This is a cute, “innocent” YA romance about a quirky girl who moves to a new high school. It’s a rarity in YA romance because it’s told from the boy’s perspective.

Title: Stargirl

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Genre:  romance

Age group: YA

Synopsis: Eleventh grader Leo Bordock tells the story of new student Susan “Stargirl” Caraway.  In a high school that values conformity, Stargirl sticks out like a sore thumb. After years of being home-schooled, she starts tenth grade at the local public school. She wears kimonos, plays the ukelele, and sings “Happy Birthday” to students she doesn’t know. Initially shunned by her peers, Stargirl slowly grows in popularity after joining the cheerleading squad. Leo is surprised to find himself attracted to her kindness and independence. However, things begin to change when Stargirl’s actions are blamed for ruining the basketball team’s chances at the championship. Leo struggles with his feelings for Stargirl as her popularity waxes and then wanes. Can he really love a girl whom others see as a freak?

This is a wonderful story about marching to the beat of your own drummer. I love that it’s told from the boy’s perspective. It’s sweet and innocent and makes you think about how willing you are to stick up for your own beliefs.

I picked up Shooting Kabul this past summer because it was one of the summer reading choices at my school. It’s also nominated for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award this year. The book takes a rare look into the flight of refugees from Afghanistan just prior to the 9/11 attacks.

Title: Shooting Kabul

Author: N.H. Senzai

Age group: middle grade (ages 9-12)

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Fadi and his family leave Afghanistan (illegally) in the summer of 2001. While trying to sneak out of the country, Fadi is responsible for holding the hand of his younger sister Mariam. The family waits for a truck to take them across the border to Pakistan. When it arrives, many families come out of hiding and swarm the truck. Mariam gets lost in the crowd just as Fadi is pulled up onto the truck.

When it becomes apparent the family won’t be able to find Mariam quickly, they move to the United States as planned and leave the search for Mariam to others. However, Fadi feels terribly guilty. A photography contest with a grand prize of a trip to India catches Fadi’s attention. Perhaps if he wins the contest and travels to India, he can sneak back into Afghanistan to save his sister.

Does it pass the “Homeschool Mom Test“? Yes. I didn’t find any objectionable material in this book. In fact, it provides some wonderful opportunities to discuss immigration and prejudice with children.

Years ago, Trenton Lee Stewart came to speak at the school where I was teaching. He read a portion of his first Mysterious Benedict Society book, and I thought, “Wow, not only do I want to read that book, but I wish I’d written it!”

In the years since that author visit, I’ve not only read the book and its sequel, I’ve also bought the book for several of my nieces and recommended it to many of my students. Everybody seems to like it. The only difficult thing about the book is that it’s long, especially for a middle grade book. On the bright side, this is a perfect book for a young voracious reader who is looking for something a bit more challenging but isn’t ready for the mature topics covered in YA books.

The photo to the right is my classroom copy of the book. Look carefully and you’ll see how well “loved” this book has been by my students. Good thing we’ve got tape to hold this baby together. 🙂

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Genre: Mystery

Age group: Middle grade (10 and up)

Synopsis: Reynie Muldoon is a gifted orphan whose tutor suggests he respond to an ad in the paper looking for “gifted children.” After taking an exceptionally peculiar exam, Reynie is welcomed into the “Mysterious Benedict Society,” in which he and three other unusually gifted children must save the world from a crazy scientist obsessed with mind control.

Does it pass the “Home School Mom Test“? Yes. This book is safe for kids ages 10 and up.

The best part of this book is that the four main characters must solve all sorts of puzzles and riddles, and the readers get to play along with them. The book is part of a trilogy, and a prequel was just released a few months ago.

The series even has a fun website (here) with games kids can play, including one that tells you which of the four main characters you are most like. (In case you care, I’m most like Reynie–compassionate, caring, full of self-doubt, but a great team player. :))