Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

A Navajo boy named Ned Begay is sent to a white man's school when he is six years old. At the school he is forbidden to speak the Navajo language, and he is taught the ways of white men. When Ned is sixteen, he enlists in the U.S. Marines to serve in World War II. Ironically, he is trained to use the Navajo language in a special unit of Code Talkers who transmit messages in the Pacific at Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Iwo Jima.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza Ortega's life of ease and wealth on her father's Mexican ranch is turned upside down the day before her 13th birthday when she and her mother find out that her father was killed by bandits. They are forced to leave all they have and migrate to California with their servants to start a new life. After reading this book, you will better understand the Mexican proverb the author quotes at the beginning of the book: "The rich person is richer when he becomes poor, than the poor person when he becomes rich."

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

"Any book with an award medal on it and a picture of a dog always has a canine casualty", observes Wallace Wallace. That's why he's not surprised that the book assigned in 8th grade English class, Old Shep, My Pal, has a similar plot. He gives his honest opinion of the book to his English teacher, and finds himself assigned to detention. Wallace cannot tell a lie (it's against his personal policy), so he ends up missing weeks of football practice in detention because he refuses to change his opinion. Detention takes place in the auditorium during the school play practices. Wallace is horrified to find out that this year's play is Old Shep, My Pal directed by his English teacher (who loves the book). Bit by bit, Wallace Wallace makes suggestions to improve the play, and he makes some new friends in the process.

I am Regina by Sally M. Keehn

Based on the true story of Regina Leininger who was captured by Indians in 1755 near Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Her mother was away when the family home was burned to the ground, her father and brother were scalped, and she and her sister were taken captive. Gradually Regina (now Tskinnak) becomes more accustomed to the ways of the Indian tribe. She takes on responsibilities of caring for another young captive girl, and the memories of her former life begin to fade. After nine years, the American army frees the white captives. Regina is torn between leaving her new family and possibly being reunited with her mother.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

In 1935, Moose Flanagan's family moves to Alcatraz Island, off the coast of San Francisco so that Moose's father can take a job as a prison guard and Natalie, his autistic sister can attend a school in the city. Moose liked his life back in Santa Monica, and he's not very excited to be living in such close proximity to the nation's worst criminals -- guys like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. He eventually gets used to his new home, makes friends with Piper, the rison warden's daughter, and comes to terms with Natalie's dependence on him.

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Bethany Cole led a rather normal life until one night when her parents mysteriously dropped her off at an aunt's house without an explanation. Bethany had never met this aunt and wasn't sure she was really a relative of hers. When people in Aunt Myrlie's town see Bethany, they stare in shock. Bethany looks just like a girl who used to live there but died 20 years ago. Slowly, Bethany uncovers clues to her real identity and the reality that someone is after her.

Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney

Mitty Blake has always lived in New York City, and even after 9/11, he has always felt safe. That all changes when Mitty begins to do research for his biology class. His topic is smallpox (otherwise known as Variola Major). One day as Mitty is leafing through a very old medical book his mom purchased at an estate sale, he comes across an envelope marked "Scabs - VM epidemic, 1902, Boston". Before Mitty realizes what they are, he pours them into his hand, crumbles them and rubs his nose after a sneeze. Can you get smallpox from dried up 100-year-old scabs? When bio-terrorists catch wind of the situation Mitty ends up worrying more about survival than a good grade on his report.

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff

The day before his 11th birthday, Sam is snooping around trying to find his presents when he comes across a newspaper clipping about a missing 3-year old boy. He recognizes the boy as himself, but he can't read well enough to find out why he was missing. He has lived with Mack, his grandfather, for as long as he can remember, and Mack told him his parents had died. While working on a class assignment to build a castle for a medieval unit, Caroline, a new girl, helps him put together the pieces of his identity puzzle.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Catherine is a pretty normal 12-year old girl. The problem is that she has an autistic brother named David who sometimes embarrasses her in front of her friends. In order to help David order his world, Catherine establishes rules for him, like "No toys in the fish tank" and "It's ok to hug mom, but not the video store clerk." During visits to David's occupational therapy appointments, Catherine befriends a boy her age who is a nonverbal paraplegic. She talks with him using Jason's communication book. Through this friendship, Catherine begins to understand that being normal isn't as important as accepting others who are different.

Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi

Set in 14th century England, a 13-year old boy known simply as "Asta's son" must flee his village after the death of his mother. He doesn't know why, but someone falsely accuses him of theft and murder. This in turn has him declared a "wolf's head" which means anyone is allowed to kill him. While on the run, the boy finds out his real name is Crispin, and the mystery that has surrounded his family begins to unfold. Also read the sequel Crispin: At the Edge of the World.