Hoai's Book Island

  About Book Title: Stay Author: Bobbie Pyron Genre: Realistic Fiction, Multicultural Major Book Awards: 2020 Texas Bluebonnet Awards Recommended Age Range: 8 to 12 Appropriate Grade Levels: 3rd to 7th grade Summary This book talks about a girl named Piper and her family, who suddenly finds themselves homeless, due to unfortunate events that has occurred. The family decides to move to Idaho and into a homeless shelter [Hope House], hoping this city would turn their life around. Piper had to learn how to adapt into this new and unexpected life. During her stay, Piper was able to meet a group of  g irls at the shelter who faces similar circumstances. She later on  sees a woman [Jewel] she saw inside the shelter earlier, with her little dog [Baby] at a park. One day Jewel got sick and ends up in a hospital, leaving Baby behind. Jewel's friend was able to locate her and brought her Baby, but eventually Baby was picked up by animal control. When Piper found out, she knew ...

  About Book Title: If I Built a School Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen Genre: Science Fiction Major Book Awards: 2020 Texas Blue Bonnet Awards Recommended Age Range: 5 to 7 Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten to 3rd grade Summary This story is about a boy named Jack, who takes a teacher through an imaginary tour of how he would build his dream school, involving many fantasy and futuristic ideas. He first takes her on the inside layout of the school. The first thing there'll be, are cute puppies and giant zoo animals at the entrance. To go to class, there would be a pod-like glass for transportation. Classrooms would be open roof and have floating desks. At the library, the books would come to life and pop-out every time it gets opened. Art, music, and science classes would be fun as well. They'll get to use paint sprayers, play music really loud, and build their own creatures in science labs. Instead of tests, there would be lots of fieldtrips on special bus that...

  About Book Title: Wonder Author & Illustrator: R.J. Palacio Genre: Realistic Fiction  Major Book Awards: Texas Blue Bonnet Award Recommended Age Range: 8+ Appropriate Grade Levels: 4th to 12th grade  Summary This book tells the story of a boy named August [Auggie] Pullman, a ten-year-old who has a rare facial deformity called Treacher Collins Syndrome. This required him to have multiple surgeries done on his face ever since he was born up until now. He's been homeschooled by his mom ever since due to this, but his parents have decided to finally have him attend school with other children in the upcoming school year at Beecher Prep. August initially did not agree at first, but he ends up going anyways. The story starts off with August's perspective, as he talks about how it feels to live with his face. He also shares how  many people have glanced at him when he isn't looking and looks away when he looks back. Because August has dealt with this his whole life, th...