Picture
I liked this book so much that I read it twice. I can honestly say there are not many books that I read twice. This book is that good. Ella is in 6th grade and has skin with different pigmentation-some dark and some light. This has not bothered her until recently when a bully started calling her “camo girl.”Suddenly Ella feels shunned by her long-time friends and very self conscious about her skin. Zachary, whom Ella calls Z, is her best friend but he’s always been known as the “weird kid” in class and we can tell right from the start that he needs lots of help and understanding. Ella protects Z, who lives in a fantasy world where he is a brave knight and Ella is Lady
Ellie-nor, from the taunts of classmates. Ella and Z are always together and are each other’s best and only friends until Bailey moves in. Up to this point Ella has been the only black student in her class. Bailey is cool and popular and when he smiles and talks to Ella her heart melts. Maybe she can have a new friend! Bailey has his own family secrets to protect but is a brave soul who is not afraid to take chances to help Ella and Z.
  Read more about this author and her books at http://keklamagoon.com/

 
Picture
This historical fiction and Newbery honor award winning novel is based on the true story of Manjiro Nakahama whose history-making journey began in 1841. Fourteen-year-old Manjiro is excited to go on his first fishing expedition with others from his village when catastrophe strikes. Caught in a big storm, the crew of five ends up stranded with no sail or oars in the open ocean. Days later they are washed up on a deserted island with no shelter other than a wet cave and no food other than nesting birds which they must kill and eat raw. Eventually they are rescued by an American whaling ship where Manjiro learns English quickly and soon becomes a favorite of the captain. Little does he know that his adventures have just begun! This book takes you from one journey to the next as Manjiro deals not only with growing up in a strange world as an outsider but also with extreme homesickness. The book includes actual drawings by John Mung (Manjiro’s English name) of his many experiences. I could not put this book down especially knowing that most of the events described actually happened. I give it 5 stars!