Roll with It by Jamie Sumner

Ellie is a middle school girl who dreams of being a chef. Worried about her grandfather's worsening dementia, Ellie and her mom move to be near her grandparents, and Ellie finds herself as the new kid in a wheelchair in a small town school that's not equipped to handle her special needs. She's living in a trailer park on the wrong side of the city, but for the first time in her life she makes some real friends and feels needed by her grandparents. Ellie's cerebral palsy is a defining parameter of her life, but it isn't the the most difficult challenge she faces. She is focused on friendship, family health issues, and winning the annual cooking contest. This book is predictable and definitely not action-packed, but Ellie is a refreshing character and younger readers will enjoy how she overcomes her challenges. Recommended for grades 3-5.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are the great great great grandchildren of the most famous crime-solving pair in history. They meet at a Connecticut boarding school. Jamie wants to be friends, but Charlotte doesn't seem interested until a fellow student is killed and both have reason to be suspects. Charlotte, with her secret crime lab and her drug habit, needs the steadying influence of Jamie, and together they dive into deep trouble to clear their own names and prevent further murders. Sherlock Holmes fans will recognize many references to his literary mysteries within these pages, and those new to the stories may develop an interest in learning more. It's fast-paced and on the more mature side due to drug use, partying and mild sexual references. Recommended for mystery lovers, grades 8-up.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

When the dead rose up from the battlefield of Gettysburg, the course of American history changed. The Civil War never officially ended, and those left alive had to learn to fight back against the "shamblers." Privileged white people in cities use less privileged people for protection. Jane is one of the less-privileged. She's African American and attends a special school that trains "Negro" girls in both etiquette and how to kill shamblers. Things get worse and worse and Jane must flee, but is there anywhere left that is safe? This book provides a blend of action, history, zombies, racial injustice, and friendship/romance. Recommended for grades 8-up.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Racist ideas are woven into the fabric of the United States of America. The ideas are so deeply ingrained in our history that many of us don't see them or understand that they affect every aspect of society today. Stamped, which claims not to be a history book, traces the history of racist ideas and how Americans, who wanted the money and power that slavery gave them, created the idea of Africans being savages. From that early premise, Reynolds takes us up through the present day showing how pervasive the idea and policies that maintain it have become. Jason Reynolds is a master writer for young people, and he speaks directly to the reader in an honest and compelling tone. Reynolds is the reader of the audiobook, and is also an excellent narrator. As an adult reader, I was alternately shocked, captivated, and enraged at how often the history I learned in school could be viewed through such a different lens. I wanted to argue, to disagree, but in the end I cannot. It will only end when we acknowledge the power that racist ideas hold and we do the hard work of dismantling this system that is really all about who has privilege and who does not. This powerful book deserves to be read slowly and carefully and to be discussed in schools and churches and communities. I recommend it for all adults, as well as students in 8th grade and up,  There's an excellent educator's guide as well.

George by Alex Gino

George knows that she is a girl, but the world sees her as a boy. Her fourth grade class is reading Charlotte's Web, and what she wants more than anything is to play the wise, kind spider in the school play. But no one, not his brother, his mom, the bullies at school, or his teacher are making things easy for her. The star of this book is George's best friend Kelly, who is accepting and guileless and courageous. She shows that one person can make a world of difference to someone in need. George's journey to becoming who she needs to be is satisfying and sweet and will inspire empathy and hope. Recommended for elementary and middle school students everywhere.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Five students are serving detention in a locked room and one of them is killed. One of them must be the murderer. But which of these teens--a jock, a princess, a brain, and a drug dealer--would have wanted Simon (the outcast) dead? That is the premise of this mystery that has been flying off the shelves of my library this year. The author got her idea for the characters from The Breakfast Club, and as you might expect, each character is much more than the stereotypes that others see. The big reveals (there are several of them) did not surprise me, but kids have been enjoying it and a movie is in the works. Recommended for 8th-up.