The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

After her father is sent to jail, eleven year old Groovy Robinson must decide if she can forgive the failings of someone she loves.

Realistic fiction | Grades 4-up

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael

Stubborn, self-reliant, eleven year old Zoe, recently orphaned, moves to the country to live with her prickly half uncle, a famous doctor and sculptor, and together they learn about trust and the strength of family.

Realistic fiction | grades 5-8

Traveling the Freedom Road by Linda Barrett Osborne

Collects accounts from slave narratives, journals, diaries, and other sources to provide a first-person perspective on the antebellum South, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Non fiction | grades 5-8

The Stone Child by Dan Poblocki

When friends Eddie, Harris, and Maggie discover that the scary adventures in their favorite author's fictional books come true, they must find a way to close the portal that allows evil creatures and witches to enter their hometown of Gatesweed.

Fantasy | grades 5-8

Operation Redwood by Terrell French

In northern California, Julian Carter-Li and his friends old and new fight to save a grove of redwoods from an investment company that plans to cut them down.

Environmental protection | grades 5-8

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Homer P. Figg escapes from his wretched foster home in Pine Swamp, Maine, and sets out to find his beloved older brother, Harold, who has been illegally sold into the Union Army.

Historical fiction | grades 5-8

Mare's War by Tanita Davis

Teens Octavia and Tali learn about strength, independence, and courage when they are forced to take a car trip with their grandmother, who tells about growing up Black in 1940s Alabama and serving in Europe during World War II as a member of the Women's Army Corps.

World War II fiction | Family life fiction | grades 6 up

Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jan Bryant

In 1968, with the Vietnam War raging, thirteen year old Lyza inherits a project from her deceased grandfather, who had been using his knowledge of maps and the geography of Lyza's New jersey hometown to locate the lost treasure of Captain Kidd.

Mystery | Verse | grades 6-up

Jane in Bloom by Deborah Lytton

Devastated when her beautiful, older sister dies from anorexia, twelve year old Jane recovers slowly from the tragedy, with help from unexpected sources.

Realistic fiction | grades 5-8

Darkwood by M.E. Breen

A clever and fearless orphan endures increasing danger while trying to escape from greedy, lawless men and elude the terrifying "kinderstalks" - animals who steal children - before discovering her true destiny.

Fantasy | grades 5-8

Bones of Faerie by Janni Simmer

Fifteen year old Liza travels through war-ravaged territory in a struggle to bridge the faerie and human worlds and to bring back her mother, while she learns of her own powers and that magic can be controlled.

Fantasy | YA

Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

Orphaned at age five, Lucinda, now fifteen, stands with courage against the man who took everything from her, aided by a thief, a clever goat, and a mysterious woman called the Witch of Amaranth, while the prince she knew as a child prepares to marry, unaware that he, too, is in danger.

Fantasy | grades 5-8