Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind

Gr 5–7—Minnie's family, including her uncle, who lost a leg in the Iraq War, had to move when her dad "blew the whistle" at work and lost his job. Now Minnie is the new kid at Mojave Middle School, and she's not sure where she fits in. When a new language-arts teacher arrives at Mojave, she is unlike any teacher the sixth-grader has ever had. Young, hip Miss Marks encourages her students to ask questions-and draws negative attention from parents for her unconventional wardrobe and her tattoo, and for rumors that she's a lesbian. But Minnie loves Miss Marks; she makes Minnie think about important things and encourages her students to speak up. Because of this teacher, Minnie finds the courage to stand up for her Muslim friend and against prejudice, and eventually to stand up for Miss Marks, too. Readers will cheer this protagonist on as she finds her voice-and perhaps be inspired to make their own voices heard.—Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Peachtree Montessori International, Ann Arbor, MI