The Center of Everything

The Center of Everything 
by Linda Urban

As Ruby Pepperdine anxiously awaits to present her winning essay at her town's annual Bunting Day parade, she continues to think back to recent events leading up to the day, including the death of her beloved grandmother and a fight with her best friend.   Ruby desperately hopes that a birthday wish made on the statue of Captain Bunting will finally come true on this day.    Will her birthday wish come true and fix everything?

Full of heartwarming, yet sometimes sad, moments, this touching story alternates between present day and Ruby's flashbacks of recent events.   Many readers will be able to identify with the challenges that twelve-year-old Ruby deals with throughout the story.

Author's website:  http://lindaurbanbooks.com/

Chained

Chained
by Lynne Kelly

When ten-year-old Hastin's younger sister becomes sick, he must find a way to help his family raise the money to pay for her medical bills.    Hastin accepts a job from Timir, a circus owner in need of an elephant keeper.   As Hastin travels far from home to work for Timir, he imagines his new job to be full of excitement.   He soon learns, however, that Timir is a cruel man who is determined to make his circus succeed.    As Hastin struggles in his new job, he grows attached to Nandita, a young elephant that had been captured to work Timir's circus.   As he grows closer to Nandita, Hastin becomes determined to free himself and the young elephant from Timir.  

Readers who enjoyed "The One and Only Ivan" will want to read this book!  While the story has some sad parts, I enjoyed reading about the growing bond between Hastin and Nandita.  

Author's website: http://lynnekellybooks.com/wordpress/

Book trailer:

Prairie Evers

Prairie Evers
by Ellen Airgood

Prairie Evers has never been to school.   Having spent her life being home-schooled by her grandmother, Prairie has never experienced learning in a classroom.   All of that changes, however, when her parents decide to move and her grandmother decides not to come with them.   Prairie suddenly must adjust to being in school and soon learns that not everyone in her new class is friendly.    Will Prairie be able to find friends and get used to her new school?

This wonderful story about family and friendship is a good choice for readers who enjoy realistic fiction.   

Author's website: http://ellenairgood.com/