| Bone Talk by Candy GourlayWhat it’s about: In 1899, just before the coming-of-age ceremony that will make Samkad a warrior, change arrives in his Bontoc village in the form of Kinyo, a boy who speaks a strange language and brings news of dangerous newcomers called “Americans.”
Is it for you? Set in a Bontoc village during the U.S. invasion of the Philippines, Bone Talk doesn’t shy away from the violence of war, and offers a Filipino point-of-view that you might not get in history class. |
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| Clean Getaway by Nic StoneStarring: Scoob Lamar, who’s ready for a spring break adventure (especially if it means getting away from his strict dad); and G’ma, who invites Scoob on a mysterious road trip.
What happens: As they drive through the American South, Scoob realizes that G’ma might be re-creating a vacation she took with his grandfather in 1963, when travel was risky for interracial couples.
Try this next: Rita Williams-Garcia’s One Crazy Summer, another book about a trip that reveals hidden family history. |
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When you trap a tiger
by Tae Keller
When Lily and her family move in with her sick halmoni (grandmother), a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history.
Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal – return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni's health – Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice...and the courage to face a tiger.
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Chirp
by Kate Messner
When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she's recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she'd rather forget.
Mia's change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram's thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram's farm?
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| My Diary from the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn AndersonWhat it's about: In Gracie's world, migrating dragons attack strip malls, ghosts linger in backyards, sasquatches lurk in the woods, and Dark Clouds appear before people die. After a Dark Cloud arrives for Gracie's brother, their parents take the family on a wild road trip in search of a safe haven from the supernatural.
Is it for you? If you prefer fantasy stories rooted in reality, you'll love the eccentric characters and bittersweet plot in this imaginative read, written in the form of Gracie's diary. |
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| Far from Fair by Elana K. ArnoldStarring: Odette Zyskowski, who keeps a list of “things that aren’t fair.”
First thing on the list? Her family selling their house, moving into an RV, and traveling from California to Washington to take care of her sick Grandma Sissy.
Why you might like it: Odette’s frustration with small injustices (like giving up her phone) and big problems (like her parents’ possible divorce) is both realistic and relatable. |
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| Counting to Perfect by Suzanne LaFleurWhat it’s about: Swimmer Cassie misses the way things used to be before her teenage sister Julia had a baby. So when Julia decides to take off with baby Addie, Cassie goes along for the ride.
Why you might like it: Lots of small details and moving moments bring a lived-in feel to this story about two sisters re-connecting on the road.
You might also like: Jen Petro-Roy’s P.S. I Miss You, about a very different family in a similar situation. |
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| Drive Me Crazy by Terra Elan McVoyFeaturing: talkative, friendly Lana, who’s worried about her sick mom; popularity-obsessed Cassie, who thinks Lana is immature and annoying; and the week-long road trip with their newlywed grandparents that traps the two step-cousins together in the backseat of a car.
Series alert: If you enjoy the realistically imperfect characters and messy friendships in Drive Me Crazy, don’t miss the follow-up, This Is All Your Fault, Cassie Parker. |
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| The Someday Birds by Sally J. PlaWhat it’s about: Twelve-year-old Charlie likes order and rituals, so as he and his siblings -- along with pink-haired family friend Ludmila -- drive across America to join their injured war reporter father, Charlie carefully tries to complete his and his dad's birdwatching bucket list.
Why you might like it: Charlie's voice is both thoughtful and authentic as he describes the national landmarks, family drama, and desperate hope of this offbeat road trip. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13!
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