Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

Emma-Jean Lazarus is a bit of an oddball. She's a very logical seventh grade girl who just doesn't understand all the other seventh graders around her. They seem messy and illogical and she's pretty content to live in her own world. But when the opportunity arises to help out a classmate, Emma-Jean forges a letter that helps out one classmate and humiliates another. This act brings her little by little into the lives of her classmates and she begins to interact and understand them a little more. She's a pretty charming character, and there are definitely kids like her in middle schools everywhere. Recommended for girls who like stories about school and friendships and offbeat characters.

Safe by Susan Shaw

This is a book about a teenager recovering from a horrific experience. Tracy is attacked and raped, and while the book never describes in detail her experience, the reader knows that she will never be the same. She tries to go on with her life, but finds herself unable to even leave the house without her father. Tracy's mom died when she was young, but she has always felt her presence with her. Now, when she needs her mom the most, she is unable to find comfort in their connection. Tracy has a good father and a loyal best friend, but Tracy needs more than they can give her. At it's heart this is a story of recovery and reaching out. Readers who like books about abuse, recovery, and serious topics will want to read to the end to find out how Tracy emerges from a terrible experience.

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko

It's hard to describe this book. At first it seems like a school story about two kids with separate problems. Kirsten's parents are fighting, she's eating compulsively, and her best friend is hanging out with a nasty new friend. Walker is the new kid in school and it's tough to be one of the only African American kids at a fancy private school. The point of view alternates between the two characters and while they are friends at school they seem to lead unrelated lives. Then a major plot twist happens that changes everything. Kirsten and Walk have to re-think what they know about their families and themselves. It's definitely worth reading to find out what the secret is--this book is not what it seems at the beginning!

When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright

Lanhi has a lot going on in her life. Her parents are heading toward a divorce, a boy at school is behaving inappropriately with her, and she has been nominated to sing a solo in a school singing competition. It's tough to be the only African American girl at her fancy private school, and it's sometimes tough to be adopted by white parents. When Lanhi's mom takes her to a multiracial church with a gospel choir, Lanhi begins to strive to become the person she wants to be. I loved how Lanhi took charge of her life and began to nurture her singing talent. The story line with the weird guy at school seemed out of place to me, but other than that I thought it was a good story about a girl growing up and figuring out who she is. I think it would be enjoyed by a wide variety of girls, especially those who like to sing.