Baker, Julie.  Up Molasses Mountain.  Y FIC Baker
In 1953, when union members arrive to organize their West Virginia coal mining town, fourteen-year-old Clarence Henderson, shunned for his cleft lip, and his neighbor Elizabeth Braxton narrate the changes in their own lives and in the lives of everyone in their community.

Bledsoe, Jerry.  The Angel Doll.  FIC Bledsoe (ADULT SECTION)
A boys' little sister wants an angel doll for Christmas, so her brother and his best friend set out to find one.

Hausman, Gerald. Doctor Moledinky's Castle : A Hometown Tale.  Y FIC Hausman
A novel of small town America in the 1950's.   Growing up surrounded by the eccentric folks of Berkeley Bend, New Jersey, Andy remembers the summer when he and his friend learn the truths about Tom, who communicates with animals, and Mrs. Cooney, who can predict the future.

Herlihy, Dirlie.   Ludie's Song.  J FIC Herlihy
In rural Georgia in the 1950's, a young white girl's secret friendship with a black family exposes them all to unforeseen dangers.

Heynen, Jim.  Being Youngest.  Y FIC Heynen
Henry and his friend Gretchen spend a wonderful summer filled with details of farm life, visits to the eccentric elderly couple down the road, and struggles with obnoxious older siblings.

Hobbs, Valerie.  How Far Would You Have Gotten If I Hadn't Called You Back? Y FIC Hobbs
After moving with her family from New Jersey to California in the late 1950s, sixteen-year-old Bron discovers the world of drag racing.

Holt, Kimberly Willis.  My Louisiana Sky.  Y FIC Holt
Growing up in Saitter, Louisiana, in the 1950s, twelve-year-old Tiger Ann struggles with her feelings about her stern, but loving grandmother, her mentally slow parents, and her good friend and neighbor, Jesse.

Larson, Rodger.  What I Know Now.  Y FIC Larson
In 1957 in California, having fallen in love with a young man who has come to his house to build a garden, a fourteen-year-old gay boy finds his life and his world view changing.

Lipsyte, Robert. One Fat Summer.  YPB L
An overweight fourteen-year-old boy experiences a turningpoint summer in which he learns to stand up for himself.

Morpurgo, Michael.  The War of Jenkins' Ear.  Y FIC Morpurgo
Toby Jenkins' friendship with an unusual new boy who claims to be Jesus makes life at boarding school somewhat more tolerable, even when conflict arises between the students and the boys from town.

Oughton, Jerrie. Perfect Family. Y FIC Oughton
When Welcome, a fifteen-year-old girl living in a small town in North Carolina during the 1950s, finds out that she is pregnant, she faces some important decisions.

Pinkwater, Daniel.  The Education of Robert Nifkin.  Y FIC Pinkwater
Set in the 1950s in Chicago, Robert Nifkin tells his highly unorthodox high school experiences in the form of a college application essay.

White, Ruth.  Belle Prater's Boy.  Y FIC White
When Woodrow's mother suddenly disappears, he moves to his grandparents' home in a small Virginia town where he befriends his cousin and together they find the strength to face the terrible losses and fears in their lives.

White, Ruth.   Memories of Summer.  Y FIC White
In 1955, thirteen-year-old Lyric finds her whole life changing when her family moves from the hills of Virginia to a town in Michigan and her older sister Summer begins descending into mental illness.
9/3/04