Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

Della is only 10 years old and she has seen more trauma than most people see in a lifetime. Her mother, a meth addict, is in prison, and she and her sister suffered abuse from the man who later took them in. The one thing she has always had is her older sister Suki, who staunchly protected and sheltered her. Now Della and Suki are with Francine, a matter-of-fact foster mother who doesn't even pretend to be very motherly. Della is the kind of kid who swears and fights and tries to get by any way she can, but when Suki succumbs to her own trauma, Della has to learn new ways to speak up. It sounds heavy and depressing, but it is neither. There is humor and lightness and a deep bond of sisterhood. All books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley are gems, and this one is no exception. In a world where children are frequently the victims of sexual abuse, this book may be a lifesaver to some and a gateway to empathy for others. For adults as well as children, it is a beautiful, engaging story that stands on its own. Highly recommended for all readers ages 10-up. 

Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan

Habo does not have the brown skin and hair of his family members. In his Tanzanian village he is an outcast, with even his own brothers treating him badly. When his family must leave their village and go to live with relatives in a larger city, he discovers a name for his condition. He is an albino and in Tanzania that puts his life in danger. Golden Boy is the story of how he bravely sets off to find a place where he will not be in danger from the cruel practice of killing and dismembering that is a reality in Tanzania even today for albino people. This book is both a good story and an interesting glimpse into life in Tanzania.

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

I absolutely loved this historical fiction book and Ada and Jamie, two siblings who are sent out of London during the air raids of World War II. Nine-year-old Ada has a club foot and her mother has kept her a virtual prisoner her whole life. She has never gone to school and rarely left their apartment. But when her younger brother Jamie is scheduled to be sent to safety in the country, Ada doesn't hesitate to go with him. In a seaside village in Kent all the children are taken in by local families. Jamie and Ada, who are malnourished and dirty, are the last children chosen, and are practically forced on a single woman named Susan Smith. Although Susan says she has no idea how to take care of children, she knows that Ada needs a doctor, and crutches, and an education. Ada thrives in the country as she learns to ride a pony and makes her first friend. She and Jamie are wary of embracing their new life, though, because they know they could be returned to their mother at any time. This is a story of healing and survival, set during a fascinating time in British history. Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school readers.