March Book Madness
2018
Scroll down to read about the 16 books.
Watch their book trailers!
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
by Rita Williams-Garcia
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Clayton feels most alive when he’s with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, and the band of Bluesmen. He can’t wait to join them, just as soon as he has a blues song of his own. But then the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton’s mother forbids him from playing the blues. Clayton knows that’s no way to live. Armed with his grandfather’s brown porkpie hat and his harmonica, Clayton runs away from home in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road. But on a journey that takes him through the parks and subways of New York, Clayton learns more than just the blues.
Clayton feels most alive when he’s with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, and the band of Bluesmen. He can’t wait to join them, just as soon as he has a blues song of his own. But then the unthinkable happens. Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton’s mother forbids him from playing the blues. Clayton knows that’s no way to live. Armed with his grandfather’s brown porkpie hat and his harmonica, Clayton runs away from home in search of the Bluesmen, hoping he can join them on the road. But on a journey that takes him through the parks and subways of New York, Clayton learns more than just the blues.
The False Prince
The False Prince
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.
Finding Mighty
Finding Mighty
by Cece Bell
by Cece Bell
Along the train lines north of New York City, twelve-year-old neighbors Myla and Peter search for the link between Myla’s necklace and the disappearance of Peter’s brother, Randall. Thrown into a world of parkour, graffiti, and diamond-smuggling, Myla and Peter encounter a band of thugs who are after the same thing as Randall. Can Myla and Peter find Randall before it’s too late, and their shared family secrets threaten to destroy them all?
Along the train lines north of New York City, twelve-year-old neighbors Myla and Peter search for the link between Myla’s necklace and the disappearance of Peter’s brother, Randall. Thrown into a world of parkour, graffiti, and diamond-smuggling, Myla and Peter encounter a band of thugs who are after the same thing as Randall. Can Myla and Peter find Randall before it’s too late, and their shared family secrets threaten to destroy them all?
Ghost
Ghost
by Jason Reynolds
by Jason Reynolds
Running. That's all that Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But never for a track team. Nope, his game has always been ball. But when Ghost impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race -- and wins -- the Olympic medalist track coach sees he has something: crazy natural talent. Thing is, Ghost has something else: a lot of anger, and a past that he is trying to outrun. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed and meld with the team, or will his past finally catch up to him?
Running. That's all that Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But never for a track team. Nope, his game has always been ball. But when Ghost impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race -- and wins -- the Olympic medalist track coach sees he has something: crazy natural talent. Thing is, Ghost has something else: a lot of anger, and a past that he is trying to outrun. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed and meld with the team, or will his past finally catch up to him?
How to Steal a Dog
How to Steal a Dog
by Barbara O’Connor
by Barbara O’Connor
Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is “borrow” the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.
Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is “borrow” the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.
Love That Dog
Love That Dog
by Sharon Creech
by Sharon Creech
Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments -- and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns he does have something to say.
Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments -- and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns he does have something to say.
Mighty Jack
Mighty Jack
by Jason Reynolds
by Jason Reynolds
(No book trailer!)
Jack might be the only kid in the world who is dreading the summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But then, one day at the flea market, Maddy does talk--and tells Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It's the best mistake Jack has ever made. What starts as a normal garden behind the house quickly grows up into a wild, magical jungle with tiny onion babies running amok, huge, pink pumpkins that bite, and, on one moonlit night that changes everything...a dragon.
Jack might be the only kid in the world who is dreading the summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But then, one day at the flea market, Maddy does talk--and tells Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It's the best mistake Jack has ever made. What starts as a normal garden behind the house quickly grows up into a wild, magical jungle with tiny onion babies running amok, huge, pink pumpkins that bite, and, on one moonlit night that changes everything...a dragon.
Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
by John David Anderson
by John David Anderson
When Topher, Brand, and Steve's favorite teacher Ms. Bixby announces unexpectedly that she's become sick and won't finish the school year, the three friends go to great lengths to show Ms. Bixby what she means to their class .
When Topher, Brand, and Steve's favorite teacher Ms. Bixby announces unexpectedly that she's become sick and won't finish the school year, the three friends go to great lengths to show Ms. Bixby what she means to their class .
Nameless City
Nameless City
by Faith Erin Hicks
by Faith Erin Hicks
Rat, an orphaned street girl, lives in the city that has been conquered by the Dao who killed her parents. Thirteen-year-old Kaidu is the son of a Dao leader who just arrived in the city for military training. And though Rat initially hates Kaidu and everything he represents, the two become unlikely friends. And when an assassination plot unfolds, the future of the city depends on them working together.
Rat, an orphaned street girl, lives in the city that has been conquered by the Dao who killed her parents. Thirteen-year-old Kaidu is the son of a Dao leader who just arrived in the city for military training. And though Rat initially hates Kaidu and everything he represents, the two become unlikely friends. And when an assassination plot unfolds, the future of the city depends on them working together.
Nine, Ten
Nine, Ten
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
A few days before September 11, 2001, four middle schoolers in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, in Brooklyn, struggles with his hatred for his often absent father while living with his beloved grandmother. Will, meanwhile, cannot come to terms with the car accident that took his father's life. Naheed begins to feel uncomfortable about being Muslim, especially when she approaches the age of wearing a head scarf. Aimee, who has just started going to a new school, misses her mom, who is on a business flight to New York. Then, on 9/11, the lives of the four children intersect and are affected by the terrorist attacks.
A few days before September 11, 2001, four middle schoolers in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, in Brooklyn, struggles with his hatred for his often absent father while living with his beloved grandmother. Will, meanwhile, cannot come to terms with the car accident that took his father's life. Naheed begins to feel uncomfortable about being Muslim, especially when she approaches the age of wearing a head scarf. Aimee, who has just started going to a new school, misses her mom, who is on a business flight to New York. Then, on 9/11, the lives of the four children intersect and are affected by the terrorist attacks.
Orphan Island
Orphan Island
by Jason Reynolds
by Jason Reynolds
A group of orphans wait each year for a boat to arrive on the island,
A group of orphans wait each year for a boat to arrive on the island,
replacing the eldest with the youngest, never to be seen again, as each remaining child learns what it means to say goodbye to childhood forever.
replacing the eldest with the youngest, never to be seen again, as each remaining child learns what it means to say goodbye to childhood forever.
Refugee
Refugee
by Alan Gratz
by Alan Gratz
All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers, from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.
All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers, from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.
Restart
Restart
by Gordon Korman
by Gordon Korman
Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?
Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?
Scar Island
Scar Island
by Dan Gemeinhart
by Dan Gemeinhart
Twelve-year-old Jonathan Grisby has been sent to the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys, a former lunatic asylum which is currently run by a sadist who enjoys punishing the boys and setting them against each other; but when a lightning strike kills all the adults the boys find themselves suddenly free--and trapped on Scar Island which seems to be sinking into the ocean.
Twelve-year-old Jonathan Grisby has been sent to the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys, a former lunatic asylum which is currently run by a sadist who enjoys punishing the boys and setting them against each other; but when a lightning strike kills all the adults the boys find themselves suddenly free--and trapped on Scar Island which seems to be sinking into the ocean.
The Seventh Most Important Thing
The Seventh Most Important Thing
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. He is sentenced to community service helping the neighborhood Junk Man, who asked the judge to sentence Arthur to working for him instead of juvie. Arthur is given a list of the Seven Most Important Things to collect. But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine.
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. He is sentenced to community service helping the neighborhood Junk Man, who asked the judge to sentence Arthur to working for him instead of juvie. Arthur is given a list of the Seven Most Important Things to collect. But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine.
Wishtree
Wishtree
by Katherine Applegate
by Katherine Applegate
Told from the point of view of an old red oak , tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk. We learn all about
Told from the point of view of an old red oak , tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk. We learn all about