DISAPPEARED, by Francisco X. Stork

The story: Sara and her brother Emiliano are both in over their heads. Sara, a young reporter, uncovers the truth behind a sex-trafficking ring in their hometown of Juarez, and now she's a target. Emiliano, wanting to be rich and in love with a girl who already is, is falling into the sparkling trap laid by drug dealers. Now they're both on the run, and their lives depend on people they've never even met. Can they make it over the border and start a new life in Chicago, or will the bad guys be able to track them no matter where they go?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13 (drug use implied but not described); Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (sex trafficking, drug cartels, government and police corruption) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Francisco X. Stork always delivers an absorbing read. Despite the PG-13 rating rating, this is probably better for high school readers. Not that MS kids wouldn't be able to understand it, but the social and ethical issues it raises are not of immediate interest for the average MS reader...although they should be. Consider purchasing to support a fine author, and hand-sell it to the more mature reader in the crowd.

TWELVE DAYS IN MAY, by Larry Dane Brimner

The story: Here's an introduction to the Freedom Rides of 1961, including background on the Civil Rights movement and biographical information about the key participants. Winner of the 2018 Sibert Award for non-fiction.

Non-fiction: June's ratings don't apply.

Liz's comments: This Sibert Award winner is a must-have for every library.

EVERLESS, by Sara Holland

The story: Jules has a strange ability that allows her to bend time--or stop it completely...but her magic isn't enough to keep her father alive. Left alone to solve the mystery of her birth, she learns that parents aren't just blood relations, that friends can change, and that love doesn't always choose wisely. Now if she can just stay alive long enough to make up for the damage she's done...

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (magical violence) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Hand to your girls who are always looking for the latest romance, with a little magic thrown in.

EVERY SHINY THING, by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison

The story: Lauren is a budding activist, angry that her autistic brother has been sent away to a special school, and looking for a way to help fund change. Sierra is the foster child who moves in next door, worried about her inability to rescue her alcoholic mother. The girls strike up a friendship just as Lauren learns how easy it is to shoplift and sell things, then put the money in her good-deed fund. Sierra is worried about it, but feels that her job as a friend is to enable what her friend is so passionate about. Seems like things are going perfectly, but Lauren reaches just a bit too far, and now there are consequences for both girls. Painful consequences. Maybe even life-changing ones.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (addiction, dishonesty and theft) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: It's squirm-inducing to watch Lauren self-destruct without ever considering the possible consequences. It's been a long time since I was 13, so maybe 7th graders really are that heedless and clueless, but seeing her headlong descent into disaster mostly made me want to shake her. However, kids looking for redemption in their own lives maybe be comforted to learn (through the trusted avenue of fiction) that even if the process is painful, you can turn yourself around. Sierra also learns important lessons about being an enabler. This one is pretty much just for girls.

CLICK'D, by Tamara Ireland Stone

The story: Ada spent the summer at coding camp and has created a fantastic--possibly prize winning--app. When she lets her friends start sharing it, it goes viral...right before a glitch hits--a glitch she's going to have to fix before Saturday's competition. But the worst part is that she might have to ask her nemesis, Nathan Frederickson, for help in order to pull it off. Could things get any worse?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: A perfectly adequate book about girls and their friends was (for me) slowed down a bit by all the references to computers and coding. I realize it's a very big thing right now, and that girls are being encouraged to give it a try, but for those who are a little more distanced from the craze, it's a little off-putting. However, girls like me will self-select, so hand this one to anyone who's interested.

THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE, by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley

The story: Crippled Ada can't remember ever having left her third story apartment in the East End of London, where she's learned what she knows of life from looking out the window. When the threat of bombs forces her to make a move, she and her younger brother Jamie find themselves evacuated to the country--and also find out just how much they don't know about things everyone else takes for granted. Can Ada find the courage to let go of her abusive past and learn to trust in her future?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (child abuse & resulting mental disturbances) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: I liked this story, and think it would appeal to many younger readers, especially those curious about what life might be like in a country at war. Because of her ignorance, Ada frequently reads more immature than her age, although (for me, as an adult, that made sense because of her lack of exposure to life in general) that made sense. An uncomplicated read, good for grades 4-7. The sequel, The War I Finally Won, is equally good.

THE ROAD TO EVER AFTER, by Moira Young

The story: Davy is homeless when Miss Flint hires him (okay, forces him) to drive her to her childhood home--even though he's only 13, and even though he doesn't know how to drive. That's weird enough, but things get even stranger when they steal a turkey truck, dodge the police, and encounter a wild grassland spirit. When the ultimate strange event occurs, Davy and his employer keep making their way to the sea while Davy starts to consider the possibility of angels. And not just the kind in books.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; Adult themes (death and life after death) PG; overall rating PG. Best for grades 4-7.

Liz's comments: This is a charming story that takes an utterly unpredictable turn in the middle, changing it from an adventure tale to fantasy. The average reader will not pick it up cuz...boring cover and tepid flyleaf blurb...but it will strike a chord with just the right reader, who will enjoy it immensely. Hand it to your readers who enjoy Roald Dahl's "Matilda".