Alabama Moon by Watt Key

One of Mrs. Kicker’s favorite books is Alabama Moon by Watt Key, so I knew that I had to read it. This is the story of Moon Blake, a ten year-old who grew-up in the wilderness with his Pap until Moon was ten years old. Pap taught Moon how to live off the land – they planted and hunted their own food and made their own clothes. Pap was very distrustful of the government after returning from the Vietnam War and passed along his fear of the government to Moon. When Pap died of a broken leg because he refused to see a doctor, an acquaintance turned Moon over to authorities. You’ll be on the edge of your seat following Moon’s adventures escaping from the police and the boys’ home and finally figuring out where he belongs.

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

Have you ever had a secret? Have you ever had a secret that your life depended on? Gabe has a secret alright. It seemed like everything was finally working out for him. After spending years in foster care after his single mother died, Social Services found Gabe’s Uncle Vernon who agreed to adopt him. Gabe had a real home.

When Gabe returns home after his first day of sixth grade he arrives to a horrifying discovery. Uncle Vernon is dead. Gabe has no idea what to do, so he does nothing. Gabe goes to school the next day, only when he returns home again his uncle’s body is missing…that’s when the creepy and puzzling letters begin to appear in the mailbox. Follow Gabe on his journey to keep his life together while he uncovers the many mysteries of his past and faces the uncertainty of his future.