What the Junior Room Is Reading 2008 Archive November J/F/DAHMECreepers2008, 232 p.Grades 5 – 8 Courtney‘s family has moved to an old stone house that sits next to an early Puritan cemetery in Murmur, Massachusetts. Both the house and cemetery are steeped in history, and draped in ivy. Ivy creeps everywhere, growing faster than it can be pulled, and it seems to breathe and take on a life of its own. At the cemetery Courtney meets Christian and Margaret Geyer, an eccentric father-daughter team who give graveyard tours. She is quickly drawn into their family mystery, learning that an ancestor of the Geyer family, named Prudence, once lived in Courtney’s family home. When young Prudence met an early death, her distraught father made an arrangement with a witch to bring Prudence back to life. As the ivy increasingly invades Courtney’s life, she realizes that spirits, both visible and invisible, are luring her deeper into the mystery. Miss Diane says, “Creepy. This is a just eerie enough to keep your interest, but not so much so that you need to keep the lights on at bedtime.” J/F/DITERLIZZIKenny & the Dragon2008, 151 p.Grades 3 – 4 Kenny is a rabbit who lives near a town called Roundbrook, a village which is populated by a variety of animals including badgers, frogs and others. The young hare befriends a gentle dragon named Grahame, who enjoys painting, poetry and pastry.  When the townsfolk get wind of the supposedly fearsome creature in their midst, they set out to dispose of the giant lizard.  Kenny thinks of an ingenious solution to save his new friend. Miss Suzanne says, “This is like a happy version of the song Puff the Magic Dragon.  Grahame, the dragon is quite refined in his tastes, and he and Kenny share an interest in literature. There are quite a few pen and ink drawings that are adorable.” J/F/FROSTDiamond Willow2008, 111 p.Grades 6 – 8 Willow prefers spending time with her family’s sled dogs more than she enjoys school, where she has few friends and is content to go unnoticed.  Now, at the age of twelve, she is finally being allowed to take the two-hour sled trip to her grandparent’s house on her own.  On her return trip, she has an accident which threatens to blind their favorite dog Roxy, the family’s lead dog.  When her parents consider euthanizing the dog, Willow decides to take Roxy back to her grandparents and gets lost in a storm along the way. Miss Kelly says, “In easy-to-read verse, with selected heart-felt words in boldface, this is a quietly powerful book. Also used as a device are chapters by ancestors who are now animals in the wild. These ancestors keep track of Willow’s progress and sometimes guide her.  Willow’s struggles include popularity, independence, and responsibility. Readers who like dog stories or the adventure of Hatchet, will enjoy this book.” J/F/LAWSavvy2008, 342 p.Grades 4 – 7 The Beaumont family has always been different.  At thirteen, each Beaumont child develops a “savvy,” or unique magical talent.  The mother of the clan has a knack for doing things perfectly the first time, from pie crust to playing the piano.  Grandma can catch radio waves from the air and trap them.  The two older brothers of the family have more violent savvies – one calls up storms when he is upset and the other channels electrical current.  These more violent savvies have led the family to settle in rural Kansas where electrical oddities and storms are less likely to be noticed.  Mibs (aka Mississippi Beaumont) is just shy of her 13th birthday when she will receive her savvy.  On the eve of her birthday, her father is in a car accident and left in a coma.   Her mother leaves Mibs and goes to the hospital.  Mibs feels certain her new savvy will be the key to waking her father.  She and her brothers stow-away on a Bible salesman’s bus that they believe is headed to Salina where her father is in the hospital. Miss Amanda says, “This book is filled with characters you have to root for: Lester the salesman who needs the confidence to ignore his over-bearing ex-wife’s putdowns; Rocket the older brother unable to control his electrical outbursts; Bill Jr. the preacher’s son with a big secret and an even bigger crush on Mibs; and Samson the younger brother with a knack for disappearing.  There is a lot of warmth in this book and I really can’t imagine liking it more – unless perhaps if I’d read it when I was young.  I’d highly recommend it for readers who like warm fantasies.  It’s similar to the works of Kate DiCamillo and Polly Horvath.  This is the story of a family crisis told with magical charm and unforgettable characters.” J/F/LOOKAlvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things 2008, 172 p.Grades 2 – 4 Alvin Ho is allergic to everything, mostly because he is afraid of everything. The thing he is most allergic to is school. Alvin is so allergic to school that he can’t speak in school.  It’s hard to make friends when you can’t speak. Making friends becomes more difficult when Alvin is stuck sitting next to Flee, a girl who wears an eye patch and walks like she has a peg leg.  Alvin seeks advice from his brother and father about making friends. Alvin learns that chicken pox don’t come from chickens, that piano lessons can be scary, and being a gentleman is the most important thing (if he could just remember what a gentleman does!). Oh, and Alvin learns how to insult like William Shakespeare. Miss Sharon says, “I thought this was spectacular!  The writing is well-crafted and the characters are well-developed.  The setting (Concord, MA) even plays an important part in the book. Alvin is one funny kid, if he could only get over his fear of everything. The whole family was delightful, from little Anibelly who saves Alvin more than once, to his older brother Calvin who is great at giving advice to his parents who love their son.  Even Gunggung (grandpa) helps out.  A real treat! And, it makes for a great read-aloud.” October J/F/ABRAHAMSInto the Dark: An Echo Falls Mystery2008, 300 p.Grades 6 – 8 Ingrid Hill is an 8th grader who loves Community Theater and Sherlock Holmes.  In this third book of the Echo Falls series, she’s appearing as Gretel in Hansel & Gretel, becoming closer to her friend Joey, and investigating a murder for which her grandfather has been arrested. Grampy is a curmudgeonly WWII hero, so when a nosy environmentalist is shot on his property with a WWII army gun, he’s the natural suspect.  Ingrid is sure he didn’t do it, and tracks down the clues to prove it.  Along the way there’s some pretty gritty stuff: her father is having an affair, she discovers that Grampy has inoperable cancer, and she’s caught and held by some pretty cruel villains.  But through it all, Ingrid is a smart, down-to-earth girl who reasons through the data, just like Sherlock would. Miss Sarah says, “Although Ingrid faces several personal problems in this title, it never feels like a problem novel – it’s a mystery all the way.  It’s a great middle school mystery, with some real intensity at the end when the murderer is hunting her down with a gun and a snowmobile.  This will be one of my favorite mystery series to recommend!” J/F/GRANTGone2008, 558 p.Grades 7 – 9 All the adults disappear (everyone over 14) on one day in a small California town.  An impenetrable supernatural barrier appears surrounding Perdido Beach, cutting it off from the rest of the world.  The children need a leader and turn to Sam Temple who daringly drove an out-of-control school bus when the driver had a heart attack last year.  Sam has started developing strange powers and learns he is not the only teen to do so.  The students from a nearby private school for troubled youth take control, ruling with increasingly harsher rules and bullying tactics.  As his fifteenth birthday approaches (the moment he will blink out of existence), Sam prepares for a fight with the private school’s leader, Caine, an egotistical, super-powered teen bent on dominating all the children of Perdido Beach.  Miss Amanda says, “Gone is a harsh look at life without adults, made increasingly interesting by the mysteries surrounding the emerging superpowers.  By the end of the book Grant has a somewhat confusingly large cast, but Sam and his core characters are well developed.  I would recommend this to readers who enjoyed Westerfeld’s dystopian Uglies series.” J/F/KWASNEYItch2008, 240 p.Grades 5 – 8 It’s 1968, and Itch is forced to move to Ohio after her dear old grandpa dies and her grandma finds it too hard to keep living in their home in Florida.  Her grandma chooses Ohio because a relative lives there and she’s all that’s left for Itch and her grandma.  Itch and her grandpa were close, so she takes his death very hard.  At first she was able to be comforted by her best friend Bailey, but after they move, all she has are Bailey’s letters.  Being a new kid in a new state, Itch has to figure out how she’s going to survive. At a local fair she meets a girl named Wendy, and the two girls become fast friends.  Wendy is part of the cool group at school, so Itch has an automatic entry into the clique through her.  They accept Itch pretty much without question… but they make some changes to her: for example, her real name, Delores, isn’t cool enough (of course she doesn’t go by Itch here) so they call her “DeeDee.” And so life goes on for Itch until she notices something odd about her friend Wendy.  She misses a lot of school and often seems to wear clothing that covers much of her skin even when it’s warm outside.  Even more disturbing are the welts on her legs that Itch accidently sees when Wendy changes for gym class.  What is going on with her friend? Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “Itch is a good girl novel that is sure to be enjoyed by those who like to read stories about sticking together, and getting through tough times with family and friends.” J/F/MACLACHLANEdward’s Eyes2007, 116 p.Grades 3 – 5 Ever since the first time baby Edward looked up at Jake, his 3-year-old brother, Jake knew there was something special about him.  Holding Edward in his arms, young Jake is so overwhelmed by this baby that all he can say is “Edward’s eyes.”  In their loving, ever-growing family, Jake and Edward share a special bond that makes them more like best friends than brothers. It becomes Jake’s responsibility to teach Edward the important things in life, like the infield fly rule in baseball.  The entire family marvels over Edward’s athletic talents, especially his knuckleball that never fails and his swing of the bat that never strikes out.  When tragedy strikes eight-year-old Edward, tough decisions are made by the parents, and it is Edward’s eyes, the ones that could see a speeding ball, that Jake finds so difficult to give to someone else.  When he discovers that those eyes are still watching the ball, it is his sign to continue on. Miss Colleen says, “This is a beautifully written, touching tale about a tight-knit family that is blessed with an amazing child.  The gift of life to others through transplants helps family members overcome their grief, making this a book which celebrates life.” J/F/WARNERIt’s Only Temporary2008, 182 p.Grades 5 – 7 Skye is sent to live with her grandmother after her older brother has an accident.  While she thinks it’s only going to be temporary and she’d like to be invisible in middle school, life doesn’t always cooperate.  When the football players make trouble for the “art jerks,” she doesn’t stand aside.   Using her talent and position in the art club, she embarrasses them, which of course they don’t let her get away with.   Miss Kelly says, “Normal complications from typical misunderstandings drive the plot of this story.  Illustrations from Skye’s sketchbook which doubles as her diary are clever and make this a fast-paced book.  When she becomes her brother’s “keyboarding assignment” they redevelop a relationship that had been souring.  This book will appeal to fans of Cynthia Lord’s Rules.” September J/F/BARRETTThe 100-Year-Old Secret2008, 157 p.Grades 3 – 6   Twins Xena and Xander have just moved from the states to London when the kids receive a mysterious note.  The two follow the note’s directions and meet the SPFD, The Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives. SPFD members reveal that the twins are direct decedents of Sherlock Homes, and give them a notebook containing Sherlock’s notes from cases he didn’t have time to finish.  So, the kids set out to solve the first case – a famous painting that went missing in Sherlock’s time.  Using their own gifts (intelligence, photographic memory, puzzle-solving abilities) and Sherlock’s notes, they follow a trail that seems to have gone cold a century ago. Miss Sara says, “Here’s a likable mystery with plenty of clues and action. Mystery readers and fans of Shakespeare’s Secret should be sure to check this out.  It’s the first of a projected series, The Sherlock Files.   The Holmes notebook contains lots of other cases that need to be solved!” J/F/ElliotWuv Bunnies from Outers Pace2008, 107 p.Grades 2 – 4  Hercules Smith is living a pretty normal life until he wakes up one morning to find a spaceship in his backyard.  Weirder still, the spaceship is shaped like a carrot, and carries two large rabbits named Gwaad (“Gwaad to meet you!”) and Willy (“Willy happy to meet you!”)  They are Wuv Bunnies from Outers Pace (a galaxy in outer space) who have come to help save Earth.  Funny Bunnies, (“and we don’t mean funny ha-ha”) led by the Big Bad Bunny, have landed on Earth, intent on turning all of the children into carrots and taking them to grocery stores on Mars.  It’s up to Hercules (and the Wuv Bunnies) to stop them. Here’s a super-silly read-alike for fans of Franny K. Stein and Captain Underpants.  The cartoon pictures on every page make this a great choice for beginning chapter book readers, and the jokes, puns and author notes interspersed throughout will appeal to second and third grader senses of humor.  A quick read for the silly set. J/F/HUNTERThe Quest Begins2008, 293 p.Grades 5 – 8  Author Erin Hunter follows her wildly popular Warriors series with a new series featuring bears!  This first book in her new Seekers series follows three cubs – one polar bear, one grizzly and one black bear, as they each find themselves alone in the wild, following the bear star to the north.  Each cub struggles to survive, facing the dangers of other bears protecting their territory, hunger, and human threats.  Miss Amanda says, “Death and danger are palpable in this story.  Ecological messages about humans tainting and changing the environment are mixed throughout.  The wild is a mystical space with bear spirits inhabiting the trees, the stars and the rivers.  Toward the end of the book, the story takes a turn from animal fiction to fantasy.  The reader meets a shape shifter dwelling mainly in bear form, but able to take the form of other animals and even human form.  Readers of the author’s Warriors series will find the cubs satisfying characters and want to see what happens as the next book draws these three cubs together on their quest north.” J/F/KEPHARTUndercover2008, 278 p.Grades 7 – 9 Following in the footsteps of Cyrano de Bergerac, Elisa helps her classmates by writing love letters for them to send to their crushes.  Her lyrical letters are always successful, but things get complicated when she helps her friend Theo send a letter to the mean (but popular) Lila, and the two become a couple.  Elisa soon begins to like Theo more than just a friend, and writing letters for him becomes increasingly difficult.  Life at home isn’t going well either.  Dad is always gone on business, which not only causes marital woes, but leaves Elisa feeling adrift, without any support.  She retreats into the woods near her house and finds a forgotten pond.  As winter approaches and the pond freezes over, Eliza discovers that her love of ice skating helps her overcome the problems she faces. Miss Rachel says, “Beautifully written, the words I think of to describe this book are quiet, gentle and introspective.  Elisa is the type of girl who isn’t noticed at school for her looks, but her ability to communicate through the written word allows her to shine.  The author writes in a lovely, almost poetic language that allows the reader to truly feel Elisa’s anguish.  I would highly recommend this book to junior high girls who are looking for a good, gentle read.” J/F/RINALDIThe Redheaded Princess2008, 214 p.Grades 6 – 9 Although Elizabeth is the daughter of King Henry VIII, she is not officially recognized as a princess because she, along with her other half-siblings Edward and Mary, have fallen out of their father’s favor.  Instead, she lives as Lady Elizabeth, and rarely sees her father throughout her childhood. When people say that she is very much like her father; this pleases her, but also makes her uneasy.  After all, King Henry beheaded her mother!  Elizabeth struggles to stay in her family’s favor as time goes on.  She gets along fine with Edward when he becomes King, but she and Mary butt heads over religion when Mary takes the throne.  In fact, Mary becomes so angry that she sends Elizabeth to the Tower because Elizabeth won’t bend to her will.  How does Elizabeth survive until 1558, the year when she is finally able to accept the crown as her own? Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a good, fast-paced story told from Elizabeth’s point of view.  Author Rinaldi explains that this is her own interpretation of Elizabeth’s story and that while there are probably more accurate accounts out there, her goal was to write an entertaining book about an interesting female figure based on historical events.” August J/F/DRAKEDragonsdale2007, 269 p.Grades 4 – 6 Cara is the daughter of the dragonmaster of Dragonsdale, one of the most renowned dragon-raising stud and training farms on the islands.  One would think that she would be one of the best dragon-riders of all, but no – her father refuses to let her ride at all because of a riding accident that killed her beloved mother.  Therefore, Cara is forced to simply groom dragons and clean out their stalls rather than fly on them. Cara’s favorite dragon is Skydancer.  He rejects everyone who tries to ride him, only wanting his dear Cara to share the dragon-human trust bond.  How long will he be able to remain in the stud without being ridden, especially when Cara’s mean and vindictive rival decides that she wants Sky instead?  Will Cara continue to follow her father’s orders and not ride Sky or will she follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a great dragon-rider? Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “Dragonsdale is a good story that pulls the reader into Cara’s world right away.  This book is for readers who are too young for Eragon but want to read stories about dragons.”  J/F/HAHNAll the Lovely Bad Ones2008, 182 p.Grades 4 – 7 Here’s a deliciously spooky story about restless spirits on a former farm, now a rural inn owned by Corey and Travis’ grandmother.  The siblings are sent there after being kicked out of summer camp.  The two have a knack for getting themselves into trouble, so it’s no surprise when they try to do a little haunting of their own after hearing that the inn is haunted.  While their haunting attracts tourists and makes their Grandma’s inn busier, it also awakens the ghosts who are buried on the farm.  Miss Kelly says, “Interesting historical facts about poor farms keep the story moving as the children ultimately help the ghosts to rest in peace. It’s a not-too-creepy ghost story, similar to the author’s popular Wait Till Helen Comes and The Doll in the Garden. Told from Travis’ point of view, it will particularly appeal to reluctant preteen boy readers, as well fans of the author’s other ghost stories.” J/F/HARPERJust Grace2007, 138 p.Grades 1 – 3 Grace is referred to at school as Just Grace because there are four Graces in class.  She has a best friend, Mimi.  She also has a glamorous tenant named Augustine Dupre, scary next-door neighbors, Mrs. Luther and cat Crinkles, and a least-liked classmate named Sammy Stringer. Spoken in her third-grade voice, Grace tells the story of how her little world gets complicated by her attempt to do a nice thing for her lonely neighbor. Scary witch-dress-wearing Mrs. Luther has broken her leg, falling on her cat Crinkles in the process. Now Crinkles is afraid of Mrs. Luther so he avoids her, making the old woman feel especially lonely and sad. Grace, with help from friend Mimi, sends postcards to Mrs. Luther supposedly from Crinkles from all sorts of places, hoping to cheer her up. When Crinkles goes missing, the postcards are mistaken for ransom notes. Fixing the problem takes some teamwork, pairing Grace’s self-perceived superpower with icky poop-loving Sammy Stringer. Miss Diane says, “Precocious Grace tells her tale in a diary format, complete with cartoon sketches and photos of the cat postcards. Readers who enjoy Judy Moody or Junie B. Jones will recognize the same funny and mischievous likeability in Just Grace.”    J/F/HIGGINSSure Fire2007, 237 p.Grades 5 – 7 After their mother dies in a car accident, twins Rich and Jade move in with the father they’ve never known.  Their father wants to ship them off to boarding school as soon as possible, and the twins assume he doesn’t want them.  He is very busy with his job – phone calls on a secured line, late night meetings, and classified documents he doesn’t want the twins to see.  They follow him one night and he is attacked by armed men.  He fights like a pro, but they have the numbers and kidnap him in a van.  Rich and Jade discover their dad is involved in an espionage mission to steal a secret formula.  Soon they are running from armed men themselves and trying to figure out which side their dad is on.  Is he one of the good guys or one of the bad guys?  When Rich and Jade elude an entire squad of police, a member of the secret organization C.O.B.R.A. says that one thing is for certain – these twins are John Chance’s children and no one should underestimate them. Miss Amanda says, “This book has a slow first chapter with the espionage set-up, but once you meet the twins the story picks up.  While Rich and Jade do not have as many spy skills as Alex Rider, they do drive a tank, jump from a moving airplane, crash into a pool in a jeep, break into a secure facility and set explosive devices.  It’s an action-packed ride.  Stormbreaker readers should give it a try!”  J/F/MCEWANRufus the Scrub Does Not Wear a Tutu2007, 64 p.Grades 2 – 3 Rufus is the biggest kid in his class.  You’d think he’d be the star on his football team, but… no.  He and his friends are called ‘scrubs’ by the other better players because they don’t play so well.  Then, following his mother’s advice, Rufus enrolls in a ballet class with hopes to improve his coordination and balance. When Rufus tells his not-so-nice coach that he has to leave practice right on time in order to make it to his ballet class, the teasing starts – not only from his mean teammates, but also from his coach and his friends!  They make fun of him for being in a class with all girls and especially for having to wear a sweatshirt with tights.  Will Rufus be able to stick with the ballet class he enjoys and ignore all of the unkind treatment he receives? Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a good book for readers who like fun stories about football.  There are small drawings on the first page of each chapter.  Rufus is a likeable character who stands his ground in the face of bullying.  If readers like some of the other characters in this story, there are currently two more books in the Scrub Series: Willy the Scrub and Whitewater Scrubs.” July J/F/BINGHAMShark Girl2007, 276 p.Grades 6 – 9 Life changes in an instant for 15-year-old Jane Arrowood when a shark attack at her local beach results in the amputation of her right arm.  Jane loses more than her arm in the attack, she also loses her spirit.  She had previously won many art contests and now she can’t even crack an egg.  She struggles to define herself, not by what she lost but by what she still has – a loving family, a close circle of friends, and daydreams about the cute boy in school. Miss Kelly says, “This title is a lightning-fast read, with news clippings, emails and letters interspersed throughout the prose.  Jane follows a realistic progression through her healing process.  Readers will find this gripping, from the drama of the shark attack through her subsequent personal journey to accept her new self.” J/F/CREECHThe Castle Corona2007, 320 p.Grades 4 – 6 Pia and Enzio are siblings who live in a village near the Castle Corona, a spectacular castle on a hill.  They are peasants and work for a grouchy man.  Their lives change in a mysterious way when they happen upon a pouch that has apparently been stolen from the castle.  Alternate chapters describe the lives of the pampered royal family… a ditsy (yet good-hearted) king, a queen who yearns for something more from life, a haughty princess, and two very different princes.  The royals have a hermit who gives advice to the king, and when the queen gets her own hermit, Pia and Enzio are whisked from their home into the Castle Corona.  Mysteries abound:  Who is the thief?  What was stolen from the castle?  Who has been poisoned?  Does the queen’s hermit hold the key to all of these questions?  Miss Suzanne says, “This book is written in a tongue-in-cheek, farcical style. How can one royal family really be so empty-headed?   The peasant children are appealing, and everything is tied up nicely in the end.  Although it looks long at 320 pages, it moves quickly and is printed with a large font and wide margins.” J/F/GEORGESun and Moon, Ice and Snow2008, 328 p.Grades 7 – 9    Our main character, only girl and youngest child in a poor family, is disliked so much by her mother that she is not given a name at birth; she is simply called “the lass.”  After experiencing a magical event when she was young, she becomes able to understand animals.  Her only friends are her beloved wolf-dog Rollo and her oldest brother, Hans-Peter.  So, when a huge white polar bear (called an Isbjorn) comes for her with a magical deal, she doesn’t hesitate to leave with him. This deal seems easy enough to the lass; all she has to do is stay in a castle with him for a year and a day, and then her family will become rich!  If her family becomes rich, everyone – especially her mother – will love her!  This would be the best thing to ever happen to her.  But, of course, nothing is what it seems to be… Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This author has combined Norse myths and fairy tales to create a magical, adventurous, suspenseful, and romantic story.  This book would be a good read for those who enjoyed fairy tales when they were young and for those who simply enjoy good stories.  It is fast-paced and sure to carry readers away into a magical world where animals can talk and dreams can come true.” J/F/HOLTPiper Reed, Navy Brat2007, 146 p.Grades 3 – 4 Piper Reed isn’t happy that her family is planning to move again.  She’d just gotten used to life in San Diego.  She will miss her home, her tree house, and all her friends that had joined her Gypsy Club.  Yet, duty calls, and Piper Reed knows moving is part of the life of a Navy brat.  This time, the family is moving to Pensacola, Florida.  After a cross-country journey with her family and a visit with her grandparents, Piper finally arrives at her new home.  With the addition of a family dog and a special visit to the Naval Aviation Museum, Piper realizes that new adventures can be found anywhere. Miss Rachel says, “Piper Reed is spunky and full of life.  I enjoyed her spirit and her close-knit and loving family.  Piper’s reluctance to move, squabbles with siblings and trouble with reading are issues that can be understood by many readers.  This easy-to-read chapter book will be especially appreciated by readers who enjoyed the Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones books.” J/F/LUPICAThe Big Field2008, 243 p.Grades 5 – 8 Hutch had always played shortstop until Darryl joined his team and took his position.  Darryl walks on the field like he owns it and takes every chance he can to put down Hutch.  Now, on the youngest team to reach the state championship in years, Hutch and Darryl have a score of their own to settle.  As captain, Hutch needs to hold his team together and keep winning. Miss Amanda says, “The play-by-play action of the games leading up to and in the championships will keep baseball fans riveted.  Hutch’s struggle against Darryl’s bad attitude and his efforts to do whatever it takes to get his team to the state championship keep the plot rolling.  Hutch’s relationship with his dad who has turned away from baseball after washing out of the minor leagues also figures prominently.  Highly recommend to middle schoolers looking for sports fiction!” June J/F/DICAMILLOMercy Watson: Princess in Disguise2007, 70 p.Grades 1 – 3 It’s Halloween, and the Watsons want to take Mercy their pig trick-or-treating.  Mercy just hears the treating part and is happy at the thought of more buttered toast (her favorite treat).  The Watsons happily prepare a wonderful princess costume for Mercy. When Marcy gets to Eugenia Lincoln’s house, she refuses to give Halloween treats to a pig!  When Mercy learns she’s getting candy, and not the buttered toast she’s been expecting, she isn’t happy but decides it’s better than no treat at all.  It all ends with a wild chase and firemen coming to the rescue – and (of course) toast! Miss Sharon says, “This is the latest installment in the adventures of Mercy Watson.  Mercy is a clueless pig who only has one thing on her mind.  This popular series is great for young readers who are ready to move up to chapter books.” J/F/DOWDThe London Eye Mystery2007, 322 p.Grades 5 – 7 What goes up must come down, right?  On the way to New York, Salim and his mom stop to visit cousins Ted and Kat in London. They head off for a ride on the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel.  When the ride ends, everyone files off… except Salim.  The police are baffled; has he run away, been kidnapped, or what? Ted, whose brain functions differently than most people, teams up with his usually difficult sister Kat in an effort to connect the clues in a desperate attempt to find their cousin before it’s too late. Miss Diane says, “What a fun race-against-time mystery! Despite having so few clues to work with, Ted’s unique mind is able to sift through nine different theories and solve the puzzle. With no obvious answer, this book is one that you just have to read through to the last page without stopping.” J/F/FRENCHMy Dad the Dragon2007, 107 p.Grades 3 – 4 Horace is sure that his mean teacher, Sir Sneazle, is out to get him and his friends.  They attend King Arthur’s School for Trainee Knights and dream of becoming Knights of the Round Table.  However, Sir Sneazle gives them a practically impossible homework assignment that must be turned in first thing Monday morning or they’ll be expelled from school forever! Horace and his friends bravely face the challenges set upon them: they must write a one hundred page report on the history of the sword, save a damsel from distress, and kill a dragon.  When Horace finally does come nose to nose with a real dragon, he learns a secret that his parents have been keeping from him his whole life. Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a great book!  Nearly every page has humorous sketches that depict the troubles that poor Horace and his friends confront.  Readers who like the formula of this book might also enjoy My Mom the Pirate by the same author.” J/F/HobbsGo Big or Go Home2008, 185 p.Grades 5 – 8 A meteorite crashes through Brady’s roof and onto his bed – right where he would’ve been sleeping if he hadn’t climbed up on the roof to watch the meteorite shower.  When Brady’s cousin Quinn arrives for the summer, Brady has changed.  Now he’s faster and stronger than Quinn.  He slam-dunks the basketball, beats Quinn up the hill while mountain biking, and leaps over a charging buffalo to rescue a child.  The meteorite is more than just rock and it’s changing Brady.   Super-strength was just the beginning… Miss Amanda says, “This book is packed with outdoor adventure!  Brady faces down an angry dog, wrestles with a giant trout, explores a secret cave, almost falls down an underground ravine and witnesses the neighbor boys’ giant catapult hurl old toilets through the air.  The friendship between Brady and Quinn is well-drawn and their rivalry with the notoriously tough Carver boys over the possession of the meteorite keeps the story racing.  The science fiction element is underdeveloped, but it’s an action-packed romp that’s definitely worth reading.  A great summer read about two boys who love extreme outdoor adventures!” J/F/LANDYSkulduggery Pleasant2007, 392 p.Grades 6 – 8 Stephanie unexpectedly inherits her uncle’s old mansion, and she finds that she has also inherited his friend, Skulduggery Pleasant when he saves her from a terrifying man who breaks into her uncle’s house and demands she give him “the key.” Turns out there’s a whole other world out there that her uncle was involved with – a world of Mages, magic, Elders, bad magicians trying to bring back the evil Faceless Ones…  and one skeleton detective named Skulduggery Pleasant who is trying to prevent the evil magician Nefarian Serpine from getting his hands on the powerful Scepter of the Ancients.  Everyone thinks that Stephanie has inherited the key that will find the Scepter, so every bad person and creature under Nefarian’s control comes after Stephanie.  She teams up with Skulduggery to defeat Nefarian and prevent war between the sides.  Miss Sara says, “This fast-paced, action-fantasy is a rip-roaring good read!  It features lots of hand-to-hand combat, dry humor and unexpected plot twists.  The good guys and bad guys (all with great names, like China Sorrows and Ghastly Bespoke) change sides often, so you’re kept guessing down to the last fight scene.  The audio version is exceptional; the use of eerie music and the narrator’s dead-pan delivery make for a fun and action-packed listening experience.” May J/F/COLLINSMedusa Jones2008, 134 p.Grades 2 – 4 It’s hard being a gorgon – just ask Medusa Jones!  Instead of hair, she has snakes on her head, and her yard is decorated with statues of mailmen and salesmen that her grandmother once turned to stone.  Even worse are Theseus, Perseus and Cassandra, the so-called “Champions” of the school.  They constantly tease Medusa about her hair, but her parents forbid her from turning them to stone.  She does have her three headed puppy, and her friends Mino (a Minotaur) and Chiron (a centaur), who can brighten her day.  When the three friends are forced to go on a camping trip with their enemies, the true meaning of “champions” soon becomes clear. Miss Rachel says, “I really enjoyed reading about Medusa and her friends.  There is a gentle humor throughout the book, and the Greek mythology background is kept very simple for young readers: Medusa Jones is just an ordinary girl who happens to be a gorgon, goes to school with legendary Greek heroes, and is friendly with a Minotaur and a centaur.  The author’s black and white illustrations add to the story.  This is a great choice for readers who enjoy the Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House books.” J/F/COXThe Mystery of the Burmese Bandicoot2007, 246 p.Grades 4 – 6 Frederick and Ishbu are brother rats, and pets in a grade-school classroom.  (Frederick is the brave one, and Ishbu is more cautious.)  They escape their cage, and embark on a fantastic – and scary – adventure.  They meet up with some rodent and marsupial gangsters who try to trick the two into finding a bejeweled antique.  In the course of escaping from these unsavory characters, the duo sets out on a boat journey.  Eventually, they scour a desert island, fly over the ocean, cheat death, and save the world from the rascals previously mentioned. Miss Suzanne says, “I think that this book is a great, heart-warming adventure story.  The rats are adorable… I almost wanted to go out and buy one!  They are spunky heroes, who overcome tremendous odds. The dialogue is clever and funny, and there are surprising plot twists.  I highly recommend it.” J/F/KINGMouse Noses on Toast2008, 104 p.Grades 3 – 4 Paul Mouse has a problem that he tries to hide from all of his friends: he’s allergic to cheese!  Whenever he gets close to cheese, his bottom turns blue and his tail turns into the shape of a question mark.  How embarrassing! After experiencing a particularly bad reaction, he and his friends decide to go out for an expensive meal.  While at the Mouse Restaurant, located below a human restaurant, they discover that the humans are ordering something called “Mouse Noses on Toast!”  The friends don’t know quite what to do until they meet another mouse named Larry.  Larry organizes a mouse protest against the eating of mouse noses. Will a bunch of “mouses,” as they call themselves, be enough to stop humans from eating mouse noses?  And why are humans eating mouse noses, anyway? Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a good story that mixes humor with a touch of mystery and adventure.  All of the characters are likeable; I especially liked Rowley Barker Hobbs because he isn’t very smart but he’s just so nice and willing to help out his mouse friends.  Throughout the book there are sketches that tie in with what’s going on with the story.  Mouse Noses on Toast is a quick read that is sure to make the reader laugh.  I think fans of the Geronimo Stilton series will particularly enjoy this book.” J/F/OPPELDarkwing2007, 422 p.Grades 6 – 8 Young Dusk is a new kind of creature at the end of the time of dinosaurs.  He is the only one in his colony of tree gliding chiropters who is able to flap his wings and fly.  When a new group of meat hunting mammals led by the savage Carnassial threatens Dusk’s colony, he alone is able to guide them to a new home.  With the threat of predators at every turn, Dusk questions the possibility of his survival and whether he will ever truly belong to the colony he loves when he is so different.  Miss Amanda says, “Oppel sure can write!  His prehistoric world is vivid with detail.  The animals are well-drawn characters that grapple with the large questions of morality and loyalty in a time of war and struggle for dominance.  The clans of various creatures each have their own codes and alliances adding layers of richness to the story.  The action and battle sequences had me gripping the book.  Darkwing  reads independently of Oppel’s Silverwing bat trilogy, but readers who enjoyed the trilogy will not want to miss this one!  Make sure to steer readers of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole and the Warriors series to Oppel’s Darkwing. J/F/TOWNLEYThe Red Thread: A Novel in Three Incarnations2007, 294 p.Grades 7 – 9 As the large altar stone is slowly moved to close off the only opening, the boy pleads for his life to the person pushing it he thought was a friend…  This is the dream that teenager Dana Landgrave is haunted by, one that disturbs her so much she opts to stay awake rather than have it replayed in her sleep.  Who is this young boy, who is the man on the other side of the slab?  With the help of her somewhat strange therapist, Dr. Sprague, Dana relives different lives she has lived. While hypnotized she learns about her life in the 18th century as an unmarried painter, but it is the life she led in the 16th century, the time of the murder, that she is desperate (and frightened) to learn about. Miss Colleen says, “This story is a good combination of modern and historical fiction, with a “paranormal” twist.  Fast reading and entertaining!”  April J/F/EASONHungry2007, 197 p.Grades 5 – 7 Deborah looks like any suburban California 6th grader but in reality she is Dbkrrrsh who, along with her seemingly normal family, is here on earth to scope out the next food source for Home World prior to earth’s invasion. Traditionally, their race eats but once a year, feasting solely on the invaded planet’s life source until totally depleted and then moving on to the next available planet. Feeding time is fast approaching and Deborah’s parents are insistent that she eat her best friend and crush, Willie, and his unsuspecting family. Things really get difficult for Deborah when she sneaks her first piece of junk food and doesn’t die. She was raised to believe that her kind can subsist only by eating humans. Has she been lied to? Should she save Willie and satisfy her three stomachs’ growling with forbidden burgers and fries? Or is she to do as she has been taught, and turn her sharp tooth-lined tentacles on her friend to win parental approval? Miss Diane says, “Alien or not, Deborah finds herself facing many of the same issues as earthling kids: honor and loyalty, acceptance, greed and waste. Despite being told with a lot of humor and sensitivity, this story is less about eating and more about our wasteful consumerism. Happily, Deborah’s dilemma comes to a end that will satisfy readers and have them looking forward to earth’s next invasion.”   J/F/HARKRADERAirball: My Life in Briefs2005, 198 p.Grades 5 – 8 Kirby Nickel loves basketball, but he’s not much good at it.  His whole town in Indiana is basketball crazy and proud of hometown star, now pro-ball legend, Brett “McNet” McGrew. When it’s announced the whole 7th grade team will get to meet superstar McGrew in the state capitol, Kirby tries out for the team.  It’s not just that Kirby’s a fan of McGrew, he’s also put together the pieces left by his dead mother to believe that McGrew is the father he’s never known.  He just needs to get close enough to Brett McGrew to show him.  To get there, the basketball team will have to win some games or the school board won’t send them.  The coach decides his team is too embarrassed of making mistakes to put their hearts in the game.  To make sure they can’t get anymore embarrassed he has them practice in their underwear.  It unites the team and the underwear practice actually helps improve their game! Miss Amanda says, “This is a mighty ducks story of an underdog team learning to pull together and becoming champions.  An underappreciated coach gets the respect he deserved all along.  Kirby finds the father he’s always wanted.  Sure, it’s neatly wrapped up at the end, but who cares!  There are also some nice game play scenes for the sports fans too.  I would recommend this book to kids looking for a satisfying basketball story.” J/F/KERRINMartin Bridge, Sound the Alarm!2007, 110 p.Grades 1 – 3 In the first of two stories, “Eyes,” Martin Bridge is a big fan of Zip Rideout: Space Cadet. When he shows up on the school bus carrying a Zip Rideout lunchbox, he is mocked by an older boy. At least Martin isn’t the only one who likes Zip – his friends Alex and Stuart are big fans as well.  Ever mindful of being seen as a baby, Martin doesn’t like it when his parents get a babysitter when they go out dancing.  When junior high student Darla shows up, Martin is disappointed, but Darla is cooler than she looks. In “Props,” Martin’s fear of mannequins is realized when he and Stuart are locked in the toy store where Stuart’s mom works.  They don’t realize that it’s closing time and are locked in until Martin faces down the mannequins to get help. Miss Sharon says, “With line drawings that move the story along, Martin Bridge is sure to be a hit with young readers.  In addition to the two stories, there is an activity section in the back. Likable characters, believable stories… this one is a winner!” J/F/NAGDATarantula Power!2007, 93 p.Grades 1 – 3 Richard comes up with some interesting ideas for his 4th grade class assignment to invent a new cereal.  Trying to decide between Fire Crackles, the Explosive Cereal! and Shark Attack, Scare Yourself Awake in the Morning!, the decision is made for him when bully classmate Kevin steals his shark theme.  On top of that, Kevin not only gets praise for such a unique cereal, but he is also assigned to work as partners with Richard on both of their inventions, the stolen Shark idea and Richard’s new one called Crunchy Critters.  Can it get any worse? Miss Colleen says, “Very entertaining read, especially for boys.  The story includes all of the usual things in 4th grade – gross bugs, scary spiders, competition, friendships – and a wonderful, simple message of dealing with bullies.  Loved it!” J/F/THOMSONDragon’s Egg2007, 267 p.Grades 5 – 6 Mella’s family owns an inn nestled in a valley near the Dragontooth Mountains.  Mella tends a herd of small “farm” dragons.  Legend says that huge dragons live somewhere nearby, but no one has ever seen them.  One day, Mella happens upon a polished rock in a cave – only to discover that it is actually the egg of an enormous dragon, and the beast wants it back! Mella is sent on a quest to deliver the egg to its own kind, and is assisted on her journey by a squire named Roger.  In order to accomplish their goal, the twosome must deal with forbidding terrain, a clever bandit/kidnapper, and an invading army.  Unsure of what they will find at their ultimate destination, they forge on bravely. Miss Suzanne says, “I found this book very enjoyable.  It is quite suspenseful, and Mella is a courageous heroine who is trying to do the right thing.   It also has some mystical elements, and there are subtle messages of tolerance and self-control.” March J/F/BATESONBeing Bee2007, 126 p.Grades 3 – 5 Beatrice (call her Bee!) lives a fine life with just her dad and her two awesome guinea pigs, Lulu and Fifi, ever since her mother passed away.  She is perfectly content and nothing needs to change.   Her schedule is fine (Nanna picks her up from school,) her meals are fine (neither she nor her father can really cook, so it’s pizza for them a lot!) and her chores are fine (she doesn’t really have any—except for cleaning out the guinea pig cage). All this changes when her father meets Jazzi.  Jazzi is nice enough, but she brings way too much change with her!  Jazzi starts picking Bee up from school, cooking meals for them (with green stuff in it) and making Bee clean the house (they find a toasterpede in the toaster!)  Needless to say, Bee is NOT happy about all of this…especially because Jazzi takes up all of her dad’s time.  Even Nanna likes Jazzi!  Bee feels all alone, with only her guinea pigs on her side.  Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This is a good story about a girl who is trying to find her role in her new family life.  It’s touching how she loves her guinea pigs and turns to them when she’s feeling happy, sad, or frustrated.  Bee is an honest girl that readers are sure to like, along with Lulu and Fifi!”  J/F/DOWELLChicken Boy2007, 202 p.Grades 6 – 8 In the five years since Tobin McCauley’s mother died, his life has fallen apart.  There’s no food in the house and no one around to cook, anyway.  His granny and his dad are feuding, and when this escalates into a custody battle, Tobin really struggles to figure out where he fits in.  Raising chickens as an extra-credit school project gives Tobin the step-up that he desperately needs to feel normal again. Miss Kelly says, “Dealing with difficult issues such as the death of a parent, a custody battle, and foster parents who are nice, but not family, and peppered with fun language and realistic middle school situations, Chicken Boy is a good story that lingers.  Along the way you might learn a thing or two about chickens and wonder if they really do have a soul.” J/F/KORMANSchooled2007, 208 p.Grades 6 – 8 Capricorn Anderson has lived his whole life in a defunct hippie commune with his grandmother, Rain.  Everyone else left long ago, and now it’s just the two of them. They grow their food, make their clothes, and he’s never had a friend, handled money, attended school, or seen a TV.  When Rain breaks her hip, Cap’s sent to a foster family and a modern middle school while she recuperates – and he’s in for quite a culture shock! The 8th graders who rule this school have the ultimate nerd joke – they pick the geekiest kid in class, elect him class president, and sit back to watch him self destruct under the pressure as the year progresses.  They already have a kid in mind – and then Cap shows up. So, it’s Cap against the coolest guy in school, and Cap doesn’t even know he’s in the game.  A real hippie in thought and deed, his calm, pure spirit begins to win over students until he truly becomes the most popular kid in school (although his success is often due to his innocence and lack of guile). Miss Sara says, “This is a funny, middle school boy story, and those are hard to find!  Each chapter is told from a different student’s point of view, so you hear many sides of this story.  It’s intriguing to watch Cap prove himself to his classmates and fun to see how bewildered he and the other students are by each other.” J/F/PITCHFORDThe Big One-Oh2007, 181 p.Grades 3 – 5 Charley Maplewood’s big one-oh (his tenth birthday) is approaching quickly.  His dad wants to know what he’s going to do to celebrate.  The problem is, Charley has no friends and he has no idea how to throw a birthday party.  He decides to observe his classmates at school to discover how to make a friend. He also enlists the help of his very eccentric next door neighbor, Garry.  Garry is an expert in making special effects for horror movies, such as fake hands, feet and even heads.  Charley decides that having a “horror” theme will be perfect for his birthday party.  An unfortunate mishap in the garage puts Charley’s party plans in jeopardy, but he is determined to celebrate his big one-oh in a very special way. Miss Rachel says. “Boys in third to fifth grade will enjoy this funny story.  Charley has a good heart and really wants to learn how to make friends and have a fantastic birthday party.  The fact that Charley’s father left the family is handled gently, and one can tell that Charley loves his family very much.  There are plenty of yucky, horror-type details for boys to appreciate, especially near the end of the story.  In fact, readers may well decide that they want to celebrate their “big one-oh” with a “House of Horrors” birthday party.” J/F/VERRILLOElissa’s Quest2007, 336 p.Grades 5 – 7 Elissa is living in a desert region with the local healer, and does not know the identity of her parents.  She has some magical powers, as evidenced by her ability to talk to animals. Her life is changed dramatically when a lord arrives in the village to claim her as his daughter.  It turns out that the lord plans to use her as a bargaining chip to borrow soldiers from an unscrupulous Khan.  When she is traded to the Khan, Elissa learns that her mystical powers go far beyond what she ever imagined and she is able to help a nomadic tribe of “blue people” regain control of their rightful homeland. Miss Suzanne says, “Those who appreciate vivid tableaus will especially like this book!  It is chock-full of detailed imagery as the main character crosses deserts and dines in palaces.  This is the first of a planned trilogy called Phoenix Rising.  The ending is a bit abrupt…surely leading right into the next book!” February J/F/BUNTINGThe Man with the Red Bag2007, 230 p.Grades 5 – 7 Kevin, an aspiring mystery writer, joins his grandmother on a bus tour to South Dakota, just a few months after 9/11. Emotions are running high and everyone is on terror alert, especially when a dark, swarthy man clutching a red bag joins the tour. Kevin teams up with another young tourist to watch the man they fear is planning to bomb Mount Rushmore. While the adults on the bus don’t see the danger in the situation, the two kids press on in an attempt to save the national monument from eminent obliteration. The mystery of what is in the man’s bag slowly unfolds and comes to a highly emotional conclusion. Miss Diane says, “This book does a good job of exploring the panic and patriotism that permeated American society following 9/11. The children’s unspoken fears and lack of understanding put an interesting spin on the story.” J/F/CURTISElijah of Buxton2007, 341 p.Grades 4 – 8 Elijah Freeman was the first black, free-born resident of the Buxton Settlement in Canada West (now Ontario).  His greatest claim to fame so far is that he accidentally vomited on the great orator Frederick Douglass.  To many, the Buxton Settlement is the end of the very long Underground Railroad. Elijah is friends to many people in Buxton – Preacher, a man of dubious character; Mr. Leroy, a laborer; and Cooter. Elijah and his friend Cooter attend the Settlement school, learning a very traditional education of math, reading, Latin and Greek.  Elijah’s parents think he’s fragile; he tends to start crying during emotional times.  Elijah finds himself in a few awkward situations trying to be a friend to some of the town’s characters.  When Mr. Leroy earns enough money to buy his family from slavery, Preacher takes his money and gambles it away and Elijah finds himself smack dab in the middle of the conflict.  How he solves his problems proves he isn’t as fragile as many people think. Miss Sharon says, “Elijah is funny, and as he learns about slavery through the eyes of his parents and friends, he begins to really comprehend the horror of slavery.  This is a personal story told in Curtis’s trademark humor.  I highly recommend this book and agree with the Kirkus review, which says ‘This is Curtis’s best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old, will finish and say, ‘This is one of the best books I have ever read.’” J/F/HUNTERInto the Wild2003, 272 p.Grades 5 – 6 Rusty is a pet kitten who longs to hunt and be free in the wilderness.  When the wild cats of Thunder Clan invite him to join their clan and leave his “kittypet” past behind, he joins them as an apprentice warrior and takes the new name of Firepaw.   Shadow Clan warriors threaten to steal Thunder Clan’s territory and their young kits.  Firepaw attempts to solve the mysterious deaths of several of Thunder Clan’s members and investigate the possibility of a traitor within the clan. The mystical stars have revealed a prophecy:  only fire can save the clan.  Is Firepaw the warrior this clan needs to survive Shadow Clan’s attacks? Miss Amanda says, “This is book 1 of the highly popular Warriors series.  It takes the classic fantasy plot of an apprentice warrior from a lowly background that proves himself in battle to save his people, and adds the appeal of fierce, noble cats.  While the vivid, violent cat battles will be a strong selling point with some readers, the tender messages of a kitten looking for acceptance and a clan to call home will appeal to others. This series may appeal to readers who enjoy the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, the Redwall series, S.F. Said’s Varjak Paw, or Oppel’s Firewing trilogy.” J/F/LINThe Year of the Rat2008, 182 p.Grades 3 – 4 It’s Chinese New Year and Pacy and her friends and family are busy celebrating the Year of the Rat!  When Pacy learns that the Year of the Rat means a year of changes, she begins to worry.  Melody, her best friend, moves all the way to California and Pacy finds that her relationships with her other friends at school change after Melody’s move.  She must decide if she should befriend Dun-Wei, the new Chinese boy at school who is ostracized because of his cultural differences.  Throughout this year of changes, Pacy’s family offers love and support and help her learn that she must be brave and accept the changes that come her way. Miss Rachel says, “This book is a sequel to The Year of the Dog, but it is not necessary to read that book in order to enjoy this one.  When I read about Pacy, I felt like I was part of her family.  The book contains many “mini stories” that explain Taiwanese culture and experiences, which I found very interesting.  As in The Year of the Dog, cute little drawings appear throughout the book.  This would make a great read-aloud.” J/F/NEFFThe Hound of Rowan2007, 414 p.Grades 6 – 9 Max and his dad get separated while on a visit to Chicago’s Art Institute, and Max ends up finding a nasty, old tapestry hanging on the wall in a roped-off area.  Much to Max’s surprise, he begins to see images of an old Celtic tale as it starts glowing…and he also hears sounds.  After experiencing this, his life is never the same. Soon, Max is invited to attend a secret school called Rowan Academy because, as it turns out, he has what is termed “potential.”  Rowan is, of course, no ordinary school; rather, students there are trained to fight enemies of the dark.  New students are called “apprentices” and are paired up with an animal charge for life… they are in classes all day, ranging from math and science to strategy and mystics… and to top it off, a witch and an ogre prepare the delicious meals for everyone who lives there!  Naturally, these are all big changes for Max, who has grown up in a regular Chicago suburb.  When he hears that new “potentials” are mysteriously disappearing from all over the world, he and the other apprentices grow uneasy… Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “The Hound of Rowan is book 1 of The Tapestry series.  Harry Potter fans are sure to like this new, fast-paced series, with its mix of magic, adventure, suspense, and – needless to say – good versus evil.  Readers will find themselves rooting for Max as he faces various challenges both in and out of Rowan Academy.  I’m definitely looking forward to book 2, The Second Siege, which is due to be released in September, 2008!” January J/F/CLEMENTSNo Talking2007, 146 p.Grades 3 – 5 Ever since they were in kindergarten, the boys and girls in fifth grade at Laketon Elementary School have been known as the loudest and most talkative class in school.  For years, the teachers and principal have tried to get the class to stop talking and be quiet.  After reading about Gandhi, student Dave Packer decides it’s time for a change and tries to go an entire day without talking.  When the ringleader of the girls, Lynsey Burgess, notices Dave’s silence, a bet is on: that the girls can talk less than the boys.  Suddenly, the entire fifth grade is silent.  Students are only allowed to use three words when answering their teachers, and they aren’t allowed to speak at all to each other or at home.  At first, the teachers are baffled, but as the fifth grade wager becomes known, it’s no longer just a boy vs. girl battle, but also a war between the teachers and students. Miss Rachel says, “This is an engaging and fun story to read.  Author Andrew Clements seems to really understand elementary school kids and the way they interact with each other.  I appreciated the underlying message that the book emphasizes – words need to be chosen carefully and not wasted.  The boy vs. girl theme makes the book appeal to both boys and girls in the middle elementary grades.  It would make a great classroom read-aloud.” J/F/DOYLEWilderness2007, 211 p.Grades 6 – 8 When tension runs high in the home of Tom and Johnny, their mother takes them on a wilderness adventure vacation.  It’s an amazing time, until the rogue dog who is leading their mother’s sled takes off on his own course and their mother with him.  When the adult guides don’t act fast enough for Tom and Johnny, they decide to go after  her themselves. While the rest of her family are on vacation, Grainne (the boys’ half-sister) is meeting her mother who left for America after the parents divorced.  She is anxious and unsure if meeting her mother after being abandoned will help heal her or hurt her worse. Miss Kelly says, “Told in alternating chapters between the boys and their half sister, the tension mounts in both  stories. Combine the survival adventure and tactics of Hatchet with the can-do spirit of Alabama Moon, and you have Wilderness.” J/F/HALEBook of a Thousand Days2007, 306 p.Grades 6 – 9 Lady Saren refuses to marry the warlord her father has chosen for her, declaring her love for and promising to wed Prince Khan Tegus.  For her disobedience, her father locks her in a tower for seven years with only her lady’s maid, Dashti.  This book is Dashti’s journal.  Khan Tegus arrives at the tower never having met Lady Saren except in her letters.  Saren sends Dashti to impersonate her and Dashti is drawn to the young prince in their conversations.  Khan Tegus cannot free Saren with her father’s army at the tower and returns home for the winter.  The warlord Kassar, her father’s choice for her, arrives at the tower threatening to marry lady Lady Saren by force and she throws the contents of her chamber pot on him.  He leaves, telling her she’ll rot in the tower.  For a long time they hear nothing from the outside world, but Dashti follows rats and discover a way to escape the tower.  Upon their escape, Dashti and Saren discover Lord Kassar has destroyed Saren’s land and killed her father.  They run to the kingdom of Khan Tegus where they hide in the kitchens as maids.  Dashti wishes Lady Saren to reveal herself to Khan Tegus as his betrothed, but Lord Kassar’s army is coming closer and Lady Saren is afraid. Miss Amanda says, “Hale’s reworking of a little-known fairy tale is rich with cultural detail.  Dashti is an amazingly loyal servant who believes all she wants is to see Lady Saren and Khan Tegus together, but the reader will see that romance is really blooming between her and the prince.  I stayed up late in bed with this book because I needed to see how Dashti and her prince would overcome the evil Lord Kassar and the class differences that divided them. A very satisfying read for those who love a happily-ever-after ending which this long-suffering and clever heroine deserves.” J/F/KERLEYGreetings from Planet Earth2007, 243 p.Grade 4 – 7 It’s 1977, and Theo is celebrating his 12th birthday on the day of the launch of the Voyager 2 space probe.  His gifts include a model airplane that says it’s from his dad, but his dad left for Vietnam seven years ago and has never returned.   Theo struggles with questions about his life: is his dad missing in action?  Or a prisoner of war?  And why is the topic of his dad absolutely forbidden in his house? Spurred on by questions about his life, Theo begins digging for answers. He has secret conversations with his grandmother, raids his mom’s room for hidden stashes of letters and even resorts to gumshoe detective work in an effort to unravel long-kept secrets. Miss Diane says, “This book’s  front cover looks like science fiction, but the back better states the subject and tone of the book: “Who should come first, your family or your country?” Set during the fervor of the space era, this is one boy’s exploration of his world that is clouded with secrets. It is a touching story of families and the secrets they keep, of fathers and sons, and of a boy’s sense of loss and longing.” J/F/RIDDLEBURGERThe Qwikpick Adventure Society2007, 127 p.Grades 3 – 4 Lyle and his friends Marilla and Dave are members of the Qwikpick Adventure Society, a club that meets in the break room of the Qwikpick convenience store, where Lyle’s parents work.  Often, their “adventures” consist of eating leftover Halloween candy and watching videotapes on a VCR that doesn’t rewind.  The three friends decide to have a real adventure when they learn that a new aeration system will soon replace the town’s old sludge fountain at the local wastewater treatment plant.  Lyle and his friends plan an illicit visit to the infamous sludge fountain and, as they trek by foot to the treatment plant, the group has no idea of the adventures (or smells!) that await them. Miss Rachel says, “This story is told through a combination of drawings, newspaper clippings and handwritten notations, in addition to traditional prose (written by Lyle on an old typewriter.)  I found the three main characters to be very likeable and their honesty is refreshing.  It was fun to read about the journey the friends take, and although the last part of the book tends to be somewhat gross, I think 3rd and 4th grade boys will particularly enjoy this book.”