The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Fusco

Fusco, K. (2010). The wonder of charlie anne. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. 

Summary

When Charlie Anne's mother dies, her older cousin Mirabel arrives to take care of her and her siblings. Unfortunately, Charlie Anne's life is turned upside down with chores, reading assignments about charm and grace, and she finds any place to escape. When the family splits up in order to make ends meet, Charlie Anne is forced to make friends with the eccentric lady next door and her African American ward, Phoebe. During this growing friendship, Charlie Anne begins to understand that the world around her is not always fair and pleasant for all. 

Review

Readers will read about the impact that poverty and bigotry has on families during the Depression and Charlie Anne gives a perfect tween reaction to this unfairness. When Charlie Anne stands up and confronts this unfairness, tweens will cheer between the pages!

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Age/Interest Level

9-12 years/ Tween

Similar Books

Moon over Manifest- Clare Vanderpool

Bud, Not Buddy- Christopher Curtis

Readers Annotation

It is up to Charlie Anne to prove to the town that hearts are always able to change and grow. 

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T Anderson

Anderson, M.T. (2006). The astonishing life of octavian nothing: the pox party. New York: Candlewick Press. 

Summary

Octavian has grown up with his mother Cassiopeia, an African princess, in an educated household, surrounded by scientists and philosophers in colonial Boston. Unfortunately, Octavian finds out that his whole life has been a lie. He is being "groomed" in a terrible experiment that is trying to prove that despite education and a great upbringing, African Americans will always be inferior to the European race. When the experiment goes awry, Octavian and his mother are put under the watchful and hateful eye of Richard Sharpe. When a terrible fate is bestowed upon Cassiopeia, Octavian joins the Colonial Army and fights for the freedom of African Americans. 

Review

This was a terrible yet wonderful story about the determination of Octavian and his fight for equality. Tweens, teens, and even adults will want to throw this book against the wall at the same time of running to pick it up and finish reading it. This book is written in a very strong manner, and the language is intriguing yet easy to read. Tweens will relate to Octavian as he tries to do good and fight for what is right. His character will show tweens that everyone can make a difference. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Age/Interest Level

12-18 years/Tween-Teen

Similar Books

The Absolute Diary of a Part Time Indian- Sherman Alexle

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation
Characters

• Octavian: A boy of African descent, and technically a slave in the Gitney household, although he is brought up in luxury for much of his childhood. He is very skilled at the violin, quiet, and is fluent in Latin, French, and Greek.
• Cassiopeia: Octavian's Mother and an "African princess" known for her superior wit. At age 13 and pregnant, she was sold into slavery and purchased by Mr. Gitney.
• Mr. Gitney (03-01): The head of the Novanglian College of Lucidity and the owner of Cassiopeia and Octavian.
• Dr. Trefusis (09-01): Octavian's classics teacher.
• Lord Cheldthorpe: A Lord from England who comes to the colonies to see if he wants to continue the monetary support that his deceased uncle formerly provided for the Novanglian College of Lucidity. He has an especial fondness for Cassiopeia, but she refuses to return to England with him when he says that they can not marry; he quarrels with Octavian and Cassiopeia, who are brutally punished. He then refuses to continue support the Society.
• Bono: A slave in the Gitney household whose full name is "Pro Bono", because when his mother was purchased she was pregnant, so he was an added "bonus". Bono and Octavian become good friends, and when Bono is sold to a Southern owner, he leaves Octavian with a means to escape.
• Mr. Sharpe: The man funds the Novanglian College of Lucidity when Lord Cheldthorpe refuses to continue his support. He strives to prove that Africans are inferior to please his plantation-owning patrons in the South.

Awards

National Book Award Winner 2006

Michael L. Printz Winner and Honor Book

Readers Annotation

The part of history that you never read about. 

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.

The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez

Gonzalez, C. (2010). The red umbrella. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. 

Summary

When Castro comes to power in 1961 Cuba, 14 year old Lucia is too busy thinking about clothes, boys, and dances to worry about the Revolution. Then, her world crashes down around her when she is forced to flee to American with her youngest brother. She now live in Nebraska and must come to terms with her identity as she tries to assimilate into the American way at the same time of holding on to her Cuban family and way of life through censored letters and shortened phone calls. 

Review

Actual newspaper clippings that are at the start of each chapter brings to light that this book is based on the authors personal family drama. Tweens will be able to relate to the first person narrative and understand Lucia's rebellion, selfishness, heart and passion that are prevalent throughout this book. This is a great way to introduce this crucial time in American/Cuban history. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Bamboo People- Mitali Perkins

One Crazy Summer- Rita Williams'Garcia

Cuba 15- Nancy Osa

Readers Annotation

The most important thing Lucia thought about was boys and who she would go to the upcoming dance with, then the Revolution began, and she must grow up fast in order to survive. 

Finding My Place by Traci Jones

Jones, T. (2011). My place. New York: Farrar, Straus and Girox. 

Plot

The year 1975 is a year full of bell bottoms, flower power, and shag carpet, but to African American Tiphanie Jayne Baker her tween life has flipped upside down as her Civil Rights activists parents transplant her directly into the front line of white ritzy suburbia. Tiphanie is the only black girl in her high school and is trying to be one step up from the "Barbies" at her school. When she finally meets a friend who is a loner like herself, Tiphanie begins to feel comfortable and accepting of her new life, which in turns, makes her feel like she is giving up a piece of herself. 

Review

This is a powerful and truthful story about a tween girl growing up during a time where race is still an issue. Despite the fact that her parents are well educated, have well paying jobs, and have experience in fighting the big fight, Tiphanie is simply a girl trying to fit into a world that doesn't want her. This book had a great twist when readers are introduced to Jackie who is a hippy and self proclaimed " white trash" girl who becomes close to Tiphanie but is hiding a secret and past of her own and with the help of Tiphanie, Jackie can also start to feel comfortable in her own skin. 

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction/Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

5ht-8th grade/Tween

Similar Books

One Crazy Summer- Williams-Garcia, Rita

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

Readers Annotation

When Tiphanie is plucked out of her comfort zone she must fit herself into a world that doesn't accept her and when she finally starts to feel accepted, she feels like she is losing part of herself. Will she ever find a happy medium?

The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee Frazier

Frazier, S. (2010). The Other Half of my Heart. New York: Delacorte Books for Young People.

Plot

  When twin sisters Minerva and Keira King were born news of their birth reached all corners of the Earth. Minerva was born white like their father and Keira was born black like their mother. Despite the way that they look and the way others look at them, the King family is closer than ever. Everything changes when their Grandmother Johnson calls and asks the girls to come and stay with her at her house in North Carolina. There, the girls will compete in the prestigious Miss Black Pearl Preteen of America pageant. Minerva is against it from the start but with a little push, Keira convinces her to go along. There roles are reversed and Minni is now the outcast in an all black town and Keira grows resentful for all the years she has had to endure in their all white suburb. Readers will follow the sisterhood and friendship of two girls who are simply just trying to find where they belong.

Review

  This book was a beautiful 360 example of modern day racial prejudice and the perceptions society has on color. Both girls twinkle in their own way and it is up to their bond to shine. Frazier reaches out and addresses issues that children of mixed races go through with grace and humour. She build her characters to mature young ladies and by the end of the book readers will have a better understanding of racial prejudices and how it affects everyone. Frazier took the color line even deeper when she developed twins born of different races. Sister against sister, black against white cannot separate the true bond of these sisters.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

9-12 years old/5th-8th grade/ Tween

Similar Books

One Crazy Summer- Rita Garcia

Because of Mr. Terupt- Rob Buyea

Characters

Minerva King- White, quite, studious and wants nothing to do with girly pageant stuff

Keira King- Black, outgoing, girly, and can't wait to be in the pageant because she loves being in the spotlight

Grandmother Johnson- A large woman who likes to throw her weight around.

Readers Annotation

Minerva and Keira have been together through everything. Now this one summer at Gramother Johnson's house threatens to tear them apart. Will their sisterly bond save them?