by Jennifer A. NielsenConditional Recommendation: A clever young king is forced into disguise and a perilous adventure to outsmart his enemies and save his kingdom.
Genre: Adventure
by Lori WickUnconditional Recommendation: Follow a tenderhearted woman through the everyday life of caring for a grieving family with persistent faith and love that can encourage the heart of the reader.
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
by Kimberly Brubaker BradleyConditional Recommendation: From a cruel mother to a good home, this is a young girl’s journey to freedom, healing, and identity through the help and care of her guardian during WWII.
Awards: Newbery Medal Nominee (2016), Schneider Family Book Award for Middle School (2016), Odyssey Award (2016), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee (2017), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature (2016), Bluestem Book Award Nominee (2017), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade & Children’s (2015), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award Nominee (2017)
in Van Draanen
Unconditional Recommendation: An inspiring story about healing after accidents, learning to live with a disability, and relying on the support of family, friends and teammates through the process; this tale will place you firmly in someone else’s shoes and warm your heart all the way to the finish line.
Award: Schneider Family Book Award
by Madeleine L’EngleUnconditional Recommendation: With classic themes of family, friendship, courage, self-acceptance, and good triumphing over evil, this book is a mind-bending sci-fi fantasy sure to stretch the reader’s imagination.
Award: John Newberry Award