CAN A PERSON CHANGE THEIR LUCK?

Good luck can be a very elusive thing and something  not often thought about about much unless perhaps you win the lottery or get struck by lightening. For Summer's family the luck is all bad and just when she thinks that things can't get worse, a usually fatal thought, they do. Her parents have to leave for Japan just as the harvest season is starting which provides the family jobs and money pay the mortgage. That bill must be paid so it means that Summer, her younger brother and their grandparents will have to take over and go in the parent's place. 

In Newbery Award-winning author Cynthia Kadohata's book THE THING ABOUT LUCK, the reader shares not only what it is like to be part of a custom harvesting crew but Summer's story of growing up in a very traditional Japanese family and the big risk she takes to change her family's luck. 

For grades 5-8, this book has been nominated for a National Book Award.

COMING SOON ORIGAMI

Twelve-year-old Angela is not thrilled about summer this year because she is being sent down to Los Angeles to spend it with her grandparents and aunt. While there she is expected to spend time working in the families flower shop and helping fold the origami cranes for the 1001 crane displays for newlyweds. All of it is a lot harder than she expected specially the folding part. What she did not expect was the news her mother gave her about her family before she left her with the grandparents.

Over the summer Angela learns not only to fold cranes that pass grandmother's inspection but also how to make it in a new situation in 1001 CRANES BY NAOMI HIRAHARA. For grades 5-8.