Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King

I always tell my students that good books should make you feel something.  Me and Marvin Gardens definitely made me feel something.  I felt so happy reading this book.  So many times I would just find myself smiling as I read.  It was such a beautiful story, and Obe and Marvin Gardens are wonderful characters.  I loved to watch Obe grow in confidence and become "fearless, daring, and brave" in his own ways.  And every time Marvin Gardens would smile at Obe, I couldn't help but smile right back at him.

This is a middle grade book, but never feel like those are the only people who should read this.  I loved this story and I really believe any of you would love it to, regardless of age. 

Note: This book is not scheduled for release until January 31, 2017, so if you are interested in reading it, let me know and I can get you my copy. 

From Amazon:

Obe Devlin has problems. His family's farmland has been taken over by developers. His best friend Tommy abandoned him for the development kids. And he keeps getting nosebleeds, because of that thing he doesn't like to talk about. So Obe hangs out at the creek by his house, in the last wild patch left, picking up litter and looking for animal tracks.

One day, he sees a creature that looks kind of like a large dog, or maybe a small boar. And as he watches it, he realizes it eats plastic. Only plastic. Water bottles, shopping bags... No one has ever seen a creature like this before, because there's never been a creature like this before. The animal--Marvin Gardens--soon becomes Obe's best friend and biggest secret. But to keep him safe from the developers and Tommy and his friends, Obe must make a decision that might change everything.

In her most personal novel yet, Printz Honor Award winner Amy Sarig King tells the story of a friendship that could actually save the world.