Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

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Finley McManus is a quiet Irish American who escapes his dismal environment of Bellmont by focussing on his love of basketball and his basketball-playing girlfriend, Erin.  The only white player on his high school varsity basketball team, Finley works with determination during the off-season to be in the best condition for the team.  Finley lives with his dad and grandfather, and assists with his disabled grandfather’s care when his father works the night shift. Finley and Erin’s plan to work hard to get scholarships to get out of Bellmont away from the Irish mob and the other negative aspects of their hometown seems to be on track until Coach asks Finley to befriend Russ Allen and keep his secret.  Russ Allen, the former high school basketball phenom from California, refers to himself as Boy 21.  Russ believes he is an alien and not long for this world.  Coach has instructed Finley to get Boy 21 ready for the upcoming basketball season, but the problem is Boy 21 plays the same position as Finley.

Refugee by Alan Gratz

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Refugee follows the lives of three children and their families at different times in history when they needed to flee their homeland to find sanctuary in another country.  Told in alternating chapters, follow Josef and his family fleeing from Berlin, Germany during the Nazi occupation in the 1930s aboard the St Louis hoping to find sanctuary in Cuba.  In 1994, Isabela and her family are fleeing Cuba hoping to find asylum and freedom in Miami, Florida.  In 2015, Mahmoud and his family are fleeing civil war in Syria hoping to make their way to a safe haven in Germany.  Follow these courageous children on their dangerous journies to find a better life and home in a new country.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

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“When you’re a little kid in Harlem, you can pretty much go anywhere and do anything as long as you’re careful.  But when you start to get old–about my age, twelve–things start to change.”

Lolly is finding it hard to be without his older brother Jermaine who was shot at a nightclub in the Bronx. Navigating his world has become more complicated with this rock that sits in his chest.  When his mom’s girlfriend gives him to huge bags of Legos, Lolly finds distraction in building a huge city. But he still needs to figure out how to live his life in Harlem without Jermaine and where he and his best friend, Vega are continually harassed by older crews on the street.

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

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Blade’s celebrity hard rocker father, Rutherford Morrison, is in and out of rehab.  Rutherford is one of  the paparazzi’s favorite subjects, and when he’s not sober, he’s Blade’s worst nightmare.  Blade finds solace with his girlfriend, Chapel and playing soft rock his acoustic guitar.  But when Rutherford crashes Blade’s last minute valedictorian  speech at graduation, it sets a series of events in motion that send Blade on a journey to find out himself. This story is told in Kwame Alexander’s lyrical verse style.

 

Warcross by Marie Lu

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Emika Chen is struggling.  She’s about to be evicted, and her job as a bounty hunter who tracks down people gambling illegally on Warcross is not bringing in enough money to make the rent. (Warcross is a virtual reality game that the majority of the world plays for entertainment and profit.) Desperate for some quick cash, Emi hacks into the Warcross Championship opening game to steal an artifact.  Her hack is discovered when she creates a glitch.  She is noticed and becomes an overnight sensation.  The creator and billionaire owner of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka, invites Emika to Tokoyo, all expenses paid, to offer her a proposal she won’t be able to refuse.

Booked by Kwame Alexander

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Soccer-obsessed Nick Hall seems to have everything going for him this eighth-grade year.  His traveling soccer team has been invited to play in the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, a premiere youth tournament. His best friend, Cody’s team has been invited as well.  Nick has become a wordsmith in his Honors English class, most likely because his dad makes Nick read and learn words from the dictionary that he has written. And, April, a young lady that Nick has been admiring, seems to have mutual feelings for him.  But suddenly everything changes, and Nick is struggling to hold on to normal.  With the help of his best friend, The Mac Librarian, and his parents, Nick finds his new normal.

If I Ever Get Out Of Here by Erick Gansworth

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Lewis Blake is lonely. Because Lewis is so smart, he is one of the only “rez” kids in his classes at the white school. He is completely ignored by his prejudicial peers. Then George Haddonfield, a new kid from the Air Force base, meets Lewis and they strike up a friendship. Lewis and George share an interest in rock and roll, especially anything Beatles. Because of his friendship with George, Lewis isn’t “invisible” any more. Unfortunately, Lewis attracts the attention of a particularly vicious and powerful bully, Evan Reiniger. Lewis spends his time navigating reservation and family “rules” while trying to maintain a friendship with his white friend, and avoiding Evan Reiniger whenever possible.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

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Twins Josh and Jordan Bell are basketball stars at their middle school.  It’s in their blood.  There dad is Chuck “Da Man” Bell, a well-known professional player of the European leagues.  Their dad has taught them well.  Josh and Jordan usually do everything together, but when Jordan meets Alexis, a new girl in school, their relationship begins to change.  Josh frequently finds himself alone.  Kwame Alexander uses basketball and verse to weave the touching tale of the Bell family and their love of basketball and each other.

Code of Honor by Alan Gratz

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Kamran Smith’s senior year is going great!  He’s a star player on the football team and the season is going exceptionally well.  Julia, his girlfriend, and Kamran have just been named Homecoming Queen & King. Kam just has a few more touches to add to his application for West Point.  He plans to follow in his older brother, Darius’s footsteps; graduate from West Point and join the Army Rangers.  Life couldn’t be better in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. That is until everything comes crashing down when Darius Smith is accused of being a terrorist. Has Darius really joined al-Queda?  Is he responsible for recent terrorist attacks? Kamran knows in his gut this can’t be true.  What about their Code of Honor?

Be the strongest of the strong.

Be the bravest of the brave.

Help the helpless.

Always tell the truth.

Be loyal.

Never give up.

Kill all monsters.

When Homeland Security gets involved, Kamran knows he must be loyal to Darius and prove his innocence. Kamran will have to live the code to save his brother.

 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

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The world has conquered disease, hunger, war, and death.  To deal with the challenges of immortality and crowding on the planet, only scythes can take lives.  Scythes can glean people from the population. Honorable Scythe Faraday has taken on two apprentices, Citra and Rowan.  This is unprecedented!  If they fail their apprenticeship, it could mean the end of their lives. There are those is Scythedom that would do anything to see them fail. Scythes must follow The Scythe Commandments, but there are some up-and-coming scythes that are challenging these edicts and pushing the limits of their power. This clash of old ways and new ways will not be beneficial for H.S. Faraday’s apprentices!