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Dust by Dusti Bowling

Avalyn feels like she is always fighting a battle, a battle with her own lungs. She has asthma. Really bad asthma. So, when she almost died at the age of two, her parents moved her to the town of Clear Canyon City in Arizona. A place where there were virtually no allergens, just the occasional dust storm.

But things are changing, regarding those dust storms. Avalyn has noticed that ever since a new boy named Adam has moved to town, dust storms, BIG dust storms are happening....a lot! And it is getting to the point where Avalyn is struggling to breath!

Recommended for grades 6 and up.

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Unfriended by Rachel Vail

Truly was excited that her old best friend, Natasha, had invited her to the Popular Table at lunch. Honestly, she thought that Natasha had completely forgotten about her. But what Truly doesn’t realize is that as she leaves her current best friend, Hazel, behind, that things will not be the same after accepting that invitation.

Recommended for grades 6 and up.

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Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho

Life has not been great since portals directly from Hell opened up about 2 years ago. Most people have just accepted this is how life is now - you might get killed by a demon, but if you just try to avoid the portals, you should be okay. Still, the portals are like, everywhere, including some stores. Like the store where Jasper works. Jasper had an accident a few months ago and can't remember much that happened before then. He knows his parents were killed 2 years ago, when the portals first opened, but really, nothing else. When the portal that is in his store starts acting up, Jasper and a coworker find themselves at ground zero, and not in a good way.

Recommended for grades 8 and up.

*Some swear words in the podcast booktalk.

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Jupiter Rising by Gary D. Schmidt

Jack and his family are set to adopt Jupiter, the son of a former foster child named Joseph that had tragically died a few years previous. Everyone loves Jupiter. But when their case manager comes to inform them that Jupiter's grandparents now have decided they indeed want custody, Jack's world begins to implode. He can't imagine a world without Jupiter.

This is a sequel to Orbiting Jupiter, which should be read first.

Recommended for grade 7 and up.

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Hello All!

I hope you are able to have some time off, read some good books, and otherwise recharge your batteries if you work with students.

If you are a student and are looking for some great books to read, hopefully you will find some in this podcast!

Enjoy!
Tasha Squires

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My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

She was devastated! How could he NOT be in love with her? She saved his life, gave up her tail for him, and he wanted to marry someone else? Mary couldn't believe it was happening to her. And why hadn't she turned into sea foam. Any Mer person that had their heartbroken always did! Mary decides to throw herself overboard, but even then, no sea foam....and she doesn't drown either. In fact, she gets picked up by a ship, and it is a pirate ship. She has a choice - join, or walk the plank. Turns out, Mary is quite the pirate!

Recommended for grades 7 and up.

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It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Sadie is alone - or so it feels. She has her dad, but in terms of friends, she has none, and that is just how she wants it, sort of. Because the last good friend that she had was killed, and Sadie feels for sure it was her fault. Due to the jealous ghost that lives in Sadie and has since Sadie can remember. What Sadies doesn't know is why and if she will ever be able to be free from it to live her life.

Recommended for grades 6 and up.

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Tig by Heather Smith

Tig and her older brother, Peter, have been abandoned by their mother a few months prior to them being discovered living on their own. They are taken in by their mother's brother, their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny. The problem is, everything is too perfect, for Tig anyway. After all, people can say they love you but leave you when you are not perfect.

Recommended for grades 6 and up.