by Brandon SandersonConditional Recommendation: Spensa dreams of becoming a fighter pilot and defending the remnants of the human race from the Krell aliens, but she’ll have to face her father’s shameful legacy, flight school, and the Admiral’s attempts to deny her.
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
by Sharon M. DraperUnconditional Recommendation: 11-year-old Melody overcomes the limitations of her cerebral palsy to communicate with others and finally share the thoughts and smarts that have been locked away inside her mind.
Genre: Contemporary
by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda, with Liz WelchConditional Recommendation: A young American girl and a young Zimbabwean boy become pen pals and build a friendship through letters that changes both of their lives for the better.
Awards: The Magnolia Award for 9-12 (2017), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (2018)
Conditional Recommendation: Joe has always lived in New Jersey and Ravi is from India but together they must navigate fitting in, dealing with a bully, and the first week of school as 5th graders.
Genre: Contemporary
by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke LoganUnconditional Recommendation: A young woman leaves behind wealthy living to teach school in a poor, tragedy-stricken, Canadian mining town.
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
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