Greetings from Witness Protection

As I write this, I feel like I shouldn't even mention Nicki and just begin with Charlotte's story but I will take the risk.

In and out of foster care after her grandmother passed away and a felon for a father, the perfect new home has been found for Nicki.  Elena, now Harriet, is getting a new identity along with her husband and son.  "Elena is brave.  Very brave. Because of her bravery, many evil men and women are in prison. However, there are other evil people out there who are looking for her, who want to punish her." Here enters Nicki.  Become the second child in Harriet and "Jonathan's" new Trevor family in a new town in a new state, North Carolina.  Everything is new, even Harriet's engagement ring.

Charlotte has a special knack for stealing.  There's some irony here isn't there?  Isn't the US government "stealing" Nicki's identity to keep Elena safe?  In doing so, they stole every ounce of Elena, Pietro (Jonathan) and Lucas's (Jackson) old life.  As you can imagine, this does not bode well for teenager, Jackson. On top of that, he certainly doesn't want a new (old) sister.

Yet, time works its wonders.  Charlotte makes friends.  Jackson comes to the other side. The Trevors are one.  All seems protected until it doesn't.

This story, one I have never "witnessed" before reminds me a little of last year's All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor. Two very different stories, so I think the resemblance is because both books have very unusual plots. It's crime, mystery, family, friendship with a little twist at the end, all wrapped into one great middle grade novel.  So try and hold your "pawtuchins" till October 3 for that's the day you can pick up this gripping debut by author, Jake Burt.

The DIstance to Home by Jenn Bishop

"And tonight's starting author, making her first start is...JENN BISHOP!"

Yes, another debut author has done it again for me and this time I really need to figure out a way to convince my high school freshman daughter to read it with me in a mother-daughter book group. Maybe if I bribe her with oreos, she'll consider. 

But seriously, if you have a daughter (or son) in the midst of the middle grade years, this book is for you two to read together.  Not only should you have oreos on hand, but also a box of tissues (and maybe a hot dog). Get ready.

Told between this summer and last summer, we meet baseball loving 5th/6th grader Quinnen whose older and revered, sister, Haley, died last summer.  We never find out how until the end and that suspense keeps you turning page after page without stopping for a breath.  What happened? How? When?

Last summer Quinn played baseball.  This summer she gets her baseball fix not by playing but by attending Bandits games (the local minor league team).  Also, her parents think that it might help the family to invite one of the players to live with them and as much as Brandon drives Quinn crazy at first, she definitely misses him once he's gone.

Helping Quinn navigating this summer without Haley and without baseball, is Quinn's friend, Casey, pitcher, Hector and of course, her Mom and Dad.  Through the summer they are all there for one another. Casey gets a ball signed for him by one of his favorite players.  Quinn yells "mofongo" to Hector to help him get in the game and Quinn and her parents finally learn how to accept their new family of three.  "It's three now. Just three.  But three's a lot better than one."

I read this book in about two sittings and at the end I was just really glad I had a box of tissues by my side.  I felt sad but hopeful.  Things are going to be ok for Quinn.  It just took a summer to get the dust off her mitt, fill up with ballpark food and find the courage to move on.

Last summer, Haley gave Quinn her personal list of "Top Five Books of Fifth Grade." This summer, I wouldn't be surprised if some of my students put The Distance to Home on theirs.