Penny from Heaven, by Jennifer L. Holm

Eleven year old Penny lives with her mother and her maternal grandparents following the death of her father. She also spends a lot of time with her father's extended Italian family including several uncles who dote on her, a cousin Frankie who is always in trouble and a grandmother, Nonny who always dresses in black. It's the summer of 1953; polio keeps her from the swimming pool; her mother is dating the milkman; and the two families barely speak to each other. Filled with humor, drama and some suspense about her father and how he died, this is great storytelling with characters it's a pleasure to spend time with.

Grades 5-8

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson

Sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks sees an unexpected inheritance of her uncle's homestead claim in Montana as a chance to stake out a life for herself after being sent from distant relative to distant relative following the death of her parents. The requirements to own the claim seem overwhelming: build and fence and cultivate 40 acres within the ten months remaining plus pay the final fees. With the help of neighbors and against the background of World War One, Hattie sets out with determination and a feisty spirit to do what needs to be done to own her own piece of land and sky. The strength of this story is the clear-headed and sometimes poetic narrative as well as the intricate weaving of plot themes: letters to an uncle and a "friend" fighting abroad, the wartime mistrust and fear of sedition and Hattie's courage to stand up against it, and the strength of Hattie's character.

Grades 5-9

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Twelve-year old Catherine tries to manage her brother's autism with rules such as, "It's fine to hug Mom, but not the clerk at the video store," while her growing friendship with Jason, a paraplegic she meets at her brother's occupational therapist's helps her to see beyond their disabilities. Light humor, an ocean-side setting, and Catherine's artistic talents support a well-rounded inclusion of characters with disabilities.