In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

Told from alternating chapters between main characters Amelia and Eagan, this is the story of two teen girls: one who dies and was an organ donor; another who is a heart transplant patient and receives a new heart. After receiving her heart, Amelia notices that her personality begins to change and she becomes increasingly curious about her heart’s donor. Is her new heart changing who she is? And who was the person who donated her heart so Amelia could live?

With some help from a new friend, Amelia sets off on a journey to meet the family of her donor, which is supposed to remain anonymous.

This book was a quick, intriguing read. I recommend it to readers who liked If I Stay or The Fault in Our Stars. When my students hear the premise for this book, they fight over who gets to check it out first.

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey - Book Two of The Fifth Wave

Buckle your seatbelts because this book is a ride! The Infinite Sea continues where The Fifth Wave left off and the storyline is just as gripping as the first book. Yancey is incredibly crafty with mind twists, horrific alien technology, and suspense. Beware if you are a reader who has children--this book will keep you up at night--both because you can't stop reading it and the events are haunting. I recommend this to readers who like action, suspense, survival stories, mystery, and a dash of science fiction. Warning: You cannot put this one down. And then you have to wait for book three...

The One by Kiera Cass - The Selection, Book #3

I loved the excitement of this book, a continuation of Kiera Cass's Selection series. There are only 4 Elite ladies remaining in the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart and become his princess. America Singer is feeling less sure of herself than ever, thanks to the king's belittling comments and ongoing misunderstandings with Maxon. The action really picks up with the added complexity of rebel attacks on the palace and the castes of the Elite. The One provides a satisfying conclusion for fans of the series; it may have even been my favorite of the three books. 

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The language of this book is truly rhythmic and melodic, like a skilled basketball player on the court. The author's talent with choosing just the right words that ring true is evident in this story of twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, who are basketball stars. The story is written in verse, which appeals to many readers. This story is about family, brotherhood, relationships, and of course...basketball. I recommend this to readers who like sports/basketball, books in verse, and stories about family relationships. 

We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

Thanks to a fabulous recommendation by a colleague (shout-out, PTB), I learned about Matt de la Pena’s work. This is the kind of book that you keep thinking about after you have finished it. The characters seem so real and are incredibly well-crafted and developed. Once I got into this book, it completely pulled me under and I didn’t come up for air until the very end. The main character, Miguel, is traveling down the California coast to Mexico after breaking out of a juvie group home with unlikely companions Mong and Rondell Law (I find it funny that his last name is Law, but he is in juvie for getting in trouble with the law and really follows his own law). The story follows Miguel’s journey and adventures while he comes to terms with his past. Give this book to hesitant male readers, especially (but not limited to), boys with Latino heritage, and start them off with some read alouds. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about adventure, friendship, and family/brothers. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—for the right reader, this book could be life-changing.

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

This book was the greatest. My young, Black male students seek authentic stories with a voice they can relate to, and Reynolds’ book about an admirable character dealing with the real struggles of growing up in an urban neighborhood, family issues, friendship and brotherhood is exceptional. When Ali finds himself at a high school party with his friends Noodles and Needles, he can’t believe they actually got in the door. But Ali’s excitement turns to dread and fear as the events of the evening threaten to change everything for him. As a result, Ali is forced to acknowledge what it really takes to stand up for family and to defend our own. I recommend this book to readers who like realistic problems, urban/inner city settings, friendship complications, fights and brotherhood. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it is fast-paced and characters are well-defined. I can’t wait to share this book.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

The writing in this book was so beautiful; I never wanted it to end and the storytelling talent of this author is beyond compare. Woodson shares the story of her youth in free verse that conveys so much emotion in its compact format. The story follows the author and her family from her birthplace in Columbus, Ohio, to Greenville, South Carolina, and eventually Brooklyn, New York, during the 1960s and 1970s. This brown girl never stopped dreaming, and it makes her story incredible, unforgettable, and amazing. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about family, personal identity, Civil Rights, and books in verse. If I could, I would give this book 10 out of 5 stars—it is one of my very favorites and I truly loved this book.