MISS PICKEL'S PICKS

F rom the very first page, Clap When You Land completely pulled me in with its stunning verse and deeply human characters. Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing is so lyrical and emotionally layered that I often found myself reading certain lines twice—once because the poetry is so beautiful and then again to make sure I didn't miss anything important in the plot. I couldn’t step away from this story. I had to read it almost in one sitting because I was so emotionally invested—I needed to know that Camino and Yahaira would be okay. The emotional pull of their journeys, both individually and together, is incredibly powerful. My favorite character was Tía Solana, Camino's aunt. She’s a midwife and healer in their Dominican community, and she radiates grace and quiet resilience. Her care for Camino and her selfless support of those around her made her one of the most grounding and memorable presences in the book. She’s the kind of character who quietly holds everything—and everyone—togethe...

I'm starting a challenge for myself this school year to help me expand my reading. I'm choosing a book from each of the fiction shelves that I haven't read before, starting with the letter A. I want to spotlight some older titles and to challenge myself a little by trying genres that I don't usually read. I'll choose some because I've heard good things about them, people have recommended them to me, or they fit with the season or my reading challenge for the month. My goal is to read at least two "Reading the Shelves" books a month. I'm starting with Elizabeth Acevedo's Clap When You Land . This is a recommendation from Ms Flanders. It's a novel in verse and I figured it would be a good opportunity to read poetry. I ended up loving it so much that I think it's one of my favorite books! So I think the challenge is paying off already!

  If you love Freaky Friday this book is for you! This is a funny, fast-paced story about Ellie and her scientist Grandpa, who turns himself into a kid and has to attend her middle school. This book was laugh out loud funny; I thought Grandpa Melvin was hilarious, especially the way he complains about "kids these days" while being one himself! I really liked the family dynamics between Ellie, her mom, and her grandfather; they bicker sometimes, but they truly care about each other. This book is the perfect mix of humor, science, and heart and I definitely recommend it!

  This book was so good! It's told from the perspective of four teens: twins Addison and Mason, their cousin Natalia, and their soon to be stepbrother Theo. They are all gathered in a luxury resort in Cancun to celebrate the engagement of Addison and Mason's mom to Theo's dad. Addison, Mason, and Natalia used to be really close until The Incident three years ago. Since then they have barely talked and they all arrive in Cancun harboring their own secrets. Theo feels like the ultimate outsider, trying to navigate this new family as the relatives are avoiding each other. The book is told in alternating chapters from the four main characters' points of view and as the reader you slowly learn about their family dynamics and the secrets everyone is keeping. I loved the multiple viewpoints and the way the story unfolded; I felt like the pacing was perfect! I also enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Natalia's little sister Mia. The beach setting was also great an...

This book kept me up super late turning pages! When Tom gets sent to stay with his mysterious Uncle Harvey, he expects a boring trip—but instead, he ends up traveling to Peru on a wild hunt for hidden treasure. With dangerous criminals on their tail and ancient secrets to uncover, Tom and his uncle must work together using their wits, bravery, and a little luck to survive. What makes this book even more interesting is how it weaves in bits of British history, especially about a Sir Francis Drake, who was a pirate. The story connects the past with the present as Tom and Uncle Harvey follow clues that date back hundreds of years. Packed with danger, mystery, and a fast-paced plot, Island of Thieves is perfect for readers who love treasure hunts and thrilling escapes.

Ingrid is quiet, cautious, and not always sure where she fits in. But when life pushes her to re-examine her friendships and lean into new opportunities, she discovers that true connection comes from surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about you. With heart, humor, and even a dash of social media fun (from Ingrid  and  her grandmother!), this story celebrates the courage it takes to find your voice. I was so excited to read this one because Jodi Meadows is one of the three authors behind the  Lady Janies  series, which are super fun retellings of famous historical figures. I really connected with Ingrid - she reminds of myself in middle school. I liked watching her slowly overcome her shyness and appreciate her true friends. My favorite part of the book is that Ingrid’s grandmother has a knitting channel on YouTube. It kind of inspired me to maybe start a vlog this winter!