After the sudden death of Mrs. Rossi, young Amy and Mr. Rossi have to adjust to their empty lives. A book written by Mrs. Rossi's students helps both Amy and her father realize how important her mother was to everyone. As the seasons change, Amy and her father seem to develop new routines and keep their small family together as they hold on to their memories of Mrs. Rossi. For grades 3 and up.

WPL Call Number: J Hest
Review Date: 3/16/07

Dez is a neat freak with a very sloppy family. Her best friend, Jil has a perfect house with wonderful adoptive parents. When Jil decides to meet her birth mother, she lies to her parents and involves Dez in her plans. Dez tries to warn Jil that parents are the ones who will do anything for you even if they were not with you from birth. A family and friendship story for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hicks
Review Date: 3/20/07

Ollie Love and her sisters travel with their preacher father from one small southern town to another, never staying more than three days. Now in Binder, Arkansas, the family sees an injustice which they believe needs their help. Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel and finds out that his mother is in jail for killing his drunken father, a crime she did not commit. The entire family decides to stay and help find the real murderer. A slice of life in the South in 1957 for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hilmo
Review Date: 3/28/12

Sonia isn't sure if she is black or white. Her dark skin looks more like her Indian father rather than her Jewish mother. When her father loses his job and she switches to public school, Sonia is not sure where she fits in the middle school social life. All of these changes confuse Sonia. This is a biracial family story for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hiranandani
Review Date: 2/3/12

Fejzo (or Fay) knows both he and his sister were adopted. He was told that his mother escaped from Bosnia during the war so he would have a better life while his sister was abandoned as a baby in China. A new girl he meets asks him questions and causes him to wonder why his mother would not want him. The decision to find his mother causes Fay and his family to think about their relationships. Translated from the Dutch, this book is suitable for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hof
Review Date: 9/13/11

Family secrets are revealed in this historical novel which takes place in Spain during the Inquisition. Estrella's family maintains many Jewish customs as Conversos, Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity. Teenaged Estrella is shocked to learn about her family's past. When new edicts are posted, neighbors betray neighbors to reveal the truth. Estrella loses her loving mother, grandfather and brother before escaping to safety. An unforgettable story for ages 12 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hoffman
Review Date: 2/14/07

Mini's close relationship with her older sister changes as her sister challenges their parents. Thinking that it is just teenage rebelliousness, Mini hopes Kate will never alter their relationship. However, when Kate disappears, Mini is determined to find her and bring her home. Both Mini's parents and her classmate help Mini realize that she will have to accept some changes. A family story for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Hollyer
Review Date: 7/7/09

An unusual collection of notes, receipts, IMs, and lists help to tell the story of Ginny Davis' year in seventh grade. Both friendships and family changes cause Ginny to reconsider her passions. Frequent denials from her mother cause Ginny to consider moving to her grandfather's retirement community in Florida so she can get her way. A humorous but honest look at middle school life for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Holm
Review Date: 2/16/08

During the summer of 1953, Penny tries to have fun with her Italian cousin Frankie, which usually involves trouble. Her quiet, widowed mother prevents Penny from swimming or going to the movies because of the fear of catching polio. Penny tries to spend as much time as possible with her father's large Italian family. Their huge meals and boisterous gatherings give the uncles many opportunities to spoil "Princess." Her two families are very different and separate but they do come together and finally reveal the truth about her father's death. A family story for ages 10 and up.

WPL Call Number: Y Holm
Review Date: 2/20/07

Living on a military base is a different kind of lifestyle involving frequent moves. As the son of the Air Force base commander, Bo Whaley is expected to behave. He has had his share of trouble in school but this year will be different. He has a young teacher who isn't like anyone else (she even has a tattoo!). Bo's cousin Gari moves in while her mother is deployed and Bo needs to adjust to having her around. When his teacher's brother gets injured in Afghanistan, Bo's entire class gets involved in his recovery. This book is an eye opener to what our mililtary families endure. For ages 9 - 12.

WPL Call Number: J Holmes
Review Date: 11/23/09