Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani

What would life be like for an immigrant from India living in a rent-controlled apartment in busy New York City? Or living in a small Appalachian town with your mother and grandmother while your father has a job far away? These two middle school student's lives seem so different and yet as you read their letters to each other they have a lot in common. I was so absorbed reading about their days, their thoughts and experiences, that I forgot these two pen-pals were characters in a book. (Oops, I shouldn't have told you.) Enjoy learning about Mamaw and Meena's neighbor Mrs. Lau, too. This book is full of interesting news.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Can you image what life would be like if you had a facial deformity? How would you feel watching reactions from people who get a glimpse of you? Would you just stay home and out of sight?

Auggie was born with a facial deformity and he had never been to school. Though after being home schooled for his entire life, he's now going to a real school for the first time starting as a 5th grader. The principal tried to ease his transition but...kids can be so cruel, and even adults are cruel (shouldn't they know better?) Conflicts, friendship, bullying, tenderness, unconditional love and affection make this book a hit with me.
This is another amazing book that I listened to. The multiple perspectives from all the characters in an assortment of voices is awesome. You will be an the verge of tears one moment and laughing the next. Now I wonder how the 6th grade will work out for Auggie.....