Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
The State of Maine is threatening to close Tess’s school, saying “we don’t have enough kids to keep it open.” If that happens, Tess and her family will be forced to leave their island community and move to the mainland. But the islanders have a plan. Together, the families will volunteer to take in enough foster children to keep their school open. Tess is thrilled to have a foster brother. But Aaron is not exactly what she expects. Nothing about island life pleases this boy! Fortunately, as the days pass, Aaron slowly adapts to his new life. He plays his trumpet at the 4th of July picnic and agrees to sign up for the talent show. There is just one thing he wants--that his mother be there to see him play. Impulsive Tess takes matters into her own hands, secretly writing to Aaron’s mother to tell her when and where the talent show will be. Unfortunately, any contact between Aaron and his mother is to be supervised by the social worker. Has Tess’s reckless action jeopardized Aaron’s placement with her family?
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Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
Twelve-year-old Hollis Woods was found abandoned as an infant. Since then, she has shuttled from one foster home to another, never quite loved, and pronounced "a mountain of trouble" by her latest caretaker because she always runs away. The Regans wanted to adopt her, but inexplicably, she ran away again and now finds herself in the care of an elderly artist, Josie, whom she grows to love. The problem is that Josie is showing signs of Alzheimer's and the agency plans to remove Hollis from her home. Instead, Hollis takes Josie in hand and runs away again--back to the Regans. Through trial and error Josie learns the meaning of family and the strength of the bonds that hold people together.
Middle School by James Patterson
Sixth-grader Rafe’s first day of school is horrendous. Friendless except for his imaginary pal, Leo, he zones out during the recitation of the school’s code of conduct, setting himself the goal of breaking every rule before the end of the year. Rafe describes pulling fire alarms, streaking, painting graffiti, and fighting, as well as thwarting bullies bent on extortion and failing most of his classes. Eventually he is expelled, leading everyone to realize that Rafe might be more successful in an alternative arts school.
Rules by Cynthia Lord
When 12-year-old Catherine is embarrassed by her autistic younger brother's behavior, her mother reassures her that "real friends understand." But Catherine is not convinced, and she is desperate to make a friend of the new girl next door. She doesn't like it when others laugh at David or ignore him; she writes down the rules so he will know what to do. Catherine is also uncomfortable about her growing friendship with 14-year-old Jason, a paraplegic. When he suggests that they go to a community-center dance, she refuses at first. Only when Jason sees through her excuse does she realize that her embarrassment is for herself.