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Caitlyn's Recommendation: The Grimoire of Grave Fates created by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen
When I heard this book described as "Harry Potter meets One of Us is Lying" I knew I had to read it! At the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary, each student has their own kind of magic; there's one student who practices necromancy (which is forbidden), another student can go to alternate worlds, and that's just the beginning of their powers. But when every student's least favorite teacher, Professor Dropwort, is found murdered, everyone becomes a suspect. Each chapter is written by a different author and tells the story of a different student who can offer more to help readers figure out the mystery. Recommended for grades 7 and up.
Kristy's Recommendation: Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O'Shaughnessy
This was the sweetest, most heart squeezing book! I loved it to pieces, especially on audio. Mo is a rising 6th grader who must go into foster care after her beloved grandma dies and there is no family member who can take care of her. She ends up with a wealthy couple on the Lower East Side, but the complicated reality of foster care continues to upend her life.
I loved Mo’s hopeful voice and the way she realistically struggles with her anger and sadness. I also loved the complicated, flawed presentation of adult characters who are not necessarily redeemed or explained. It was brave and rang true for me, even if Mo’s story is probably more positive than many other foster kids’ experiences.
A really great book that will appeal to both kids and adults alike. Recommended for grades 4 and up.
Felicia's Recommendation: Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
Otherworld is a new video game from The Company, with state of the art technology where you can really feel what it's like to be in the game. Simon, a 17 year old kid from New Jersey, get's early access to the game for him and his friend Kat in an attempt to get back in her good graces. When this attempt doesn't work, he follows her to a party where a scary accident leaves most of the party-goers in comas, including Kat. When The Company gets involved, offering an experimental technology using the Otherworld game and brain implants, Simon feels like something is up. Working with an anonymous source, Simon enters Otherworld to track down Kat and find out what is really happening. Recommended for grades 7 and up.
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