Eastside Middle School
KBA Reads 2018-2019
drive.google.com/file/d/1bl4C26wAV3HlFH3bs40N29A-4T-S3DpT/view?usp=sharing
Free Verse / Sarah Dooley – G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.; ISBN – 978-0-399-16503-0
When her brother dies in a fire, Sasha Harless has no one left, and nowhere to turn. After her father died in the mines and her mother ran off, he was her last caretaker. They'd always dreamed of leaving Caboose, West Virginia together someday, but instead she's in foster care, feeling more stuck and broken than ever. Sasha slowly learns to cope with her brother's death through writing poetry, finding a new way to express herself when spoken words just won't do.
The Gallery / Laura Marx Fitzgerald – Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-525-42865-7
It's 1929, and twelve-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. Despite the trappings of success, Martha suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household. Can Martha follow the clues, decipher the code, and solve the mystery of what's really going on with Rose Sewell? Inspired by true events described in a fascinating author's note, The Gallery is a 1920s caper told with humor and spunk that readers today will love.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow / Jessica Townsend – Little, Brown and Company, 2017.; ISBN - 978-0-316-50888-9
Morrigan Crow is cursed and is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. Morrigan has been chosen to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests of the society--or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
OCDaniel / Wesley King – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-1-48145-531-2
A thirteen-year-old boy's life revolves around hiding his obsessive compulsive disorder until a girl at school, who is unkindly nicknamed Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time and he gets a mysterious note that changes everything. "I need your help," it says, signed, Fellow Star Child. And suddenly Daniel, a total no one at school, is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him.
Rebound / Kwame Alexander – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018.; ISBN - 978-0-544-86813-7
In the summer of 1988, twelve-year-old Chuck Bell is trying to deal with his father’s death and is sent to stay with his grandparents. While he’s there, he discovers jazz and basketball. He also learns about his family's past and what it means to overcome obstacles. This dynamic novel-in-verse is a companion to Alexander’s Newbery winner, The Crossover, and also features graphic novel panels.
Refugee / Alan Gratz – Scholastic Press, 2017.; ISBN - 978-0-545-88083-1
Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy livng in 1930s Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the riots and unrest plaguing her country in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction, embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge, discovering shocking connections that tie their stories together
Restart / Gordon Korman – Scholastic Press, 2017; ISBN - 978-1-33805-377-7
Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?
Scythe / Neal Shusterman – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-1-44247-242-6
In a world with no hunger, no disease, no war, and no death, scythes are the only ones who can end life. They are commanded to do so in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice with a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life and learn that creating a perfect world comes with a heavy price.
The Thing About Leftovers / C. C. Payne – Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-399-17204-5
Kentucky author C.C. Payne tells the story of Fizzy, a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect. Well, and win the Southern Living cook-off! The being perfect part is hard since her parents divorced and everything in her life has changed. Fizzy tells herself to face facts - She's a leftover kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. This poignant will remind readers that they have a right to a voice, that it is okay to say how you feel, and that some leftovers are absolutely delicious!
When Friendship Followed Me Home / Paul Griffin – Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-8037-3816-4
Seventh-grader Ben, always an outsider, is led into a deep friendship with Halley, who is being treated for cancer. Ben has a unforgettable dog named Flip that he and his adoptive mother have taken in to thank for that! Halley changes Ben’s world and convinces him to write a novel with her. However, as their story unfolds, Ben's life begins to unravel. In this tale of happiness and loss, Ben must discover for himself the truth about friendship and the meaning of home.
KBA Reads 2018-2019
drive.google.com/file/d/1bl4C26wAV3HlFH3bs40N29A-4T-S3DpT/view?usp=sharing
Free Verse / Sarah Dooley – G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.; ISBN – 978-0-399-16503-0
When her brother dies in a fire, Sasha Harless has no one left, and nowhere to turn. After her father died in the mines and her mother ran off, he was her last caretaker. They'd always dreamed of leaving Caboose, West Virginia together someday, but instead she's in foster care, feeling more stuck and broken than ever. Sasha slowly learns to cope with her brother's death through writing poetry, finding a new way to express herself when spoken words just won't do.
The Gallery / Laura Marx Fitzgerald – Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-525-42865-7
It's 1929, and twelve-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. Despite the trappings of success, Martha suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household. Can Martha follow the clues, decipher the code, and solve the mystery of what's really going on with Rose Sewell? Inspired by true events described in a fascinating author's note, The Gallery is a 1920s caper told with humor and spunk that readers today will love.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow / Jessica Townsend – Little, Brown and Company, 2017.; ISBN - 978-0-316-50888-9
Morrigan Crow is cursed and is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. Morrigan has been chosen to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests of the society--or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
OCDaniel / Wesley King – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-1-48145-531-2
A thirteen-year-old boy's life revolves around hiding his obsessive compulsive disorder until a girl at school, who is unkindly nicknamed Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time and he gets a mysterious note that changes everything. "I need your help," it says, signed, Fellow Star Child. And suddenly Daniel, a total no one at school, is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him.
Rebound / Kwame Alexander – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018.; ISBN - 978-0-544-86813-7
In the summer of 1988, twelve-year-old Chuck Bell is trying to deal with his father’s death and is sent to stay with his grandparents. While he’s there, he discovers jazz and basketball. He also learns about his family's past and what it means to overcome obstacles. This dynamic novel-in-verse is a companion to Alexander’s Newbery winner, The Crossover, and also features graphic novel panels.
Refugee / Alan Gratz – Scholastic Press, 2017.; ISBN - 978-0-545-88083-1
Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy livng in 1930s Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the riots and unrest plaguing her country in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction, embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge, discovering shocking connections that tie their stories together
Restart / Gordon Korman – Scholastic Press, 2017; ISBN - 978-1-33805-377-7
Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?
Scythe / Neal Shusterman – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-1-44247-242-6
In a world with no hunger, no disease, no war, and no death, scythes are the only ones who can end life. They are commanded to do so in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice with a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life and learn that creating a perfect world comes with a heavy price.
The Thing About Leftovers / C. C. Payne – Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-399-17204-5
Kentucky author C.C. Payne tells the story of Fizzy, a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect. Well, and win the Southern Living cook-off! The being perfect part is hard since her parents divorced and everything in her life has changed. Fizzy tells herself to face facts - She's a leftover kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. This poignant will remind readers that they have a right to a voice, that it is okay to say how you feel, and that some leftovers are absolutely delicious!
When Friendship Followed Me Home / Paul Griffin – Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016.; ISBN - 978-0-8037-3816-4
Seventh-grader Ben, always an outsider, is led into a deep friendship with Halley, who is being treated for cancer. Ben has a unforgettable dog named Flip that he and his adoptive mother have taken in to thank for that! Halley changes Ben’s world and convinces him to write a novel with her. However, as their story unfolds, Ben's life begins to unravel. In this tale of happiness and loss, Ben must discover for himself the truth about friendship and the meaning of home.