After 12-year-old Jayson’s mother dies, he manages to survive on his own for a while. But when he steals sneakers for the upcoming basketball season, authorities send him to live with a foster family. Jayson (who is white) must adjust to living with a black family on the rich side of town. He also has to overcome his anger if he’s to earn his teammates’ respect and lead them to the state finals. Lupica’s narrative moves quickly, with enough description to create memorable characters in an uplifting tale that shows the rewards of perseverance. Boys and sports lovers take note.

In 1660 London, 14-year-old Christopher possesses a cipher that may be the key to finding the truth about who is murdering the city’s apothecaries. Officials suspect the boy, so he sets off down dark alleys and into strange, nearly magical shops to discover the real killer … before it is too late! Careful research lends historical realism to the apothecaries’ practices. Christopher’s narration is lively and enjoyable—but has occasional crude humor. Most young readers will race through the book to unlock the ending.