This was recommended to me by our awesome Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction after he read it with high school students in a pop-up Book Study. An important story told from the perspective of 16-year-old Starr Carter who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer.
Our Chief of Police let me borrow his copy of this book. It's an excellent historical analysis of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson - their entry into public service, decisions they made during difficult times, and the strategies they employed to achieve success. A smart, well-researched read.
I loved this! It's a really lovely story about Mason, who has some learning struggles and a heart of gold. We learn how his friend Benny died and how Mason prevails in the end with new friends, a terrific school counselor, and Moonie the Dog. Highly recommended for Grades 6+.
Based on the author's real-life experiences, the novel features 5th grader Mia Tang who helps her parents manage the Calivista Motel in California. Mia has a lot going on, between keeping up with her studies at school, helping her parents hide immigrants at the motel, and dealing with a greedy motel owner. She's a spunky and smart girl who saves the day for everyone. Great for Grade 5+.