Any book that Jason Reynolds recommends...

is probably going to be amazing.  I heard him talk about his newest book on MashReads and he recommended Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.   It won the National Book Award this year and as far as I am concerned, I can't imagine a better choice.  I listened to her on the New York Public Library's podcast, which was recorded on the day before the book came out and just found her to be fascinating.  It was neat, too to to hear that she hopes one day to write a middle grade fiction book!  Can you imagine?!
Excellent.

Star Dust

Katherine Paterson is magic.
She really is.
The Same Stuff as Stars is another exceptional, heart-touching book from Paterson.
TSSAS is the story of two children, Angel and Bernie.  Angel is eleven, but has had to be much older.  Her father is in prison and her mother is not very reliable.  Bernie is six and she has had to parent him for a long time.  This story is told from the POV of Angel finds herself with her great-grandma and meets "the star man" a man who teaches her about the stars.  This is just a lovely, lovely story.   Very moving.

What a Mess

Criminal the book isn't a mess.  But Nikki's life is.  I think about how lucky I am to have been born into a family unlike Nikki's.  My growing up wasn't perfect, no one's life is perfect.  But so many people have so much to overcome.  Nikki's mom is a drug addicted woman who really never took care of her.  She's been in and out of jail.  Nikki's dad was never in the picture, Nikki's stepdad is in prison.  Nikki gets hooked up with an abusive gang member, Dee, who uses her as his get away driver in a murder.  Now Nikki is a criminal, too.  Told from Nikki's POV, again, it is hard not to have sympathy for this girl who has made so many horrible choices.  McVoy can seriously write.  I liked that the ending was up in the air, but not totally up in the air.  It was satisfying.  What a struggle.  I pray for all those who are like Nikki and for those who are victims of people like Nikki as well. 

Jack Gantos...

Jack Gantos is one of my most favorite writers.  In 2003 he came to Sewickley and I was able to hear him speak.  This was such a memorable, memorable evening.  I fell in love with the man and with his works, gobbling them up after his visit.  Joey Pigza stole my heart completely.  And then Jack Henry books were wonderful.  I think I even loved them more!  Listening to this story, read by Gantos himself was moving and memorable.  I loved this man.

A Zebra Forest...

Adina Rishe Gewirtz is a brandy new author and Zebra Forest is her first fiction book.  I will most certainly be looking for her next one, as this one really stuck with me.  I bought it to listen to and I'm glad I have it, because I'll want to go back again.  Annie and Rew never live with their grandma, who is a good lady, but sometimes she isn't quite there.  Their mother took off and all Annie remembers is that she said she never really wanted kids.  Grandma has always told Rew and Annie that their dad was killed in a bar fight.  But one day there is a break at the prison just through the zebra-looking forest in their backyard and man shows up, and wouldn't you know, sometimes the dead aren't so dead after all.  Annie tells the story and she is a smart kid, a neat kid.  And so is Rew.  A story of love and family and forgiveness and yeah, just a really great story.

Tough One

Kindness for Weakness was an eARC I received through netgalley and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I blew through it quickly because it was one of those books that sucks you in right away, with a main character, James, who is completely real and sympathetic.
James has a mother who never should have been a mother: she is a drunk and lives with an abusive jerk who beats her and James both. He has an older brother, a poser-creep drug dealer who drags James into his dealing. James ends up getting busted and most of the book takes place in the juvie hall, where James is doing time.
The book is so realistic and full of just the right amount of action and reflection. A perfect combo that will keep serious readers interested and attract reluctant readers as well. A heart-breaking and real story. Loved it.