The Best Man by Richard Peck

This is an absolutely fantastic book!  I give it 10 stars on a 5 star scale.  Archer tells his story from elementary through middle school about his friends, family and school.  The book is funny and heartwarming and just totally wonderful.  I highly recommend it for middle grade readers!

If Our Bodies Could Talk by James Hamblin

This book contains a wide variety of interesting facts about the human body. From why don't tattoos wear off to why do ears ring, what is gluten, are we made to eat meat, how does flouride work, how does gender transitioning go and more, you will find easy to read and understand explanations and some cute illustrations.  I think that lovers of trivia and facts about the human body will enjoy reading this book.

Matylda, Bright & Tender by Holly M. McGhee

In this very sad book, Sussy and her best friend Guy get a gecko from the pet shop that is kept at Sussy's house because Guy's mother says there is not room for a pet at his house.  Then, while they are on a bicycle trip to the pet store, Guy is hit by a car and killed.  For the rest of the story, Sussy struggles to deal with the death of her best friend and tries to keep Matylda,the gecko alive and well.

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach

This is a totally amazing suspense filled young adult mystery with a bit of romance!  I read it all in one day because I could not put it down. Anastasia is a junior in high school, living with her older sister, Keira since their parents had died in a tragic accident several years before.  When Keira disappears and is presumed to be dead due to the amount of her blood that was at the scene, Anastasia refuses to believe her sister is dead and sinks into a deep depression.  Then, evidence turns up that Keira may be alive and Anastasia is determined to find her.  She is sent to Europe with Marcus, a boy from her high school whose parents and brother work for the same company her parents worked for.  There is lots of action and plot twists and this is the first book in a series and I look forward to reading the rest when they come out!

The Faerie Tree by Jane Cable

This story is told alternately by Robin and Izzie, who have met one another again twenty years after the first time they met. They become involved with one another and both remember the past, but their memories are different.  Izzie and her teenage daughter, Claire are still mourning the death of Claire's father, and Robin has been living on the streets.  We later learn why he was living as a homeless person as the story gives clues to both of their pasts.  The story is a mystery and a romance and a story of two lost people who find one another.

Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira

This is a fun quick read.  Sixteen year old Phoebe loves reading, knitting, and archery, which she took up because her favorite fictional character does archery.  She takes notes from her favorite books on romance and relationships and tries to put them to use when she finds out that Dev, a friend of hers in band, likes her.  Her friends try to help her out and there are mishaps, friendship and romance in this fun book.

In this second book, Ruby has been training with the Children's League and is sent out on missions.  She has learned that Liam is in danger and has, unbeknownst to him, a flash drive that contains information about the virus that gave the children who did not die from it various abilities.  Ruby and her friends face bad guys and help one another and there is more action, adventure and some romance.  I look forward to reading the next book.