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Recommendations based on Joey Pigza Swallowed the Keyby Jack Gantos
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Bud, Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
A young boy searches for his father during the Great Depression, encountering adventure and unexpected kindness along the way.
The story opens with Bud being placed with a new foster family, the Amoses'. Bud soon meets Todd Amos, their 12-year-old son, who teases him mercilessly and calls him Buddy. After a fight with Todd, ... (Wikipedia)
Dead End in Norvelt
by Jack Gantos
A humorous coming-of-age story of a boy helping an elderly neighbor and uncovering the secrets of his hometown.
Dead End in Norvelt takes place during the summer of 1962, after the American schoolboy Jack Gantos fires his father's war trophy, a Japanese sniper rifle , at a war movie playing at a drive-in movie ... (Wikipedia)
Among the Brave
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A dystopian future where kids are sent to secret camps to protect them from an oppressive government.
The fifth book starts off directly where the last book had ended, from the point of view of Trey, Luke's friend from Hendricks' School for Boys. After Luke Garner (Lee Grant) leaves Smits Grant, the ... (Wikipedia)
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
A girl's journey of self-discovery and healing, as she finds friendship in an unlikely companion.
Kate DiCamillo's beloved, best-selling debut novel is now available in a paperback digest edition. Kate DiCamillo's first published novel, like Winn-Dixie himself, immediately proved to be a keeper—a ... (Goodreads)
Among the Impostors
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A young boy's desperate attempt to discover his true identity amidst a world of secrets and lies.
Twelve-year-old Luke Garner is brought to Hendricks School for Boys by Mr. Talbot, the father of his dead best friend Jen. Luke is his parents’ third child and so is illegal under the country's ... (Wikipedia)
Among the Betrayed
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A young girl discovers the truth about her identity when her government starts rounding up children with special powers.
Elodie Luria had left a dreary but emotionally comfortable life with her three aunts and grandmother. For the sake of giving her a chance to live out of hiding, they managed to scrounge together ... (Wikipedia)
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
A young girl in 1970s New York City receives mysterious notes that seem to predict the future. She must unravel the mystery before it's too late.
Miranda is an ordinary sixth grader, until she starts receiving mysterious messages from somebody who knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her ... (Goodreads)
American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang
Three seemingly unrelated stories converge to explore themes of identity, assimilation, and acceptance in the American-born Chinese experience.
All Jin Wang wants is to fit in. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he suddenly finds that he's the only Chinese American student at his school. Jocks and bullies pick on him constantly, ... (Goodreads)
Savvy
by Ingrid Law
A family discovers the power of their special inherited magical gifts.
For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a "savvy" -a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her ... (Goodreads)
Frindle
by Andrew Clements
A boy's simple idea revolutionizes the English language, sparking a debate among teachers and students.
Nicholas "Nick" Allen is a class clown who has been formulating creative schemes throughout grade school . At the start of fifth grade in 1987, he is unhappy because his English teacher is the ... (Wikipedia)
Love That Dog
by Sharon Creech
A young boy's reluctant journey to discover his love of poetry, and his own writing talent.
"I guess it does look like a poem when you see it typed up like that." Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, ... (Goodreads)
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Watson family travels from Michigan to Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, experiencing racism and tragedy.
The Newbery Honor-winning American classic, The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 , celebrates 20 years with this anniversary edition featuring a special letter from Christopher Paul Curtis and an ... (Goodreads)
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
A fox and a boy form an unlikely bond as they embark on a journey of survival and friendship.
New York Times Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * National Book Award Longlist Finally in paperback! This handsome edition features French flaps. From bestselling and award-winning author ... (Barnes & Noble)
Stone Fox
by John Reynolds Gardiner
Young boy braves the elements to save his family's farm, with the help of a wise old man and an enigmatic dog.
John Reynolds Gardiner's classic action-packed adventure story about a thrilling dogsled race has captivated readers for more than thirty years. Based on a Rocky Mountain legend, Stone Fox tells the ... (Goodreads)
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
An uplifting story of a unique girl who challenges her classmates to be their true selves.
The book begins with a brief introduction to the main character, Leo, at an early age, which is followed by his move from his home state of Pennsylvania to Arizona when he is 12. Before the move, his ... (Wikipedia)
Feed
by M.T. Anderson
In a future where everyone is connected to the internet through their brains, a group of teenagers rebel against the system.
The novel portrays a near-future in which the feednet , a huge computer network (apparently an advanced form of the Internet), is directly connected to the brains of about 73% of American citizens by ... (Wikipedia)
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka
A humorous reimagining of the classic fairy tale, as told from the wolf's side of the story.
You thought you knew the story of the “The Three Little Pigs”… You thought wrong. In this hysterical and clever fracture fairy tale picture book that twists point of view and perspective, young ... (Goodreads)
Monster
by Walter Dean Myers
A young man's journey through the criminal justice system, and his struggle to find redemption.
The novel begins with 16-year-old Steve Harmon writing in his diary awaiting for his trial for murder . Musing on his short time in prison so far, he decides to record this upcoming experience in the ... (Wikipedia)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
A young Native American boy's struggles to survive in a difficult world.
The book follows a fourteen-year-old boy living with his family on the Spokane Indian Reservation near Wellpinit, Washington for a school year. It is told in episodic diary style, moving from the ... (Wikipedia)
Becoming Naomi León
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Naomi León's journey to find her true identity and reunite with her family. A heartwarming story of love, courage, and self-discovery.
Naomi Outlaw is a Hispanic girl who lives a carefree (if not lonely) life with her great-grandmother, Mary Outlaw, and deformed younger brother, Owen, in the fictional town of Lemon Tree, California. ... (Wikipedia)
Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
A young boy embarks on an adventure with his beloved hunting dogs, learning valuable life lessons.
An old man named Billy Colman rescues a redbone hound under attack by neighborhood dogs. He takes it home with him so that its wounds can heal. In light of this event, he has a flashback to when he ... (Wikipedia)
Life As We Knew It
by Susan Beth Pfeffer
A teenage girl's struggle to survive an apocalyptic disaster, relying on her resilience and resourcefulness.
Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, ... (Goodreads)
The Impossible Knife of Memory
by Laurie Halse Anderson
A high school girl struggles to cope with her father's PTSD as they move from place to place.
For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from ... (Goodreads)
Wringer
by Jerry Spinelli
A boy must wring the necks of pigeons as part of a town tradition, but he struggles with the morality of it.
A young boy named Palmer lives in a town called Waymer, which celebrates an annual Pigeon Day by releasing pigeons from crates to be shot in the air. When the book opens, the town's 63rd annual ... (Wikipedia)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
An orphaned boy's journey to unravel the secrets of a mechanical man and find his place in the world.
In 1930s Paris, young Hugo Cabret and his father repair an automaton at the museum where his father works. When Hugo's father dies in a fire, his uncle brings him to live and work at the train ... (Wikipedia)
One False Note
by Gordon Korman
Young sleuths solve a centuries-old mystery of a missing musical masterpiece.
Dan, Amy, and their au pair Nellie, found music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the end of The Maze of Bones, leading them to Vienna, Austria, to learn about him and find a related clue. In Vienna, Amy ... (Wikipedia)
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
by Simms Taback
A resourceful man turns an old coat into a variety of new items, showing the power of imagination and creativity.
Joseph had a little overcoat, but it was full of holes—just like this book! When Joseph's coat got too old and shabby, he made it into a jacket. But what did he make it into after that? And after ... (Barnes & Noble)
Gossamer
by Lois Lowry
A young girl's journey to discover the power of hope in her world of sorrow and despair.
The book's omniscient point of view, Littlest One, affectionately called Littlest, is out on a dark night. As she and her mentor, Fastidious, stealthily sneak into a woman and her dog's home and ... (Wikipedia)
Flotsam
by David Wiesner
A boy discovers a camera with mysterious photographs, inspiring a journey of exploration.
The book has no words , but is told through pictures. A boy is at the beach and finds an old camera. He takes the film to get it developed, and sees photos of fantastical undersea cities and ... (Wikipedia)
Chasing Vermeer
by Blue Balliett
An artistic mystery that unravels through a series of clues and puzzles.
The book begins with a mysterious letter that is delivered to three unknown recipients, two women and one man. The letter tells them they are of great need to the sender, but begs them not to tell ... (Wikipedia)
