Caudills 2010

So far what I have read has been really good.  Some have guys as main characters and some have girls but all could be read by anyone.  It really would depend on what you are in the mood for and what type of story appeals to you.  One common thread to them all is that they fall into the realism category more or less (one is set in the late 60's and one in the late 40's). 

So here goes:A Small White Scar by K. Nuzum. This one is set in the late 1940's. The story centers on the relationship of 15 year old twin brothers, one of whom has Downs Syndrome.  A western styled adventure will take you on a voyage of discovery both mental and physical as disabled Denny decides to follow his brother Will, who has run away from the ranch to become a rodeo rider.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis.  Emma-Jean likes her world ordered and even though she likes her middle school classmates she stays on the outside looking in because it's safe there.  Middle school kids live messy lives she feels. So when she

 decides to help one of the most popular girls with a problem, Emma-Jean finds out that mathematical logic does not necessarily apply to people.  Funny, realistic and eye-opening from both ends of the social food chain.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is the book set during the year 1967-68.  Holling Hoodhood, the 7th grade hero of the story, will completely win you over as he faces a host of challenges at school and at home.  The author manages to balance the humor (lots of it) with the serious events in this realistic story mostly centered around school.  It all starts when Holling finds himself the only student left on Wednesday's last period with his English teacher while his classmates are at various religious education classes.  Shakespeare, the VietNam War, his prickly high school sister, loose rats and a bully all keep the action coming and going.  You will find yourself seriously rooting for Holling.