Crossan, Sarah.  Apple and Rain.  New York:  Bloomsbury, 2015.  978-1-61963-690-3. 341p.  $17.99.  Gr. 5-8.

Eleven year old Apple has not seen her mother since she was three years old.  Every Christmas Eve she wishes and imagines that her mother will come back and take her away to live with her.  Life with her grandmother is not easy – she is strict and demanding.  One day, Apple’s dream comes true, but not without surprises.  Apple learns that she has a younger sister, Rain.  Although the girls are not entirely fond of each other, through the story they learn to love each other and find the true meaning of family.  Apple, Rain, her mother, and grandmother must learn how best make their family whole again.

Realistic Fiction                 Anastasia Hanneken, School Lane Charter School

Apple and Rain is a great piece of realistic fiction.  The characters are well developed, and the reader instantly will be able to emphasize with Apple.  When reading the book, my emotions ran between crying and laughing.  In a time with so many broken families, many students will be able to relate to this story.  I would recommend this book for any library that serves upper elementary or middle school.