This is the first year that Olivia, her mom, and her sister will spend the summer at their grandparents without her dad. This year dad is living his new life without them because of the divorce. Olivia feels left out from her family, is awkward around her best friend, and doesn't know what to do with herself. When she sees a turtle come to shore and then turn around she figures out the lights from a nearby resort and causing the problem. Can Olivia figure out a way to help the turtle (legally) and work through her own family issues.
Initially I had doubts about this but it grew on me - a solid book.
This was a very well done story of Viji and Rukku, two sisters who have run away from an abusive father. They go to a bigger city and try to make a life for themselves. They meet two other boys living on the streets and also a dog and form a little family. But can they survive on their own and have a future?
This story provided a needed glimpse into life in another country and was well told.
Audra's parents have kept her isolated from their dangerous doings. They are book smugglers. They try to get Lithuanian books into the hands of the people in spite of the ban and the danger. But when her parents are arrested Audra is thrown into the dangerous world of book smuggling. At first she doesn't understand it at all - she just wants her parents back. But soon she begins to understand the power of words and how they can save a culture.
This was full of action and a great historical piece little known to the general audience. It was hard at times to believe Audra was only 12 - kids won't mind the heroine but adults may feel it doesn't ring true.
Ethan loves doing magic - he performs for family and friends, for birthday parties, and for himself. When a magic contest is announced Ethan is thrilled because the prize is performing with his hero. But, getting there would be a struggle, especially because of his youngest brother who has special needs. He finally gets his dad to agree to take him but a fight at school gets in the way. Once that is resolved (rather easily) he is allowed to go again. But then his brother Jake gets really sick.
Will Ethan ever get to perform and meet his hero? Is that even what's most important?
This was a feel good story - I felt some things were resolved rather easily but it had a lot of heart.
Any book that starts with a Great British Bake-Off reference is okay with me. Ellie has dreams of being a world class chef. She loves to bake and cook and when she and her mom move in with her grandparents she knows she will have an opportunity to enter a baking contest. But her grandfather's increasing forgetfulness and her battles with CF can sometimes get in the way. Can her family find a way to adjust to their new normal and can she find a perfect recipe?
This was a solid, feel good book. Some drama and I felt the ending was a bit rushed but good overall.
Lucy Everhart's mom was a famous shark scientist but to Lucy she was just mom. But her mom has been gone for years now. When a great white shark is caught by a family friend Lucy becomes interested in her mother's work. Then when a tragic accident changes her life forever her interest magnifies. Can she find a connection and a way to find peace and closure?
This was a gut wrencher - especially the first 1/3 of the book. To me it meandered a bit after that but the ending was powerful.
