Listen, by Stephanie Tolan

During her solitary convalescence from a crippling accident, twelve-year-old Charley finds a wild dog, and the arduous process of training him leads her to explore her feelings about her mother's death two years earlier.

Grades 5 and up

All of the Above, by Shelley Pearsall

Four urban middle school students, their teacher, and other community members relate how a school project to build the world's largest tetrahedron affects the lives of everyone involved.

Grades 6 and up.

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic.

Grades 5 and up.

Alabama Moon, by Watt Key

After the death of his father, ten-year-old Moon leaves their forest shelter home and is sent to an Alabama institution, becoming entangled in the outside world he has never known and making good friends, a relentless enemy, and finally a new life.

Grades 6 and up.

Crossing the Wire, by Will Hobbs

Fifteen-year old Victor Flores journeys north in a desperate attempt to cross the Arizona border and find work in the United States to support his family in central Mexico.

Grades 6 and up.

Odd Man Out, by Sarah Ellis

Twelve-year-old Kip goes to his grandmother's house in British Columbia while his mother and stepfather are on their honeymoon, and finds an unexpected treasure hidden within the walls of the attic.

Grades 6 and up.

Firegirl, by Tony Abbott

A middle school boy's life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his Catholic school while receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Grades 5 and up.

The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron

Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life.

Grades 4 and up.