Olivia and the Little Way

Olivia and the Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger follows Olivia Thomas as she starts fifth grade at a new school and tries to fit in. When things aren't going well, Olivia prays to Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and learns about the "Little Way" of serving God.
The lesson this book teaches goes for both children and adults and is a good book to read aloud. Thanks for lending it to us, Maria!

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd tells the story of Lily Owens, a fourteen-year-old girl growing up on a peach farm in South Carolina in 1964. When Lily and her black "stand-in mother", Rosaleen, get into some trouble, the two run away to Tiburon, South Carolina, where they stay with three black beekeeping sisters. As Lily adjusts to her "dream life", she learns more about her mother's past and what really happened the day she died.

 This is one of those books you pick up and can't stop reading. I strongly recommend! Thanks for lending it to me, Abby!

Sing Down the Moon

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell follows Bright Morning, a fourteen-year-old Navaho Indian living in the 1860s. She and her friend, Running Bird, are captured by Spanish slavers and make a risky escape. I loved this book and will read and reread it until I know every word by heart.

Angelic Tails and Hope Rising

Angelic Tails by Joan Wester Anderson is made of true stories about people who believe that special dogs were sent to them in times of need by God. All the stories in it were truly amazing, but my favorite was Baby's Best Friend, which I will read over and over for years to come. 

  Hope Rising by Kim Meeder is also made of true stories, but not about dogs. Instead, it is about a ranch in Oregon that rescues abused and neglected horses and pairs them with emotionally disadvantaged children. I cried several times while reading this book from both sadness and happiness. I strongly recommend both these books to anyone who loves animals and reading.