YA The True Confession of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Warned not to board the ship Seahawk, Charlotte boards anyway. Within hours of the ship's sailing, the cook puts a dagger in her hand for protection. In doing so, Charlotte's life changes forever, and what begins as a trip across the Atlantic ends with Charlotte on trial for her life.

YC Amazing Gracie by A. E. Cannon
Gracie has always looked after her mother, who suffers from "dark times." Her mother marries, and Gracie begins to see her life improving. When her mother completely falls apart, it is up to Gracie once again to hold the family together.

YC Stonewords by Pam Conrad
Zoe's best friend is a ghost, and has been one since she was four years old. Now Zoe is older and her friend is changing in frightening ways. The only way to help is for Zoe to go back in time. But in changing the past, will she change the future ... for her and her friend?

YC Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever Catherine matches wits with her unimaginative, greedy toad of a father whose goal in life is to marry her off to the highest bidder. Will she have to marry a shaggy-bearded, ugly, revolting old man, or will she find a way out that will satisfy her father as well as herself? Life in the middle ages sure can be complicated!

YF Juniper by Monica Furlong
Juniper, daughter of King Mark of Cornwall, should be content with a life of luxury and ease. But when asked if she wants to study the art of spells and healing with her harsh but wise godmother, she agrees. A year later she is grateful for that education, for it appears she will be the only one to save the countryside from a terrible curse laid upon it by her power-mad aunt.

YH Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
It's 1919. Having successfully fled Russia and survived a typhus epidemic, Rifka's family is looking forward to their trip to America. However, Rifka is told she cannot go until she is rid of ringworms. Thus begins Rifka's year of strangers, the loss of her hair, murderous storms at sea and detainment on Ellis Island. Strong-hearted and determined, Rifka will endure.

YJ Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson
Fourteen-year-old Emily visits her Granmama Ola every summer. But this year is not as others. This year she is searching for answers, and the more she finds out the more she understands.

YN Send No Blessings by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Beth lives in a small trailer with her seven brothers and sisters. It is too small and is going to get even smaller, for there is another baby on the way. She has to find a way out! Marrying Harless Prather would be a way out, but then so would be getting a job and moving away. Marriage is a sure thing; a job is not. Everyone tries to help, but only Beth can decide.

YP Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
Lyddie thought she was no better than a slave. Having been forced to leave her Vermont farm in 1843, she hires out to a local merchant. This was not the life she wanted for herself. She hears about factories that hire girls and leaves for Lowell, Mass. As a factory girl, she earns money and is free. But the freedom has its price. Long exhausting hours in the unhealthy, neglected factory begin to take a toll on the girls. If she stays, she knows she will suffer the same fate as so many girls; she will die. But if she leaves, where will she go and what will her life be like?

YT Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred D. Taylor
For Cassie and her family, life has always been hard. Not just because they are a black family living in the rural South, or because they own their own land, a fact some of the white land owners cannot stand. Not because their best friend stands trial for murder, but because they know that to survive will take all the courage, love and understanding they can muster up. However, it is just those hard times that bring them closer and give them the strength to defy even the deepest prejudice.