The Liberation of Gabriel King

Frita is black and Gabe is white and the two of them are best friends. The story takes place in a small town in Georgia during the summer of 1976—the Bicentennial! That may seem like a long time ago to you but I was alive during that time and let me tell you living in the south was different in many ways then living in Minnesota or Wisconsin. At least I don't remember any Ku Klux Klan members in my small town near Milwaukee but there was racism. But I do remember summer days between my 4th, 5th and 6th grade as ones for goofing off and with no care in the world days. You are probably wondering about the title word—liberation. The two friends set free and release from control some of their fears and help each other in the process. I highly recommend this growing up book for its seriousness, its problem solving and hanging out having summer fun book. This Maud Hart Lovelace Nominee is by K.L. Going and it was a Michael L. Printz Honor Winner.

Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius

Do you have a younger sibling who bugs you to no end? Want a way to get away from him? (or her)? In this short book by Frank Asch, Alex has come up with a solution and he tells us all about it in his journal. He says he is a genius and he has an awful lot of inventions to prove it. I like all the drawings in Alex's journal and it is amazing all the cool stuff he makes out of recycled objects. This book will get you thinking of inventions you may need.