JMS Literacy Leaders Summer Reading

Historical Fiction

Based on a true story, twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez becomes the lead plaintiff in a 1931 lawsuit challenging school segregation in Lemon Grove, California, and stands up for justice with the support of his Mexican American community.

Realistic Fiction

Iraqi American Mariam Hassan transfers to a local Catholic school . . . She might be the first Muslim her classmates have ever met . . . She must represent an entire religion while making new friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and figuring out who she is. When Mariam's younger sister, Salma, is diagnosed with a serious lung condition, her family faces endless doctor visits and sleepless nights. Mariam tries to lighten their burden and keep her own problems to herself--including the fact that she's just been cast as Mary in the school's Christmas nativity play"--Provided by publisher.

Young Adult Horror/ Romance

"Shea Parker has lived her entire life in the shadow of the Gravewood, an impassable forest that's cut off her town from the rest of the world. With resources limited and supplies scarce, Shea is forced to carefully ration her hearing aid batteries. When her stash runs out, she'll be left in the silence. Desperate, Shea turns to the only person who can help--Oliver Lysander, the volatile leader of a vampiric gang that rules the Gravewood."--Provided by publisher.

Realistic Fiction

"Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze strives to be seen as more than just a football player in his predominantly white small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi. When a horrific incident compels him to speak out, he must choose between playing football and seeking justice"--OCLC.

Historical Fiction

"During the worst storm of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, twins Howe and Joanna must put their differences aside and work together to save their farm from ruin"--OCLC.

Young Adult Romance

"Teffy, Tay, Taylor, and TS have been best friends since middle school. As they enter their high school freshmen era, relationships bring on the drama. Suddenly, it feels like everything has changed. Pulled in different directions between navigating high school and new relationships, will their friendship be long lived or is it so long, Taylors?"--Back cover.

Realistic Fiction

"Mo is used to his father's fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished folktales: The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too--which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu. With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo's aunt and cousin, Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a 'bad kid.' Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he'd expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo. But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself, Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment"--Publisher.

Historical Fiction

In 731 Chang'An, China, Han Yu sells steamed buns in a bustling market full of whispers about his ability to summon tigers. In 1931 Chinatown, New York, Luli Lee gazes out from the roof of her parents' restaurant, dreaming of dim sum and Chinese art. Familar rhythms rule the contented lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang'An and financial crisis threatens Luli's family, each must venture out into the larger world--and into perilous adventure--to save what they love most--Adapted from OCLC.

Young Adult Horror

"When small-town athlete Avery's morning run leads her to a strange pond in the middle of the forest, she awakens a horror the townspeople of Crook's Falls have long forgotten. The black water has been waiting. Watching. Hungry for the souls it needs to survive. Avery can smell the water, see it flooding everywhere; she thinks she's losing her mind. And as the black water haunts Avery--taking a new form each time--people in town begin to go missing. Though Avery had heard whispers of monsters from her Kanien'keha:ka (Mohawk) relatives, she has never really connected to her Indigenous culture or understood the stories. But the Elders she has distanced herself from now may have the answers she needs. When Key, her best friend and longtime crush, is the next to disappear, Avery is faced with a choice: listen to the Kanien'keha:ka and save the town but lose her friend forever . . . or listen to her heart and risk everything to get Key back"--Dust jacket.

Science Fiction

"A boy discovers an astronaut helmet that takes him to the planet Ibra where he must save the universe"--Provided by publisher.

Science Fiction

"Twelve-year-old Zuzu befriends a guardian robot with a limited battery life that was given to her father as severance after being laid off from the mega corporation that controls everything"--OCLC.

Fantasy

In a Beinoni time there should be no war, no terrible illness, no crime. Even if that also means there won't be any great discoveries, any cures, anything extraordinary. Ezra believes that's worth fighting for.

Historical Fiction

"When Cora leaves her house in the early morning hours of April 18th, she expects trouble to find her, like it somehow always does. But as she makes her way to the San Francisco docks to look for her father, the earth begins to shake and suddenly, Cora realizes that she's not just in trouble-- she's in danger. Once she's above ground again, Cora is shocked to find herself in a city that has been decimated by a massive earthquake"--Jacket flap.

Fantasy

"Nick Andino is a normal twelve-year-old doing schoolwork and helping at his family's restaurant, until the day he is visited by Zeus and Hermes, who reveal that he must complete an epic quest or his family will be erased from history"--Provided by publisher.

Fantasy

Twelve-year-old Nico and his cousins' seemly boring summer in Puerto Rico takes a horrific turn when they encounter the legendary chupacabra, a cult, and the gods who created the island.

Fantasy

"Anna sees ghosts. The spirits of her ancestors call to her from the shadows, and no matter where she is, Anna always answers. . . . The only one who seems to understand is Anna's grandmother, Bubbe, who has always treasured Anna's shayna neshama, her beautiful soul. . . . But when a ghost named Ruthie appears at Bubbe's house by the sea, Anna begins to uncover long-hidden secrets that reveal the mystery of her family's troubled past"--Provided by publisher.

Realistic Fiction

Recently diagnosed with depression, fifth-grader Pearl struggles with self-care and self-love amidst a sea of changes.

Young Adult Dystopian

"The year is 2425 and London is underwater. Hundreds of years ago, rising oceans drowned a vast majority of the English Isle, and London is now a jungle of empty skyscrapers, submerged streets, and strange deadly creatures. Fighting over the scraps of a world none can remember, two Houses, alike in fierceness and dedication to their cause--the Crowns and the Rogues--have been at war for centuries. Rafe is a captain and the fiercest soldier in the Rogue army. Jule holds the same rank in the Crown army; no one is deadlier. They are vicious and merciless, feared, courageous. . . and revered. They are sworn enemies. And then they fall in love"--Provided by publisher.

Fantasy

Jung didn't believe in magic until she falls down into an underwater magical kingdom. Now, Jung must uncover the truth about her past and save her people before its too late.

Fantasy

"In an attempt to fulfill a prophecy, thirteen-year-old Kyta, with a band of misfit kids, attempts an impossible heist to steal back the stolen Egg of the World Turtle and save the world from destruction"--OCLC.

Historical Fiction

In 1930s San Antonio, after her father's death, thirteen-year-old Petra must quit school to work at a pecan shelling factory where dangerous conditions and low wages push her to take a vital stand for change.

Realistic Fiction

"Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop--but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself, too"--Provided by publisher.

Realistic Fiction

.D.J. moved to a new town after the death of her cousin Rachel, which was ruled a suicide. Her family is struggling with grief, and she has to postpone her bat mitzvah. D.J. starts an investigation, determined to prove her cousin was murdered

Humor

"Thirteen-year-old Ellis, who suffers from chronic acne, struggles to navigate her relationships at home and at school while learning to feel comfortable in her own skin"--OCLC.

Realistic Fiction

"A Chinese American girl does her best to stay true to herself in a world that often judges"--Provided by publisher.

Graphic Novel

"A graphic memoir chronicling Amar's real-life experiences as a fourteen-year-old sports journalist covering the golden era of the NBA, when he befriended Shaq and hung out with Michael Jordan and the Bulls--all while surviving the high school caste system, dealing with crushes, and friendships being tainted by jealousy"--Provided by publisher.

Young Adult Biography

"Rap. Rap. Rap. The eerie sound was first heard in March of 1848 at the home of the Fox family in Hydesville, New York. The family's two daughters, Kate and Maggie, soon discovered that they could communicate with the spirit that was making these uncanny noises. This strange incident, and the ones that followed, generated a media frenzy beyond anything the Fox sisters could have imagined"--Provided by publisher.

Non-Fiction

"A narrative nonfiction account that explores how Mount Tambora's eruption in 1815 affected the global climate and inspired Mary Shelley's work"--Provided by publisher.

Non-Fiction

"In this first-of-its-kind, comprehensive collection of irresistible cookies inspired by Asian flavors and techniques, from . . . Kat Liew, readers will whip up comforting classics and entirely new desserts such as spicy chai cookies, salted egg yolk cornflake haystacks, matcha and wasabi drop cookies, and even instant ramen and pho cookies"--Provided by publisher.

Graphic Novel

"While sixth-grader Sara Amini cannot find anyone who shares her Iranian-Colombian-American heritage, her best friend is abandoning her for another girl, making her feel more alone as a mixed-race, first-generation person with a desire to belong"--OCLC.

Graphic Novel

"A girl becomes convinced she's cursed after an accident at the town carnival involving a fortune-telling machine"-- Provided by publisher.

Non-Fiction Graphic Memoir

"An autobiographical story about an Australian girl named Gina who navigates a family move, starting middle school, and going through puberty while simultaneously negotiating the evolving needs of her nonverbal autistic brother, Rob"-- Provided by publisher.

Graphic Novel

"Ethan doesn't want to stand out, he just wants to fit in. But fitting in is tough when your peers call out your ancient cell phone, busted backpack, and discount clothing. To make matters worse, his best friend, Ricky, insists on hanging out with a group of guys who just don't get him--they're more interested in playing pranks than playing his favorite card game Bio Battle. Things start looking up, though, when Ethan befriends Aiden, a new kid in school, but it's only matter of time before even that goes sideways. Can Ethan figure out where he belongs without forgetting who he is and who he wants to be?"--OCLC.

Graphic Novel

"After her parents divorce, seventh grader Violet is forced to start all over. Now the new kid, at a new school, in a new town, she must navigate unfamiliar territory. Luckily, Violet falls in with a new group of (maybe?) friends. But when they wind up in detention, they're forced to join the under-attended Environmental Club--and mischief ensues. What will become of this rag-tag group?"--Amazon.

Young Adult Graphic Novel

"Lily isn't sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily's life upside down. As Lily enters her college years she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?"--Publisher.

Graphic Novel

Willa, who wants to become a mail carrier when she grows up is mistaken for a letter thief. She teams up with a group of runaways called the Gumshoe Gang to catch the thief.

Young Adult Graphic Novel

"In 1943 Amsterdam, Emma Bergsma's world changes when she witnesses Jewish families being forcibly deported to concentration camps. That pivotal moment lights a fire within her, and she decides to join the Dutch Resistance. Before long, Emma is drawn into a clandestine world of printing presses and counterfeiters, with thousands of lives on the line. In 2011 Amsterdam, teenage Annick's world has changed as well. A search for a bone marrow donor for her beloved oma leads to a shocking revelation: her grandmother was secretly adopted as a child. The only clues to finding their lost family are a series of art prints hanging on the wall--each signed by a mysterious 'Emma B'"--Amazon.

Non-Fiction

Looks at the 1941 season of baseball in the United States amongst the country's entry into World War II.

Graphic Novel

Charise and Casey have been best friends for years. It never mattered that Casey was older by two years--until she started high school. Now, the two barely talk, and Charise is on a mission to get a new best friend. But can she find that perfect person while navigating long-distance friendships, guinea pig allergies, and the embarrassing quirks of her family?

Non-Fiction Graphic Novel

Just how bad was he From instigating mischievous pranks at home to fighting in the classroom--especially when teased about his speech impediment--irrepressible Walter was more than a handful. Underneath it all, he had a tremendous love for books, and by high school he longed to become a writer. But financial troubles at home made him feel his options were so limited that he dropped out of school. Still, his desire to write was as irrepressible as Walter himself. If he could only be given the chance...

Non-Fiction Biography

"A biography of . . . Josefina 'Joey' Guerrero: World War II spy, Filipina guerrilla fighter, war hero, Medal of Freedom recipient, leprosy survivor, teacher, and peacemaker"--Provided by publisher.

Non-Fiction

"Too often when a president is sick or dying, he and the people around him have hidden his condition from the public, wanting to project an image of strength and power. Gail Jarrow explores the shocking, yet true, stories of presidential medical cover-ups from the 19th through the 21st centuries"-- Provided by publisher.