Bloomability

By Sharon Creech

Amazon Review: Domenica Santolina Doone, known as Dinnie, finds herself far from home and among strangers. At the beginning of this first person narrative, Dinnie tells us she has been kidnapped and taken to Switzerland by her aunt and uncle. It is an "opportunity," but in Dinnie's nomadic family, "opportunity" is a loaded word that means you may have to pick up and leave at any moment. Suddenly Dinnie has some stability, but at the same time everything is strange and she is not sure where to turn. Creech, through Dinnie's voice, makes the theme fresh and interesting. 

Harriet the Spy

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. 

Written by Louise Fitzhugh

• Publisher: Yearling (May 8, 2001)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Written by Stephen Chbosky

Wonder

Wonder (by R.J Palacio) is about young boy, August Pullman, who has a congenital facial abnormality. After being homeschooled, he enters school for the first time in fifth grade and has to cope with a range of reactions to his unusual appearance, as well as a lot of typical middle school drama. Some kids use hateful language, and some people suggest that Auggie is mentally deficient. These situations are upsetting, as are other hardships that Auggie's family endures, including loss of a beloved family pet. However, goodness wins out, and readers should find it inspiring and uplifting. 

Book Trailer

• Publisher: Brilliance Audio; MP3 Una edition (April 8, 2014)

Eleanor and Park

This book tells the story of two misfits trying to make their way through high school. They find that their initial dislike for each other was a way to hide their true feelings that will help them make their way through their vastly different and equally complicated lives. Each learns to love aspects about themselves through the other's love. 

• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 26, 2013)