Cassie Was Here

Author: Caroline Hickey

First line: "Alaskan husky, Beagle, Collie," I list.

Why you should read this book: Eleven-year-old Bree alarms her family when she begins to play with her old imaginary friend, Joey, after they've moved to a new town, but they really start to worry when she finds a real friend: thirteen-year-old Cassie. Cassie is a troubled child, but Bree, attracted to her daring, wants to appear as mature as the older girl, and suddenly Joey just isn't around anymore. This lovely debut novel examines the inner lives and secret pain of older kids and promises that change is possible, families really do love each other, and things that are broken can always be mended.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You'd rather play with your imaginary friend.