middle school is a great place to express themselves.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Age/Interest Level
9-12 years/Tween
Similar  Books
Love, Stargirl- Jerry Spinelli
The Great Gilly Hopkins- Katherine Paterson
Loser- Jerry Spinelli
Awards
New York Time Bestseller
Parents Choice Gold Award Winner
ALA Top 10 Books Award
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Characters
Leo Borlock- The narrator of the book. Fell in love with Stargirl.
Susan "Stargirl" Caraway - a new face to Mica Area High School. Stargirl is different from everyone else at MAHS. She captures Leo Borlock's heart by just one smile. She brings the idea of individuality to MAHS, something that the school has never encountered before, and the student body is not always sure how to grasp it.
Cinnamon- a friendly rat that is Stargirl's most cherished companion and sidekick. He listens to Stargirl and does what she says.
Barney - an ancient, 60 million year-old, Paleocene era rodent skull that Archie keeps around to prove a point throughout the book, until the end, when Barney is buried.
Mr. McShane - Mica High's faculty representative to the state contest. He drives Stargirl and Leo to Phoenix, Arizona where the state competition is held.
Hillari Kimble - the girlfriend of Wayne Parr. She cannot stand Stargirl, hating her for the attention she gets .
Dori Dilson - the best friend of Stargirl Caraway. At first, she is very shy, but Stargirl helps her to open up more towards others.
Wayne Parr - the boyfriend of Hillari Kimble. In terms of achievement, he is a nobody. When asked by Kevin on Hot Seat what his inspiration is, Wayne answers that it is the magazine GQ.
Archie Brubaker - a teacher who works on Saturdays. He is a retired paleontology professor whose home, full of bones, is open to the students each Saturday. An old man who knows his stuff. Archie can be confusing since he is a man of riddles.
Kevin Quinlan - the best friend of Leo Borlock. He is the host of Hot Seat. Kevin is one of the few who continue to acknowledge Leo while he is dating Stargirl.
Peter Sinkowitz - the boy who lives across the street from Stargirl. Peter is a little boy that Stargirl keeps an eye on. She takes random pictures and notes about him for a scrapbook she will give him when he comes to an age at which he can appreciate it.
Señor Saguaro - the giant cactus that grows in Archie's backyard. When Leo and Kevin go to Archie for answers to their problems, Archie turns to Senor Saguaro for help and advice.
Mallory Stillwell - the captain of the MAHS cheerleading squad. She invites Stargirl to be a cheerleader after Stargirl wows her classmates with stunts at football games.
Readers Annotation
Would you change who you are in order to fit it? Even if that meant losing everything you believed in, including yourself?

The Forge- Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, L. (2010). Forge. New York: Antheneum.
Summary
Fifteen year old Curzon Smith, freed from slavery during the Revolutionary War by stubborn Miss Isabel Finch, is stuck in another ordeal when he ends up saving the life of a young Patriot in 1777 after battling the British and won. Because of this he is made a member of the 16th regiment of the Continental Army and spends the winter with them. Readers are given first hand accounts of the grueling winter of 1777-1778 and the lack of food, supplies, and hope among the soldiers. Then, if by fate or by very bad luck, both Curzon and Isabel are captured and must devise a plan of escape.
Review
Readers of Speak or Wintergirls will be pleasantly surprised at Anderson's second historical fiction book. Forge is a great account of one's search for freedom, both for their fellow man and for themselves. This book can either be read after Chains, or it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Readers Age/Interest Level
13-18 years/Tween-Teen
Similar Books
(PREQUEL) Chains- Laurie Halse Anderson
Moon Over Manifest- Clare Vanderpool
Woods Runner- Gary Paulsen
Awards

• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Kirkus Best Book for Teens: Historical Novels 2010
• The Horn Book Fanfare List Best Book of 2010
• YALSA 2011 Best Books for Young Adults
• Readers Annotation
• Just as Curzan escapes his physical prison, he is forced into another as he has to keep is true identity a secret in order to survive. 

The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero- Rick Riordan

Riordan, R. (2010). The lost hero. California: Disney-Hyperion.
Summary
New demi-gods at Camp Half-Blood, Jason, Piper, and Leo are just coming to understand their knew powers and abilities. Just as in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, there is a great back story and present upheaval of the Gods. Realizing that their parents are in their Roman personae rather than Greek throws them for a loop as they must rescue Hera, Queen of the Gods, or Porphyrion, who is a giant king created to destroy Zeus, will rise and kill all those who stand in his way.
The three take their adventure throughout the United States as they battle monsters and evil Gods, and grow and deal with their own inner battles of tween angst. Oh yeah, Percy Jackson is also missing and it is up to the three to find the lost hero.
Review
This is a great twist on the popular Percy Jackson books. Fans will love the fact that they stay true to the original story and characters, and readers still get brief glimpses of familiar characters Percy, Annabeth and Grover. I love the twist of Roman vs. Greek gods since this is always a confusing thing for some kids to understand and that the adventures took place in familiar places. Readers are thrown head first into new battles, new relationships, and new challenges and Riordan has done it again with giving readers a new series to fall in love with.
Genre
Fantasy Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
9-12 years old/Tweens
Similar Books
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
The Cronus Chronicles by Anne Ursu
Characters
Jason Grace: Jason, age 15, is a son of Jupiter (the Roman form of Zeus). Jason is the younger brother of Thalia Grace, who is the daughter of Zeus (the Greek form of Jupiter).  He was raised in a different camp who believe in the Roman aspect of the gods. Jason arrives at camp with no memory of his past, his family or his friends. Jason finds out that Hera has erased his memory in order to exchange the best heroes of both camps (the other hero being Percy Jackson) and make them fight together against the Giant's invasion of Olympus.
Leo Valdez- Leo is age 15, and is a son of Hephaestus. Leo is able to conjur and withstand fire, a rare ability gifted by Hephaestus that his siblings suggest may herald catastrophe. He is tormented by the death of his mother and believes his fire conjuring power caused her death. He had a nanny called Tia Callida (who was actually Hera in disguise) who would place him in danger and retell him that his future would determine the outcome of Olympus.
Piper McLean- Age 15, A daughter of Aphrodite. She has the ability to "charmspeak", or talk anything, or anyone, into doing whatever she wants except for other Charmspeakers. Her father is a famous movie star and is kidnapped by the Giants (the monsters). She is in love with Jason Grace and is upset to find all her memories of him were fake.
Readers Annotation
Sometime silence is golden, but not this time.

Bud Not Buddy- Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis, C. (2004). Bud not buddy. United States: Delacorte Books for Young Readers.

Summary

Bud Caldwell is an orphan living in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression.  When his mother dies, he is placed into different foster homes and orphanages and he only has a bag of stones, a photograph of his mother when she was a child and five concert posters for Herman C. Callaway and band that he can call his own.

The story begins with Bud being placed with a foster family that is cruel and abusive and after being tormented and locked up in a shed overnight with an angry swarm of hornets, he runs away determined to find Herman C. Callaway who Bud believes is his father. Readers will be encouraged by Bud's determination and heart as he makes it to Grand Rapids, Michigan and where he meets his "father" Herman Callaway and his jazz band.

Review

This is a great story about a young African American boy who does not let the circumstances of his race or the time of the Great Depression get in the way of his determination to find where he belongs. Author Christopher Curtis balances heartbreak, meanness, and racism with love, family, and humor and readers will want to read this book over and over again. It is hard for kids to get into reading historical fiction but this book, tweens will love because it generates a young boy's powerful fight to get what he wants, even if it means breaking a few rules.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Age/Interest Level

9-12 years old/Tweens

Similar Books

Because of Winn Dixie- Kate Di.Camillo

Hatchet- Gary Paulsen

The Watsons go to Birmingham- Christopher Paul Curtis

Characters

Buddy Caldwell - Bud is a ten-year old African-American orphan boy who has seen and suffered through a great deal in his short ten years, but who is definitely a survivor. His determination to find his father and his ability to use his survival skills to do so make him a heroic character for the reader.

Mr. Herman E. Calloway - He is the band leader of a Depression Era Negro Band whom Bud believes is his father. He turns out to be a rather cranky old man who doesn’t trust Bud and acts mean to nearly everyone. He is actually a very sad man who yearns for the daughter he drove away with his need for her to be what he wanted her to be.

Angela Janet Caldwell - Although she has died before the story begins, her character is a very real presence for most of the other characters in the story. 

Todd Amos and his parents - This is the foster family from whom Bud runs away after he is abused. They are typical of some foster families who would take in children just for the money the state would pay.

                                                                       Awards

                                                        Newbery Award Winner- 2000

William Allen White Children's Book Award-2002

Coretta Scott King Award- 2000

Readers Annotation

Bud Caldwell has no mom, dad, or home and definitely has nothing to lose as he uses his only possessions to guide him to a place called home. 

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore boone: kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children's Book.
Summary
Theodore Boone grew up surrounded by lawyers and the judicial system so it is only natural that he gets wrapped up in the biggest trial of the towns history. It starts out with Boone getting a pass for his entire government class to sit in the audience at the murder trial of Mr. Duffy who is accused of murdering his wife. When a witness comes forward and tells Theodore that he was witness to the murder but is scared to come forward, it is up to Theodore to save the life of Mr. Duffy and the humanity of the town.
Review
As a huuuuge fan of Grisham and I was super excited when I ordered this book for my library. It is my goal in library life to find a plethora of books for boys and this is a great addition. Theodore Boone is a kid lawyer who even has a side business offering legal advice to his peers and family. He is stuck in the middle of keeping a secret and saving the life of a convicted man and readers will struggle along with his as he tries to make the right decision. This is a fast read and filled with drama and mystery.
Genre
Mystery
Interest Age/Interest Level
9-12 years/ Tween
Similar Books
Theodore Boone: The Abduction- John Grisham
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald Sobol
The Hardy Brothers Undercover series- Franklin Dixon
Characters

Theodore "Theo" Boone: The protagonist. He is an 8th-grader in a small town public school and is highly gifted in the law. Both his parents are lawyers and he is friendly with everyone at the Courthouse, it being his favorite place to hang out.
Marcella Boone: One half of the law firm of Boone & Boone and occupying the ground-floor office. Theodore's mother is a lawyers specializing in family cases and children law.

Woods Boone: The other half of Boone & Boone, occupying the upper floor of the building and doing nothing but real-estate law and deeds and conveyancing.
Ike Boone: The uncle of Theo and a former lawyer.Theo comes to his uncle for advice.
His Honor Judge Henry Gantry: The criminal judge. He is well respected and takes a particular interest in involving the community as part of building a legitimate judicial system.

Julio Pena: Attends the same school as Theo. His family are migrants from El Salvador who are very poor and are being helped out by the Boone family.
Roberto "Bobby" Escobar: The "phantom" witness, as described by Judge Gantry. He has crucial evidence that led the Duffy trial to a mistrial.
Mr. Peter "Pete" Duffy: The defendant on the stand, accused of murdering his wife. It is claimed he did it to get money from her life-insurance policy valued at $1 million and because his secretary was his mistress. He is accused of strangling his wife, and the crime was conducted very neatly, leaving almost no direct evidence.

April Finnemore: Theo's closest friend and confidante. Her parents are undergoing a divorce and battling it in the Family Court. Theo gives her lots of advice on how to handle the proceedings into which she is being thrown. They communicate on instant messenger.

Annotation
It was only destiny that Theodore Boone had a murder trial fall in his lap.

Al Capone Does My Shirts- Gennifer Choldenko

Choldenko, G. (2004). Al capone does my shirts. United States: Putnam Publications.

Summary

12-year old Moose Flanagan moves with his family from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island in 1935. His father has been hired as an electrician at the famous prison and his mom is eager to send his autistic sister to a special school in San Francisco. When that plan fails, Moose is upset that he now has to live on an island with no friends, no baseball, and now has to take care of his sister. Things start to look up when he befriends the mischievous warden's daughter and together they get in harmless trouble and Moose starts to be ok with living in such an abnormal place. 

Review

There is something about Alcatraz that I love..the history, the mystery, and the stories from people who have lived on this island are fascinating. Even though tweens may not be familiar with the famous Al Capone they will enjoy this story about friendship, family, and hardcore prisoners...lol. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

9-12 years old/ Tween

Similar Books

Al Capone Shines My Shoes- Gennifer Choldenko

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

Bud not Budd- Christopher Curtis
Awards
Newbery Honor
NYPL's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book 2004
ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2005
ALA Notable Book 2005
New York Public Library Best Book for Teen Age 2005

Annotation

Things could not get any worse for too tall Moose Flanaghan. He is uprooted from his friends, home, and school and forced to live on Alcatraz Island which is home to the country's worse criminals. How can things possibly get better?

17 Again: Movie

Steers, B. & Shankman, A. (2009). 17 again. United States: New Line Cinema. 

Summary

 At 17, Mike has his whole future to look forward to. He has a great girlfriend, and is the star of the basketball team; and a sure scholarship in the works at tonight’s big game. Everything changes when Scarlett, his girlfriend, tells him that she is pregnant. Twenty years, later Mike regrets his decision to blow the scholarship ride, and he blames Scarlett for his life. As Mike is wallowing in his own self pity, he is met by a strange janitor who mysteriously gives him the chance to re-do his choice; by making him 17 again at the same school where his teenage son and daughter attend. 

Review

Zac Efron is great at playing a quirky heartthrob teens as well as a believable adult. Other characters move this movie along in a hilarious manner and you can't help but wish that maybe you were given another chance to relive high school. It is a heartwarming movie that surprised viewers with its honesty and hilarity. 

Genre

Movie

Interest Level

Tween-Adults

Similar Movies

Charlie St. Cloud

High School Musical

Big

Annotation

Mike O'Donnell blames his current sucky life on a crucial decision that he made when he was 17 and he wishes he could turn back time. Now he has a chance, but all he wants is his old life. 

Sorcerer's Apprentice: The Movie

Bruckheimer, J. & Turteltaub, J. (2010). The sorcerer's apprentice [Motion Picture]. United States: Walt Disney Studios. 

Summary

In 740 A.D Maxim Horvath is an apprentice of Merlin but betrays him along with the evil sorcerer Morgana. As Morgana delivers a fatal blow to Merlin, Merlin's other apprentices, Balthazar and Veronica try to save Merlin and defeat Morgana and Maxim. Phew. Oh yeah, Veronica's body is overtaken by Morgana's soul and in order to save the real Veronica, Balthazar imprisons the two in a Grimhold, which is in the form of a nesting doll. It is up to Balthazar to find the next Prime Sorcerer. Got it? It gets easier to understand. 

Jump to present day and Balthazar has located Dave who is the next Prime Sorcerer, the only problem is that Dave wants nothing to do with his destiny. Will Balthazar be able to convince Dave to take on this task, or will humanity be destroyed by Morgana and Maxim?

Review

How could this not be entertaining? This movie has adventure, mystery, mythology, and even romance. Fans of the book will be pleased to see that this movie follows closely and does not leave out important parts like so many other movies from books do. Tweens can relate to Dave who is a quirky, impressionable, and genuine human being who is just trying to survive the typical drama of growing up. 

Genre

Movie

Interest Level

Tweens-Adults

Similar Movies

Cirque du Freak

Harry Potter movies

Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

Annotation

Dave Stuler is just trying to grow up in a world that for whatever reason, doesn't cut him a break. Now, he is up against a whole new battle when it is discovered that he is not only a sorcerer, but thee Prime sorcerer that is chosen to save the world. 

The Ring of Five by Eoin Mcnamee

McNamee, E. (2010). Ring of Five. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. 

Plot

Danny Caulfield thought his odd features such as elvish shaped ears, sharp chin, and triangular face were the result of a botched operation. Just when his life couldn't get any worse, his parents have decided to send him to Heston Oaks boarding school. Before he even has a chance to voice his concern, a black taxi pulls up to his house and the mysterious drive takes him on a journey that will forever change his perception on real life. Danny is thrown into a world of magic, devious arts, and spy kits and fellow students who have gold tipped wings and other amazing special powers. As he is trying to fit in, he is shocked to find out that he has the marks of everyones worst enemy, the Cherbs, and Danny is the final piece to their taking over of the Upper World. 

Review

I am a sucker for Harry Potter like books. Give me an orphan who turns his terrible life and becomes the absolute force for saving humanity, I am hooked! I was a little nervous as to whether this book would be a sad take on the Potter or Lightening Thief series but I was blown away by the mass differences and dark nature to Danny. He has been destined to be bad and he must now battle (literally) with himself in order to save mankind. This is a fantastic book to hook reluctant readers and I can see this being another bestselling series. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level

5th-8th grade/Tweens

Similar Books

Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling

Percy Jackson series- Rick Riordan

Children on the Read King series- Jenny Nimmo

Readers Annotation

When Danny is given another chance at life, he would never have imagined that this would mean he would have to forgo everything good that he has ever believed in. As part of the Ring of Five he is destined to take over the Upper World and destroy everything in their way. Will Danny have the strength and be able to fight against his own destiny and save humanity and himself?

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation by Matt Myklusch

Myklusch, M. (2011). Jack blank and the imagine nation. New York: Aladdin. 

Plot

Jack's life is as blank as an unwritten book. He is an orphan living at St. Barnaby's Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost and he has no memory of his past or how he ended up there. Just when he has lost all of finding who he is, he ends up destroying a giant mechanical monster and is then taken by the mysterious Jazon Knight to a floating island called, Imagine Nation, which is his where he is from. Imagine Nation is a place where ninjas, familiar superheros, and aliens coexist in a world that is under threat of zombie mutants and robot viruses. Jack must step out of his normal life and enter the life that includes hidden powers and moral obligations.

Review

I am starting to venture outside my fiction box and read books that I used to judge by their genre labels. Jack Blank is a mix between Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and all of the ordinary boys turned superhero. Like Harry Potter, Jack too has had an unhappy childhood and now is forced into a world where he must take on challenges for the greater good. Fans of superheros and science fiction will clamor for these books and the future series to come. 

Genre

Science Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

5th-8th grade/Tween

Similar Books

Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling

Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians- Brandon Sanderson

The Lost Hero- Rick Riordian

Readers Annotation

Just like Harry Potter, Jack Blank is trying to figure out where he came from. He is mistreated where he lives, always wrong when he thinks he is right, and hasn't got a friend in the world. Everything changes when his life and future is turned upside down by zombie monsters, alien invasions, and hidden superpowers. In order to find out who he truly is, he must survive first. 

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

Sachar, L. (1987). There's a boy in the girl's bathroom. New York: Yearling Books.  

Plot

Fifth grader Bradley Chalkers is the class clown, bully, friendless and antisocial. He finds solace and friendship with cracked and chipped pottery animals who motivate him to be brave and hides his sadness in their broken pieces. The new kid in school tries and befriends Bradley but backs off when he realizes he is too hard to like. Feeling like even more of a failure and acting out even more than ever, Bradley's life is turned upside down when the school counselor arrives. She truly cares about him and works with Bradley in helping him to gain his confidence and respect for himself and others.

Review

Author Sachar creates middle school angst in such a dramatic and realistic way that readers will cringe at his setbacks and applaud at his milestones. There is a Bradley in every school and rather than turn him away and label him, this book teachers kids to look deeper and to not give up on one another. This book was one of my favorite books when I was in junior high and I never hesitate to recommend it or booktalk it to tweens now. Although the cover has been updated, the content is still as important and dedicated to changing bad behavior that tween today can still relate.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

4th-8th grade/ Tween

Similar Books

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

How to Be a Perfect Person in Three Days- Stephen Manes

Frindle- Andrew Clements

Characters

Bradley Chalkers - Is the main antagonist in the beginning, but gradually becomes the main protagonist in the middle and end. He has "serious behavior issues," causing Ms. Ebbel (his teacher) to send him to Carla, the new school counselor.

Jeff Fishkin - Is the main protagonist in the beginning, then switches to the main antagonist in the beginning of the middle section, but quickly transfers back to the co-protagonist. Has a crush on Colleen, who likes him back. Bradley's best friend.

Colleen Verigold -She has a crush on Jeff. She has a birthday at the end of the story and invites all her friends, as well as Jeff and Bradley.

Carla Davis - the school counselor. Unlike the teachers at the school, she prefers to persuade students to do the right thing instead of outright telling them what to do.

Readers Annotation

Just when he thought that the world has given up on him, Bradley Chalkers has been given another chance by someone he least expected.