Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley

 

 Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley. Candlewick Press, 2020. YA

     When Ziggy Karlo's mother, Jenny, leaves him with Nana Jean, his life takes a turn for the better. He is safe and has food and Nana Jean is a fierce protector and a compassionate listener. But, it's neighbor June Bug Jordan who becomes his friend. And she needs a friend as much or more than Ziggy. June's father has died of AIDS in the days when no one really knew much about the disease. June's mother is full of grief and has so many mental health isssues that she can't even take care of herself, much less June Bug. It's summer and there's no school or school lunches and Uncle Toby, Dad's brother, only brings groceries once a week. Ziggy and June become the most unlikely friends. Slowly, details are given about each of their families and the two have to come to grips with new realities and work to forge better futures than pasts. 

     This novel is an incredible story of love and family. Some of the subject matter deals with more YA topics than typical children's novels, but SO many of our students face hard situations in their lives and need to have these characters show that there is hope in the world. Beautiful imaginative worlds can provide an escape from dire times, but communication with adults who can help with real things is important, too. Definitely fifth grade and up can handle the reading level. Characters are memorable and this book will show up again at award time. Do not miss it! 

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

  Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. HarperCollins, 2019. Adult fiction.

    Lillian and Madison knew each other from their elite prep school, but it's been years since they have seen each other. Now, Madison reaches out for Lillian's help. Since a scandal at the school caused Lillian to leave, her life seems to have gone nowhere. Beautiful and wealthy, Madison has done well it appears. When Lillian gets Madison's request for her to come be the caregiver for Madison's two stepchildren, it sounds interesting. Madison's husband has political aspirations and is about to become Secretary of State. Their mansion and little boy and life seem picture perfect. But, the stepchildren, Roland and Bessie, have their own problems. Their mother is dead. Their father doesn't know them and doesn't seem to want to know them. And, oh, yes, they have a big problem: they sometimes catch on fire. Can Lillian figure out how to keep these children cool and keep their condition secret from the outside world?  

    What makes a parent? Lillian discovers trust, love, and a fierce protectiveness for these children who so desperately need her. She finds that she needs them, too. Wilson is author of the family drama, The Family Fang, among other quirky novels. If you're looking for a book to get through the hot, humid summer, look no farther than the unusual stories he writes.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess

  The Last Book Party:  A Novel by Karen Dukess. Henry Holt and Company, 2019. Adult fiction.

    It's the late 1980's and Eve Rosen chafes in her going nowhere job in New York City. She aspires to write her own books, but reads through the slush pile at a major publisher. Eve lives in the shadow of her brilliant mathematician brother. This is a twenty something who needs help! When she is invited to a Cape Cod party at the home of Henry Grey, she jumps at the chance to go, to meet people, to become more than she thinks she is. The party does result in a job offer that will change Eve's life. But her youth, idealism, and inexperience pit her against much older, more jaded, and people who are part of the island clique.