Rave Reviews Log: Realistic Fiction

Hound Dog True

2011-12-31T14:37:00.000-05:00

By Linda Urban
Rating: 4 stars

In this short and sweet story, Mattie Mae and her mom have moved yet again, but this time, they are staying with her Uncle Potluck in the old family home. Mattie Mae struggles with being anxious about the beginning of the new school year and about how hard it is for her to make friends. But she keeps her anxiety hidden as much as possible since she doesn't want to disappoint her mother. Bullying from her previous school over the stories Mattie was writing in her notebook just makes her even more withdrawn. But as she helps her uncle out before school starts with his custodial job, Mattie thinks that maybe she'll be able to hang out with during her recess times and escape having to make friends. Then the neighbor's niece Quincy comes to visit, and Mattie is expected to make friends with her. How can Mattie even think of the right words to say? Misunderstandings and an accident actually help Mattie finally make some progress. This is a quiet story that is full of hound dog truth and tells that sometimes being a little bit brave can matter a lot. Lovely.

My Name is Mina

2011-11-14T18:27:00.000-05:00

By David Almond
Rating: 4 stars

In Almond's wonderful book, Skellig, the boy Michael meets his unusual neighbor, Mina. In this prequel to Skellig, we learn all about Mina's story. Mina thinks outside of the box and questions everything in the universe with true wonder. However, her propensity to wonder and question ends up causing her to not fall into line properly at school. She has no real friends and while she can do great work, she also can do just the opposite. When one day she takes a very serious test at school a bit less seriously than the teacher and principal do, her mother decides to homeschool her. And so Mina keeps a journal of her homeschooling life, where she learns more than math or science or grammar--instead she also learns that she has to grow up a little bit and to not blame others for her problems because sometimes, a person has to learn to be brave. And a person has to learn how to be a friend. It is a story that will make readers to some of their own wondering, and perhaps, bring them to read the next book, Skellig.

Pie

2011-11-08T15:01:00.000-05:00

By Sarah Weeks
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

The tiny town of Ipswitch is famous for one thing: Alice's aunt Polly's shop named Pie. Polly's pies are so wonderful, she has won 13 Blueberry medals for best pie, an unprecedented achievement. Then Polly dies unexpectedly, and in her will, she leaves her secret pie crust recipe to Lardo, her mean cat, and leaves Lardo to Alice. As Alice grieves over her beloved aunt, she finds that how everyone around her reacts to the death seems much more selfish. Then Lardo disappears and someone trashes Polly's shop--are they looking for the pie crust recipe? Alice, with the help of her new friend Charlie, begins to investigate, but is her imagination just running away with her? Is Lardo really the key to the pie crust recipe? But as time passes, Alice discovers that what her aunt always believed was the truth--that it is what you love, and your family and friends, that are the real treasures. A wonderful story about family, friends and pie, with a healthy dose of mystery. Readers will enjoy this fun tale and the quick-moving plot.

Sons of Liberty

2011-09-26T15:30:00.000-04:00

By Adele Griffin
Rating: 4 stars

In this solid, absorbing story, Rock is proud of his heritage which goes all the way back to the American Revolution and the Minutemen. In fact, he is a bit of a history buff. So when his father wakes him and his brother up in the middle of the night to work on the roof or some other project, he knows it is just to toughen him up like the patriots of that time were. But when his brother keeps talking about how controlling his father is, Rock feels it is disloyal. Even if he does feel bullied sometimes and even if his mother won't even leave the house any more. But it isn't until his best friend Liza asks for help from Rock and Cliff to runaway from home and her abusive stepfather that Rock starts to think a little more about his own home life and whether or not he wants to stay in it. If he had to make a choice between father and family and yourself, which would he choose? Readers won't know until the last page.

Sparrow Road

2011-08-30T12:00:00.001-04:00

By Sheila O'Connor
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

In this lovely book, Raine is bewildered when her mom up and moves them for the summer from Milwaukee to the wilds of the old manor house at Sparrow Road, nearest town 8 miles away. Her mom took a job as the cook for the artists who live in residence at the house for the summer, citing that it will be good for Raine to have the time in the country. Raine is homesick for her Grandpa Mac, and not that willing to have a country experience, but as she begins to meet the artists themselves, she changes her mind. Diego encourages her to write and gives her a way to begin. Colorful Josie is full of grand plans and ideas. Gentle Lillian talks of orphans at the house--is she speaking to ghosts? Only stiff Eleanor is to be steered clear of. As Raine settles in, she discovers that the house used to be an orphanage, and she begins to uncover its past. She also discovers that there is something in the nearby town of Comfort that is the REAL thing that brought her mother to Sparrow Road--something that could change both of their lives. Full of great characters, real emotions, a touch of mystery, and the power of art, readers will love this gentle but powerful story. Fans of Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie will find this book a natural to follow up with. A wonderful story!

Troublemaker

2011-08-30T11:45:00.001-04:00

By Andrew Clements
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Sixth grader Clayton is a troublemaker in school. Not in a malicious or violent way, but in that clever, funny way that endears him to others as much as it gets him into the principal's office. He loves to brag about his exploits to his older brother Mitch, who was also a troublemaker in his time, and his folder in the school office grows weekly. But when his brother Mitch comes back from a short jaunt in jail, he is determined to turn over a new leaf--and that Clayton will, too. But how does someone with a reputation like Clayton's suddenly STOP being a troublemaker and turn into a regular guy? Who will ever believe he has changed? This is a story for anyone out there who tried to change the way they are--or wants to--and for the people who need to give that person a chance to be different. A quick and enjoyable school story.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

2011-06-20T18:26:00.001-04:00

By Jeanne Birdsall
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

This is the third book in the Penderwicks series, and I for one hope they never come to an end. It is summer, and for the first time, the Penderwicks are splitting up. Newlyweds Mr. Penderwick and Iantha with baby Ben are off to England. Rosalind is going to spend two weeks down on the Jersey shore with her friend. That leaves Skye, Jane and Batty with Aunt Claire to spend two weeks in a cottage in Maine. They hoped their dear friend Jeffrey would come, but his mother wouldn't let him go last minute. Skye must take on the mantle of eldest in charge, which she worries about incessantly, especially about taking care of young Batty. But once they arrive in Maine, things go both wonderfully right and wrong, as they always seem to do. Jeffrey does get to come to Point Mouette--hooray! But Jane falls head over heels for the taciturn skateboarder Dominic. Batty seems to show promise as a musician, but Aunt Claire falls and badly sprains her ankle. Their musical neighbor Alec becomes a good friend, along with Turron, but why does Alec remind them of someone? And on and on it goes. There are laughs and tears, but that's just what you would expect from this family. Just one more wonderful story about the Penderwicks to add to the list. It is fun and heartwarming and real all rolled up together, and readers will wish they had friends like the Penderwicks in their lives.

Junonia

2011-06-20T18:06:00.001-04:00

By Kevin Henkes
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Alice and her parents fly every year from snowy Wisconsin to sunny Sanibel Island in Florida to celebrate her birthday. She looks forward to the journey and to seeing all the same friends who also come and stay each year. This year should be extra special because Alice is turning 10 and she really hopes to find a rare junonia shell. But when they arrive at Scallop cottage, they are immediately hit by the news that some of the regulars won't be there. Alice has barely swallowed her disappointment when her Aunt Kate arrives with a new boyfriend who has a young daughter named Mallory. Mallory is reeling from her parents' divorce and acts happily one moment before plunging into tantrums the next. As the days count down to her birthday, Alice can't help feeling like everything is spiraling out of her control and that the changes life are throwing at her are nothing but one disappointment after another. Can finding a junonia save her birthday trip? A quiet story filled with real emotion.

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

2011-06-13T15:09:00.001-04:00

By Julie Sternberg
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

In this pleasant early chapter book, Eleanor is having a very bad August. The babysitter she's had every day of her life is moving to Florida to help take care of her father. And her best friend Pearl is off on vacation in Oregon. How is she going to survive missing Bibi this way? Her father tries to help by arranging a playdate with Agnes from upstairs--not realizing that Agnes is really mean. Eleanor writes a letter to Bibi and waits for a reply almost as soon as she mails it. Then her parents get her a new babysitter--Natalie. Natalie is as different from Bibi as could be, but sometimes she is just the same, and Eleanor can't stand it. Will she ever get over missing Bibi? This is a really great short book about learning how to move on with your life, even while you are missing someone you love. Perfect for kids just starting to read chapter books on their own with lots of drawings on every page. Sweet and gentle.

Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius

2011-05-13T15:02:00.000-04:00

By Frank Asch
Rating: 4 stars

In this funny story, Alex will do anything to get away from his adoring younger brother Jonathan. Anything, including building a spaceship and hyperjumping across the galaxy to find a new planet to live on. In his journal, Alex quite proudly admits his genius at figuring out how to build a ship out of cardboard boxes and duct tape, along with a hyperdrive, weapons system, spacesuit and much more out of ordinary household objects and thrown away items. But when Jonathan gets on the wrong side of the shrink ray, Alex has to go to extremes to save him. And then Alex discovers that he and Jonathan may have something in common after all. This is a funny, quick read that will have readers wondering what is and isn't real in the story. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will love it!

When Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy

2011-05-07T16:45:00.000-04:00

By Crystal Allen
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Thirteen year old Lamar Washington is the King of Striker's Bowling Paradise. With his best friend Sergio at his side, all Lamar needs is a honey to make his life perfect. Well, perfect away from home. Because at home, his brother Xavier the Basketball Savior is all anyone talks about and he takes up all of his father's attention which is all the more precious since their mom died of cancer. To make things worse, Xavier beats up on Lamar when his father isn't around. But Lamar tries to focus on what is going well for him--he just got up the nerve to ask out beautiful Makeda, and his icon, pro bowler Bubba Sanders is coming to Striker's on the 4th of July to give away some of his pro bowling balls! Lamar can't wait, until bad news Billy Jenks enters the scene and convinces Lamar to start hustling other bowlers for money. Lamar likes getting the easy cash, but when Xavier hits him one too many times, Billy gives him an idea of a way to get Xavier back in a stunning and hurtful prank. But will Lamar follow through? What does he have to lose? This is a story about a family struggling to get along and about how the road to redemption and understanding may have to begin at rock bottom. Readers will fall hard for Lamar's easy charm and root for him all the way to the finish. POW! Strike!

Close to Famous

2011-04-01T11:58:00.000-04:00

By Joan Bauer
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Foster struggles in school because she can't read. Her soldier father is dead. Her mom has a great singing voice, but is stuck with Elvis impersonator Huck who makes her sing backup and isn't overly gentle. The one thing Foster can do well is cook and bake. Especially cupcakes. Foster's goal is to become the first kid with her own cooking show. Then when Huck becomes violent, Foster and her mom flee Memphis and end up in Culpepper, West Virginia, a little backwoods middle of nowhere town. Foster isn't all that thrilled to be there, and she especially is worried that others will find out about her inability to read, no matter how nice the other kids she meets seem to be. And how can a girl get her own cooking show when she is in the middle of nowhere? But slowly and surely, the townsfolk begin to wrap themselves around Foster and her mom, but just when they begin to make the place their own, some ugly events rear their heads. Can they ever get their own happy ending? While some of the events may be a bit hard to swallow, the real magic here is the delightful characters. Readers will want to find out what happens, especially since it comes wrapped in a shiny bow.

Rules for Secret Keeping

2011-03-18T16:17:00.000-04:00

By Lauren Barnholdt
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Samantha is excited and nervous about starting 7th grade. In elementary school, she successfully began a secret passing business, where kids put notes they wanted to send in her locker with $1 and she would deliver them. She never opened or read the secrets. Now Samantha is eager to begin her business in middle school. And then there is Jake. After a million years of friendship, suddenly she has developed a crush on him. Does he like her back? Then school starts and Samantha makes new friends in Emma and Charlie, but is immediately hit with competition for her business from Olivia, who is doing Sam one better by having her business online. If that isn't enough to deal with, Emma starts passing notes through Samantha to Jake--HER Jake! And he's passing ones back. Does he like Emma? Then Olivia's business is taking off while Samantha's seems to be crashing. But there are rumors...is Olivia reading the secrets? Add to this story some home drama, and you have more than enough going on in one 7th grader's life. Can Samantha find a way to have a happy ending? There is more than enough young teen angst in here to please every girl who wants to read this book. A solid school story.

Cosmic

2011-02-10T15:56:00.000-05:00

By Frank Cottrell Boyce
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Twelve year old Liam is very tall for his age. In fact, he looks quite a bit like a grown man. Well, what boy wouldn't find a way to take advantage of that? So Liam convinces his friend Florida to play his daughter, and they wander around town having all sorts of fun until Liam's dad finally catches them. Liam stops his scamming...until a truly amazing opportunity comes up--Liam wins a contest to ride the best new thrill ride ever created before anyone else does. It would be totally cosmic. If he can convince Florida to play his daughter one more time, they can go to this secret location for the ride. But when he does convince her, he finds that the thrill ride is a lot more cosmic than he could have guessed it to be. And to pretend to be a dad is a lot more effort--and love--than he ever gave credit to his parents. This is a funny adventure that still packs an emotional punch--everyone will love it!

What Happened on Fox Street

2011-02-10T15:49:00.000-05:00

By Tricia Springstubb
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Mo has spent her entire life on Fox Street; she was even born on it. And she loves the comfort of knowing every house, every neighbor. She even keeps looking for a real fox in the wilderness at the end of the street. But then this summer, everything seems to change. Her best friend Mercedes comes to visit like always to stay with her grandmother, and she reveals her parents might make Da move back to the city with them. Then when some developers seem interested in buying property on the street, Mo worries her father might take their money and buy that restaurant he's always wanted. Then grumpy Mrs. Steinbott suddenly starts talking to Mo, wanting her to bring gifts to Mercey. Why would she do that? And Mo's little wild sister, Dottie, seems too much for Mo to have to look after with everything else going on. Is this the summer that everything changes on Fox Street? And how is Mo going to handle it? A great little story about learning to resist change or roll with the punches. Very enjoyable.

Because of Mr. Terupt

2011-02-02T16:33:00.000-05:00

By Rob Buyea
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

This story is told through the eyes of 7 different students in first year teacher's Mr. Terupt's 5th grade class. There is class clown Peter, smart kid Luke, new girl Jessica, bully Alexia, uninterested Peter, overweight Danielle, shy Anna. Each student has their own point of view and each one also has a little something to hide in their life. But what they all have in common is enjoying the way Mr. Terupt is teaching, and bit by bit, the class begins to not only learn but to grow up a little, too. But then one day--a day meant to be lots of fun--a terrible accident occurs. Whose fault is what happens? And what will the consequences be? Readers will be drawn into the story and wonder right along with the kids if the accident could have been avoided and if things could have been different. Either way, it is a strong story that is easily swallowed in a couple of big bites and readers will definitely like Mr. Terupt as much as his class.

Ninth Ward

2011-01-07T16:18:00.000-05:00

By Jewell Parker Rhodes
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Lanesha lives in the Ninth Ward neighborhood in New Orleans. Although she is smart, she has no friends because of her light green eyes and having been born with a caul over her face--folks say she is strange, that she can see ghosts. And the truth is, Lanesha CAN see and talk to ghosts. Lanesha tries to be strong like her Mama Ya-Ya teaches her to be. Mama Ya-Ya is no relation but she has raised Lanesha from a baby, after her mother died when she was born and her uptown relatives didn't want to adopt her. Mama Ya-Ya tells her of the signs and wonders in the world. But finally a girl at school seems to want to be friends, despite what the other kids say to her, and so does TaShon from down the block when he brings a dog to share with Lanesha. So just when things are looking up, a storm comes. And not just any storm--Hurricane Katrina. Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha don't evacuate like they are told to, they figure they'll ride out the storm just fine. But things are not just fine. Can an orphan girl read the signs in time to prevent disaster for the only family she has? This is an intense, poetic, beautiful, suspenseful story that will draw readers in and touch them. Wonderful.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

2010-12-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

By Tom Angleberger
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

The big question: Is Origami Yoda real? Tommy is on a quest to answer that question once and for all, so he collects case files written by other kids who asked the advice of the finger puppet Yoda residing on local weird kid Dwight's finger. The bigger question is how can Dwight, who is as clueless as can be, able to give sage advice if Yoda is NOT real? As Tommy examines the evidence, which is refuted by some friends and agreed to by others, he just gets more confused. And he needs to know the truth before he asks Yoda the most important question of all! How will he ever know? This story is hilarious and readers will have a great time trying to decide for themselves if Origami Yoda is the real thing or not. Should you read this book? Origami Yoda would answer: "Read, you must."

Mockingbird

2010-12-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

By Kathryn Erskine
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Caitlin is a 10 year old girl struggling because her older brother recently died in a school shooting. The whole community is shocked by the horrible event, and Caitlin is even more confused because she also has Asperger's Syndrome, so having empathy for how others are feeling, such as her father, is difficult. Luckily, Caitlin has a good friend in her school counseler, Mrs. Brook, and through her, begins to learn how to make friends. Then Caitlin hears the word "closure," and when she learns its meaning, she realizes she needs to get some to help work through Devon's death. But how does one GET closure? No one can give her a straight answer. But when Caitlin begins thinking about how her brother used to nickname her "Scout" after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird, she slowly begins to develop an idea that might help not only herself, but everyone. This well-written story will engage readers and also help us understand why someone with Asperger's or another diagnosis may act the way they do. A good read on a difficult topic.

Out of My Mind

2010-11-04T12:29:00.000-04:00

By Sharon Draper
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Melody is 11 years old and has never said a word. Melody has a severe case of cerebral palsy that leaves her in a wheelchair with few motor functions, but her brain works just fine. Sadly, she cannot make her intelligence known beyond her family until the day she gets her Medi-Talker--a computer that she can type into and get it to speak for her. Finally Melody can make herself heard! Now that she is in 5th grade, her classroom gets to go to inclusion classes in school and Melody is thrilled to make a "normal" friend in Rose. But even more exciting is when Melody scores high on the history teacher's Whiz Kids test to see who should be on their competitive quiz team. At first no one can believe it, but when Melody is able to repeat her show of intelligence, she makes the team and studies hard to be able to represent the school in the competition. They make it past the first round and are ready to go on to Washington D.C., but then disaster strikes at the worst moment. Will Melody ever catch a break? An important story, told in Melody's own voice, about how we look at and treat people who are different.

Keeper

2010-08-30T17:57:00.000-04:00

By Kathi Appelt
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Ten year old Keeper is determined to make things right. That's why she is out in a small boat with her dog B.D. at midnight on the saltwater pond, determined to make it through the Cut and into the ocean over to the sandbar where she can call her mermaid mother who SURELY will be able to solve Keeper's problems. Once she shows up, that is. Even though Keeper hasn't seen her mother since she was three years old. But Keeper has messed everything up--things for Signe, who she lives with; for Dogie the surfboard shop owner, who she loves like a father; for Mr. Beauchamp and his night-blooming flowers. It was supposed to be a perfect night, but now that it is ruined, Keeper has to do everything she can to fix it for these people she loves. But does she have the luck to make it all happen? This is a truly wonderful story about family and about loving people as they are and about mermaids and about adventure and about memories. Readers will find it difficult to not be swept up in the tide just like Keeper, and will love the characters and separate stories that all come together by the end of the book. A special tale with just a touch of magic.

Thirteen Plus One

2010-08-30T17:43:00.000-04:00

By Lauren Myracle
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

We join Winnie and her friends for that wonderful summer when they are turning 14 and will be moving on to high school in the fall. Winnie can't wait to spend those golden days with her friends Cinnamon and Dinah and with her boyfriend Lars. But then, Lars doesn't seem to be paying quite as much attention to her as she likes. And when his birthday gift to her seems to include very little thought, Winnie isn't happy. Then Lars tells her that his mom has a fellowship in Germany and the whole family is going--for the summer. Winnie doesn't know if she is more crushed or angry. Then Dinah gets caught doing something very UN-Dinah-like, and her punishment is to be sent to camp that summer...and couldn't Winnie PLEASE come along? So Winnie's 14th summer is spent doing just the opposite of what she thought. But the camp is pretty cool, as are some of the very cute boys who are there, too, and Winnie finds that she must work out a lot of her feelings about herself and Lars and her friends as the summer's experiences wear on. Winnie's trials and tribulations are exactly the kind a 14 year old would be concerned about, so readers will be right there with her. Fans of Winnie or just tweens looking for a light summery read will enjoy this story.

Finally

2010-06-23T16:44:00.000-04:00

By Wendy Mass
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Rory has been waiting forever to turn 12 because once she is, her overprotective parents will finally have to give in to her list. Like getting a cell phone, staying home alone, wearing make up, getting contact lenses, and going to a boy-girl party. Then, FINALLY Rory's birthday arrives, and her parents have no choice to let her start checking off the list. But as Rory starts doing all of the things she thought would be so wonderful and important, she finds that getting contacts or wearing makeup aren't quite as easy to do as she thought they'd be. Especially when it turns out you are allergic to make up or can't put those wonderful contacts in your eyes. Working her way through her list is fraught with some rather disastrous and hilarious turns of events, but as she goes, Rory begins to realize that maybe getting everything you thought you wanted isn't REALLY the point. A funny story that will appeal particularly to girls who are just learning what it means to begin growing up.

The Last Best Days of Summer

2010-06-14T15:09:00.000-04:00

By Valerie Hobbs
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Twelve-year old Lucy can't wait to go and spend the week up at Crescent Lake with her grandmother at her cabin. It is always her favorite week of summer and she is especially anxious this year because she'll be going into a new school in the fall and she and her best friend Megan want to be sure they are popular. She also is anxious to get away from Eddie, the boy with Downs Syndrome who was her summer job. She can't even imagine starting school in the fall and having Eddie spoil her new popularity by coming up to talk to her. But when Lucy gets up to the cabin, things are not what they have always been. Her grandmother is talking about selling the cabin, and the week becomes a roller coaster of ups and downs as Lucy tries to figure out who to be while the world keeps swirling and changing around her. Girls especially will connect with Lucy as she works on that magical tween age when things that were once unimportant become all-consuming. A solid story.

Boys Without Names

2010-05-24T19:39:00.000-04:00

By Kashmira Sheth
Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this wrenching story, Gopal's family is deeply in debt and when his uncle Jama offers to bring the family to the big city of Mumbai from their small village, they take him up on the offer with the hopes of finding work. But almost immediately, disaster strikes when the family doesn't have enough money for train tickets to take them all the way to their uncle's neighborhood. The family becomes separated when their father gets lost looking for Jama, but the rest of the family eventually makes it there. Desperate to help out or find work in the poor neighborhood they are living in, Gopal talks to a boy who says his uncle has easy factory work. But the boy drugs Gopal and brings him to a factory sweatshop where several other boys already live, and are enslaved by a man Gopal nicknames Scar to make patterns on picture frames. Gopal immediately decides to escape, but Scar has taken good care to lock all means of exit. He also has turned many of the boys against each other, so not only do they fear Scar, they also fear one another. During Gopal's time of imprisonment, he slowly develops a plan for escape that just might work...but he needs to get the other boys in on it, too. But how can one boy inspire other young slaves to revolt? Sadly, this tale of sweatshops in Mumbai is not a fictional one, and is happening today. An engrossing and very interesting story that will make many a reader grateful for what he or she does have.

My Life in Pink & Green

2010-03-23T15:05:00.002-04:00

By Lisa Greenwald

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Lucy is a budding make up artist at age twelve, but for now, she works in her grandmother's pharmacy helping out. Then she discovers their business is in big trouble--they may have to sell their house or even the pharmacy! So Lucy, with the help of her older sister Claudia, tries to come up with ideas to help save the it. Not only does Lucy have the weight of her family's problems on her mind, but then her best friend Sunny suddenly develops a crush on Evan Mass and is clueless about what to do. Then Lucy develops a crush just as suddenly as Sunny did--only the object of her affection is a much worse target AND an 8th grader to boot. It is in Earth Club that Lucy discovers what may be the salvation of the pharmacy and could further her own dreams of becoming a make up artist--but can she get her grandmother and mother to listen to her? It is an awful lot for a twelve year old to handle, but readers won't be able to help rooting for plucky Lucy and her can-do attitude. An enjoyable read.

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis

2009-12-05T16:12:00.002-05:00

By Barbara O'Connor
Rating: 4 stars

This is one of those small gems of a book. Popeye lives in tiny Fayette, South Carolina where nothing ever happens. Then one day, a huge RV (a Holiday Rambler) gets stuck in the muddy ditch right near Popeye's house, spilling out a whole slew of kids, including Elvis. Elvis is everything Popeye is not, and when Elvis announces he wants to go on a small adventure, Popeye is right behind him. But what kind of adventure can two boys find in a nowhere town? Then a perfect boat made out of a Yoo-Hoo box floats down the creek with a message: "Yoo-hoo! Ha! Ha!" Then another arrives with a second message. And another! Popeye and Elvis have found their adventure--who is sending these boats? And what do the messages mean? Of course, finding out might mean telling a few untruths and going a few places they aren't meant to go, but that can't stop them! But when the Holiday Rambler is unstuck from the ditch, will all the adventures come to an end? Readers will happily tag along on this small adventure and will be glad they did.

Anything But Typical

2009-09-22T15:15:00.002-04:00

By Nora Raleigh Baskin

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Jason is a 12 year old autistic boy who loves to write stories on Storyboard, an online site. But life for Jason is difficult. He cannot always control his hands, his actions, his behavior. He has no real friends in school, well, maybe one, Aaron. Girls just think he's weird, so Josh knows he'll never have a girlfriend. His mother is constantly working on making Josh as normal as possible and he hates disappointing her over and over again. But he makes a connection with PhoenixGirl, a fellow Storyboard member, who is enthusiastic about his stories and their story talk turns more personal. Could Josh finally have a friend? Then his parents tell Josh that he can go to the Storyboard conference this year and Josh is thrilled...until he learns PhoenixGirl is also going to go. Can their new friendship survive once she actually sees Josh as he is? In turns heartbreaking, honest, and emotional, readers get a clear glimpse into the autistic, not "neurotypical" mind of Josh and may well be surprised at what they may find. A very interesting read.

Extra Credit

2009-08-31T16:23:00.002-04:00

By Andrew Clements
Rating: 4 stars

Another solid hit from the master of school stories. Abby doesn't like school--well, except for the rock-climbing wall in gym class. Otherwise, she barely hands in her homework. But when Abby gets a letter recommending she repeat sixth grade, horror sets in. Her teachers tell her she has to do all of her homework, maintain a B average for the rest of the year AND do an extra credit project if she wants to move on to seventh grade. Abby can do nothing but agree and her extra credit project turns out to be to become a pen pal to someone in another country, complete with a bulletin board display and oral report. Abby ends up writing to a village in Afghanistan simply because there are mountains nearby. The village teacher asks the elders if Sadeed, the best student in class and certainly the best in English, can answer the letter. But the elders say no, it is not proper for a boy to write to a girl! No, Sadeed's little sister can answer the letter, and Sadeed can help oversee her work to make sure it is good. Sadeed can't believe he has to help to write back to an American girl, but despite himself, he becomes interested. When his sister dictates her letter, Sadeeds adds some other colorful details. Soon there are two dialogues going on; one that must be kept secret. Just when Abby and Sadeed are learning about each other's completely different cultures, an event occurs that changes everything. Can their newly formed friendship survive? This is a very interesting story which takes into account cultural differences as well as the unstable relationship the U.S. and Afghanistan have. Readers will like both Sadeed and Abby and even though the ending isn't quite happy, it isn't unhappy either. Very likeable and it may even inspire a few intrepid readers to look for their own foreign pen pals.

Lucky Breaks

2009-07-29T16:37:00.002-04:00

By Susan Patron
Rating: 3 3/4 stars

In this sequel to the award-winning The Higher Power of Lucky, Lucky is about to turn 11 and she feels like she's on the brink of something new. She also feels a bit annoyed by her best friend Lincoln, who is always constant and true and knotting some mysterious object. Besides, he is a BOY, and how can you be best friends with a BOY at the age of 11? Then Paloma, a girl just her age, eats at Brigitte's cafe, and the pair instantly bond. Can it be coincidence that Paloma has the same name as the woman in a tragic story who lost half of a beautiful brooch in one of the mining wells in the desert? Mustn't it be ordained to go looking for the other half of that brooch with Paloma? As Lucky approaches her birthday weekend, she finds growing older comes with some growing pains about who she is, who her friends are, and the need to face some uncomfortable emotions. It is definitely a pleasure to become reacquainted with Lucky and the residents of Hard Pan, and fans of the first book will be pleased.

Wild Things

2009-07-20T13:30:00.002-04:00

By Clay Carmichael

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Move over Gilly Hopkins, there's a new feisty orphan in town! Zoe has lived her entire life with a mother with mental illness and a long train of mostly worthless men who helped raise her. Rather than go to school, Zoe spent her time at the library reading and writing in her memoir in her notebook. Then her mother dies and an uncle she never knew she had surfaces and adopts Zoe. Her Uncle Henry is eccentric and grouchy--a doctor turned sculptor who is smarting after the death of his wife from cancer. Although Zoe is cautious about the money and time Henry is spending on her, she can't help beginning to get attached to Fred who helps caretake the house and his invalid wife Bessie, the Padre who runs the local church and Sheriff Beam. Zoe also discovers a wild cat hanging around the property and begins the painfully slow process of trying to tame him; a process that mirrors Zoe's own slow blossoming trust in her new life. Zoe keeps testing her limits stubbornly, trying to keep herself apart from that dangerous thing called love. But when she finds the old abandoned cabin in the woods, she will discover there are limits to her stubbornness and that the cabin has a secret that will surprise even a world-weary girl like herself. Although much of this story will be familiar to those who have read other orphan or foster kid tales, all of the characters are multi-dimensional and well-drawn and readers will be immediately identify with Zoe and all of the people she meets. Zoe is not the only wild thing in the title and readers will delight in meeting all of the other wild things that come into Zoe's world.

Clementine

2009-04-27T14:46:00.003-04:00

By Sara Pennypacker

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

In this funny story, 8 year old Clementine has not had a very good week. No one appreciates how good she is at paying attention (although not to what they think she should be paying attention to!). She gets sent to the principal's office for cutting off her best friend Margaret's hair--but it was just to help fix Margaret's own cutting job! And why is everyone angry at her for cutting her own hair off in sympathy? But she does help her father figure out how to win the Great Pigeon War. But when Clementine hears that she isn't the "easy kid" in the family, with the week she's been having, can her parents be planning to trade her in? Readers will find this story extremely entertaining and Clementine is a very real life kid that anyone who has read a Ramona or Junie B. story will find familiar and likeable. Fans will want to read the sequels, The Talented Clementine and Clementine's Letter.

Word Nerd

2009-04-18T16:27:00.002-04:00

By Susin Nielsen

Rating: 4 stars

In this amusing novel, Ambrose is well and truly a 12 year old misfit. With a life-threatening peanut allergy, bad taste in clothes, an overprotective and overbearing mother, and no money, Ambrose is the whipping boy for every school bully in every school he's ever attended. And he's attended several since his mother keeps them moving around in search of an elusive permanent university teaching position. Now they've landed in a basement apartment in Vancouver below a friendly older Greek couple. Ambrose's mother pulls him out of school after the local bullies nearly kill him by putting a peanut in his sandwich and it is while Ambrose is bored at home that he slowly begins to befriend Cosmo, his upstairs neighbors' son, recently released from jail for breaking and entering. Older Cosmo has no interest in Ambrose, but somehow Ambrose manages to convince Cosmo to bring him to a Scrabble club and slowly a partnership and then a friendship is born between the pair. Cosmo helps teach Ambrose some self-defense and Ambrose helps keep Cosmo on the straight and narrow...until Ambrose's mom finds out. Will Ambrose be forced to leave the first place he's ever been happy? Ambrose is a wry 12 year old, as blind to the world at times as he is insightful, and it is impossible not to like and laugh along with him. While he is definitely interested and embarrassed by many a thing a nearly teenage boy would be (read: girls and his own body), Ambrose is also very young in other ways. A very enjoyable story about becoming more comfortable in your own skin, and it all starts with Scrabble. Who knew?

11 Birthdays

2009-04-09T12:23:00.002-04:00

By Wendy Mass

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

A story about friendship with a magical twist. Amanda and Leo have been celebrating their birthdays together since the day they were born and are the best of friends. But on their 10th birthday, Amanda overhears Leo slagging her off to his guy friends and she is crushed. In despair she leaves the party and refuses to speak to him for an entire year. Now, it is her 11th birthday and for the first time ever, she is celebrating it separately, and true to her feelings, it is a miserable day. Imagine her surprise when the next morning is her 11th birthday again! At first she thinks it is a joke, but then Amanda realizes she is actually reliving the day. And it happens the next day, too, and the one after that. Then suddenly, Amanda discovers that Leo is having the same experience. The two meet and realize they need to make up and try and figure what is happening to them, but each explanation they come up with is crazier than the last. But as each day dawns another 11th birthday, the friends realize that reliving a day can be fun and terrible and fantastic all at once. Then they discover their ancestors used to feud with one another. Can ancient history be affecting their present day? And what about that mysterious old lady who is always lurking? At the core, it is a story about friends and about doing the right thing, and readers will be drawn into the unusual twist of repeating the same day in time. Entertaining, although not particularly realistic!

The Invisible Rules of the Zoe Lama

2009-01-07T14:50:00.002-05:00

By Tish Cohen

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Ever since Zoe's father died, she has had to become an organizer to keep her mother and grandmother on track. Her natural abilities have become legendary at school, where, by 7th grade, she is sought out for her wise rules and advice. When a new girl starts school with a bad reputation, Zoe decides to take her under her wing and reform her. Reforming Maisie, fixing her mother up with the handsome Mr. Lindsay, being chairgirl of the winter dance, keeping her grandmother (with advancing Alzheimer's) out of trouble, as well as doing her schoolwork and other duties has Zoe going full tilt all the time. When you are juggling many balls in the air, it is only a matter of time before one drops--and when one ball falls, it is a doozy. Have we seen the end of Zoe as we know her? Readers will enjoy our bossy Zoe, even when she falls from grace. Fans can read more about her in the sequel, The One and Only Zoe Lama.

Bird Lake Moon

2008-11-18T13:44:00.003-05:00

By Kevin Henkes

Rating: 4 stars

In this well-written story, Mitch is living at Bird Lake with his grandparents and mother after his parents seperate. But the little house is feeling overcrowded, and Mitch wishes he and his mother could move into the seemingly abandoned house next door. But then a family arrives and moves in. Mitch cares nothing for the boy and girl in the family; instead he starts to plan little things he can do to make them think the house is haunted, things that might drive them away. Little does he know that they have their own tragedy--a boy who drowned in the lake when he was just four years old. Spencer even starts to believe the ghost of his brother is present. But then things go too far when Mitch is responsible for the family's dog running away and he knows he has to set things right. And as the two boys become friends, they begin to grow up a little more and learn how to get past their troubles. It is a tale of two boys coming to grips with their own emotions and starting to look at the grown ups in their lives as real people with their own feelings and motivations. A heartfelt story.

My One Hundred Adventures

2008-11-05T11:38:00.002-05:00

By Polly Horvath

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Jane lives year round on a Massachusetts beach with her poet mother and three siblings. The summer she is twelve, Jane feels restless and prays for 100 adventures to happen to her. While Jane doesn't cram 100 adventures into the summer, she does have many interesting encounters, from delivering bibles by hot air balloon to visiting psychics with the local preacher to heading out on a cross-country trip that never leaves the state to suddenly being presented with multiple possible father figures. Jane begins to realize, at the grown up age of twelve, that people may not always be what they seem, and that kindness and meanspiritedness can exist side by side everywhere. Reminiscent of Richard Peck's excellent A Long Way From Chicago, the adventures are sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, and are all helping Jane on her way to growing up. For doesn't everyone have different needs? And doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? A great story which will make you laugh and make you think all at the same time.

Thank You, Lucky Stars

2008-09-13T15:19:00.002-04:00

By Beverly Donofrio

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Ally can't wait to start 5th grade with her best friend since kindergarten, Betsy. She is planning to sing with Betsy in the annual 5th grade talent show. But she's in for a cruel surprise to find Betsy has taken up with Mona, a girl they never had liked before, and Betsy is going to be in a band with Mona for the show. Ally is unceremoniously dumped and she is devastated. Then new girl Tina joins the classroom. Tina is outgoing but definitely weird, sometimes wearing her hair like Princess Leia and always trying to be funny but not always succeeding. Ally isn't interested in being her friend, but with friends in short supply, Tina slowly begins to draw Ally in. Tina can't wait to be in the talent show, and comes up with different silly ideas to try until Ally hits upon a disco dance routine. But Tina also hides a secret--her mother acts very strangely, talking about people that don't exist and spending money they don't have. Whenever Ally tries to find out about her mother, Tina clams up. Then Ally's dream comes true--Betsy wants her to join the band and go-go dance in the talent show! But if Ally chooses the band, she'll have to abandon Tina. Should she go back to the person she's been friends with forever? Or should Ally be true to oddball Tina, who has always been loyal to her? There may be some references to 70's music and movies that kids don't catch, but in general, a likeable book about hard choices in friendship.

Who Ordered This Baby? Definitely Not Me!

2008-09-04T13:14:00.001-04:00

By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Hank Zipzer is back in his 13th book. This time, Hank receives the terrible news that his mom is expecting a baby. All Hank can think about is how this baby is going to ruin his life by taking attention away from him while spitting up and littering the apartment with dirty diapers. To make matters worse, Hank's birthday is here and no one wants to plan or attend a party. His best friends Ashley and Frankie are shopping for baby gifts and his parents want to just have a quiet dinner. The baby isn't here yet and it is already ruining his life! So Hank takes the initiative and with Papa Pete's help, purchases a baby tarantula named Rosa. Can taking care of a spider help prepare Hank for a real baby? Can Hank keep a large spider under control? If you know Hank, you already know the answers to these questions. Fans won't be disappointed by the funny scenes and the way Hank works through his problem. Although some readers may see the ending coming from a long way out, most will still enjoy the trip.

Lost and Found

2008-08-18T18:24:00.002-04:00

By Andrew Clements

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Another school story from the master. Jay and Ray Grayson are identical twins except for a freckle on Ray's ankle. When the twins move to a new town and start school there is one big difference--Ray is sick on the first day and stays home. When Jay doesn't hear Ray's name called in homeroom, he thinks it is weird, but lets it slide. Then he notices that his school file is twice as big as normal and figures it out--the school thinks he and Ray are one person! And Jay concocts a wild idea--what if he and Ray could take turns going to school and experience life NOT as a twin, but as individuals? The boys decide to try it for a week--a week of lying and pretending, but the newness of it all seems worth it. As long as they don't get caught....but how far can it possibly go? A fun story if flawed story that is really about sibling rivalry, twins or not.

Forever Rose

2008-07-14T13:12:00.002-04:00

By Hilary McKay

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Those who have been fans of the Casson family stories (Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After) will be thrilled with this sequel. Rose is now in grade 6 and having trouble in school. Not only is her teacher less than engaged in teaching at all, Rose struggles in math, reading and every other subject. Complicate that with her mother Eve having bronchitis, Caddy still being missing in action, Indigo's friend David having nowhere to live, her father Bill still living in London and Saffy and Indigo being constantly busy, and Rose feels quite alone. And they don't even have a Christmas tree yet! All this makes Rose quite grumpy and so she does things like write how many shopping days are left until Christmas in marker on the kitchen clock. Then when David moves his drumset into the house, Eve spends all her time in the shed painting pre-ordered pictures, and Caddy phones but won't give any details about her life or where she is, Rose is almost at the end of her rope. Then her best friends Molly and Kiran hatch a daring plan that includes ditching the class trip--and they want Rose along for the adventure. Who thought one act of daring would change everyone's lives? Another fully enjoyable story about the unmatchable Cassons. Whether this is your first book in the series or not, you won't find many other series that are quite as likeable, quirky and funny as these. Full marks!

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

2008-06-17T10:43:00.002-04:00

By Jeanne Birdsall

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

For those of you who liked the first book called simply The Penderwicks, this thoroughly enjoyable sequel will have fans cheering. Back home on Gardam Street in Cameron, Massachusetts, our four sisters--Rosalind, Skye, Jane and Batty--are faced with a big problem. As we know, the Penderwicks' mother died shortly after giving birth to Batty, and now, four years later, it is revealed that she left behind a letter to insist Mr. Penderwick begin to date. Well, this horror can't be allowed! So the sisters make a Save Daddy Plan to fix him up with terrible dates to turn him off of dating and avoid (shiver!) a wicked stepmother. To futher complicate things, neighbor Tommy has a crush on Rosalind, Skye and Jane switch homework assignments only to court disaster, and Batty is on the lookout for the scary Bug Man who has begun to haunt Gardam Street (but no one believes her). But if you know the Penderwicks, they manage to work through their problems in a sometimes funny, sometimes practical, but always in a loving family type of way. It is impossible for a family of four sisters to be quite so harmonious as these are, but if you could reimagine Little Women for our time, you'd come up with the Penderwicks. The plot is a tad predictable, particularly where the new neighbor and her infant son are concerned, but readers will be enjoying the characters so much, they won't really care. Let's hope for more installments to come in this happy series.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2008-04-28T16:11:00.003-04:00

By Jeff Kinney

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Told in a handwritten script and cartoons in his journal (not a diary, says Gregory), Gregory writes of his daily life at home and school. As a pretty wimpy kid, Greg is often picked on, so he spends his time trying to find ways to get attention or better his life situation at home or school. Unfortunately, his one good friend Rowley is often the one bearing the brunt of Greg's faulty ideas. Like when he thinks it'll be a good idea to start weight-lifting...but makes Rowley try it first. Guess who gets stuck under the homemade dumbell? Or the time Rowley breaks his hand after playing the Big Wheel and football game. Although Greg is not the type of kid you can say is particularly nice, a lot of the situations he gets himself (and Rowley) into are pretty funny. It would have been too much to ask to have any real character growth in this type of story which is just out for cheap laughs, but the kids who read it won't care. They'll just laugh and ask for more! So if you like a funny read, pick this one up. A sequel, Rodrick Rules, will also be on the funny story reading list.

Eleven

2008-04-22T13:46:00.002-04:00

By Patricia Reilly Giff

Rating: 4 stars

Sam is turning 11 years old, but for some reason, the number eleven scares him. Then he finds in the attic a newspaper clipping with a picture of him as a three year old with a different last name and the word "missing." Missing? Was Mack, the grandfather he lived with, not really his family? There's more, in a locked box. And he keeps having dreams; dreams of shouting, dreams of being wet in a storm, dreams of a castle, dreams of the number eleven. To help him figure out the clues to his past, Sam enlists Caroline, a new girl in his classroom. A struggling reader, Sam figures it will help to have someone who can read well. Sam and Caroline's friendship develops much like the pieces of the mystery to Sam's past until there is a point where all of their relationships hang in the balance and Sam must make the final effort to know the truth. Readers' interest will be held by the various clues as well as by the likeable Sam and Caroline which all combine to make an enjoyable tale about finding out about who you were so you can move forward to be who you are.

Lily B. on the Brink of Paris

2008-04-11T16:40:00.002-04:00

By Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Lily B. wants nothing more to be a great writer, and how better to start her writing career then absorbing the wonders of Paris? Lily is excited to be on 8th grade class trip to Paris with her best friends Charlotte and Bonnie as well as five other classmates. How can she help but mine "mental gems" from the City of Lights? But being a tourist in Paris isn't quite what she imagined it to be...especially when a girl who doesn't like paying attention to details finds herself separated from the group without a clue about where she is and how to get back. Suddenly her writer's spirit of disorganization has lead her awry. Often quite funny, we follow Lily as she sees some of the sights of Paris, plumbs some hidden depths in herself as well as in some of her friends and classmates, and finds out you don't have to leave your own backyard to write a great first novel (but she's glad she got to see Paris anyway). A light but enjoyable read that will appeal to many girls. More Lily B books include Lily B. on the Brink of Cool and Lily B. on the Brink of Love.

Me and the Pumpkin Queen

2008-04-08T12:18:00.002-04:00

By Marlane Kennedy

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Mildred is obsessed with pumpkins. Giant pumpkins. Mildred lives in Circleville, Ohio, where every year the Pumpkin Festival proudly displays those giant pumpkins which can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. When little 6 year old Mildred discovers that her mother, who recently died of cancer, always wanted to try growing a giant pumpkin, her own obsession is born to grow a pumpkin her mother would be proud of. As Mildred grows older, she learns more and more about what it takes to grow a giant pumpkin, but so far, she hasn't been successful in getting one big enough and good enough to bring to the festival. Mildred's veterinarian father is understanding, but her Aunt Arlene thinks her obsession is unhealthy. What about clothes? Friends? Vacations away? The year Mildred turns eleven, she finds that growing up might include having to do and learn some things she could ignore before. As she battles Aunt Arlene's good intentions, ignores the girls at school who only care about how you look, and bonds with her best and only friend Jacob, Mildred struggles to grow her best pumpkin ever. Will she finally have one that can be displayed at the Festival? This is a light and entertaining read which is certainly an education about both pumpkin growing and growing up. With a feel good ending, readers will enjoy this fun story. For another great story about pumpkin growing pangs, read Squashed by Joan Bauer.

Feathers

2008-02-29T15:25:00.002-05:00

Diary of a Would-Be Princess

2007-04-04T13:01:00.000-04:00

By Jessica Green

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

In this Australian import, Jillian is a 5th grader writing in her journal for school at the beginning of the school year. Want she wants to be most of all is part of the "Princess" clique of girls in her classroom, but all attempts to befriend those girls falls flat. Instead, class nerd, Nigel, begins to hang around to her despair. But as the year progresses, Jillian begins to see the good side of Nigel and also some of the other outcasts in her class, like Sam (who can barely read), Vincent (a "bad boy") and Raymond (who tends to get violent). Even the new boy, Rodney, and Amanda, who is great at sports, become members of Jillian's ragtag group. By year's end, Jillian is surprised at the change in direction both she and her new friends have taken, and realizes there is more to her than any "Princess" could hope for. A light feel-good read about becoming happy with who you are. Fun!

4 Kids in 5E & 1 Crazy Year

2007-03-09T16:09:00.000-05:00

By Virginia Frances Schwartz

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

When the fifth grade classrooms are too overcrowded one year in a New York City school, one new classroom is opened up--5E, with a new teacher named Ms. Hill. Destiny, Maximo, Giovanni and Willie are all chosen for the new classroom, scrunched between the kindergartens. All 4 students have different stories. Willie is homesick for Jamaica and his ailing grandmother, Giovanni is terrified he'll be held back because he can hardly read in English, Maximo is freshly back from living in shelters with his mother and angry with life, and Destiny is a pushy gossip, always looking to find out about everyone and everything. But all of their lives are transformed when Ms. Hill makes writing part of their lives. Every day the children write in their journals, making observations about the world around them and eventually, about their own feelings and experiences. Through their writing, they all learn and grow, overcoming their own personal problems. All four students take turns telling the story of their year in 5E, from some of the early reluctance to write to the frenzy of entering the fifth grade writing contest at the end of the year. They also tell the stories of each other as they begin to notice something outside of their own worlds. An inspirational and interesting story about the power of words and of people.

The Higher Power of Lucky

2007-02-20T16:24:00.000-05:00

By Susan Patron

Newbery Award 2007

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Lucky loves living in Dead Pan, population 43. She loves her knot-tying friend, Lincoln (who may become president some day), and collecting insects like Charles Darwin with her dog, HMS Beagle. But Lucky doesn't think that Brigitte, her Guardian from France who came to take care of her after her mother's death, feels the same way about Dead Pan. Lucky thinks that after 2 years of taking care of her, Brigitte is ready to return to France and leave her and dusty Dead Pan behind and Lucky will be put in an orphanage. Whenever Lucky eavesdrops on the 12 step program meetings in town, the people always talk about hitting rock bottom and finding their Higher Power. When she finally thinks she's found hard evidence that Brigitte is going to leave, Lucky realizes she's hit rock bottom and decides to run away. But will a dust storm, a lost 5 year old, and a survial kit help Lucky find her Higher Power and give her the answers she needs? This is a very unusual, touching story, with unforgettable characters against the vivid backdrop of the California desert. You can almost feel the grit in your hair and feel the heat under your toes. Readers will be pleased with Lucky's realization that what you were looking for might be right under your nose all of the time, and that happiness can be found in your own backyard.

Kiss Me Tomorrow

2007-02-14T13:33:00.000-05:00

By Susan Shreve

Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Blister is back! Fans of the first book, simply called Blister, will be happy to read this sequel. Red-headed, skinny, and sure of who she is, Alyssa "Blister" Reed is ready to start 7th grade with her best friend Jonah Morrison at her side. But when school actually does begin, things start to go wrong. Jonah spends his time trailing around after a pack of "cool" boys and mostly ignores Blister. And her mom reveals she has a new boyfriend named Frank, and that they are planning to move in together. Instead of feeling centered, Blister feels events and people are spiraling out of her control. Then Jonah gets accused of shoplifting and runs away from home on the same day that Blister is moving to the new house, which ironically, is across the street from Jakob Cutter's house. Jakob is one of the kids that Jonah had been desperate to hang out with, and Blister suspects he may have had something to do with the shoplifting. Can Blister find Jonah and help clear his name? Can she get the real story out of Jakob Cutter (who is paying a lot of unwanted attention to her)? And can she be happy living in a house with a guy who makes her mom happy but isn't her dad? Blister discovers that people can her surprise her in good ways, and that she needs to be herself to be happy. Readers will admire Blister's fierce sense of self, and how she handles her issues while staying true to that. Great characters and a good story!

Vive La Paris

2006-12-28T16:29:00.000-05:00

By Esme Codell
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is a companion novel to the wonderful Sahara Special. Named after the city in France, Paris is a 5th grader who loves to read, has 4 big brothers, and a father who wants all the kids to know how to play an instrument. Accordingly, Paris gets sent to elderly Mrs. Rosen for piano lessons, with her 8th grade brother Michael in tow. Paris is troubled by 2 things: how soft her brother Michael seems to be, and Tanaeja, a girl in her class who keeps trying to beat up Michael at recess. Michael only wants to keep the peace, so he doesn't fight back, but Paris is itching to put this bully down. But as her lessons with Mrs. Rosen progress, she learns about a different perspective on life as well as some jazz. Paris is taught the hard way that her point of view isn't the only one that exists, and to try and be your brother's keeper is a long, bumpy road. And if Tanaeja is her enemy, maybe there is a reason behind her actions if she can just see past them. This is a wonderful book about being and becoming. Paris is very realistic in her narrow point of view, and in her reluctance to forgive and forget. Fans of Sahara Special can hope for more stories about members of Miss Pointy's class.

Framed

2006-12-24T11:29:00.000-05:00

By Frank Cottrell Boyce
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

In this absolute charmer, Dylan lives in the tiny Welsh town of Manod, where it rains almost every day of the year, and his family runs the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel where they sell petrol (gas) and fix cars. But with the Oasis Auto Marvel at the end of a dead end road in a town which doesn't even have a sign to exit from the highway, things are not going so well for business. On top of that, Dylan is the last boy left in Manod minus his baby brother, so forget about playing soccer. Then suddenly, there is activity on top of the mountain road past the Auto Marvel where the old slate quarry is--the National Gallery in London has sent its entire collection of paintings to keep safely on the old mountain due to flooding at the museum. As the townspeople get glimpses of the different paintings, they find themselves moved and changed by the artwork, which in turn, begins to change life in Manod. But despite the best efforts of Dylan's family, the Auto Marvel is still failing, and his sister Minnie gets an idea--what if they could steal one of the paintings and hold it for ransom? Then they'd be able to pay off their debts. But can a couple of kids and an adult obsessed with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pull off the robbery of the century? This a extremely likeable story, filled with great characters and the transformative powers of art. Not to mention the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Big thumbs up.

My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat

2006-12-14T16:54:00.000-05:00

By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 10 in the Hank Zipzer series. It is Halloween, and Hank has a fabulous idea for the school's costume parade--a table at an Italian restaurant! Despite his friends' warnings, he forges ahead with his costume, and if you know Hank, you know that things didn't quite work out like he planned. But what bothers Hank the most is when Nick McKelty, the 5th grade bully, makes fun of both him and his sister, Emily, in front of the whole school. It is time to put a stop to Nick the Tick's bullying! Hank recruits his friends Ashley and Frankie to put together a last-minute haunted house in his living room to give McKelty the scare of his life! But when Hank's dog, Cheerio, goes missing, revenge takes a backseat. Can they find Cheerio in time to still give Nick his scare? As always, a Hank Zipzer story is full of fun and laughs, along with a big heart. Readers will chuckle along with Hank's ups and downs and come back looking for more installments to eat up.

Looking for Bobowicz

2006-12-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

By Daniel Pinkwater
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Nick is unhappy to have to move to Hoboken. He is even more unhappy to have his bike stolen the very first hour in the new place. But then he makes some new friends and they hang out in the cool basement, reading Classic Comics and listening to pirate radio as the summer passes. One day in the basement, Nick and his friends stumble on a scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings about a giant chicken who terrorized the city and was owned by an Arthur Bobowicz. When the kids start asking questions, no one seems to know about the 6 foot high chicken, or about "the phantom" who they suspect of stealing bikes. Soon the trio are chin-deep in attempts to track down Arthur Bobowicz and find the giant chicken! Readers will be rolling in the aisles as they meet crazy characters, try catching bats with hats, and search for the giant chicken. A very funny, offbeat story that will have kids asking for more books by Daniel Pinkwater.

Firegirl

2006-10-26T14:18:00.000-04:00

By Tony Abbott
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Tom is in 7th grade in Catholic school and spends his time with his one good friend, Jeff, and daydreaming about Courtney, the prettiest girl in class. Then one day a new girl in brought into the class--Jessica, who was badly burned in a fire. Jessica looks like no one Tom has ever seen before, and he is afraid of her, especially when she ends up sitting next to him. But as unkind rumors and gossip swirl around about Jessica, Tom finds that he dislikes the way everyone treats her even more than he dislikes how Jessica looks. When Tom's teacher sends him over her house to deliver some homework, Tom has a chance to find out the truth. Jessica's stay in his classroom is brief, but Tom finds that the short time she was there has changed the way he sees life forever. Although Tom doesn't save the day, in a way, he is a hero, even if no one else sees it. This is a powerful story, which will benefit anyone who reads it. A great book to discuss.

All of the Above

2006-10-23T19:18:00.000-04:00

By Shelley Pearsall
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Pearsall was inspired by the true story of a math class that tackled building the biggest Sierpinski Tetrahedron and did it, with the hope of getting into the Guiness Book of Records. This fictional account begins with Mr. Collins' 7th grade math class. Frustrated at the lack of interest from his students who are mostly black and struggling against poverty, Mr. Collins proposes a math club after school which will strive to build the largest tetrahedron ever. A tetrahedron is like a pyramid, but all sides are triangles, unlike a pyramid which has a square bottom. Although Mr. Collins expects no one to show up, a few students do, and slowly, over the long months and some big setbacks, the project comes to mean something important to all of them and ends up making all of their lives a little bit better. The novel is told from the points of view of all the main characters, and we get fascinating and moving glimpses into their hopes, dreams and every day lives. It is a quick read, but an inspiring one that should make anyone who reads it feel the power of individuals who, while striving for the same goal, become a team who feel they can accomplish more than they ever thought they could.

Shug

2006-10-23T19:14:00.000-04:00

By Jenny Han
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Annemarie, nicknamed Shug, is about to start 7th grade and she's not sure she's ready to be that grown up. She feels very plain next to her beautiful sister Celia, as well as her mother, and she suspects that her neighborhood friends will no longer be quite so friendly in junior high. To complicate things, her mother is turning into an alchoholic and fighting a lot with her father and suddenly, Annemarie has fallen in love with her neighbor and longtime friend, Mark. How can she get Mark to notice her as a girl, especially one without any amazing qualities to show off? As Annemarie works her way through the beginning of 7th grade, she learns some hard lessons about family, friends and fitting in. But she also makes some new friends and has some unexpected surprises, including a first kiss. This is a good, realistic story for that tween who isn't quite as ready as some others to hurry up and get older.

Caddy Ever After

2006-10-23T19:13:00.000-04:00

By Hilary McKay
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

The fabulous Casson family has returned! For those of us who enjoyed Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star (see review) and Permanent Rose, another chapter in the lives of Saffy, Indigo, Caddy and Rose is presented. Despite the book's title, it is not all about Caddy. McKay decides to let all 4 members of the Casson family take a hand chronicling their latest adventures. So we hear about Rose's troubles in the classroom, Indigo's takeover of the Valentine disco and Saffy's new romance which all end up leading to what the title refers to--Caddy meeting the guy who is to be her "Ever After." However, everyone is not as sure as Caddy is about her fiance, since everyone had liked Darling Michael whom she had broken her engagement off with the previous year. Will Caddy buck her family's protests and marry her new beau? Will Rose keep the promise she made to Michael before he left? Will Saffy be able to make up with her friend Sarah? Will Indigo impress the girl he likes? As ever, the Casson family will make you laugh, cry and be happy that you picked up this book to read.

Dicey's Song

2006-10-23T19:12:00.000-04:00

By Cynthia Rylant
1983 Newbery Award Winner
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Continuing the story begun in Homecoming, Dicey Tillerman and her 3 siblings, James, MayBeth and Sammy, have made it finally to where their grandmother lives in Crisfield, Maryland after weeks of traveling by themselves on foot . Although she hadn't known of their existence until recently, Gram decides to take them in and adopt them. But Dicey finds that even though their biggest problem of finding a home has been solved, many other issues remain. Sammy is fighting in school, MayBeth can't seem to learn how to read, James has a hard time making friends, and Dicey keeps herself held back from getting too involved in anything. Plus money is always a worry, and Gram's rather unconventional ways have townspeople's tongues wagging. But the biggest blow is still to come. Slowly, slowly, the Tillermans learn that they need to reach out if they want to hold onto the good things in life, and that there are good things to reach for. This beautifully written novel will take you inside of Dicey's life as she struggles to adjust to her new world and to take the bad with the good. There are many other novels about the Tillermans and their friends that you might want to read, including The Runner, Sons From Afar, Seventeen Against the Dealer and A Solitary Blue. Good stuff, from beginning to end.

Bollywood Babes

2006-10-23T19:11:00.000-04:00

By Narinder Dhami
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Amber, Jazz and Geena are three sisters who like to meddle. Amber, our narrator, gets particularly "good" ideas which usually turn into disasters. In this book, their third, the girls have been working hard to get their single Auntie hooked up with the cute teacher at their school, Mr. Arora. When the girls hear about an old Bollywood (like Hollywood, but movies made in India) movie star, Molly Mahal, living nearly destitute nearby, they decide to see if they can convince her to come to their Bollywood party fundraiser for their school. That would put a feather in Auntie's cap! But the girls find Molly about to be evicted from her apartment and living on next to nothing, and impulsively, they invite her home to stay. Soon, Molly Mahal has everyone dazzled, including the girls' father and Mr. Arora! Molly acts more like a queen than someone living on charity, and the girls (and Auntie) are at their wit's end as they try to find a way to get rid of the most popular girl in town. But when Molly starts acting as if their father might be on her agenda to improve her circumstances, things get desperate. What will be the price of Molly's fame? This is a fun read about family, crushes, and the what you would do to be famous. It is also an enjoyable peek into an Indian-English community. If you like this story, you might also enjoy more stories of the girls, including Bindi Babes and Bhangri Babes.

Poison Ivy

2006-10-23T19:09:00.000-04:00

By Amy Goldman Koss
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Ivy has been picked on for years by the Evil Three: Ann, Benita and Sophie. When Ivy's teacher finds out about the torture, she decides to hold a mock trial to hold the threesome accountable for their treatment of Ivy. The other kids in class get chosen as lawyers and jurors and so forth. But would you stand up against the most popular girls in school and not worry about your own reputation? Even to do the right thing? Would you lie? Or tell the truth? Koss tells the story from the viewpoint of several of the kids in the classroom, although Ivy, Ann, Daria (Ivy's lawyer) and Marco (a juror) get the most to say. It is a story to make you think about whether you are kid who teases others or one of those who gets teased, or even if you are just someone in the middle. A book that makes you think about what is important to you in school and what should be important. An interesting read that would be great to talk about in a classroom or discussion group.

Jake Drake, Class Clown

2006-10-23T19:08:00.000-04:00

By Andrew Clements
Rating: 4 7/8 stars
Reviewed by Karen

Jake Drake's 2nd grade class has a new student teacher who never smiles, not even a little. One day Jake spontaneously makes a joke and thinks he sees a slight smile. He even overhears her tell another teacher that she thinks he is funny! Now, Jake's mission is to make Miss Bruce laugh. This story is part of a series of Jake Drake books and gives children an idea of what it must be like to be a new teacher. Jake learns that all actions have consequences and they might not be the ones you want. Does he make Miss Bruce laugh? Does he think about what might happen if he is successful? It's a very funny story and kids will find Jake's attempts to make Miss Bruce laugh hilarious.

Defiance

2006-10-23T19:07:00.000-04:00

By Valerie Hobbs
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Toby and his parents are at a rented cottage for the summer and Toby is enjoying doing regular things an 11 year old would do. But he has a secret. Toby's cancer is coming back and he has decided he is not telling his parents and he is not going back to the Children's Hospital for treatment. At least, that is his decision until he meets Pearl, a spunky old woman living on a small farm nearby. Pearl's cow Blossom becomes the reason that Pearl and Toby meet and become friends, and doing what is best for Blossom helps both of them realize what is best for themselves. Told with warmth, honesty and poetry, this is ultimately a story about understanding your own destiny and making choices. An enjoyable and meaningful read.

Gender Blender

2006-10-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

By Blake Nelson
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Emma and Tom are neighbors. They were friends up until 4th grade, but now, in 6th grade, all they seem to do is fight. Then they collide heads on a trampoline while Tom has an arrowhead in his pocket and they magically switch bodies! Emma discovers an old legend that says they have 4 days to learn how to settle their differences or they will be cursed to stay in the wrong body forever. Emma and Tom try to solve their problem, but meanwhile, life is still happening. Tom has to learn how to act and dress like a girl and go to Emma's Girl Scouts meeting, gymnastic meet, and piano lessons. Emma has to learn how to be a boy and pitch in Tom's baseball tryouts, as well as outwit Tom's little brother. And what about Emma's chances with the very cute Jeff and Tom's chances with gorgeous Kelly? With all this happening, how can they learn to get along with each other? This is a very enjoyable and funny story, which shows the different expectations we have of boys and girls. It will hit a chord with tweens of both sexes. Thumbs up!

United Tates of America

2006-10-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

by Paula Danziger
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Karen

United Tates of America begins with Sarah Kate "Skate" Tate finishing her first day of middle school. There are a lot of changes happening in Skate's life...new school, new friends, and new activities all at once. It seems very scary and sometimes Skate longs for elementary school when life was less complicated and more predictable. The biggest change of all comes with the death of Skate's much loved Great Uncle Mort (GUM). The entire Tate family misses him dearly and Skate remembers his advice, "The future is not to be feared but to be explored and celebrated". Instead of worrying about how different her life is from last year she realizes that changes are not the end of something but can mean a new beginning or adventure. The one constant in Skate's life is her scrapbooking hobby and Danziger's scrapbook art is a great addition. Despite some serious issues, the story is upbeat and hopeful. Both girls and boys will identify with Skate's situation whether it's adjusting to a new school or a death in the family.

Chicken Boy

2006-10-23T19:02:00.000-04:00

By Frances O'Roark Dowell
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Ignore the terrible title and cover! This is a good book! Tobin is a 7th grader with what seems like nothing going for him. His mother died of cancer five years ago, his house is a pigsty, his father and siblings are rarely home, and there is never anything to eat in the house. His siblings have a bad reputation in school and around town, so although Tobin is a good kid, he underperforms in school and tries to just not call attention to himself. He wishes he could live with his Granny, but since she and his father are always at odds, he feels like he is in the middle. That all changes when he impulsively stands up for an English teacher who has been kind and not condescending to him. He starts a fight with the offending boy, and another boy jumps in to help Tobin out. Enter Henry Otis, who persists in making Tobin his friend and introduces Tobin to the world of raising chickens. Henry thinks chickens have souls, and sets out pulling Tobin into proving he is right. Tobin is able to start opening up to a friend--and some chickens. He starts making more friends at school and doing better in classes. But just when things seem to be getting better, Granny calls Social Services on his father and Tobin gets put into a foster home. You would think things would just get worse, but actually, this when his family finally has to take hard look at themselves and their situation. This is a great, interesting (when is the last time you wondered if a chicken had a soul?), and moving story that will reward whomsoever reads it.

Class President

2006-10-23T19:01:00.000-04:00

By Johanna Hurwitz
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Karen

Mr. Flores' 5th grade class is voting for a class president. Popular Cricket Kaufman wants to run and Julio expects she will win. Julio would like to run but doesn't think he stands a chance against Cricket. He decides to help Lucas' campaign instead, but as the week goes by his own leadership abilities become apparent. The characters are well rounded and there is humor in the the story too - Lucas' three year old twin brothers shampoo their hair in the boy's room at school! The ending is predictable but children might not think so.

Replay

2006-10-23T19:00:00.000-04:00

By Sharon Creech
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Leo is the second child of four in an Italian-American family. He wants to act and dream and dance, but his propensity for daydreaming causes his family to call him "fog boy." Leo really just wants to be noticed for his talents, and his role as the Old Crone in an upcoming play seems like his chance. But when the teacher asks the cast to get into character by imagining someone around them as young, Leo begins to examine his family more closely. His father's autobiography at age 13 falls into his hands and Leo finds it hard to imagine his father as the carefree person he writes about. He also uncovers some secrets which are painful for his family when they are brought into the light of the current day. But Leo finds that love and hope still remain by the end of the story, in both his family and the play. Leo, like other protagonists of Creech, deals with loss and fears of loss along with more ordinary feelings, like being noticed in a good way. Still, the story is entertaining, and you'll find yourself rooting for Leo to make good. This is a quick but, as with all Creech books, a good read.

Criss Cross

2006-10-23T18:59:00.000-04:00

By Lynne Rae Perkins
Newbery Award Winner 2006
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Debbie, Hector, Patty, Lenny and Phil have all been neighborhood friends forever. During one particular summer, the group explores their small town lives and themselves, thinking about who they are and who they might become. The book is told from the points of view of most of the characters, but mostly the story focuses on Debbie and Hector. Over this summer, Debbie will move from having a crush to having a romance, from being a watcher to being a doer. Hector becomes inspired to learn to play guitar, and through his guitar class, he develops some of his own character through writing songs. This is not a book where a lot happens except perhaps in the minds of the characters. So if you like a book that has lots of action and adventure, this is not the story for you. But if you like a quiet book that will make you think differently about the world around you, you might like this one.

Sixth Grade, Glommers, Norks and Me

2006-10-23T18:56:00.000-04:00

By Lisa Papademetriou
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Allie and Tam are best friends about to start 6th grade at a new school--a magnet school for smart kids--and they are worried about who they are going to know, what the other kids will wear, what their classes will be like and so on. Allie is more the jock type, and is really into soccer. Tam is more the pretty fashionable one. But they've been best friends forever, and nothing is going to change that! Well, until they start 6th grade. Allie is not pleased to find Tam hanging out with Renee--a girl from their past that they supposedly didn't like. Allie starts feeling very left out by the pair, and things don't seem to get any better when she has to play a new position on the soccer team and she gets stuck with a real nerd for her lab partner in science. But as Allie works through the hurt of growing apart from her best friend, she finds she has new friends on her soccer team, that befriending a nork (a cross between a nerd and dork) isn't that bad, and that she is better off being her own person than a "glommer." This is an engaging story about starting middle school and doing a little bit of growing up and standing up for what's important. Girls will definitely identify with Allie and her trials and maybe hope for new installments about her life.

Gooney Bird Greene

2006-10-23T18:53:00.000-04:00

By Lois Lowry
Reviewed by Karen

Gooney Bird Greene is the new girl in second grade and as soon as she arrives the other students can't get enough of her unique and "absolutely true" stories. She is the main character in all of her stories and the center of everyone's attention and that is exactly where she wants to be! I liked the "absolutely true" explanations behind the unbelievable sounding stories. Gooney Bird's story titled "Beloved Catman Is Consumed by a Cow" was really about a cat who became infatuated with a cow. This is a great chapter book for younger readers (especially girls). Readers will want to hear more Gooney Bird stories.

Because of Winn-Dixie

2006-10-23T18:52:00.000-04:00

By Kate DiCamillo
Rating: 5 stars
Newbery Honor Award
Reviewed by Noelle

This may well be one of my favorite all-time books. India Opal and her preacher father have just moved to Naomi, Florida. 10 year old Opal has no friends and is pretty lonely until she happens to find a stray dog in the Winn-Dixie supermarket. She takes him home and calls him--what else?--Winn-Dixie. As Opal says, everything good that happened that summer happened because of Winn-Dixie. Following her dog's lead, Opal finally manages to make friends, both young and old, and then she brings her misfit band of lonely folks together. Her new friends include a criminal, a witch, a candy-maker's great-granddaughter, a knuckle-sucking 5 year old, some bald-headed babies, and a girl with a permanently pinched up face. Really? you ask. Well, maybe first impressions shouldn't count, and you need to see people for who they really are right now. Opal learns that everyone makes mistakes and that there is a lot of good mixed in with the bad. So pop a Littmus Lozenge in your mouth and curl up with Winn-Dixie. You won't be sorry!

Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the Family

2006-10-23T18:49:00.000-04:00

By Steve Schirripa
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Twelve year old Nicholas Borelli, Jr. lives in a nice highbrow neighborhood in New Jersey and is expecting to go to his usual summer camp when the camp has an unexpected emergency and can't open on time. His parents reluctantly decide to send him to his grandmother Tutti who lives in a very Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn while they go on their scheduled cruise. Nicholas arrives and after one look, his Uncle Frankie rechristens him Nicky Deuce and starts to teach him about his Italian-American heritage. Nicky watches gangster movies, meets the locals in the neighborhood, and prepares to become a "goomba." To his surprise, this usually brainy rich kid loves his new life. His grandmother's cooking is fabulous and he makes a new friend named Tommy, and he has his first real crush on a girl named Donna. But his new life has some shadows to it. Frankie disappears regularly for his "job," and after a little investigating, Nicky is sure his uncle is part of the mafia. Nicky's new friend Tommy also gets Nicky involved in some shady dealings. In fact, Tommy and Nicky get into some very serious trouble, and it will take Frankie, Nicky's dad and some courage that Nicky never knew he had to get them out of it. This is a very fun, quick read that boys will especially like. There is adventure around every corner, and it is a great story for anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to be put smack in the middle of a mobster story.

Frindle

2006-10-23T18:48:00.000-04:00

By Andrew Clements
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Nick Allen is a fifth grader, a good kid, maybe a little bit of a troublemaker. His new English teacher, Mrs. Granger, is no nonsense. So Nick decides to push her a little bit about one of her favorite things--the dictionary and the importance of words and language. He invents the word "frindle" to use instead of pen, and enlists all of his friends to use it, too. Before Nick knows it, his new word is sweeping the nation! He finally got the upper hand on Mrs. Granger! or did he? This is a great school story about a boy, a teacher, some initiative, and how things can get out of hand in a good way as well as a bad way. I don't know anyone who doesn't like this story! After you read Frindle, you'll want to read more Andrew Clements books.

The Report Card

2006-10-23T18:47:00.000-04:00

By Andrew Clements
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Nora is a genius. Really. But she's the only one who knows. She saw that people would treat her differently if they knew how smart she was, so Nora plays average. And she's happy that way. But then she sees how important grades can be to someone who isn't a genius, and decides it is time to take action. Nora decides instead of being average, she is going to fail her next report card. Her parents and the school go to great lengths to find out what is wrong with Nora, which is just fine with her. She'll show them how grades are not important! Will Nora succeed in her quest? Read it and find out! This is a thoroughly enjoyable story about a girl against the world. Anyone who enjoys school stories will like this one!

My Life as a Secret Ping-Pong Wizard

2006-10-23T18:45:00.000-04:00

By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Hank Zipzer is a fifth grader with some learning challenges. Math and spelling are not his strong suit! But it is a new school year and his friends Ashley and Frankie sign up for soccer, so Hank does, too. But Hank finds he has some learning challenges with soccer, too, and that, combined with a coach who is very hard on the team, makes Hank want to drop out. Then his grandfather, Papa Pete, takes Hank to his ping-pong club. Hank doesn't think he'll be able to play ping-pong either, but with some practice, he really begins to get good at it and likes playing. The problem is, Hank is afraid his friends and family will make fun of him for not playing a "real" sport, so he hides his new talent. He definitely won't participate in the Parade of Athletes at school. But when a friend really needs him, will Hank keep on hiding his talent? If you like books that are funny and also make you feel good, read a Hank Zipzer book! You'll want to read all the Hank Zipzer books. Check out the Hank Zipzer website for more information.

Dork in Disguise

2006-10-23T18:44:00.000-04:00

By Carol Gorman
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Jerry is a geek, through and through. But he decides that since he is starting middle school in a new town, he will reinvent himself as a "cool kid." After all, no one needs to know about his geek past, right? But being a cool kid is harder than it seems. And with the help of a new friend, Brenda, Jerry realizes that maybe being himself isn't so awful. A funny book about struggling to fit in, that most everyone will like! Check out more about this book and its sequels, Dork on the Run and A Midsummer's Night Dork and Carol Gorman at this site.

Indigo's Star

2006-10-23T18:42:00.000-04:00

By Hilary McKay
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Indigo is part of the Casson family, who are all named after colors by their artist parents. After a long illness, Indigo is back at school and is mercilessly bullied by a group of boys, making his life rather miserable. Things begin to look up, however, when Indigo meets Tom, the new American boy at his school, who has a talent for music and doesn't particularly care what the bullies think. Tom has some heartache of his own, since he is sulking after the birth of his new baby sister and missing his father. Rose, Indigo's sister, is also experiencing some heartache since the Casson's father is almost always in London at his studio there. She works tirelessly to find a good enough reason to get him to come back home to her. The three end up forming a firm friendship, which supports them and enables them all to grow. You can't help but fall in love with the Casson family, who are unorganized but always loving. If you want a fast-paced adventure, don't pick up this book, but if you want to love what you are reading, try it out. A bonus is that there are more books about the Casson family, including Saffy's Angel, Permanent Rose and Caddy Ever After. Read more about Hilary McKay.

The Penderwicks

2006-10-23T18:41:00.000-04:00

By Jeanne Birdsall
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
National Book Award Winner
Reviewed by Noelle

I have read few books that were more enjoyable or fun than this one this past year. Rosalind, Skye, Jane and Batty have a rented house in the Berkshires of Massachusetts for two weeks with their father. The house is on the property of a beautiful mansion, and the sisters quickly make the acquaintance of Jeffrey who lives in the house. Jeffrey's mother looks down on the very colorful and outspoken sisters, and is set on seperating her son from the girls and sending him to military school like her own father. Jeffrey, however, only wants to play piano, and forms firm friendships with the Penderwicks. Rosalind, the eldest sister, is also captivated by Cagney, the young gardener who works on the estate. They get into several scrapes and adventures in the story, mostly involving Jeffrey, too. The dedication between the sisters and the friendship with Jeffrey, as well as a satisfying conclusion, make this story completely enjoyable from start to finish. It is hard to find a reason to not like The Penderwicks!
Read more about Jeanne Birdsall and the book!

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

2006-10-23T18:40:00.000-04:00

By Judy Blume
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Margaret has just moved to a new neighborhood and she is going through a lot of changes. She is very preoccupied with how her body is changing, and talks with her new friend Nancy about wearing training bras and so on. Margaret is ready to start growing up! She also feels a bit odd because most of her friends practice some sort of religion, like Catholicism or Judaism, but her family doesn't. So Margaret talks a lot of stuff over to God in her head. This book was one of the first to really talk about the confusing issues that girls face as they grow up, and it feels real and comforting. Boys may not want to read a book like this, but most girls will identify with Margaret and her mixed up feelings. Read more books by Judy Blume or find out more about her.