Indigo Star by Hilary McKay

The second book of a 4 book series about the Cassons, a British family whose parents are artists, it stands alone. Indigo is the only boy in a house full of females. His dad lives in London. While home is a happy chaotic place, school is something to be dreaded. It is so bad at school that Indigo is happy to get mononucleosis to miss an entire semester, but he must go back. When he gets back, the bullies have a new target, Tom, the American kid who does everything to make himself a target. Why is Tom so angry at everyone? How can the two of them get back at the bullies and teach a lesson at the same time? Behind this main plot are many subplots involving too many suiters for the oldest sister, why their father is not living with them, and will their mother ever remember to make dinner. One of the most popular series at EML's library. You will laugh out load about who really gets the best of the bullies.

Backfield Package by Thomas J. Dygard

Four friends who play for a winning high school team make a promise to each other that when recuited to play college football, they will go as a package. Only one offer comes and it is second tier school. Joe, the quarterback, is by far the best of them all, so when he gets offers to better college programs, his family tells him to take one of those offers. But how can he let his friends down especially when he knows that it their talents that help him be the star quarterback he is? Is anyone else having doubts about even going to college? If you love football, you will love the game action in this book.

Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff

Sequel to Lilly's Crossing, this does stand alone. What would you do if your whole life is turned upside down? Meggie's family moves to Michigan so her father can work in the bomber plant. She has a nice home in New York, but lives in quickly-built worker housing. Her brother is off to war and her German American grandfather stays back in New York to look after things. Thrown into a group of other transplants, she learns that life is what you make it and that friends don't have to share your background, just your present.

No Place For Me by barthe DeClements

Probably out of print for years, this book has stood the test of time and will be remembered by readers who share some of the same feelings as Cooper, the 7th grade main character. Growing up in an unstable home with a high maintenance mom that is now drying out in rehab, Cooper feels no one wants her until she goes to live with her late father's sister. Aunt Maggie is different than most, she is a free spirit, practices the old religion of Wicca, but is understanding. Aunt Maggie seems to care about her, but after what happened to Copper at her other two aunts' home, can she let down her guard to find out what real families will do for each other. Trusting adults are hard if you never had an adult that didn't let you down.