The Eleventh Trade

The Eleventh Trade
by Alyssa Hollingsworth

When his grandfather's beloved rebab is stolen, Sami is determined to recover the missing instrument they brought with them when they escaped from Afghanistan.    With the help of a new friend, he is able to locate the rebab in a store, however he must pay $700 to get the instrument back.   Unable to pay, Sami soon discovers a creative method of raising the money: trading items.   Through a series of trades, Sami begins to raise the money he needs, but will he make enough in time to get the rebab back?

The Eleventh Trade is a powerful story about a young man facing challenges in a new country while struggling with the heartbreaks of his past.   This is an amazing selection from the current MSBA list!

Author's website: https://alyssahollingsworth.com/https://alyssahollingsworth.com/

The Mad Wolf's Daughter

The Mad Wolf's Daughter
by Diane Magras

When knights capture her father and brothers, young Drest is determined to rescue them before it is too late.  In order to do so, she must make a dangerous journey to the castle where they are being held.  She finds help in an unlikely source, an injured knight that was left behind after her family was captured, but can she really trust him with her seemingly impossible task?

Set in Scotland in 1210, The Mad Wolf's Daughter is an action-packed story full of adventure!   I'm looking forward to the sequel to this exciting book!

Author's website: https://www.dianemagras.com/

Book trailer:

Skylark & Wallcreeper

Skylark & Wallcreeper
by Anne O'Brien Carelli

When Lily and her grandmother are forced to evacuate a nursing home during Superstorm Sandy, her grandmother gives her a pen to take care of.   However, Lily later realizes that she has lost the pen that her grandmother entrusted her with.  What is so special about the pen?  Will Lily be able to find it?  

Alternating between 2012 and 1944, this historical fiction tells the story of two brave girls and their dangerous work during World War II.  This fantastic story will be a great choice for readers who enjoy books that are set during World War II!

Author's website: https://www.anneobriencarelli.com/

Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective

Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective
by A.B. Greenfield
illustrated by Sarah Horne

Ra, a Pharaoh's pampered cat, prefers to spend his days lounging by the pool.   His spoiled, uneventful routine is disrupted by the kitchen cat Miu, who requests his help in solving the mystery of a missing amulet.   Reluctant at first, Ra, along with his dung beetle buddy Khepri, agree to investigate the crime and help Miu prove that a young servant was not the culprit.   Will this team of detectives be able to solve the case?

With entertaining characters and many humorous moments, this fun mystery will be a great choice for many readers!

Author's website: https://www.amybutlergreenfield.com/

Book Trailer:

Nightbooks

Nightbooks
by J.A. White

Alex loves to write scary stories, but he never imagined he would be trapped inside one!   On a late night trip to the basement of his building, he is magically lured to the apartment of Natacha, who soon reveals herself to be a witch.   In order to survive, Alex must read one of his creepy stories to Natacha each night, but soon finds himself running out of ideas.   With the help of Yasmin, another captive of Natacha, will he be able to find a way to escape? 

Nightbooks is a wonderful, yet eerie, selection from this year's MSBA list!  The dark, magical tale will be a fantastic choice for readers looking for a creepy story! 

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

Lifeboat 12

Lifeboat 12
by Susan Hood

Ken Sparks is being sent away.   It is World War II and he is one of 90 children selected to travel on the SS City of Benares, which will take them from London to Canada.   The beautiful ship is quite different from life in wartime London, with plenty of food for the travelers as well as other luxuries  never experienced by Ken and the other children escaping the war.   At first, it is a dream come true, until a torpedo changes everything and forces Ken, and the other passengers, to struggle to survive.

This outstanding historical fiction, told in verse,  is based on real life events.   I found myself eager to learn more about the City of Benares after reading this book.  This selection from the MSBA list is a great choice for fans of historical fiction as well readers who enjoy stories about shipwrecks and survival!

Author's website: https://susanhoodbooks.com/home

The House in Poplar Wood

The House in Poplar Wood
by K.E. Ormsbee

Twins Lee and Felix are only allowed to leave their house together once a year, on Halloween.  They live on opposite sides of the same house, with Felix unable to leave Poplar Wood.    Their mother, who works for Memory, is unable to see Felix and their father, who serves Death, can never see Lee.  This is how it has always been for Felix and Lee, because of the Agreement their parents made years earlier.   Felix and Lee tried to break the Agreement once before, with disastrous results.   Now they have been offered another opportunity to break the Agreement that has controlled their lives, but it involves working with Gretchen Whipple, whose family is the sworn enemy of the twins.  Will Lee and Felix accept the dangerous risk of destroying the Agreement so that they can bring their family together? 

This story is a great choice for readers looking for a creepy book!   It is a good blend of action, mystery, and suspense.   A wonderful selection from the 2019 - 2020 MSBA list!

Author's website: http://www.keormsbee.com/

The Night Diary

The Night Diary
by Veera Hiranandani

For her 12th birthday, Nisha receives the special gift of a diary.   She uses the diary each night, writing to her mother who passed away when Nisha was born.   Nisha's diary tells the heartbreaking tale of the upheaval of her life as her nation is becoming more and more divided.   Soon she learns that she must leave the only home she has ever known and, with her family, is forced to make a dangerous, exhausting journey. 

The Night Diary is the recipient of a 2019 Newbery Honor and has recently been selected for the 2019 - 2020 Maine Student Book Award reading list.  It is a beautiful historical fiction that will allow readers to learn more about the history of India and Pakistan. 

Author's website: https://www.veerahiranandani.com/

Amal Unbound

Amal Unbound 
by Aisha Saeed

Growing up in a small Pakistani village, Amal loves school and dreams of becoming a teacher.  Unfortunately, the twelve-year-old's life takes a drastic, unexpected turn after a hostile interaction with a person who she later learns is a member of her village's ruling family.   Because of her actions, she is forced to leave her home and work as a servant for the ruling family in order to pay her family's debts.  As Amal struggles in her new situation, she faces the uncertainty of her future as she worries that she may be a servant for the Khan family forever. 

This is such a powerful, emotional story!  Amal is an amazing character facing a challenging situation.  While the story itself is fictional, the author's note at the end explains that character of Amal represents many girls who face similar situations.   I highly recommend this wonderful book!

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