Lottie Lock is a seventh-grade Scrabble addict. She loves playing word games and mixing up the letters of people's names to form other words. Unfortunately, Lottie's father is ill, and her best friend does not seem to want her around anymore. She's fascinated by the medical field and the human body, and longs to become a natural scientist one day. It is her dream to pursue a career that evokes her passion.

Ben Boot's thoughts are immersed in winning a seat on his middle school's student council. He dreams up campaign promises and marketing ideas to try out on his classmates. He thrives on the thrill of the chase. In addition to school politics, Ben has another preoccupation: recycling. He wants to take care of the planet and preserve the Earth for the use of future generations.

Lottie and Ben may live in states far from one another, but they manage to connect. They text each other and speak on the phone, discussing their problems with varying degrees of honesty. Their hopes, dreams, and daily lives mingle over the distance of e-communication.

 You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly, 2018

I can definitely relate to the characters' obsessions with linguistics and recycling.

Erin Entrada Kelly's website
 

Ten-year-old Mia Tang has a job. That's right, a place of employment. She is a motel receptionist and is dedicated to her position. The girl takes the initiative to hone her customer service skills so she can help her parents obtain the highest pay possible. She takes care of the front end  of the motel so her parents can clean the rooms and run business errands. Mia relishes the challenge.

However, running the operation can sometimes be stressful for Mia. Customers can get demanding and declare that they need perfect rooms. Their complaints are met by Mia's attempts at reconciliation, which often involve free offerings to make up for any dissatisfaction. The customers appreciate Mia, and some of even apologize after they calm down. 

Many aspects of the hospitality industry appeal to the tween girl. The motel is her playground and she loves it. The weekly residents often have parties in the motel waiting room. She especially likes Hank, who frequently hangs around the front desk and talks to her. She finds great fulfillment in both the responsibility and customer contact.

Unfortunately, the hotel's owner, Mr. Yao, does not share the Tangs' philosophy of motel operations. He has a bad attitude towards the Tangs, customers, and life. Despite his blatant wealth, he nickels and dimes Mia's parents to the hilt and blames every angry customer and broken piece of equipment on the family. Mr. Yao's illegal expectation that the Tangs absorb such expenses causes much distress and turmoil in the household. Mia is forever scheming a way to ameliorate the tension the horrible owner causes. She may just have an idea… if only she can find a surefire path to success. 

Front Desk by Kelly Yang, 2018

I love the Tang family's response to immigrants in need. This was a truly fantastic book that is somewhat autobiographical. 

Kelly Yang's website

Books about immigrants
 

Conor MacRae is captivated by two things: hockey and his Doberman. His dad supports him in both passions, and they huddle against the world.

It is not surprising that Conor loves hockey; it appears to be in his blood. His father played in the American Hockey League, and the pair cherish their "stick time" on the ice. Conor practices his beloved sport for many hours per week, with no pushy sports dad here. The coaches, of course, drive Conor to succeed and excel. He fraternizes with his sports buddies, but is not a clone of any of them. He does not prefer to take a few weeks' hiatus from the sport like some of his teammates do. Too long off the ice and he starts itching for it. 

Conor's other passion is Sinbad, his pet Doberman. The boy adores his best friend like none other. He controls all aspects of dog care, including taking Sinbad to the veterinarian and paying for his treatment. The vet bills add up when a cancerous tumor is detected in one of Sinbad's legs. Chemotherapy must be given by pill to the dog, with gloves used to administer the medicine. Sinbad's life expectancy is projected to be five years or less. For a while, Conor sacrifices hockey lessons to help pay for Sinbad's treatment. 

Conor's days are filled with hockey drama, coach shenanigans, long walks with Sinbad, and joshing with his hockey teammates. Time on the ice and in the cool rink air continue to be among the boy's favorite things. Luckily, his dad understands his interests and supports him.

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata, 2018

I love the discussion of skating and information about treating animals with cancer.

Cynthia Kadohata's website

Books about hockey

Books about cancer