The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle. Written in free verse, the story follows Cuba's early independence movements from 1810-1902. Rosa is a healer who provides nursing care to the runaway slaves and deserters in hiding during this time period. Engle has included stories from her grandmother to describe the conditions and their struggles to survive. Other voices heard are Rosa's husband, Jose, and a refugee child who Rosa trains to become a healer. Awards: 2009 Newbery Honor Book and 2009 Pura Belpre Award.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- Banks by E. Lockhart. Frankie started her freshman year unnoticed at an elite boarding school, the same school her father went to. By her sophomore year she went from being the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan. She was accepted into the sought out social circle and was dating one of the best looking guys at the school. The adventure didn't stop there. Frankie remembered her father and his friends hinting of a secret club they belonged to. The secret club was for boys only, Frankie was very curious. She tried to find out information about the club and stumbled across information that pointed to her boyfriend being the "head" of the very club. The club was based on the best pranks without getting caught. Frankie would out prank them all. Girls rule! Awards: 2009 Michael L Printz Award and 2009 National Book Award Finalist.
This Full House by Virginia Euwer Wolff. This Full House is the conclusion of The Make Lemonade Trilogy. A very inspirational book! Characters from the previous books are reintroduced. LaVaughn is now in her senior year, would like to attend college and would like to study medical sciences, however her underfunded high school doesn't have the proper lab equipment necessary. She applies and is accepted in the Women in Medical Science program, a local hospital's rigorous after-school enrichment program for underprivileged girls. LaVaughn juggles school, friendships, interpersonal relationships, family life, and other teen issues. Very powerful! Must read conclusion! Awards: National Book Award Winner.
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce. Fairytale~ Bunce creates an excellent remake of Rumpelstiltskin. After the loss of her father, Charlotte Miller takes over the management of the mill that has supported her community for generations. As in Rumpelstiltskin, the story includes ghosts, witchcraft, and earlier folk magic. Awards: 2009 William C. Morris Debut Award.
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury. Ever think about taking a cross-county bike ride? That is what two high school friends, Win and Chris decided to do after graduation. They rode their bikes cross-country from West Virginia to the state of Washington. Lots of adventures along the way. After their two month trip, only one returns. Win's father gets the FBI involved in finding his son and makes life difficult for Chris because he suspects he knows where his son is and won't tell. Chris starts his freshman year at college as he too tries to figure out what happened to Win. Great debut novel!
