Shiloh

Shiloh 

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight- and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers, who drinks too much and has a gun- and abuses his dogs. So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?
My mom read this book to me as a child. So, it seemed nature to read it with my son. I discovered that my memory didn't remember all the details. This was a great book to open up discussions about lying and omitting the truth.

  

The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot 

By Peter Brown

   When Robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is- but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.
   As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home- until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

This is not my typical choice in books but was such a wonderful surprise! I love the short chapters and was excited to learn there is a sequel! Reading level grades 3-6

 

The Bicycle Spy

The Bicycle Spy
By Yona Zeldis McDonough

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this story about a young boy, Marcel and how he helps others stay safe during the time of the Nazis invasion in France.
Marcel loves to ride his bicycle, and he's been a big fan of the famous Tour de France race, so he's disappointed it has been canceled because of the war. Reading on, he learns two big secrets and realizes there are worse things to focus on. He wants to help a friend's family who is in immediate danger, but it involves putting his own life at risk, too. When things don't go as planned, Marcel has to be a quick thinker because his friend's family, his family, and his own future are at stake.