THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND
By Sandy Stark-McGinnis

On Sale Date: 4/28/20

Thank you to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

From the author of EXTRAORDINARY BIRDS comes THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND. A moving story about a girl coming to terms with her mother’s progressive memory loss due to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
This is a bittersweet tale of family and friendship which will tug on the heart strings of all readers. The girl, Cassie, who loves art and math, is well characterized and full of heart. Her declining mother is realistically portrayed- having both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ moments and unpredictable behavior consistent with her diagnosis. Cassie’s strung-out but supportive father and soccer-loving estranged best friend are also memorable.

An ideal read for anyone who knows what it is like to love someone with Alzheimer’s or anyone who wants to know what it is like.
​
@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @starkmcginnis @bloomsburypublishing

REENI'S TURN
By Carol Coven Grannick

On Sale Date: 9/13/2020

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
​
REENI'S TURN follows the journey of shy ballet enthusiast, Reeni, as she prepares for her first solo ballet performance. But preparing for the limelight isn't the only thing that's new in eleven-year-old Reeni's life—her womanly figure is emerging and it isn't at all like she imagined. Encouraged by her newly image-conscious friends, Reeni spirals into a world of dieting, binge eating, lies, and obsessing about her appearance and weight.

Grannick is a master poet and each line of this award-worthy novel-in-verse about identity and self-acceptance is brimming with raw emotion and intensity. From line one, readers are sure to be swept up in Reeni's journey and are likely to be left thinking about Reeni long after the final page.

A perfect conversation starter for addressing body image issues with tweens and teens, whether they are dancers or not. Find a cozy spot, settle in, and prepare to be twirled into Reeni's world.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @carolcovengrannick @fitzroy_books

CAN YOU SEE ME?
By Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This middle-grade novel centers around sixth-grader Tally and her experiences starting middle school. But as well as adjusting to life in a new school and her "friends" changing before her eyes (becoming boy-crazy and into make-up), Tally has the added challenge of managing her autism and keeping the struggle silent.

Tally's journey is based on Ms. Scott's own experiences with autism and is a moving story about what it means to be "normal." It is told in close third person with interspersed diary entries written by Tally.

No doubt this book will prove to be an integral part of any school and library collection and an important conversation-starter for communities seeking to better understand autism and provide accommodations for autistic members.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit

NOT IF I CAN HELP IT
By Carolyn Mackler

This is a sweet middle-grade story featuring Willa, a dog-loving girl with Sensory Processing Disorder. 

Willa lives with her father and brother in a New York City apartment during the week and visits her mother and step-father on the weekends. She has regular sessions with a therapist and a reliable best friend, Ruby, who keeps her grounded at school. But Willa's world is flipped upside down when she discovers her father has fallen in love with Ruby's mom and intends to marry her.

Readers will quickly connect with likable Willa and empathize with her need for stability and her dislike of change. The detailed aspects of her disorder are well integrated into the story without them overtaking the plot or Willa's character development.

Strong themes of friendship, family, self-acceptance, and honesty abound as Willa grapples with disclosing her diagnosis to Ruby and contemplates how she will function with a new sister and step-mom in her daily life. 

Grab some gummy bears (Willa's favorite candy!) and enjoy.

#bookreview #kidlit #bookstagram

MEENA MEETS HER MATCH by Karla Manternach

MEENA MEETS HER MATCH is a cute early middle-grade novel about friendship and life in the third grade. The protagonist (Meena) jumps off the page and her love of recycling trash into art and craft projects is refreshing and fun. 

While this book is largely an exploration of a falling out between friends, Meena also experiences a medical issue—seizures. She is diagnosed with epilepsy during the course of the story and experiences seizures and attends tests such as MRI scanning. An author's note provides more information on this condition and also relates Meena's medical issues to that of the author's daughter. 

A great transition book for readers stepping up from chapter books with an interesting and unique subplot of epilepsy. Follow reading with your favorite recycled craft activity for the complete 'Meena' experience. Enjoy!

#bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit #bookreview @mskarlam 

A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you've been searching for a middle-grade read full of inspiration and the power of small kindnesses, this is it. Set in a struggling small town, the story follows multiple sixth graders and their interactions with an old well said to grant wishes. Each character is as unique and memorable as the next and the way their stories and experiences interweave is brilliantly crafted. 

This is a page-turning read told from multiple points of view. Suitable for grades three and up. Get ready for intrigue, tension, adventure, and your heart to fill with hope and happiness.

@kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit #bookreview @scholasticinc #keithcalabrese