Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

Midnight at the Blackbird Café is by Heather Webber. A wonderful realistic fiction book with more than a hint of magical realism. Anna Kate returns to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama after the death of her grandmother who owned the local café. She intends to bury her grandmother, sell the café, and head back to Boson to start medical school. However her grandmother's will states she must remain and run the café for two months before she can sell it. The café is known for its mysterious blackbird pie which allows those who eat it to receive messages from the dead; sung to them in their dreams by the blackbirds who nest in the mulberry trees out back. Only the women of the Callow family can bake these pies. A charming book of family secrets, forgiveness, and learning to follow your heart. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

The Half-God of Rainfall

The Half-God of Rainfall is by Inua Ellams. A charming multi-cultural epic poem. Demi has a problem, when he is upset or cries rivers burst their banks and floods happen. Then he discovers basketball and even the gods take note. Modupe, his mother, realizes that eventual the gods will tire of him, and she must decide what she will be willing to do to protect her son. A wonderful mix of Greek and Nigerian mythology, all in one beautiful poem. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Chasing Chopin: A Musical Journey Across Three Centuries, Four Countries, & a Half-Dozen Revolutions

Chasing Chopin: A Musical Journey Across Three Centuries, Four Countries, & a Half-Dozen Revolutions is by Annik LaFarge. A wonderful biography of the famous composer and his beloved Funeral March. The book follows the three years it took him to write the piece and follows his life, illness, love affair with novelist George Sand, and his death. This is a marvelous book for lovers of classical music, and even has a website with performances of the music discussed in the book. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Us Against You

Us Against You is by Fredrik Backman. The sequel to the realistic fiction Beartown. This novel picks up where Beartown leaves off. As the rape in the first novel has split the team, so it has split the town. The star players and coaches have left Beartown to play in Hed. It begins to look as if Beartown will lose hockey forever, then a politician with his own agenda steps in to save the team. He brings in a new coach and a new sponsor, but will it be enough to save Beartown hockey? Fans of the first book, will love this sequel. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

A Passage to India

A Passage to India is by E.M. Forster. A classic multi-cultural historical fiction tale of colonial India. When an Indian doctor takes a young English woman and her soon-to-be mother-in-law to tour some caves, he loses her for a short time. He believes she has found her way back and when he returns home, he is shocked to find himself under arrest. She has accused him of an ambiguous assault on her person. The British and Indians find themselves embroiled in a contentious trial that demonstrates the hatred and distrust the two sides have for each other. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life

Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life is by Achy Obejas. A wonderful biography told in graphic novel format. Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist with a sad, yet productive life. This book tells her story in graphic novel format, reworking some of her most famous paintings. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

Peace Talks

Peace Talks is by Jim Butcher. The sixteenth book in the fantasy Dresden Files series. Harry is caught between a rock and a hard place, what else is new? He is the Winter Knight and also a Warden of the High Council and is trusted by exactly, no one. When the Supernatural powers decide to meet to end ongoing hostilities, Harry must attend and make sure things go as planned - but they don't and as usual Harry must make choices that will not make him popular with anyone. Fans of the series will love this installment and hate waiting for the next one. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).