Character Strong Booklist- Putnam Heights: Responsibility

Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin' Queen of 139th Street. But then Mama reminds her that today is their neighbour Miz Adeline's birthday, and Kameeka has to get ready for the party they are hosting. But then Miz Adeline's confesses something too: she's also got the itch - the hula-hoopin' itch! Her fingers start snappin'. Her hips start swingin'. Soon everyone's hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street. The whole neighbourhood's got the itch - the hula-hoopin' itch!

Ten-year-old Jackie excels at being in charge. Her skills keep everything from gardens to five unruly brothers in line. So, when a curious chrysalis appears in Jackie¿s front yard, she naturally decides to take charge of it. The creature that emerges is not like anything Jackie has ever seen, and she soon realizes that she must protect it at all costs, even from her own family.

The dramatic story of neighbors in a small Danish fishing village who, during the Holocaust, shelter a Jewish family waiting to be ferried to safety in Sweden - based on a true story. It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Denmark. Anett and her parents are hiding a Jewish woman and her son, Carl, in their cellar until a fishing boat can take them across the sound to neutral Sweden. The soldiers patrolling their street are growing suspicious, so Carl and his mama must make their way to the harbor despite a cloudy sky with no moon to guide them. Worried about their safety, Anett devises a clever and unusual plan for their safe passage to the harbor.

Catherine feels responsible to teach her autisic brother David rules in order to help him fit in and to make sure she isn’t embarrassed. Rules will make everything better and she will finally have a normal life, right? Should Catherine feel this much Responsibility for David’s behavior? What will happen when she meets two new friends, Jason and Kristi?

Winner of the Schnider Family Book Award

Efrén Nava's Amá is his Superwoman--or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Amá and Apá work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efrén and his younger siblings Max and Mía feel safe and loved. But Efrén worries about his parents; although he's American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Amá doesn't return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, México. Now more than ever, Efrén must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family.
Winner of the Pura Belpre Award

All Mindy Kim has ever wanted is a puppy of her very own. After all, having all the toy dog plushies in the world isn't quite the same thing as a real one! She wants a dog to take on walks, teach tricks, and cuddle with. She knows she has what it takes to be the perfect pet owner, and she thinks a dog would be a perfect gift for her upcoming birthday. But her dad isn't so sure she's ready for the big responsibility. Can Mindy prove to her dad that she can handle a new addition to the Kim household?