What the Junior Room Is Reading

2009 Archive

See current reads and past entries in What the Junior Room Is Reading Archives
2010 – 2008

December

J/F/COLLARD - Double Eagle - 2009, 245 p. - Grades 6 – 8
When Mike’s marine biologist dad informs him that they’ll be spending the summer on a tiny, remote island off the coast of Alabama, Mike is less than thrilled. When he arrives on the island, Mike learns a nearby ship is searching for a rumored Civil War treasure and things suddenly get a lot more interesting, especially when he and his new friend Kyle find a double eagle – a Confederate gold coin – in an abandoned military fort. Soon the boys are on the hunt for the rest of a treasure that they’re not even sure exists. With the help of an old island resident and some even older diaries, they may just find it. Other fortune hunters and a brewing hurricane just add to the excitement.

Miss Meghan says, “This is a solid adventure story with enough twists to keep readers intrigued and guessing all the way through to the end.”

J/F/LIN - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - 2009, 278 p. - Grades 3 – 6
Minli and her family have a tough life on Fruitless Mountain. They must work hard, and money and food are scarce. The only bright spots for Minli are the wonderful stories her father tells about the Old Man of the Moon who lives on the Never-Ending Mountain. After purchasing a magical goldfish, Minli becomes convinced that she needs to find the Old Man of the Moon so she can change her family’s fortune.

As she embarks on her quest, she befriends a dragon who cannot fly. Together, they experience adventure and danger as they try to outsmart mischievous monkeys and meet an evil green tiger. Throughout their journey, they continue to learn more about the legend of the Old Man of the Moon. Although it seems as if their search will never end, Minli and her new friend refuse to give up, and are determined to change their destinies.

Miss Rachel says, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is full of Chinese folklore, and the author includes a list of some of the books that inspired her tale. I really enjoyed this fantastic fairy tale, and especially admired Minli. She is a strong girl character who perseveres through many hardships. Parts of Minli’s adventurous journey reminded me of The Wizard of Oz, because she meets a colorful cast of characters on her way to meet the Old Man of the Moon, who appears to be as mysterious as the Wizard of Oz. The author’s colorful pictures that accompany each chapter add charm to the book. I highly recommend this book to older elementary school students, and it would also make a captivating read aloud for all ages.”

J/F/ORAM - My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School - 2009, 104 p. - Grades 2 – 4
Rumblewick Spellwacker Mortimer B (RB for short) has signed a contract to serve witch Haggy Aggy as her Witch’s Familiar for the next seven years. This resourceful and witty cat has also been charged (by the Hags On High) with making Haggy Aggy into a proper witch. She doesn’t wear black, doesn’t like broomsticks, doesn’t believe in using live ingredients in potions, loves to go shopping among the humans, and has decided to go to ballet school after falling in love with the costumes. (“Oh, such prettiness!”)

Miss Sara says, “Full of humor, fun drawings, and lots of Capital Letters, this British import is an enjoyable read! Plenty of extras are included like RB’s contract, potion recipes, and rules for witches. Also try the 2nd title in this series, My Unwilling Witch Sleeps Over.”

J/F/WOLFSON - Cold Hands, Warm Heart - 2009, 245 p. - Grades 6 – 9
Dani has spent her fourteen years in and out of hospitals as doctors fought to keep her fragile heart beating until a donor could be found. Amanda’s fourteen years have been spent in enviable good health, competing in gymnastics and being the perfect all-round student and daughter. They don’t know each other and they share little in common, until Dani becomes the recipient of Amanda’s heart.

Miss Diane says, “This is a book about loss, and second chances. It’s told from the perspective of Amanda’s family as well as the people whose lives are touched by the generous donation of her organs. The entire organ donor and transplant process is described in graphic detail, and this book’s value is in presenting the topic to a middle school audience. This is a story that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful.”

J/F/YOHALEM - Escape under the Forever Sky - 2009, 220 p. - Grades 4 – 7
Lucy Hoffman’s mom is the new U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia. Lucy longs to explore the markets and neighborhoods of the capital city, but it’s a dangerous place and her mother keeps her on a tight leash: school, the embassy compound, and occasional trips into the wild areas with park rangers to see the amazing wildlife. Lucy loves studying the animals of the country and wants to be a zoologist.

On an unauthorized trip out of the compound, Lucy is grabbed, driven hours away, and held by three kidnappers. After a few hot, nasty days in a shed, she escapes and runs for her life into the African wilderness without shoes, food or water. Following a stream, Lucy sleeps in trees at night to avoid the hyenas, and limps along during the blinding hot days hoping to find a town. At one point she stumbles upon a pride of resting lions that protect her from the searching kidnappers (this part is based on a true story) and finally finds a village and is taken several miles to the nearest phone.

Miss Sara says, “This is a suspenseful survival story, and the events of the kidnapping are interspersed with chapters describing Lucy’s day-to-day experiences in her new country. In addition to enjoying an exciting story, readers gain some understanding of the people, their attitudes towards Americans, and of the beauty, animal life and hardships of life in Ethiopia.”

November

Beil, Michael D.
J/F/BEIL - The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour - 2009, 299 p. - Grades 5 – 8
BFF’s Sophie, Rebecca and Margaret are new 7th graders at St. Veronica’s on NYC’s Upper East Side, and now wear the bright red blazers of the upper school. Sophie relates the story of how they solve a 20-year-old mystery for the elderly woman who lives next door. Mrs. Harriman has discovered a clue left by her deceased father, a famous archeologist and former school board member, intended for Mrs. Harriman’s daughter – now in her 30s – whom she hasn’t seen in years.

The first clue starts the girls on a treasure hunt throughout the school and attached church. The promised prize is a real archeological treasure: the missing Ring of Rocamadour. Shadowing them are several possible villains, including Mrs. Harriman’s ex-husband. The clues require that the girls figure out a series of literature, religion, art and math problems that result in a set of points that can be plotted on a map – and X marks the spot! In the end the ring is found, the villain is caught, and the girls (now officially The Red Blazer Girls) are ready for their next mystery! (Oh – there’s a cute guy involved, too!)

Miss Sara says, “Here’s great new mystery! Sophie’s narration is breezy and fun, the clues are solvable, and the cover will really sell the book. The characters are realistic and sophisticated – this is my new go-to mystery for 5th – 8th grade girls.”

J/F/DAHME - The Plague - 2009, 272 p. - Grades 6 – 8
Nell and her younger brother George are orphaned by the plague sweeping across Europe in the mid-1300s. When the king realizes that Nell bears a striking resemblance to his daughter, he moves her into the castle to serve as a security double for the princess. As the years pass, Nell and Princess Joan become as close as sisters.

When the princess becomes engaged, Nell and George are shipped off with the princess to meet her fiancé. Joan’s older brother, the Black Prince, is excited by the kingdom’s expanding power and joins them on the voyage. When Princess Joan dies from the plague, the Black Prince forces Nell to assume the role of the princess to carry out the marriage plans. Nell, George and a young soldier try to escape from both the growing plague and the plans of the evil prince.

Miss Diane says, “This is by the author of Creepers, another eerie and suspenseful novel. In Creepers, author Dahme gave a humanlike quality to the ivy that strangled its way into power. In The Plague she gives a similar haunting quality to the plague and the rats that ate a deadly path through towns and villages across Europe.”

J/F/GREENWALD - My Life in Pink and Green - 2009, 267 p. - Grades 4 – 7
Lucy Desberg lives with her mom and grandmother in Old Mill, Connecticut and works in the family pharmacy. It’s Lucy’s job to stock shelves and open the mail, which is how she finds out that the pharmacy is in danger of closing – bills haven’t been paid! With her knowledge of all things beauty, Lucy helps the homecoming queen who stumbles into the pharmacy with a pre-dance hair disaster. Word gets out that Lucy knows her way around the make-up counter, and she finds herself making-up kids for school dances. Joining the Earth Club at school with her best friend Sunny, Lucy discovers a way to save the pharmacy – applying for a grant to open a green spa. If she saves the pharmacy, will Lucy also save her family?

Miss Sharon says,“This is a timely discussion of money issues and the green movement wrapped up in a fun story. Lucy is a likable character who wants to be taken seriously. Saving the day is a common theme for this age group and Lucy finds a creative way to help her family. Each chapter starts with a beauty tip that coincides with what is going on in that chapter. There’s a bit of romance in it as well. An all around good read!”

J/F/OLIVER - Revenge of the Itty-Bitty Brothers - 2009, 158 p. - Grades 3 – 5
What happens when you combine a burp with a gargle and a hiccup? You get a Giccup! Now imagine if that giccup makes you shrink to the size of a toe! Oh, the fun you could have! The trouble you could cause – and avoid! That’s exactly what happens to two brothers, Pablo – who was born small and can’t change his size – and his twin Daniel, who learns to control his giccups to shrink and grow as needed. Join them as they ride in rockets and slide on dinosaur bones, all while being the size of a toe.

Miss Kelly says, “Here’s a fun adventure that will make readers think “what if” long after the last page is turned. Relationships with siblings and peers ring true despite the no-way factor of giccups.”

J/F/SCALETTA - Mudville - 2009, 265 p. - Grades 5 – 8
It has been raining in Moundville (nicknamed “Mudville” ’cause vandals have repeatedly blacked out the ‘o’ and ‘n’ on the town’s welcome sign) for 22 years nonstop – 10 years longer than Roy McGuire has been alive. Whatever the reason, the rain started when Roy’s dad’s baseball team had a chance to beat the neighboring town of Sinister Bend for the first time ever and it just never stopped… until Roy comes home from baseball camp to find a strange kid named Sturgis on his couch. Within a week of Sturgis’ arrival, the rain mysteriously stops and the boys set about cobbling a baseball team together to take advantage of the weather while it lasts. They get a pretty good team going, but when certain voices in town start calling for a rematch with Sinister Bend, Moundville’s new team starts to get nervous. Does their upstart team have a shot against a “real” team? Will the rains come back if they win? And where did Sturgis come from anyway?

Miss Meghan says, “I liked this book a lot – it’s full of fun characters, enough great baseball to please sports fans, and a few quirky twists woven throughout. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good sports story or aa a read-alike for Sachar’s Wayside School series.”

October

J/F/BETANCOURT - Ava Tree and the Wishes Three - 2009, 130 p. - Grades 2 – 3
Ava Tree is turning eight, and lives with her 20-year-old brother Jack and her pet rabbit Tibbar. Their parents were killed in a car accident two years ago. Ava’s getting ready for her “backwards, inside out, upside down” birthday party with her best friend Priscilla Purhfect, whose mother will not let Priscilla wear her beautiful dress inside out, because that’s not how young ladies act. Ava makes a wish, and suddenly Mrs. Purhfect agrees to let Priscilla go, inside out and backwards!

Ava explores this new wish-making power she seems to have and eventually learns that: she can only make 3 wishes per day, the wishes backfire if they aren’t used for good, and they only last for a day. However, they don’t work on everything, and her wish to bring her parents back seems just too big for wish power.

Miss Sara says, “This is a sweet, fun and appealing story. Ava and her brother touchingly remember and miss their parents throughout the story, but it remains humorous and upbeat. Both Ava and Jack have funny idiosyncrasies – he’s into the alphabet, calling her A. and Priscilla P., and Ava has a tendency to end her thoughts with “says me, Ava Tree.” Her rabbit has a nice part in the story, and the black and white illustrations throughout add to the appeal. Just right for 7 – 8-year-old readers.”

J/F/KHAN - Wanting Mor - 2009, 190 p., Grades 6 – 9
Growing up in a war-ravaged Afghanistan village, Jameela has lived her entire young life surrounded by death. Her relatives were wiped out during a wedding feast by a bomb blast that left her angry father withdrawn and her mother injured and frail. Jameela wakes one morning to find her beloved mother, Mor, has died in her sleep. With no time to grieve, Jameela’s father impulsively drags her away from her home to a new life (for him) in Kabul. There he succumbs to drugs and alcohol, then suddenly remarries, making Jameela a virtual slave to her stepmother. When the stepmother’s son shows Jameela some kindness, the new wife is furious. The next morning her father leads Jameela through the dusty maze of Kabul streets and abandons her. Jameela eventually ends up in an orphanage where her faith and the memory of her Mor keeps her strong until fate brings her together again with the father who so callously abandoned her.

Miss Diane says, “This is a compelling story of a girl’s survival based on real incidents in post-Taliban Afghanistan. It’s a glimpse into a world so personal and painful, very unlike the cold, impersonal view seen on the nightly news. The littering of Pushto words, despite a huge glossary, makes for a serious distraction as the reader has to flip back and forth. It’s worth it, though. Really, a good read.”

J/F/OSTERLUND - Academy 7 - 2009, 259 p. - Grades 7 – 9
Aerin is a student from outside the Alliance of Planets and has faked her identity to get into the elite school, Academy 7. Dane is the son of the Alliance’s leading general. He attends Academy 7 to displease his father who still holds a grudge against the school, his alma mater. Aerin comes from a life of brutal slavery on an outer world and Dane from a life of great privilege. They are soon Academy 7’s top two students, but each has secrets.

Miss Amanda says, “This is a romance with great depth of character, set within an interesting planetary political scene. What makes this story great is the way these two guarded characters learn about each other. Both Dane and Aerin make assumptions about the other and they learn that although they both have the superior intelligence required to attend the elite Academy 7, neither knows as much as they think. At its core this is a romance and even readers drawn to romance but not to science fiction will want to read this one.”

J/F/SLAYTON - When the Whistle Blows - 2009, 162 p. - Grades 5 – 8
Growing up in the railroad town of Rowlesburg, West Virginia during the 1940s isn’t easy for Jimmy. Money is tight and work is hard. Told in a series of short stories which all take place on Halloween, Jimmy shares his heartaches and adventures. He attends a secret meeting of the Society, whose members are the town’s rail workers. He also participates in Halloween hijinks, plays in a highly anticipated high school football team, sees the demise of the town when the diesel trains come in, and copes with the death of his father.

Miss Rachel says, “While short in pages, this book is full of emotion. It’s a quiet book, without a lot of action, yet it still ended too early, in my opinion – I wanted to learn more about Jimmy and his family. The author does a wonderful job of describing the hard life railroad workers lived during the 1940s. Fans of Richard Peck’s books A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago may enjoy this book. It will also appeal to boys in the 5th – 8th grade, especially those who have an interest in the railroad.”

J/F/VERNON - Dragonbreath - 2009, 146 p. - Grades 2 – 4
Danny Dragonbreath hasn’t quite caught the knack of breathing fire yet, but he sure knows how to have adventures! After his hastily-written school report on the fictitious “snorkelbat” earns him an F, Danny drags his iguana friend Wendell off to the Sargasso Sea to gather material on actual marine life. Encounters with a shark, poisonous jellyfish, vampire squid and an aggressive giant squid ensue. Can Danny learn to breathe fire when he really needs it?

Miss Kelly says, “Written in a format similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this tale is sure to entertain! Danny’s next adventure will involve Ninja Frogs – I can’t wait!”

September

J/F/PITCHFORD - Captain Nobody - 2009, 195 p. - Grades 3 – 6
Quiet, somewhat nerdy 10-year-old Newton Newman tends to get overlooked because his big brother Chris is the star of the high school football team. On the day of the championship game, quarterback Chris wins the game but is knocked unconscious and slips into a coma. While his parents spend time at the hospital, Newt tries to carry on at home.

His friends J.J. and Cecil insist that Newt go trick or treating with them. Newt can’t come up with a costume, so his friends dress him up in some of Chris’s sweat pant, tie the sleeves of a sweat shirt around his neck so it hangs down his back like a cape, and make a mask out of a t-shirt sleeve; it starts out as a generic superhero costume, but initials C.N. for Chris Newman end up on his mask and Captain Nobody is born!

Newt wears the costume to school the next day and his teacher and principal think he’s reacting to his brother’s condition, and start treating him “special.” Cecil and J.J. decide this is a chance for the three of them finally to be noticed. When they see a wrong that needs righting, they call Newt to take care of it as Captain Nobody. For instance, they send him in to tell a jewelry store owner that his display sign is spelled wrong, but he accidentally stops a robbery in progress. After several other accidental rescues, he is able to overcome his fears while dressed as C.N., and performs a real heroic rescue. He ends up in the hospital, where he is able to bring his brother out of his coma.

Miss Sara says, “Here’s a fun story with a serious underlying element. It’s about knowing yourself; learning to face your fears; family; friendship; and being 10 years old. This would make a great read-aloud. The author is a wonderful narrator so it’s a pleasure to listen to the audio version.”

J/F/HANNIGAN - Emmaline and the Bunny - 2009, 94 p. - Grades 1 – 3
Emmaline and her family live in the town of Neatasapin, where everyone and everything is very neat and clean. Mayor Orson Oliphant proclaims that anything that is messy (such as spaghetti and jelly doughnuts) are banned from the town. Even babies must wear alarms that beep when a dirty diaper is detected. Emmaline, however, is not a neat child. She loves to play in the mud, jump in puddles and say “Hoopalala!” when something pleases her. Her most desperate wish is for a bunny. Bunnies are considered dirty and would never be happy in the concrete town of Neatasapin (grass is not allowed because it might cause weeds), but when Emmaline finds a special bunny in a mysterious green place, she is determined to make her wish come true.

Miss Rachel says, “This story will appeal to both boys and girls, and early elementary readers will enjoy trying to read it all by themselves. Very short chapters and adorable watercolor pictures add to the charm of the story. I absolutely love Emmaline and her exuberance, which can’t be contained by the strict rules of her town. There are many fun and imaginative words (such as “dinglederrydee” and “hoopadinglelaladee”) throughout the story. This book reminds me of an old fashioned fairy tale, without the violence. I will certainly be recommending this book to readers looking for a gentle read or to families looking for the perfect “chapter book” to read to their young children.”

J/F/HOUTS - The Beef Princess of Practical County - 2009, 226 p. - Grades 4 – 7
Libby Ryan lives 14.5 miles from Nowhere – Nowhere, IN. Her family owns Ryansmeade, a cattle farm. Libby is getting ready for her FFA (Future Farmers of America) project, raising calves to show in the next Practical County Fair. Libby takes this task very seriously and names her cattle despite her father's warnings against that. The reality of raising livestock hits home to Libby when her favorite calf, Piggy (so named because he eats like one), gets hurt. Libby also has other problems: her mother wants her to join the Beef Princess competition, which means she has to deal with hair styles, a dress, and the Darling sisters. Precious, Lil, and Ohma Darling will do anything to win, including using their Darling charm. Libby's biggest problem is realizing that after the cattle competition comes the cattle auction – where Mule (so named because he is as stubborn as one) will be sold to the highest bidder. In an effort to deal with her emotions, Libby decides to become a vegetarian, to the shock of her whole family. In the end Libby learns a lot about cattle farming, friendship, and herself.

Miss Sharon says, “What a delightful book! It was funny. The characters – from Libby to Piggy to Ohma Darling and Libby's little sister – were great. The tension, raising cattle not as pets but as food, isn't something most suburban kids face, but many kids struggle with meat and where it comes from and Houts handles the issue head-on.”

J/F/JOYCE - The Exchange - 2009, 241 p. - Grades 7 – 9
Caz and Lucy creep into strangers’ homes in the dead of the night, not to steal anything, but simply to get a rush. They take turns getting as close as possible to their sleeping “victim,” and usually have no problem getting away unnoticed – until tonight. Just as Caz takes a step away from the sleeping Mrs. Tranter, the old woman sits up and clamps a silver bracelet on Caz’s wrist. Caz breaks free from the old woman’s grip but finds the handcuff-like bracelet impossible to remove. By morning the bracelet is gone and in its place is a shimmery, glowing tattoo. The tattoo takes on a life of its own and Caz fears that it is cursed. Caz realizes that, thanks to the bracelet, she has powers to see people’s true feelings and what they’re hiding. How will she lift the curse and use her newfound powers?

Miss Diane says, “This is a good read for mature middle-schoolers. This magically fun British export portrays Caz as a realistic and likeable character, with a personal life (despite the curse) much like that of most tween-age girls.”

J/F/PAULSEN - Mudshark - 2009, 83 p. - Grades 3 – 5
When all of the erasers go missing from the classrooms at his school, Lyle “Mudshark” Williams is called in by the principal to help solve the mystery. With his amazing powers of observation, Mudshark’s the guy to find the culprit! Also, the school gerbil is on the loose and the school lunch ladies keep serving up disgusting menus. Can Mudshark keep his cool and crack the case?

Miss Kelly says, “Favorite author Gary Paulsen hits the mark again for stories for boys. His latest book is funny and fast-paced, and it’s refreshing to see a character that is legitimately cool because he’s smart. Give this to readers who aren’t quite ready for the adventures of the like-minded Calder from Blue Balliett’s novels, Chasing Vermeer, The Wright 3, and The Calder Game.”

August

J/F/Bearn - Tumtum & Nutmouse: Adventures Beyond Nutmeg Hall - 2009, 504 p. - Grades 2 – 4
Tumtum and Nutmeg Nutmouse are mice who live in a grand cupboard at Rose Cottage. This book is a collection of three separate stories about the adventures of Tumtum and Nutmeg. In the first story, Tumtum and Nutmeg try to help the children (Arthur and Lucy) of Rose Cottage by cleaning their bedrooms and mending their clothes. Unfortunately, they also meet mean Aunt Ivy, who detests mice and hatches a dastardly plot to poison the mice. In the next story, the Nutmouse’s friend, General Marchmouse, finds himself captured and imprisoned at Arthur and Lucy’s school and Tumtum and Nutmeg must come to his rescue. The last story recounts Tumtum and Nutmeg’s high sea (actually, a pond) adventures and their hair-raising encounters with a band of rat pirates.

Miss Rachel says, “Reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows, this is a wonderful book that is full of adventure and drama. I loved Tumtum and Nutmeg and was eager to follow them in their exciting journeys outside of Nutmouse Hall. The clever ways that Tumtum and Nutmeg adverted danger made me smile. My favorite part of the book involved the rescue of General Marchmouse by ballerina mice on pogo sticks! This book would make a fantastic read aloud and is a great pick for younger children who are reading at a higher level because it is a gentle read, full of just enough fantasy and adventure, but not too complicated or scary.”

J/F/HEMPHILL - Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run - 2009, 168 p. - Grades 5 – 8
For Stonewall Hinkleman (yes, that’s his real name), Civil War re-enactments are just about the lamest thing ever. Weekend after weekend, his parents drag him out to old battlefields and he gets stuck dressing up in itchy clothes, sleeping on the ground, and playing a bugle… he hates it. But when Stonewall leaves his own bugle at home and has to buy a new one from a very weird guy missing an arm, things soon get way more exciting than he planned. Before Stonewall knows it, the bugle has transported him back in time to the real Battle of Bull Run – and to make matters worse, he soon finds he’s not the only visitor there from the future. ‘Senator’ Dupree (a present day Confederate who thinks the world would be a lot better off if the South had won the Civil War) is there, too, and he’s got a plot to change the course of history! Can Stonewall keep himself from getting killed, stop Dupree, get back to the present, and maybe save his great-great-great-great Uncle Cyrus from getting shot in the butt – all before it’s too late?

Miss Meghan says, “This book is hilarious. Stonewall’s voice is spot-on for a 12 year old – full of sarcasm when it comes to anything his parents think is cool, and full of disbelief and then spunk when he suddenly finds himself in 1861. The story is great too, and will likely give readers a new appreciation for the chaos and complications that come with war. Sequels to come!”

J/F/MARRIOTT - Daughter of the Flames - 2009, 342 p. - Grades 7 – 9
Fifteen-year-old Zira is training to be a warrior priestess to the Goddess of the Flames when the temple she lives in is attacked in the night by neighboring enemies. Afterwards she learns of her true identity, the story behind her disfiguring facial scar, and her fate to be the leader of her people.

When Sorin, a leader who owes her a favor, takes Zira and her people in after the attack, she accepts his offer of marriage – but only as a strategic move. As time goes by, they realize they have true feelings for each other, something that her evil uncle, King Aberhorn, tries to use against them. In order to ensure a peaceful future for her people, Zira must challenge her uncle in a fight to the death.

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “Readers looking for a great book about a girl who can kick butt (and use a sword at the same time!), Daughter of the Flames is a good choice. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and has a bit of romance as well. This author also wrote The Swan Kingdom. Though different, each of these stories has a strong female character who knows how to take care of herself.”

J/F/SELFORS - Fortune’s Magic Farm - 2009, 264 p. - Grades 3 – 6
Isabelle lives in Runny Cove, a horrible place where it never stops raining. She and her grandmother live in a miserable boarding house (be nice to the landlady or she’ll take away your toilet paper privileges) and work in the local umbrella factory. Due to the weather, Isabelle grows mushrooms between her toes and lichen in her hair – she’s an unusual girl.

Isabelle arrives home from work one day and is told that her grandmother has died. She’s thrown out of the boarding house. A strange boy approaches her and reveals that she really belongs to a very special family, the Fortunes, who are the tenders of a far-away farm. The Fortunes are desperate for her to travel to their secret farm that grows magical plants, because there are only two tenders left (tenders make things grow – hence the mushrooms & lichen.) She might well be the Last of the Fortune Tenders.

Isabelle makes the trip by sea lion with Sage, the boy who was sent to collect her; proves herself a true tender when her hair turns green; and comes up with a plan to save both the farm and her friends back in Runny Cove. Yay! Happy endings all around – there’s even some hint at a future romance with Sage.

Miss Sara says, “I really enjoyed this joyful fantasy. There’s a lot of humor, an intrepid and curious heroine, a couple of nasty villains, plenty of imaginative fantasy elements, and a great happy ending. I recommend it enthusiastically!”

J/F/TAYLOR - Killer Pizza - 2009, 341 p. - Grades 5 – 8
Toby gets a summer job at the new franchise of Killer Pizza which serves up pizzas with names like “the Frankensausage” and “the Monstrosity.” He’s looking forward to learning some cooking skills to help him with his dream of becoming a celebrity chef. However, it turns out Killer Pizza is a front for a monster-hunting organization that protects an unsuspecting public from man-eating monsters – and Toby is their newest recruit. He begins training in weapons, monster lore and surveillance. Toby isn’t certain he has what it takes to be an MCO (monster containment officer). When fellow recruit Annabel is captured by a pack of guttata shapeshifters, Toby and Strobe are on their own to rescue her.

Miss Amanda says, “This book has a fun premise and keeps the fun coming with dangerous monsters and daring rescues. The monsters are deadly and some minor characters are eaten. The pack leader of the shapeshifting guttata is a scary guy. Give this to graduates of the Goosebumps series who want to take their horror reading to the next level.”

July

J/F/FERRAIOLO - The Big Splash - 2008, 277 p. - Grades 6 – 8
Matt Stevens is the guy to go to when you need to solve a mystery at Franklin Middle School. Jenny hires him to find out who “took out” her sister, using a well-aimed stream from a SuperSoaker water gun. When kids are “taken out,” they become social outcasts. Jenny is determined to know who did it so she can get revenge on her sister’s behalf.

Matt only has a couple of days before the start of the weekend to find the person who did it because, after the weekend, the trail usually goes cold. Between having to deal with Vinny Biggs, the leader of uncover operations at school (such as creating fake hall passes and selling contraband candy), and being confused over his feelings for two different girls, Matt has a lot on his plate. Plus, he needs to be extra-cautious during his investigations so that he doesn’t get “taken out,” too!

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a really fun book. Readers who don’t normally care for mysteries will find that the twists and turns – along with the humor – make this a quick and enjoyable read despite its mysterious elements. Matt is a very likable character who wants to do the right thing, not only in his investigative duties, but also in his personal life.”

J/F/LYTTON - Jane in Bloom - 2009, 182 p. - Grades 5 – 8
On Jane Holden’s twelfth birthday, she is expecting to get a digital camera and to finally get her ears pierced. Instead Lizzie, her sister, is admitted to the hospital diagnosed with anorexia. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in love, breathe out pain. This is a family in turmoil and the worst possible things happen: Lizzie dies, Jane’s parents constantly fight, her mom moves out. Even worse, Jane’s two best friends are going away for the summer leaving Jane by herself to watch soaps and eat junk food.

Jane has some bright spots to her summer. With her mom gone, Jane’s father softens and he buys her an unwanted puppy. She gets the digital camera out and takes pictures of the dog. After her father leaves on a business trip and makes Jane suffer through a baby-sitter, things actually improve. Large, purple-clad Ethel becomes the beacon in Jane’s summer. Ethel shows Jane that loss and death have meaning, even when the meaning remains unclear.

Miss Sharon says, “Needless to say, I really liked this book. This wasn’t Lizzie’s story, yet the pain that she lived with seems real. Jane’s ping-ponging emotions were portrayed realistically. A good story.”

J/F/MORRIS - The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short - 2008, 101 p. - Grades 3 – 5
There are many brave, fearless men in King Arthur’s castle, but young Givret is not one of them. He’s usually referred to as “that little fellow.” However, when Givret suggests that the King might not want to take on the newest quest, (…the knight who captures a great white stag earns the right to kiss the fairest damsel in the world,) his suggestion proves true when there’s a huge fight among the women of the court over who is the fairest. The King recognizes Givret’s clever counsel and knights him, giving him the name Givret the Short.

King Arthur then sends Givret out on his first quest, and Givret continues to uses his practical common sense to solve many problems along the way – he’s a calm influence on the other wacky characters who are running around all helter-skelter, questing, fighting anything to prove their bravery, defending their ladies’ honor, etc. He ends up as Givret the Wise.

Miss Sara says, “This is a short little book with a lot of humor – it would be a great introduction to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and would make a good read-aloud for primary grade children. The frequent, chaotic illustrations add to the fun. This is a nice addition to the author’s best-known works, The Squire’s Tales series, which are for an older audience.”

J/F/PRINEAS - The Magic Thief: Book One - 2008, 419 p. - Grades 5 – 7
Orphaned Conn uses his quick fingers to pick the pocket of the wizard Neverly, taking the wizard’s locus magiculus stone. When the stolen magic stone does not destroy Conn, the wizard decides there is something special about the boy and takes him on as an apprentice. Neverly is working to discover why the magic of the town of Wellmet is fading. Conn has been given a month to find his own locus magiculus stone (every wizard must have one) or he will lose his apprenticeship and be back on the streets. Conn needs every bit of his newly learned magic to save Wellmet and escape Underlord Crow’s schemes for him.

Miss Amanda says, “A compellingly clever and likeable protagonist makes this fantasy shine above the rest. I loved Conn’s adventures as a cat after he learns the spell to change himself into his animal alter-ego. Of the strong supporting cast of characters, my favorite is the hired muscle Benet – a tough guy who also knits sweaters. I highly recommend this new fantasy! The Duchess’s intelligent daughter also figures to be prominent in the series as it continues giving a heroine as well as a hero to this satisfying beginning to a fantasy series.”

J/F/TRIPP - Pete’s Disappearing Act - 2009, 168 p. - Grades 3 – 5
Pierre Le Chien (better known as Pete) is a wise-cracking, pink, circus poodle. After a fight with his performing partner Rita (a chimp), Pete is shunned by his circus-mates and decides to run away from the circus. Instead, he is blown away during a tornado… along with Rita. The two friends mend their differences since they are out on their own, and try to locate their traveling circus. They make some new friends along the way, as they battle the elements and various unscrupulous characters.

Miss Suzanne says, “Pete is a lovable canine who’s feisty and full of witty comments. The illustrations are great, and the animals’ faces are full of expression.”

June

J/F/BRASHARES - 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows - 2009, 318 p. - Grades 6 – 9
Jo, Ama, and Polly have been best friends since third-grade, and now it’s the summer before their freshman year. They’ve grown apart, although they don’t know how that happened. To make it worse, they’re spending their first summer away from one another: Jo is staying at her beach house all summer, Ama is on a wilderness retreat, and Polly is staying home—but plans to go to a local modeling camp. During the summer, the girls face their problems on their own because they feel like they can’t share their worries with each other anymore. By the end of the summer, each girl feels a lot different about herself; it seems as though their friendship is too far gone to be saved.

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a sweet story about the friendship of three girls who are trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into the world – all while learning about how they still relate to each other. This is written by the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and, while the girls in this book have heard of those girls (it takes place in the same town), the four older girls don’t play a role in the story. Readers will become attached to Jo, Ama, and Polly, and they’re sure to see some of themselves in these girls.”

J/F/MASS - Every Soul a Star - 2009, 321 p. - Grades 5 – 8
Ally loves living at the Moon Shadow Campground, far from civilization, but very close to nature. Bree, on the other hand, loves her life in the suburbs and dreams of becoming a super model. Jack just wants to pass science. An upcoming total solar eclipse (which will pass directly over Moon Shadow) brings these three unlikely friends together. Ally and Bree’s friendship is first based on their mutual dislike of their parents, who announce that after the eclipse, Bree’s family will be taking over Moon Shadow and Ally’s family will be moving to the suburbs. Neither girl can imagine a worse fate. As the days pass and the girls meet Jack, feelings change. Both Jack and Bree discover how fascinating the sky can be, and Ally slowly accepts the fact that, although she will be leaving Moon Shadow, she will always have her memories with her. As the excitement of the eclipse builds, all three realize that this is an event that will change their lives forever.

Miss Rachel says, “Told in the alternating voices of Ally, Bree and Jack, this book allows the reader to relate to each of the characters. I wish I could visit Moon Shadow Campground; it sounds fascinating! I especially loved the description of the campsite’s “unusuals,” which are different activities the camp has to entice tourists. There’s plenty of information about eclipses and astronomy, both in the text of the story and in an author’s endnote. This book is a good choice for astronomy fans, or anyone who is looking for a great realistic fiction book.”

J/F/RAMTHUN - The White Gates - 2008, 242 p. - Grades 5 – 8
When his mom takes a job as a doctor in a small town in Colorado, Torin is instantly drawn into a mystery involving the death of a member of the high school’s snowboarding team. It’s his mom’s first night on the job as Snow Park’s town doctor and losing a young patient does not bode well for Dr. Sinclair. The town blames the death on a curse that somehow is tied to Tor and his mom. This curse alienates them from their new town. When Tor takes up snowboarding he befriends a snowboarder, Drake, and Raine, who is a descendent of Leaping Water, the Ute woman who first placed the curse on the town. With their help Tor unravels the long-lost magical secret surrounding the curse and foils the town official who, for his own purposes, needed to keep the curse alive.

Miss Diane says, “This is an action-packed adventure/mystery with a bit of the supernatural tossed in for added interest. What a great boy book! I’m not a boy but absolutely enjoyed every page. It’s got snowboarding and funky friends and shady town officials and secret mines and avalanches and Ute curses. What else could you want? The ending left the door open for another visit to Snow Park to catch up with Torin and friends. I hope it happens – I’d be among the first to grab a copy!”

J/F/VERNON - Nurk: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhat) Brave Shrew - 2008, 131 p. - Grades 3 – 5
Nurk is a timid shrew whose grandmother was a courageous warrior. When he finds her journal, he is inspired to embark on a dangerous journey. His mission is to save a dragonfly prince who has been captured by a hideous (and evil!) mole. Nurk unearths courage from deep inside himself, and is successful in his quest to free the prince.

Miss Suzanne says, “Nurk is a lovable character, and this book is a delight to read. It is very suspenseful, has charming illustrations, and the imagery is vivid.”

J/F/WILLIAMS - Bull Rider - 2009, 241 p. - Grades 7 – 10
Skateboarding is Cam’s passion; on the other hand, bull riding is his family’s passion (well, everyone except his mom). Cam’s grandpa, father, and older brother have all won awards for their bull riding abilities, but Cam wants nothing to do with it… that is, until his brother Ben returns from the Iraq war with a severe head injury and an amputated arm, no longer able to ride a bull.

Ben’s recovery is slow-going but the family tries to keep a positive attitude. However, as Ben’s progress slows, Ben begins to lose hope that he’ll ever be able to walk and talk normally again. When Cam sees his brother succumbing to despair, he makes a deal with him: Cam will ride Ugly, the biggest and meanest bull around, if Ben will just keep trying to get better. But does Cam have any idea of what he’s getting into?

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a great book about the strength of family and it provides a realistic look at what families of American soldiers go through when their loved one is deployed – and then injured – in a war. There are some good skateboarding and bull riding scenes, but they don’t completely take over the story; those who don’t particularly care for one or both of those sports won’t be bored with this book. Readers are sure to find themselves pulled into the story from the beginning.”

May

J/F/CLEMENTS - Lost and Found - 2008, 161 p. - Grades 4 – 6
Identical twins Jay and Ray are so identical that it’s become a drag when they are mistaken for each other. On the first day of junior high, Jay heads off to school alone because Ray is sick at home. Jay is used to having his brother at his side and it’s very odd to be on his own on this first day at a new school.

As the day goes on, Jay realizes that the school has made a mistake – Ray’s name is not on any school records: no homeroom list, no locker assignment, no attendance record, nada. Jay almost alerts the office of the clerical error, but then thinks better of it. No one knows either of them. No one knows they’re twins. They could simply share one identity. That would mean taking turns going to school and splitting the homework, each handling the subjects they are good at. Jay can handle their social life and Ray can be the athlete. One perfect person instead of two not-so-perfect guys – what a great idea!

Miss Diane says, “This twin novel is a fun read for everyone who ever wondered what it would be like to be someone else. As the two brothers learn, their great idea needed to be better thought out and their problems pile up fast.”

J/F/GAIMAN - The Graveyard Book - 2008, 307 p. - Grades 6 – 9
Bod Owens, short for Nobody, is being raised in an old graveyard where he’s educated by ghosts and looked after by a man who belongs in neither world. As Bod grows, so do his questions about life outside the graveyard. However, before he can venture too far outside, Bod and his graveyard family will have to outwit the mysterious man who killed Bod’s real family, and is still hunting for Bod.

Miss Kelly says, “By turns magical, breathtaking, and adventurous, The Graveyard Book will have you thinking about it long after you put it down.” 2009 Newbery Medal winner.

J/F/HAWORTH - Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning - 2008, 162 p. - Grades 4 – 6
Violet and Lottie have always been best friends. They spend hours together and things in her small town are just the way Violet likes them. When city girl Melissa moves to town, she brings a new sense of sophistication and new ideas about hair, make-up and boys. Violet isn’t at the center of things anymore and she fears Melissa will take her place as Lottie’s best friend. Complicating things further is her relationship with Eddie, a local boy who Melissa has a crush on, but prefers Violet’s company. Is he more than a friend to Violet? A lightning strike brings a devastating fire that leaves Lottie homeless and Violet determined to help Lottie’s family.

Miss Amanda says, “This book puts two girls’ friendship front and center. The strains of new friends and diverging interests push Violet and Lottie apart in their last summer together before starting Junior High. Violet is feisty enough to be mean to those who step on her turf. Violet is hard not to like even when she is screwing things up. The friendship felt real and I think plenty of girls getting ready to leave elementary school behind will understand just how Violet feels.”

J/F/LINCOLN - Billy Bones: A Tale from the Secrets Closet - 2008, 287 p. - Grades 5 – 6
Billy Bones is not like every other 10-year-old; he is, in fact, a skeleton! He lives in the closet with his parents in the Biglum mansion, where they oversee the Biglum family’s secrets. When Millicent, Sir Biglum’s unloved niece comes to live at the mansion, she discovers the secrets closet while on one of her forbidden exploring adventures.

Once freed from the closet, Billy works with Millicent to uncover the secrets of the Biglum family and Sir Biglum. Billy also wants more information on his evil twin brother, who locked him in the closet years ago, while Millicent wants to stop her uncle from stealing the paintings her deceased parents left for her.

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “Billy Bones is a good book for both boys and girls. It has funny sketches throughout the book that depict the characters during their adventures. The story is humorous and it reminded me of the movie Beetlejuice. Readers who like their stories to have a touch of the macabre will be sure to enjoy this one.”

J/F/POPESCU - Footprints in Time - 2008, 248 p. - Grades 5 – 8
Jack and his father are exploring an untouched wilderness in Africa, tagging lions for research, when their plane goes down. Jack is the only survivor and finds himself alone in a harsh savannah with hungry lions. He is discovered by an ape-like creature, far-advanced from other apes, but not quite human. His alliance with this creature who he names Stoneboy may keep him alive long enough to be rescued.

Miss Amanda says, “Jack has to learn to hunt and to outsmart a pack of lions who view him as prey. Jack learns survival skills from Stoneboy and teaches him skills, like creating fire. At its core, this is a survival story with very palpable danger at every turn. Jack desperately needs to find food, avoid being eaten and figure out how to be rescued. The fast-paced plot and look at lions pack behavior and prehistoric hominids add depth to a tale of wilderness survival.”

April

J/F/COWLEY - Snake and Lizard - 2008, 85 p. - Grades 2 – 4
Snake and Lizard live in the desert and they both love to bathe in the sun. One day, while Lizard is trying to find a warm place to sun, Snake is in his way. When Snake moves her tail to make room for Lizard, the two quickly become friends and agree to join their two houses into one big house. They face their fears together (like cold-blooded animals awake at night) and agree to go into business with each other.

Miss Sharon says, “Snake and Lizard is a book about becoming friends. I laughed out loud at times. The book is written in short vignettes. The characters are true to their animal natures (eating bugs and quail eggs), but readers will be able to relate to learning what it means to be good friends. I really enjoyed this book – it is very reminiscent of Frog and Toad are Friends, for readers who are ready for a somewhat longer chapter book. Colored drawing on every other page help detail the characters and the desert setting.”

J/F/DOWELL - Shooting the Moon - 2008, 163 p. - Grades 6 - 8
Growing up in a military family, (“family, Army, football,” – the Colonel’s list of most loved things, in that order), Jamie is confused when her father isn’t happy that her brother is joining the Army and going to Vietnam. Jamie is a rec center volunteer on base, with her days mostly spent playing cards. When her brother starts sending her rolls of undeveloped film, she learns how to use the darkroom. What she discovers about the war through his pictures is not what she had imagined.

Miss Kelly says, “This is a story about the sacrifices we make for what we believe in and the people we love. The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963 is a similar story that also shows the world not being quite as it seems during this era.”

J/F/LOWRY - The Willoughbys - 2008, 157 p. - Grades 3 – 5
This is the story of an unusual family of extremely neglectful parents and their four children. While reading Hansel and Gretel to their children, the parents hatch a brilliant idea: abandon the children! The parents hire a nanny, sell the house, and disappear on an extended overseas vacation. But the children come up with their own plan to thwart their parents and have an adventure of their own. An orphan theme runs throughout the novel, and various famous orphan novels are referenced.

Miss Suzanne says, “This book is quite amusing in the manner of the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books, with lots of wordplay, dark, droll humor and witty dialogue. It will be an enjoyable read for many.”

J/F/NAPOLI - The Smile - 2008, 260 p. - Grades 6 – 8
Elisabetta’s story begins in Florence, 1492, where she is a bright girl with big dreams. She loves her home and takes pride in tending the silkworms that provide her family’s living. Her one worry is that she knows she will betrothed within the year, and she wants to marry for love – something rare for the daughter of a country noble. When Leonardo da Vinci introduces her to Giuliano de’ Medici, she knows he is her destiny. Giuliano is kind and wise, but when his father dies and Florence descends into political turmoil, war threatens to steal him away. In his absence, Florence begins to change beyond Elisabetta’s recognition and she must learn whom to trust and how to survive in a world she has very little control over.

Miss Meghan says, “I loved this book. Not only is it a great story, it is also full of beautiful details that taught me a lot about what it must have been like to live in Florence – both during the reign of the Medici’s and after, when the monk Savonarola rose to power and launched a crusade against art and beauty in a city that loved both.

March

J/F/BUCKINGHAM - Goblins!: An UnderEarth Adventure - 2008, 232 p. - Grades 5 – 8
It all starts with Sam’s unwise choice to steal fireworks from a truck.  But, what seems like simple mischief ends up getting him captured by an UnderEarth goblin where he is forced to fight in the goblin arena against giant bugs. 

Sam, the budding delinquent, and P.J., the police chief’s teenage son have discovered the UnderEarth, a world where goblins have cities and a small band of humans guard the surface entrances into our world to protect the rest of humanity.  Goblins have quite the taste for eating humans – they find them tasty in almost any preparation – alive, raw, skinned, cooked, and roasted.  In this time of upheaval, the human protectors have been overcome by a goblin attack and there is a goblin fight going on over who will be the next ruling Great Goblin. Sam and P.J. need to use all of their skills to survive and find their way back to the surface!

Miss Amanda says, “The chapters are short and action-packed, and they switch back and forth from P.J. to Sam’s perspective.  With its fast pace, humorous goblins, brutal fights – this one will be popular with action fans.  I recommend it to those looking for a fast read who aren’t afraid of human-eating goblins (warning – a few minor characters do get eaten).”

J/F/HOROWITZ - The Switch - 2009, 162 p. - Grades 5 – 8
When Tad hears his least favorite word, “No,” from his parents, he wishes he was someone else.

(But, be careful what you wish for in this cautionary tale!)  Tad wakes up, not in his comfortable bedroom where every day is like Christmas, but instead in a caravan that is utterly disgusting. In this switch, Tad is now “Bob” living in a corrupt carnival with no avenues for escape.  He is forced to help commit a burglary and when caught by the police, he is sent to work in the very factory his parents own, from which they have amassed their considerable wealth.  The “Beautiful World” factory doesn’t test its  products on animals but Tad discovers, to his horror, the products are tested on stray kids picked up on the streets of London, and he is now one of them!

Miss Kelly says, “Popular author Anthony Horowitz succeeds in writing another great adventure tale!  The pacing is fast, the language is spot on, and the lessons learned strike a genuine note.”

J/F/IBBOTSON - The Dragonfly Pool - 2008, 377 p. - Grades 5 – 8
With the talk of war in 1938 London, Tally’s father wants to keep his daughter safe, so he sends her off to boarding school.  Delderton Hall isn’t a fancy boarding school, but a progressive (non-traditional) school where the pupils have a reputation for odd behavior.  When the school is invited to participate in a dancing festival in Bergania (a fictional country in Europe), Tally persuades her classmates into attending. (She’s seen pictures of the King of Bergania at the movie theater and is impressed by the king’s stand against Hitler.)  Little does Tally know that Matteo, her biology teacher, is childhood friends with the king.  Tally meets the crown prince at the palace’s dragonfly pool and they become fast friends.  While at the dance festival, the king is shot by Nazi sympathizers and Tally, Matteo and the rest of the Delderton students help Prince Karil escape to England.  When he arrives in England, Karil’s dream of joining his new friends at Delderton is thwarted by his stern grandfather, the Duke of Rottingdam.  Tally is convinced that Karil has forgotten about their friendship and is heartbroken. Karil finds a way to escape his grandfather’s home and makes his way to Delderton where Tally and her friends happily welcome him.  It’s not the end of the adventure, but the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

Miss Sharon says, “As historical fiction, The Dragonfly Pool is a gentle read.  It’s a snapshot of a young girl’s life and how she makes a difference in her part of the world.  The character of Tally is wonderfully written.  She’s likable and determined to help her friends.  The rest of the characters are well-rounded and believable, even the horrible Duke of Rottingdam.  The setting, pre-World War II England, is presented well and serves as an important part of the story.”

J/F/LAYTON - The Mammoth Academy - 2008, 150 p. - Grades 2 – 4
Woolly mammoth siblings Oscar and Arabella have enjoyed their carefree Ice Age life, but now that they are old enough, they receive a Very Important Letter inviting them to attend Mammoth Academy.  School is a very strange place for these two.  Arabella makes friends and fits right in, but Oscar follows some mysterious footprints and ends up accused of stealing all of the school’s oranges.

With the help of his new friend Fox, Oscar eventually starts to enjoy school, inventing a stand-up-wheeled-sled (ice age skateboard,) and learning about the most scary, dangerous animal: The Human.  When everyone comes down with colds without their daily oranges, Oscar follows more footprints and finds a cave full of humans who attack the school.  Needless to say, Oscar, Fox, Arabella and the other students end up saving the day, and the Academy.

Miss Sara says, “This very quick, funny read features scribbly pen sketches on every page, lots of puns and CAPITAL LETTERS, as well as adventure and stinky fun (Fox decides to never take another bath and out-stinks the Humans.)  New chapter book readers should enjoy the fun.  Similar to Little Wolf’s Book of Badness and the Franny K. Stein series, and has the same silly British humor as MacDonald’s Trolls Go Home.”

J/F/WHITE - Little Audrey - 2008, 145 p. - Grades 4 – 6
Set in a dank coal mining camp in Jewell Valley, Virginia in 1948, this is the story of one family’s trauma as they scratch their way to a better life. Told in the voice of skinny, sickly 11-year –old Audrey, the reader shares a snapshot of a life rife with sadness, poverty, hunger and sometimes, even happiness. Audrey is the oldest of four daughters born to a binge-drinking father and a mother who is lost in grief for her dead infant. Audrey and her “little piggy” sisters wake hungry and face the day with nothing to fill the hunger. They make do with less than mere basics in life and yet Audrey doesn’t dwell on the emptiness. She adores her teacher, delights in her friend Virgil’s humor, and relishes scraped-together coins for the movies. But she wishes for more, and one night when she spots a shooting star, she does just that.

Miss Diane says, “This book is based on the author’s life and told in the voice of her older sister Audrey. The real Audrey is deceased, but her  three living sisters worked together to detail a poignant, warm and heartfelt tale of family tragedy. The voice of Audrey is so real, sad but hopeful, that it really makes the reader feel as if they are reading the pages of a young girl’s diary. The book cover calls you to pick it up and Audrey’s words keeps you from putting it down.”

February

J/F/BARRY - Science Fair: A Story of Mystery, Danger, International Suspense, and a Very Nervous Frog - 2008, 394 p. - Grades 5 – 8
The Hubble Middle School Science Fair has always been greatly anticipated, but this year, first prize is $5,000!  Toby suspects that the rich ME (Manor Estates) kids have been cheating, and is determined to prove it.  However, he also discovers an evil plan in the works to destroy America by using his school’s science fair experiments. When he tries to tell his principal he gets suspended, and when he and his friends try to thwart the enemy, they end up getting arrested for terrorism!  On top of all this, Toby is hunted by two men dressed as Darth Vader and the other as Chewbacca. A wild adventure ensues as Toby and his friends try to Save America From Destruction!

Miss Rachel says, “Non-stop action will keep readers turning the pages of this book.  The absolute absurdity and humor of the plot had me laughing out loud.  I really enjoyed Toby and his friends, as well as the funny antics of the evil Grdankl the Strong, president of Krpshtskan, and his four vice presidents.  The Star Wars sub-plot will appeal to any fan of the movie.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wild adventure or those who like humorous books.”

J/F/HORSE - The Last Cowboys - 2008, 111 p. - Grades 3 – 4
This is the story of a grandfather who writes letters to his grandchild telling of his adventures with his zany dog Roo.  The two travel from England to America in search of Roo’s grandfather. When last heard from, the senior canine was a cowboy’s dog living in the Wild West, so their journey to find him starts in Los Angeles.  Silly misadventures await the duo as they travel with real greyhounds on a “Greyhound” bus, hang out with horses in a saloon, and battle wild animals while camping.

Miss Suzanne says, “This book is told through a series of letters, each beginning with the endearing phrase “Dear Child.”   It is sweet and amusing, with many illustrations accompanying the text.  Dog-lovers will especially enjoy the antics of the loveable Roo.

J/F/LEMNA - When the Sergeant Came Marching Home - 2008, 215 p. - Grades 4 – 6
When Donald’s dad returns from fighting the Nazis in World War II, he buys a Montana farm and moves the family to the country.  Donald loved the town he has lived in – he loved his friends, the local movie theater, electricity and indoor plumbing.  In the country, he has none of these things.  While his younger brother may be satisfied that the new farm has ducks, Donald hopes the farm will fail so the family can return to living in an apartment in town.As the family struggles to pay the mortgage and Donald takes on farm chores, Donald thinks of escape to California, and saves money for his plan. 

Miss Amanda says, “ Told in a series of adventures and debacles, this was a fun read filled with quirky characters and details of farm life. Each chapter is an episode in adjustment to country life or a story of a new character which makes this an easy book to read in chunks, and would serve as a good classroom or bedtime read-aloud.  Donald refers to his dad as “the Sergeant” and he does lay down the law, but warmth pervades this family story of adjustment to a new way life.  Give to readers who liked Peck’s A Year Down Yonder.”

J/F/MATTHEWS - The Way of the Warrior - 2008, 152 p. - Grades 6 – 9
During sixteenth century feudal Japan, ten-year-old Jimmu is orphaned and raised by his father’s most trusted samurai, Nichiren. After years of training, Jimmu becomes a castle guard at Mitsukage Castle with the sole purpose of extracting revenge on Lord Ankan.  But the Lord Ankan whom Jimmu was raised to hate is very different from the man he comes to serve.  Can Jimmu kill the man he now admires?

Miss Kelly says, “This story is not based on real events, but the political leaders are realistically portrayed and the historical setting is nicely evoked.  With a lot of samurai sword fighting, intrigue, and suspense, The Way of the Warrior is an exciting read.”

J/F/NIELSEN-FERNLUND - Word Nerd - 2008, 248 p. - Grades 6 – 8
Twelve-year-old Ambrose is now being homeschooled by his mom after some school bullies put a peanut in his sandwich to see if his allergy was really bad enough to kill him.  (It almost did).  Although Ambrose is very close with his widowed mom, she’s very overprotective; for example, when home alone he’s only allowed to travel four blocks in any direction and he’s not allowed to talk to any strangers.  Frankly, Ambrose is ready for some independence.

When his mom takes a job teaching at night, Ambrose is free to do as he wishes in the evenings.  He ends up finding an unlikely friend in his 25-year-old neighbor Cosmo, an ex-con who is trying to return his life to normal.  It turns out they both enjoy playing Scrabble, and Ambrose coerces him to join a Scrabble club (about which Ambrose’s mom has no idea).  Cosmo also teaches him self-defense moves, and Ambrose’s quirky innocence seems to help keep Cosmo on the straight-and-narrow.  However, if Ambrose’s mom ever finds out that Ambrose is hanging out with their ex-con neighborx

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a great little story—especially for boys—about finding the right path in life, even though it’s hard.  Ambrose learns that Cosmo took a wrong path in his life and is trying to find the right one; he also sees a middle-aged Scrabble player that could very well be himself later in life if he doesn’t choose a different path soon.  Also, every chapter has a picture of a set of Scrabble letters that become rearranged into a word relating to the chapter that follows.