by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda, with Liz WelchConditional Recommendation: A young American girl and a young Zimbabwean boy become pen pals and build a friendship through letters that changes both of their lives for the better.
Awards: The Magnolia Award for 9-12 (2017), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (2018)
by John FlanaganConditional Recommendation: Now a fully fledged ranger, Will is assigned to his own territory but it’s not long before he’s sent on a mission to unravel the mystery of the sorcerer of the north.
Age: Young Adult
Series: Ranger’s Apprentice, Book Five
Pages: 304
Published: 2008
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
by Erin HunterConditional Recommendation: A house cat joins a clan of wild cats and becomes a part of their traditions, opposing threats from neighboring clans, and their battle for survival.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
by John FlanaganConditional Recommendation: Trapped in Skandia by the invading Temujai army, Will, Horace, Evanlyn, Halt and Erak must unite to defend themselves against the threatening enemy.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
by John FlanaganConditional Recommendation: While Will and Evanlyn try to survive and escape captivity from the Skandians, Halt and Horace battle knight after knight in their efforts to reach Skandia and rescue Will.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
by Margo HansenUnconditional Recommendation: A letter ordering Irena to travel to America to become a bride brings love into Irena’s life—the love of the Savior, the love of a man, and the love of friends.
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
by Shannon HaleConditional Recommendation: A betrayed princess must change her name and become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim her crown.
Genre: Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
by Wendelin Van DraanenUnconditional Recommendation: A humorous, honest story of first love, growing up, and changing perspectives told from alternating point of views.
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
by Lois LowryConditional Recommendation: In German-occupied Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns what it means to be brave as she helps her best friend Ellen escape from the Nazis.
Awards: Newbery Medal (1990), National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature (1990), Sydney Taylor Book Award for Older Readers (1989), Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Nominee (1990), Charlotte Award (1992), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (1991), Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award (1992), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (1992)
by Frances Hodgson BurnettUnconditional Recommendation: A story of mystery, transformation and new life for a neglected young girl, her fearful cousin, and an abandoned garden.
Genre: Classic