Summer Is Fun!

Vacation, Sunshine

and Reading Amazing Books!

Reading

is Fun!

North Colonie Central Schools Latham, New York

Elementary Libraries

Dear Reader,
Its here! Summer Reading Time

We love Summer Reading

and hope that

booklet is filled with book suggestions to you choose what you would like to read summer. There are old favorites and many books.

So, if you are traveling to a new place or sitting in your backyard, this booklet has many ideas to help you while away your summer hours.

The North Colonie Elementary Librarians

Summer 2011

Whelan, Gloria. Yuki and the One Thousand Carriers. The journey on the Takaido road, as told through haiku poetry, gently teaches the customs and culture of 17th-and 18th-century Japan. Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. Steady hands: poems about work. A collection of free verse poems covering many walks of life from janitor to surgeon to artist to tow truck operator. Collage artwork.

Agee, Jon. Terrific. Eugene, who says, terrific whenever anything happens, wins a trip to Bermuda. His ship sinks and he is stranded on an island with only a parrot. Alalou, Elizabeth. The Butter Man. While Nora awaits Babas (Fathers) couscous dinner meal one evening, he shares a story of his youth in Morocco during a famine. Arnold, Tedd. Hi! Fly Guy. Can a fly be a pet? Find out in this tale of a fly entered in a pet show. Asch, Frank. Mr. Maxwells Mouse. Mr. Maxwell, an executive cat, celebrates his promotion at work with a special lunch at the Paw and Claw Restaurant. He doesnt bargain on literally playing a cat and mouse game with his future (or so he hopes) meal. Ashman, Linda. Stella, Unleashed: Notes From The Doghouse. The family dog describes her life in a series of rhymes. Auch, Mary Jane. Chickerella. This is a new version of the traditional Cinderella with magnificent illustrations. Baker, Keith. Just How Long Can a Long String Be? Ant asks Bird the title question, and Bird answers by taking his small friend on a journey. Banks, Kate. Maxs Dragon. Many unusual and unexpected things happen while Max plays with his invisible dragon. Banyai, Istvan. Zoom. A neat wordless picture book which surprises the viewer with ever-changing perspectives. ____________. Re-zoom. Once again, the author surprises the viewer by zooming in and zooming out with his virtual camera to show us how a pictures meaning can change dramatically with a different perspective. Bartram, Simon. Bobs Best-Ever Friend. Bob, an astronaut who travels daily from Earth to the Moon to entertain tourists, is lonely; there are no visitors this Tuesday and his friends have gone off to Pluto. Base, Graeme. Unos Garden. A beautifully illustrated picture book incorporating ecology and simple mathematical concepts.

Picture Books

Bearn, Emily. Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall. Rose Cottage is a modest abode but behind a broom-closet door, hidden by a heavy chest of drawers, lies a 36-room mansion, home to Tumtum and Nutmeg Nutmouse. Beaumont, Karen. Who Ate All The Cookie Dough? Kanga and her friends try to discover who ate all of her cookie dough. Berne, Jennifer. Calvin Cant Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie. A young starling chooses to read books when his cousins are learning to fly, and the knowledge he acquires comes in handy when a hurricane threatens the flocks migration. Black, Michael Ian. A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea. Could anything be more fun than a pig parade? No way! Unless, of course, you consider that pigs dont march, wont wear majorette uniforms, and dont care about floats. Enjoy this hysterical book at a Fourth of July parade or any day! Bliss, Harry. Luke on the Loose. An ideal graphic novel for emerging readers. While his dad is engaged in boring talk with a friend, Luke notices a flock of pigeons and chases after them. The birds lead him out of Central Park through Manhattan and across the Brooklyn Bridge to a quiet rooftop. Bluemle, Elizabeth. Dogs On The Bed. When a family decides to go to bed they are joined by the familys collection of canines who want to snuggle up in bed. Borden, Louise. Off To First Grade. All the members of a first grade class, their teacher, principal and a bus driver are anxious about the first day of school. Bowen, Anne. What Do Teachers Do (After You Leave School)? Students will be amazed when they see how their teacher acts after school. The teachers antics are detailed in rhyming text. Brown, Peter. Children Make Terrible Pets. When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a boy lost in the woods, she asks her mother if she can have him as a pet, only to find him impossible to train. Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple. Farah, a young Muslim girl who has recently immigrated, feels isolated from her classmates on a field trip to an apple orchard but just as her green apple complements the red apples contributed by the others, so does she blend in with the class.

Schertle, Alice. Button Up! A fun collection of poems about clothes with a unique twist...the poems are from the point of view of the clothes from Emilys Undies to Bobs Bicycle Helmet. Shields, Carol Diggery. Lunch Money and Other Poems About School. These are funny poems about school sure to be enjoyed, even during the summer. The illustrations complement such poems as Book Report, Lunch Money, and Recess Rules. Sidman, Joyce. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. Beautiful illustrations highlight poems about the night. The author also includes nonfiction information about the subject of each poem. A Newbery Honor book. Sidman, Joyce. This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness. In this very unique book of poetry, a fictitious class of 6th graders writes poems of apology to those that they have wronged in some way. The second half of the book includes response poems written by the recipient of the original poem. Siebert, Diane. Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art. Take a journey through America with this collection of poetry. The Golden Gate Bridge, Old Faithful, Niagara Falls, and the Everglades are just some of the places youll visit! Silverstein, Shel. Dont Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies. This collection of poetry, originally published in 1964, is now available again for Silverstein fans. The poems are about unusual silly and scary creatures such as the Glump, the Crawfee, and the Slithergadee. Singer, Marilyn. Fireflies at Midnight. The poet takes the reader through one summer day as lived by a variety of animals including the robin, red fox, ant, and mole. Smith, Charles, R. Jr. Diamond Life: Baseball Sights, Sounds and Swings. Sliding into first. Striking out. Hitting a home run. Baseball can be thrilling, heartbreaking and full of endless surprises. ____________________. Hoop Kings. A collection of twelve poems that celebrate contemporary basketball stars, including Shaquille ONeal, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. Stevenson, James. Corn Chowder. A collection of short poems on a variety of topics such as diners, quizzes, trees, and backpacks. The poems are illustrated by the author.

Johnson, Dinah. Hair Dance! This book celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of African American hair with poems and photographs of girls with braids, puffs, cornrows, straight hair, and curly hair. Kennedy, X. J. and Dorothy M. Kennedy. Talking Like the Rain: A First Book of Poems. This is a book of poems for younger children that capture all the events of a young childs life. There are many familiar favorites accompanied by watercolor illustrations. Lewis, J. Patrick and Paul B. Janeczko. Birds on a Wire: A Renga Round Town. Like a haiku, a renga is an ancient Japanese verse form that is traditionally written by two poets. Lewis, Patrick. Please Bury Me in the Library. Fifteen poems that highlight the joys of reading, libraries, books, and words. Maddox, Marjorie. Rules of the Game: Baseball Poems. Mora, Pat. Yum! Mm Mm! Que Rico! A colorfully illustrated book of poems about foods of the Americas with explanatory notes. Myers, Walter Dean. Jazz. Through illustration and poetry the roots of jazz, ragtime and bebop music are celebrated. A musical party you will not forget! Pearson, Susan. Who Swallowed Harold? This is humorous collection of eighteen poems about pets. Some are touching. Many are giggles. Prelutsky, Jack. My Dog May Be a Genius. A collection of poems that celebrates the joys and crazy side of childhood. Raczka, Bob. Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys. Whimsically illustrated, this book was created to show boys they can write poetry, too! Girls will also enjoy the funny seasonal verses found inside this book. Ruddell, Deborah. Today at the Blue-Bird Caf: a Branchful of Birds. Poems for the bird fanif you enjoy bird watching in your backyard, you will enjoy these poems about 22 different kinds of birds. Ruddell, Deborah and Joan Rankin. A Whiff of Pine, A Hint of Skunk: A forest of poems. A collection of poems about forest animals illustrated with watercolors. You will enjoy the fun and rhyme of A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait, Toads Lunch, Proposal for a Squirrel Spa and others.

Burleigh, Robert. Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep!: Listen to the City. A day in the city begins and ends peacefully. The pages in-between show scenes from the bustling streets and sounds. Carrick, Paul. Watch Out for Wolfgang. Mother Robot has three sons. Rod is big and yellow with a clock in his stomach; Slick is a blue creature on a wheel; Dudley is green, rusty, and odd. One day their mother sends them out into the world to keep Wolfgang the Recycler at a distance. Chin, Jason. Redwoods. This remarkable picture book delivers a mix of fantasy and fiction. A boy finds a book about redwood trees and he learns that there are trees alive today that first sprouted during the Roman Empire. Christelow, Eileen. Letters From a Desperate Dog. In this funny story, Emma the dog writes to a canine advice columnist for advice on how to get along with her hard-to-handle human. Conway, David. The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster. Little Miss Muffet is tired of the same old, same old. Looking to escape the drudgery of her life, she seeks excitement in other rhymes. Cronin, Doreen. Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure. Chicken, Cow, and Duck help Farmer Brown get ready for the annual Corn Maze Festival with Duck creating his surprise during the night. Curtis, Jamie. Is There Really a Human Race? The author/actress poses an important and insightful question to ponder amidst the pressures of our current society. Included are some nice messages about making the world a better place and some humorous artwork. Cushman, Doug. Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Missing Books. Dirk Bones, skeletal investigative reporter for The Ghostly Tombs, is interviewing author Edgar Bleek (a blue-skinned Frankenstein look-alike) when it is discovered that the only copy of his unreleased new book is missing. Dodd, Emma. I dont want a cool cat! You dont have to be cat lover to enjoy this book told by a girl with a definite idea of what she wants and doesnt want in a cat (I dont want a prowly cat. A howly, yowly, scowly cat). Fun rhyme and illustrations. DiCamillo, Kate. The Adventures of a Chicken. When Louise, the barnyard chicken, yearns for adventure, shes up for such challenges as pirates on a stormy sea and a high wire act at the circus where she barely escapes falling into fierce lions jaws.

Dunbar, Polly. Pretty Pru: A Tilly and Friends Book. Tumpty the elephant requests lipstick as he admires Pru primping. They discover that Hector the pigs lashes are enhanced with mascara and Tiptoe the bunnys cheekbones glow with a lovely shade of blush. Doodle the alligator sports an impressive manicure with nail polish. Edwards, Pamela Duncan. The Neat Line: Scribbling Through Mother Goose. A line wriggles into a book of nursery rhymes where it becomes different objects to help the characters in the rhymes. Emberley, Rebecca & Ed Emberley. Chicken Little. Chicken Little, a superbright yellow cutie pie with huge, three colored eyes and a punklike crest, is knocked senseless by an acorn thats almost half his size. He caroms off Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Loosey Goosey, and a gorgeously colorful Turkey Lurky. When the birds enter the warm, dark cave into which the fox has invited them (his mouth), the hen squawks. Fitzpatrick, Marie-Louise. There. A child asks, When will I get There? as she travels through fantastic landscapes, from the rounded edge of the globe through villages and cities, rainstorms, rainbows, and even up a ladder to the stars. Fleischman, Paul. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal A World Wide Cinderella. This version of Cinderella incorporates elements of the story from countries around the world. ______________. Sidewalk Circus. In this wordless picture book, a young girl watches from her bus stop, as the activities on the sidewalk become a circus. Foley, Greg. Dont Worry Bear. This story follows a friendship between a bear and a caterpillar. Bear worries about his friend out in the world and then is happy to see his friend transformed into a beautiful silk moth. Frazee, Marla. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever. During the summer vacation, James and Eamon enjoy a wonderful week at the home of Eamons grandparents. (2009 Caldecott Honor Book) Gay, Marie Louise. Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth. Roslyn has a very big plan for a fun summer day. Roslyn wonders what she will discover when she decides to dig the BIGGEST hole on earth. Glickman, Susan. Bernadette and the Lunch Bunch. Bernadette Inez OBrian Schwartz is about to start third grade, and without her best friend, who moved away, its going to be the worst year ever. Appeal to early chapter-book readers.

Gottfried, Maya. Good Dog. A delightful collection of poems about canine friends and fun paintings! Graham, Joan Bransfield. Flicker Flash. These concrete poems celebrate light in its many varied forms. There are poems about the sun, birthday candles, lightning bolts, porch lights, etc. The illustrations depict the shape of each light form in the book. Grandits, John. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems. A playful story, told in concrete (shaped) poems with such titles as, Bad Hair Day, Volleyball Practice, and How I Taught My Cat to Love Poetry. _____________. Technically, Its Not My Fault: Concrete Poems. In this hilarious tale, Robert voices what an 11-year-old boy thinks about. From pizza to building a super roller coaster, you are guaranteed a good laugh. Greenberg, Jan. Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by TwentiethCentury American Art. The poetry in this book is written by American poets inspired by American art. The art work is reproduced in the book to accompany each poem. Biographical notes about the poets and the artists appear at the end of the book. Hall, Katy and Lisa Eisenberg. Simms Tabacks Great Big Book of Spacey Snakey Buggy Riddles. A fun book of riddles filled with Simms Tabacks colorful illustrations, most often on the subjects of snakes, bugs, and space. Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Behind the Museum Door: Poems to Celebrate the Wonders of Museums. What lurks behind the museum door? Find out in this collection of poems about museums. ___________________. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. If you have ever wondered what different parts of our country are like but could not travel there, this is the book to take you there now. In My America you can travel the entire this summer. Hughes, Langston. My people. The 1923 classic poem on the beauty and soul of the African American community combines beautifully with sepia toned illustrations. Hughes, Ted. My Brother Bert. Observing that her brothers pet collection is getting out of hand, a girl sneaks into his room (past a hand-lettered sign on his door that reads NO GIRLS ALLOWED) where she interacts with a gorilla, a grizzly bear, a lion, four ostriches, an aardvark, several pangolins, 50 bats, a platypus, an ocelot, and more.

Poetry/Nonsense/ Limericks
Adoff, Arnold. Sports Pages. What it means to be an athlete is the focal point of this collection of 37 poems. The poems are about a number of different sports. Archer, Peggy. Name that Dog!: Puppy Poems from A to Z. A collection of illustrated poems about dogs and their names. Ashman, Linda. The Essential Worldwide Monster Guide. The monsters of the world are the subject of this collection of poetry illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner, David Small. A map is included for the traveler who takes this poetic journey. Berger, Carin. Not So True Stories and Unreasonable Rhymes. Beyond the imaginative poems, the intricate cut paper illustrations will have readers captivated. With every glance a different detail will be revealed when you read this tale. Brewer, Paul. You Must be Joking! In this delightful book there are lot of outrageous jokes and 17 1/2 tips for writing and telling your own jokes. Crossley-Holland, Kevin. Once Upon a Poem. This collection of classic popular story poems, each with stunning illustrations will engage children. With a forward by todays most popular authors such as J.K. Rowling, it is sure to make an impression. Elliot, David. In the Wild. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book of poems about wild animals. Every Second Something Happens: Poems for the Mind and Senses. An illustrated collection of more than sixty poems for young readers that explores the ways humans make sense of the world through language, senses, self-awareness, and relationships with others. Florian, Douglas. Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings. Set in spreads of dreamy dinosaur art, these 20 playful paleontologic poems overflow with wit and useful information. _____________. Zoos Who: Poems and Paintings. In full color, Florians latest collection features 21 funny, original poems and paintings about creatures from across the animal kingdom.

Harper, Jamie. Miss Mingo and the First Day of School. Miss Mingo a flamingo helps her students overcome their shyness by sharing something special about themselves. Helakoski, Leslie. Woolbur. Woolbur, a young sheep who thinks differently from the others, worries his mother and father with his freespiritedness, but his grandfather thinks he will be fine. Henkes, Kevin. My Garden. How does your garden grow? After helping her mom in the garden, a young girl imagines what her own garden would be like if she decided what to grow. Horowitz, Dave. Twenty-six Princesses. Humorous rhymes, unique princess names, and colorful illustrations makes this rhyming alphabet book a favorite. Keller, Laurie. The Scrambled States of America: Talent Show. The states decide to get together and put on a talent show teaching history and geography of the states in a very fun way. Khan, Hena. Night of the Moon. This is a Muslim holiday story. Yasmeen, a Pakistani American girl learns from her family that the night of the moon signifies that Ramadan is over and the next day is Eid. Khan, Rukhsana. Big Red Lollipop. Having to take her younger sister along the first time she is invited to a birthday party spoils Rubinas fun, and later when that sister is asked to a party and baby sister wants to come, Rubina must decide whether to help. Kimmel, Eric. Little Britches and the Rattlers. As Little Britches saddles her pony and heads out through the dry gulch, her journey is interrupted several times by rattlesnakes who threaten to s-s-swaller her up. Kinsey Warnock, Natalie. Noras Ark. During the Vermont flood of 1927 Wren and her grandmother welcome twenty three neighbors and a houseful of animals to their high-ground home. This is a heart warming story of neighbors helping neighbors. Knudsen, Michelle. Library Lion. A lion who visits the local library becomes a favorite of everyone. But can he follow the library rules and still assist his librarian friend? Kroll, Virginia. Selvakumar Knew Better. This beautiful illustrated book is based on the true story of a familys narrow escape from tragedy caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, thanks to the instincts and actions of the family dog.

Lazo, Caroline. Someday When My Cat Can Talk. A girl imagines if her cat could talk, what he would tell her about his travels around the world. MacHale, D.J. The Monster Princess. Unhappy with her life in a dark cave, Lala the monster longs to live like the princesses far, far above but after venturing into their world, she finds happiness at home. McNaughton, Colin. Once Upon an Ordinary School Day. An ordinary boy having an ordinary day meets a teacher who helps him use his imagination. Miller, Sara Swan. Three More Stories You Can Read to Your Cat. (easy reader) These are funny stories addressed to cats from a cats point of view. Newman, Leslie. The Boy who Cried Fabulous. A young boys fascination with everything he sees around him causes him to be late and upsets his parents, until they come to appreciate his special gift. Numeroff, Laura. If You Give A Cat A Cupcake. This is a continuation of the If You Give A series where crazy events might occur if someone gives a cat a cupcake. Perry, Marie Fritz. A Gift for Sadia. A young immigrant from Somalia has difficulty adjusting to life in Minnesota until she helps an injured Canada goose and finds her place in her new community. Patricelli, Leslie. Higher. Higher. A little girl on a swing calls higher! higher! to her dad as he pushes her, to greet a giraffe, passengers on an airplane, and finally, an alien. Fun. Perry, Marie Fritz. A Gift for Sadia. A young immigrant from Somalia has difficulty adjusting to life in Minnesota until she helps an injured Canada goose and finds her place in her new community. Pien, Lark. Mr. Elephanter. Mr.Elephanter has a wonderful job he looks after very active elephanties (baby elephants). This is a sweet and silly book with wonderful illustrations. Raven, Margot Theis. Americas White Table. The children of a family set a special white table in honor of military service men and women who have died or are or missing in action, including their Uncle Jim, a POW in Vietnam. Richards, Chuck. Critter Sitter. When Henry is hired to sit for a family who has a dog, cat, bird, fish, frog, and snake, he realizes its hard to control things when the pets have a different idea.

Telgemeier, Raina. Smile. The author tells, in graphic novel form, her experiences after she injured her two front teeth and had to have surgeries and wear embarrassing braces and headgear, all while also dealing with the trials and tribulations of school. Thoennes, Kristen. Camping. This is a must read before your first camping trip. Learn about camping equipment, building a campfire, keeping food safe from bears, being a responsible camper, and so much more. Tocci, Salvatore. Experiments With Colors. This attractive little book gives facts about colors and then experiments to do using everyday objects. Truss, Lynne. The Girls Like Spaghetti: Why You Cant Manage without Apostrophes! Those smelly things are my brothers. Those smelly things are my brothers. Discover the difference a single apostrophe can make in this humorous book. Tuminelly, Nancy. Cool Cake & Cupcake Food Art: Easy Recipes That Make Food Fun to Eat! Provides step-by-step instructions for creating cake and cupcake food art, such as a flower garden cake and a hole in one cupcake; and includes tips on techniques. Watkins, Angela Farris. My Uncle Martins Big Heart. A young girl introduces readers to her uncle, Martin Luther King Jr., describing what he does and family moments they have shared. Whitehead, Sarah. How to Speak Cat! Young readers of this book can find answers about adopting, growing up with, and living with a cat. ______________ . How to Speak Dog! This is a must-read for every child who owns a dog. Williams, Megan K. Maddys Amazing African Birthday. A child tells about her birthday visit to Tanzania with her uncle, a photographer. The text provides a view of the Serengeti through her eyes, showing her excitement as she sees leopards, elephants, and flamingos. Winter, Jonah. Barack. President Barack Obamas biography focusing on his family and childhood. ____________ . You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax? The drama of baseball is captured in this story of a remarkable pitcher. Yolen, Jane. Fairy Tale Feasts: a Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters. Twenty folktales, recipes, and artwork are brought together in this unique book. The book is arranged into four sections: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert and includes the retelling of such classics as Cinderella and Stone Soup.

Sandler, Michael. Pararescuemen in Action. Pararescuemen appeals to students who are interested in the military and adventure. Sasaki, Chris. The Constellations: Stars & Stories. This is a how-to book of stargazing, complete with an illustration and explanation of each constellation. Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories About Growing Up. Imagine growing up in a household of six adventurous boys. You wont have to if you read this collection of tales by popular author Jon Scieszka. Shefelman, Janice. I, Vivaldi. The illustrations along with the text tell the story of the famous classical musician who lived and wrote in Venice. Sill, Catherine. About Insects: A Guide for Children. The basic characteristics of insects are described in simple text accompanied by beautiful illustrations of common insects. Simon, Seymour. Dolphins. The noted science writer describes the clever, curious, and mischievous dolphins that seem to be unafraid of humans. Slocum, Jerry. Tricky Optical Illusion Puzzles. Seeing isnt always believing. Can you figure out these puzzling illusions? Solutions are provided for each puzzle at the end of the book. Smithsonian. Baseball Q & A. Dazzle your friends with your baseball knowledge. Arranged in a question and answer format, this book answers questions about the first baseball teams, the longest game ever played, Mr. October, and many, many more. Stevens, Ian. Amazing Inventions. Some inventions are too incredible to be believed! Read about amazing inventions like the phone tooth, a dog bark translator, and an amphibious car. Stewart, Mark & Mike Kennedy. Swish: The Quest for Basketballs Perfect Shot. An engaging history of the sport, followed by profiles of some of the most impressive shots of all time and the players who made them. _____________________________. Touchdown: The Power and Precision of Footballs Perfect Play. This book is for the football fan who just cant read enough about great plays and great players highlighted by wonderful photographs.

Rosenthal, Amy. Duck! Rabbit!. Its all in the eyes of the beholder is the theme of this interesting story where two unseen characters cant tell if they are looking at a rabbit or a duck. Rubin, Adam. Those Darn Squirrels!. A grumpy old man builds bird feeders, but the birds arent the only visitors when a bunch of squirrels take over! Rusch, Elizabeth. A Day With No Crayons. Little Liza discovers after coloring on the wall and having her crayons taken away, that there is color everywhere and in everything not just crayons. Schachner, Judy. Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice. Skippyjon is obsessed with Mars. Find out what happens when he ventures into his closet and out of this world! Shulevitz, Uri. How I Learned Geography. A young boy escapes hunger and misery as a refugee by studying his fathers world map. (2009 Caldecott Honor Book) Stead, Philip Christian. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Zookeeper Amos McGee, who is adored by all the animals, gets some unexpected guests while home sick one day. (2011 Caldecott Winner) Stevens, Janet. The Great Fuzz Frenzy. When a tennis ball lands in a prairie dog town, the residents find that their newfound frenzy for fuzz creates a fiasco. Stein, David Ezra. Interrupting Chicken. Little chicken interrupts papa as hes trying valiantly to read her a bed-time story. Swanson, Susan Marie. The House In The Night. An easy-to-read book that explores the light that makes a house become a home at night. (2009 Caldecott Award Winner) Taylor, Sean. The Ring Went Zing: A Story That Ends With a Kiss. A frog, in love with a chicken, buys her a golden ring. When the ring falls and skips away, they begin to chase after it, joined along the way by a jogging swan, a motorcycling sausage dog, and other helpful creatures. Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses. The 2007 Caldcott Honor winner uses lyrical text to tell the story of Harriet Tubman from the time she escapes slavery through her years helping other slaves reach freedom via the Underground Railroad.

Wiesner, David. Art and Max. A fanciful story of creating art by two very different lizards, Art and Max, by three time Caldecott winning illustrator David Wiesner. _____________. Flotsam. 2007 Caldecott Medal Winner, which tells through pictures what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam (debris that washes up on shore). Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion. While traveling with her family to Holland to visit her grandparents, Trixie once again loses her beloved Knuffle Bunny. ___________. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. A favorite toy. A special toy. In this sequel to Knuffle Bunny, another child also has a beloved bunny and unfortunate events lead to mix-ups between the two. Humorous events lead to a happy ending for the children. __________. The Pigeon Wants A Puppy!. Another installment in the Pigeon series where the pigeon wants a puppy and later discovers he might want to change his mind. __________. We Are in a Book! In this hilarious book, Piggie and Elephant discover that someone is looking at them. That someone is you - the reader. Woodson, Jacqueline. Show Way. A mother passes on the tradition of making quilts or show-ways that serve as a map for finding freedom.

Loewen, Nancy. Writers toolbox series. This series covers many aspects of writing: scary stories, your journal, fairy tales, letter writing, poetry, and more. Marshall, James Vance. Stories from the Billabong. With the help of Aborriginal Australian storytellers who have collected the tales and myths of their people, the author has assembled 10 fascinating stories of the Dream-time. Many explain why some things are the way they are. Miller, Peter (ed) . Yankee Weather Proverbs. What fun - a collection of weather lore. Mitchell, Susan K. The Rain Forest Grew All Around. This book adapts the lyrics of the traditional song, The Green Grass Grew All Around, to feature plants and animals of the rain forest. Nagda, Anne Whitehead. Cheetah Math: Learning About Division From Baby Cheetahs. When two young cubs come to the nursery at the San Diego Zoo, the staff hopes they will help visitors learn more about the plight of cheetahs and learn about division from these bay cheetahs. Nelson, Kadir. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro Baseball. With a foreword by Hank Aaron, this oversized picture book includes paintings based on photographs from the Negro Baseball Museum and explores the history of the Negro League baseball teams. Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman. This fascinating biography chronicles the events before and after the creation of Superman comics. Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Natures Balance in Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park has a delicate habitat that was upset when hunters began killing wolves. By 1926, there were no wolves left at the top of the food chain. Price, Pam. Cool Cookies and Bars. This illustrated cookbook contains recipes for Bodacious Brownies, Choco-Wakka Cookies, Terrific Turtle Bars and other treats. There are also helpful hints about ingredients, cooking utensils, and baking techniques. Adult assistance may be needed in the kitchen.) Ruelle, Karen Gray. The grand mosque of Paris: a story of how Muslims saved Jews during the Holocaust. In this beautifully illustrated story, Muslims help Jews hide in the Grand Mosque of Paris to escape the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II. Picture book.

Fradin, Dennis Brindell. Duel! Burr and Hamiltons Deadly War of Words. Readers are often surprised to learn the details behind the death of the man portrayed on the US $10-dollar bill. _________________ . Let it Begin Here! Lexington and Concord, First Battles of the American Revolution. This picture book recounts the 24 hour time period during which the shot heard round the world was fired. French, Vivian. Singing to the Sun: A Fairy Tale. Lords, ladies, a prince, princesses, a jester, and a tabby cat share the conflict between power, wealth, and love. Funny Cide Team. A Horse Named Funny Cide. If you enjoy watching the horse races at Saratoga, you will enjoy this account about the race horse, Funny Cide. Of course, Saratoga is mentioned in this picture book. Hall, Godfrey. Mind Twisters. Enjoy this exciting collection of tricks, mazes, puzzles, scientific facts, and magic tricks. Hosley, Maria. First Drawings: Dogs. Draw your favorite dog with the techniques illustrated in this book. Jenkins, Steve. Bones: Skeletons and How They Work. Explores the details of human and animal bones, comparing the differences between the skeletal structure of various species, with foldouts that display the skeletons of many creatures. Kennedy, Mike. Smart about Sports series. For you baseball enthusiasts, this series covers your favorite teams: Meet the Red Sox, Meet the Yankees, Meet the Cardinals, etc. Kirby, Pamela F. What Bluebirds Do. Close-up photos portray one season in the life of a pair of Eastern Bluebirds and their babies. Larson, Kirby. Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival. This book tells the true story of a cat and a dog who bonded together to survive the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Llimos, Anna. Easy Earth-Friendly Crafts in 5 Steps. Children can easily follow the five-step directions and colorful photographs in this book as they transform everyday objects such as cardboard juice containers and egg cartons into crafty hippos, helicopters, and more.

Fantasy/Science Fiction
Amato, Mary. The Word Eater. Lerner Chanse, a new student at Cleveland Park Middle School, finds a worm that magically makes things disappear. She hopes that it will help her fit in, or get revenge, at her hated school. Angleberger, Tom. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. Sixth grader Tommy has a dilemma: he doesnt know whether to trust the advice of Origami Yoda, who dispenses wisdom from his perch on the finger of mega-nerd Dwight. Appelt, Kathi. Keeper. A little girl relies on magic, when everything in her world seems to go wrong. Avi. The Book Without Words: a Fable of Medieval Magic. Thorston, an alchemist who has spent his life trying to decipher the secret to immortality contained in the Book Without Words, is on the brink of realizing his dream when he dies, leaving Odo, a talking raven, and Sybil, a servant to reap the rewards of his work. Beaty, Andrea. Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies. When Joules and Kevin Rockmans parents drop them off at Camp Whatsitooya on their way to an International Spamathon, the twins expect a summer of marshmallows, campfires, and canoe trips. What they do not expect is to defend the earth from an invasion of sugar-addicted, murderous, seven-foot-tall rabbits from another galaxy. Benson, Jim. The Fran That Time Forgot . Franny K. Stein likes to project a menacing image, so she is mortified when her classmates learn that her middle name is Kissypie. She invents a time machine to travel back and change her birth certificate to read, Kaboom. Birney, Betty G. The World According to Humphrey. Humphrey the hamster relates the story of his life in Room 26. Buckley, Michael. The Sisters Grimm. Two orphan sisters find themselves in a magical town where they are faced with characters from famous fairy tales and a grandmother they thought was dead.

Buckley-Archer, Linda. Gideon the Cutpurse: Being the First Part of the Gideon Trilogy. Peter and his friend Kate are accidentally transported back in time in an antigravity machine to 1763 England where they experience the difficult times of 18th Century London. Byng, Georgia. Molly Moon, Micky Minus, & The Mind Machine. With the help of her long-lost brother, time traveler Molly Moon loses her gift for hypnotism and uses new mind-reading ability to battle a superbrain and fight weather disasters in the future. Card, Orson Scott. Enders Shadow. This is a companion book to Enders Game. Enders Shadow tells the parallel story of Bean, the Cadet Trainee, picked on by Ender in Game. It turns out that Bean is even more brilliant than Ender himself. Charise, Mericle Harper. Fashion Kitty. In this graphic novel, Kiki is a vegetarian kitty who becomes FASHION KITTYable to lend a hand in any fashion emergency. Ciddor, Anna. Night of the Fifth Moon. A richly woven story set in pagan Ireland. (Advanced) Clayton, Emma. The Roar. The story starts fast and never slows down. Theres a touch of the supernatural, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave readers hungry for more. (Advanced) Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony. The fifth book in the Artemis Fowl series where Artemis tracks fairy demons who appear in another dimension. Collins, Suzanne. Gregor the Overlander. Gregor and his sister are pulled into a strange underground world, where they battle bats, spiders, cockroaches and more. Cottrell Boyce, Frank. Cosmic. Twelve-year-old Liam, who looks like he is thirty and is tired of being treated like he is older than he actually is, decides he is going to pose as the adult chaperone on the first spaceship to take civilians into space, but when he ends up in outer space with a group of kids and no adult supervision, he must think fast to make things right. DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Search for Wondla. Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her.

Cherry, Lynne. How We Know About Our Changing Climate. This book describes where scientists look to find evidence of climate change and how students and other citizen-scientists are assisting to monitor climate change, as well as what can be done to lessen global warming. Chin-Lee, Cynthia. Amelia to Zora: Twenty-six Women who Changed the World. In these 26 brief profiles, discover women who have made a difference in peoples lives. Their inspirational and motivational stories are accompanied by illustrations done in collage. Clayton, Sally Pomme. Persephone. Vivid details make for a strong retelling of this Greek myth, as Persephone is plucked from a flower-filled field, carried off to the Underworld by Hades, and sought out and mourned for by her distraught mother, Demeter. Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus and The Climate Challenge. Ms. Frizzle and her students board the Magic School Bus for a lesson on climate change and what can be done to save the Earth. Curlee, Lynn. Ballpark: the Story of Americas Baseball Fields. A book rich with illustrations that provide a brief overview of some of baseballs most popular ballparks, including Fenway Park (Boston), Yankee Stadium (New York City), Wrigley Field (Chicago), and considers their place in history and our culture. Dardik, Helen. Embroidery for Little Miss Crafty: Projects and Patterns to Create and Embellish. A cool introductory book on embroidery. Basic stitches to be mastered are illustrated and explained. Each project has a color photo, step-by-step full-color instructions, and many helpful tips. Delano, Marfe Ferguson. Helens Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Kellers Teacher. This is the inspiring photobiography of Annie Sullivan, a pioneering teacher who overcame disability and misfortune before achieving her success as one of the most famous educators of all time. Denenberg, Barry. Lincoln Shot: A Presidents Life Remembered. The creators of this book have produced a newsprint facsimile complete with photos and historic advertisements to create a special edition of a newspaper commemorating Lincolns life. Fleischman, Sid. Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini. The story of the amazing escape artist told by a Newbery award winning author.

NON-FICTION
Aldrin, Buzz. Reaching for the Moon. Buzz Aldrin knew as a child that the moon was within his reach. In this autobiographical picture book, Aldrin describes how he fulfilled his dream to walk on the moon. Arnosky, Jim. Wild Tracks. Jim Arnosky has created a reference on the subject of animal tracks, filled with detailed drawn prints from creatures, both wild and domestic, as well as large-scale paintings of the animals in their environment. Becker, Helaine. Whats the Big Idea? Inventions that Changed Life on Earth Forever. The title says it all! The author describes inventions from long, long, ago such as the alphabet, to inventions from not so long ago such as the internet. The humorous, cartoon-like illustrations are a highlight of this book. Bishop, Nic. Frogs. The frog family is revealed in rainbow-colored splendor with highlighted color text and eye-catching nature photography. Boos, Ben. Swords: An Artists Devotion. From warriors, war maidens, and sultans, details of the types of swords used and why they are used are presented. Brown, Don. All Stations! Distress! April 15, 1912: The Day the Titanic Sank. A gripping account of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic, told through captivating prose and chilling first-hand accounts. Bryant, Jennifer. A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. A picture book biography of American poet William Carlos Williams, who during the time he was becoming a doctor, found time to write poetry. Burns, Loree Griffin. The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee. This is a timely and fascinating book about scientists and how they are trying to understand colony collapse disorder (the disappearance of honey bees) around the world. This would be a book for older readers. Campbell, Sarah C. Growing Patterns. A fascinating book, illustrated with beautiful photographs, of Fibonacci numbers and how they appear in nature.

Donaldson, Julia. The Giants and the Joneses. When Jumbeelia, an eight-year-old giant, climbs down a beanstalk and collects some iggly plops, the little people of childrens stories, she is unaware that she is endangering their lives. Drake, Salamanda. Dragonsdale. Cara yearns to ride her beloved Skydancer, a rare Goldenbrow dragon, but her father refuses to permit her to fly. DuPrau, Jeanne. The Prophet of Yonwood. This is the third book and a prequel to the Books of Ember series where Nickie thinks she finds a haven in Yonwood, NC for what is about to happen, an impending war. Ellwand, David and Ruth. The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher. Students who read this book will want to know if the tale is true. The authors blend photographic art and folklore into a mystery about fairies that will have you scratching your head over the possibility. Epstein, Adam Jay. The Familiars. Three young wizards-in-training are kidnapped by an evil queen --Aldwyn the alley cat, Skylar, a know-itall blue jay, and Gilbert a tree frog who can see the future--set out on a dangerous journey to rescue the boys. Funke, Cornelia. Dragon Rider. Fans of the author, Ms. Funke, and/or fantasy will devour this novel about a young dragon. _____________. Inkheart. If you have ever wished that the characters in books you read would come alive, then read Inkheart where this magic occurs. _____________. Inkspell. The third book in the Inkheart Trilogy where the characters read a character back into a book where it can be dangerous and violent. Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. (2009 Newbery Award Winner) This tale of Nobody Owen is a mix of fantasy, murder, and humor. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard where he is reared and protected by spirit denizens. George, Jessica Day. Dragon Slippers. After losing her family to an epidemic, Creel befriends a dragon, receives a mysterious pair of slippers and becomes part of a political plot. Goodhart, Pippa. Arthurs Tractor: A Fairy Tale With Mechanical Parts. Unaware that a princess is in distress and a dragon on the loose are right behind him, Arthur, the farmer, thinks the strange noises he keeps hearing are being made by his tractor breaking down.

Gutman, Dan. Roberto and Me. This is a book from the Baseball Card Adventure series. Joe Stoshack is transported back to 1969 to attempt to prevent the death of Roberto Clemente. The story is woven with references to the culture and events of the 1960s. Hunter, Erin. Warriors. A series of books about four clans of wild cats living in the forest where they have hunting laws and face many dangers within and outside of their clans. King-Smith, Dick. The Golden Goose. A farmer and his farm fall on hard times, but his luck changes with a golden goose. Kladstrup, Kristin. The Book of Story Beginnings. Through time travel a 12 year-old-girl discovers her great-uncles notebook to solve his disappearance in 1914. Lewis, Josh. Super Chicken Nugget Boy vs. Dr. Ned-Grant and his Eggplant Army. Fern has gained the super power of turning into Super Chicken Nugget Boy after he fell into a vat of radioactive oil behind a local burger joint. In this episode, Fern has to fight off an eggplant army led by Dr. Ned-Grant, mad food scientist. Lubar, David. Punished. A mysterious man punishes Logan for playing tag in the library. His punishment is that he can only speak in puns. In order to break the spell, he needs to find oxymorons, anagrams, and palindromes. Fun with words! Maguire, Gregory. What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy. During a terrible storm cousins listen to a story about a tooth fairy named What-the-Dickens who tries to fit in a community of tooth fairies and cant seem to keep out of trouble. McGraw, Eloise. The Moorchild. Feeling that she is neither fully human nor Folk, a changeling learns her true identity. Nielson, Sheila. Forbidden Sea. When a mermaid attempts to lure her into the sea, fourteen-year-old Adrianne, who lives in a superstitious island community, must choose between the promise of an underwater paradise and those she loves. Potter, Ellen. Olivia Kidney. This is an imaginative, original book with a poignant and satisfying ending. Readers might want a Kleenex or two. Pullman, Philip. I Was a Rat. A little boy turns life in London upside down when he appears at the house of a lonely old couple and insists he was a rat.

Roy, Ron. The Capital Mysteries. In addition to his famous series, A to Z Mysteries, Ron Roy has written another series of mysteries based in Washington, D.C. called The Capital Mysteries. This stepping stone book series finds protagonists KC Corcoran and her friend, Marshall, solving mysteries in Washington. Book #1 is Who Cloned the President? Book #2 is Kidnapped at the Capital. Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. Nate the Great. Nate uses his detective skills as he searches for the lost picture of Annies dog, Fang. Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman and Mitchell Sharmat. The Sly Spy. (Olivia Sharp Agent for Secrets). For mystery fans of Nate the Great who are looking for a female protagonist, this story will be perfect. Turner, Megan Whalen. The Thief. Gen flaunts his ingenuity as a thief and relishes the adventures which take him to a remote temple of the gods where he will attempt to steal a precious stone. Sherry, Maureen. Walls within walls. When the Smithfork family moves into a lavish Manhattan apartment building, they discover clues to a decades-old mystery hidden behind the walls of their new home. Van Draanen, Wendelin. Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash. The seniors-only complex where Sammy is illegally staying with Gram is the setting of this great entry in the Sammy Keyes mystery series. Although not a typical setting for children and young adult novels, through great dialog and humor the author makes this a success. ____________________. Sammy Keyes and the wedding crasher. The latest installment in the series with Sammy, an eighth grader detective heroine who investigates the death threats against her history teacher. Sammy herself is a suspect.

Klise, Kate. Dying to Meet You. Author I.B. Grumply moves into a Victorian mansion in Ghastly, IL, to write the latest installment in his Ghost Tamer series. He is dismayed to find the mansion already occupied by an 11-year-old boy named Seymour Hope, his cat, and Olive C. Spence, a ghost living in the cupola. Lalicki, Tom. Danger in the Dark. (A Houdini and Nate mystery). Fact and fiction are mixed in this story in which a thirteen year old boy, assisted by the famous magician, Harry Houdini, attempts to stop the theft of his great aunts fortune. Lanthier, Jennifer. The Mystery of the Martello Tower. Hazel and her brother, Ned, get involved in art fraud and family secrets in their quest to discover why their father suddenly leaves town. Hazels recurring nightmare of being trapped in a tower adds to the suspense of this exciting and thrilling mystery. Levy, Elizabeth. Danger & Diamonds: A Mystery at Sea. Eleven-yearold Philippa Bath, who loves mysteries, lives aboard a cruise ship where her parents are employees, and when the new captain and his son arrive, along with some royal guests, she is sure that something is wrong. Masters, M. The Secret of the Video Game Scores: and Other Mysteries. Ten new mysteries for the reader to solve! Napoli, Donna Jo. Sly the Sleuth and the Pet Mysteries. Sly the Sleuth, also known as Sylvia, solves three mysteries for her friends and neighbors, all involving pets, through her detective agency. Preller, James. The Case of the Groaning Ghost. Will Jigsaw be able to solve the problem of ghosts who are scaring his classmates or does this problem require outside help? ___________. The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster. In the first of the Jigsaw Jones series, Jigsaw and his partner, Mila, investigate the disappearance of a hamster. Riordan, Rick. Clues: The Maze of Bones. Fast packed action and confrontation pull the reader into the story.

Riordan, Rick. The Lost Hero. Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students from a school for bad kids, find themselves at Camp Half-Blood, where they learn that they are demigods and begin a quest to free Hera, who has been imprisoned by Mother Earth herself. Rodda, Emily. Fairy Realm. A series of books about fairies and their queen Jessie, who have to renew the realm every 50 years to prevent the evil trolls from taking over their land. Sage, Angie, Flyte. This is the sequel to Magyk. The defeated but not destroyed Dom Daniel is still intent on ruling the Castle as Extra Ordinary Wizard. Schade, Susan. Travels of Thelonious. Set in the future where humanity has vanished, a young chipmunk escapes danger in the City of Ruins and looks for Fog Mound where all creatures live in peace and harmony. Sleator, William. Marcos Millions. Marco and his sister Lilly enter a mysterious tunnel in their basement leading to an alternate universe where time slows down and strange telepathic creatures are the inhabitants. Vande Velde, Vivian. Three Good Deeds. Caught stealing some goose eggs from a witch, Howard is turned into a goose himself, and he can only become human again by performing three good deeds. Verne, Jules. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. A classic science fiction story about a French professor and his companions who come to be on a futuristic submarine whose captain (Captain Nemo) is considered insane. Yep, Lawrence. The City of Dragons. A Boy with a face so sad that nobody wants to look at him runs away into a caravan of giants to the city of dragons, where his sorrowful face is finally appreciated.

Angleberger, Tom. The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda. Tommy and his friends try to figure out if Dwights finger puppet can really tell the future. Berlin, Eric. The Puzzling World of Winston Breen. Winston is a puzzle crazy twelve year old. When he and his sister find puzzle pieces in the box he gave her for her birthday, they find themselves in a dangerous treasure hunt searching for a valuable ring hidden somewhere in the city. Cleary, Beverly. Ramona the Pest. The irrepressible Ramona is off to kindergarten and a whole new world of adventures. Clements, Andrew. Lost and Found. Twin boys pretend to be a single student at school by alternating their attendance at their new school which has lost one of their records. ________________. No Talking. The power of words plays an important role in this contest between the boys and the girls at Laketon Elementary School, over which team can say the fewest words in two days. Colfer, Eoin. The Worst Boy in the World. Brother pranks, one leading to a dangerous situation are told in an entertaining way. Creech, Sharon. Hate That Cat. In this sequel to Love That Dog, written in free verse, Jacks attempts at writing poetry parallel his changing attitude (for the better) toward cats. _____________. Love that Dog. A quick read in free verse. Jack journals his discovery of poetry and writes about his beloved dog. Daly, Niki. Bettina Valentino and the Picasso Club. Bettina Valentino is in love with Mr. Popart, the eccentric new teacher at Bayside Prep who instills a love of art in Bettina and her fifth-grade classmates. Devillers, Julia. Liberty Porter, First Daughter. Libertys father has just been elected President of the United States. Join Liberty as she begins her life as the first daughter and moves into the White House. Devillers, Julia & Jennifer Roy. Trading Faces. Twins Emma and Payton Mills start seventh grade at a new school with high hopes. Brainy Emma wants to join the science, math, and geography clubs. Payton dreams of joining the fashion-loving in-crowd. Both girls are off to be a good start until the burrito catastrophe. Emma comes to her twins rescue by (you probably guessed it) switching places with her.

Fiction

Evans, Nate. The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop. From the Humpty Dumpty Jr.: Hardboiled Detective series, this mystery is filled with puns and allusions. Detective Dumpty cracks the case of the break-in of the Pat-a-Cake bakery in New Yolk City. Feldman, Jody. The Gollywhopper Games. A young man desires to defend his fathers name and find out who framed his father by competing in a national contest with thousands of other children. Giff, Patricia Reilly. Eleven. Sam searches the attic for hidden birthday presents the day before he turns elelven and discovers more than he bargains for. He finds an old newspaper clipping showing him as a missing child. Gutman, Dan. The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable. Grades 4 & up: Twins Pepsi and Coke McDonald are on a cross-country road trip. Along the way theyll jump off a cliff, get trapped in the basement of a burning school, be chased by murderous lunatics, get left for dead in a sand pit, crack a mysterious code, swim in a giant vat of SPAM, and much more! What are YOU doing this summer? Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Into the gauntlet (the 39 clues mystery series.) In their quest to find the 39 clues, Dan and Amy could make a choice that affects the worlds future. Hale, Bruce. The Big Nap. Fourth grade detective Chet Gecko is on the case to find out who is turning students into zombies. Could it be the librarian? Hautman, Pete and Mary Logue. Snatched. In this mystery, two high school students team up in order to find out what really happened to a fellow student who was beaten up and later disappeared. This is part of The Bloodwater Mystery series aimed at upper intermediate grades. Johns, Linda. Hannah West in Deep Water. Life on a houseboat is full of excitement! This environmental mystery starring twelve year old Hannah West is full of adventure and just enough mystery and scary night scenes to keep intermediate readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. This is part of the Hannah West series. Kheret, Peg. The Stranger Next Door. A clever cats heroism helps two twelve-year-old boys become friends after their families, one of which is in the witness protection program, move to neighboring houses in Hilltop, Washington.

Brockmeier, Kevin. Grooves: a Kind of Mystery. Dwayne Ruggles discovers that the grooves in his Thigpen-brand jeans are carrying a cry for help from someone. He and his friends set out to find out who needs help and what they can do to solve the problem. Butler, Dori Hillestad. The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy. This is a nice series for early readers. These are characters with whom kids can be fast friends, not least of which is Buddy, the dog detective. Byars, Betsy. The Black Tower. In this suspenseful addition to the Herculeah Jones mystery series, Herculeah reads aloud to Mr. Hunt, a stroke victim who lives in his mansion that has an eerie black tower. Why did Mr. Hunt pick the scary book for Herculeah to read? Who or what is causing strange happenings at the house? Clements, Andrew. Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series. We the Children and Fear Itself are the first in this exciting mystery series set in a seaside town in New England. _________________. Room One: a Mystery or Two. Ted, a fifth grader living in a small town, loves mysteries. When he sees the face of a girl in an abandoned house, he decides to investigate. Colfer, Eoin. Half-Moon Investigations. From the author of Artemis Fowl comes a new character, Fletcher Moon, who investigates a conspiracy to frame him of a crime he did not commit. DeFelice, Cynthia. The Ghost of Poplar Point. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this novel will hook you in as twelve year old Alice begins speaking in a strange language and realizes that a ghost has come to visit her. As she attempts to find out who the ghost is and why she has come, fascinating information about Native Americans and the Seneca Nation is presented. ______________. Missing Manatee. While coping with his parents separation, eleven-year-old Skeet spends most of spring break in his skiff on a Florida river, where he finds a manatee shot to death and begins looking for the killer. Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye Mystery. Salim goes up, aboard the London Eye Ferris Wheel, but doesnt come down. Its up to his cousins, Ted, a 12 year old boy with Aspergers Syndrome, and his sister, Kat, to solve the mystery of Salims disappearance.

Dowell, Frances ORoark. Phineas L. MacGuire gets Slimed! Phineas wants to be the best fourth grade scientist ever. In this humorous story, Phineas is convinced that growing his own mold for a mold museum is the way to make that happen. Durand, Hallie. Just Desserts. Third-grader Dessert, inspired by Mrs. Howdy Doodys lessons about the American Revolution, decides she and her friends should fight back against annoying siblings, but the club she starts only makes matters worse. Ellis, Deborah. Parvanas Journey. In this sequel to The Breadwinner, thirteen year old Parvana is separated from her family during the war and sets out to find them, befriending a cantankerous boy and orphaned baby along the way. Giff, Patricia. Eleven. Sam comes across information that seems to indicate he has been stolen from his birth family and he links up with a new girl in school to uncover the truth. Grindley, Sally. Dear Max. Max and his favorite author exchange letters. Both Max and the author are able to develop new stories and a special friendship which helps Max through some tough times. Gutman, Dan. Nightmare at the Bookfair. When nonreader Trip Dinkleman helps out at the school bookfair, he is buried under an avalanche of books and suffering amnesia, goes on a very interesting journey. ___________. My Weird School series. A fun series with such titles as Mrs. Patty is Batty! and Mr. Louie is Screwy! Hannigan, Katherine. Ida B--: And her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World. Home schooled Ida B is happy with her life, until circumstances force her parents to send her to public school. Howe, Peter. Waggit Again. When Waggit, a dog, runs away from a farm where he was left by his owner, he begins a dangerous journey. He befriends Felicia, a woman who can talk to dogs. He also ends up traveling with Lug, a pit bull afraid of his own shadow. Jolley, Dan. Warriors Return. When Graystripe and Millie find the Thunderclans old territory, they discover that everything has been destroyed. The two cats then set out on a journey to find the scattered clans. Kehret, Peg. Abduction. A suspenseful story of the kidnapping of five year old Matt, by the father hes never met. When his 13 year old sister, Bonnie, tries to intervene, she may have put her own life in danger.

Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike other girls her age, Callie is most content when observing and collecting scientific specimens with her grandfather. Her younger brothers despair over his turkeys intended for the Thanksgiving table and Callies heartache over receiving The Science of Housewifery as a Christmas gift, mix humor and sadness. (Advanced) Kovac, Tommy. Wonderland. Ever wonder what happened in Wonderland after Alice left? Follow the quirky tale of Mary Ann, the meticulous and dutiful housekeeper for the White Rabbit, as she continues the tale. Lindo, Elvira. The 2nd Volume of the Great Encyclopedia of My Life. Manolito, 10, is back with more zany adventures to share. His life is filled with hysterical anecdotes ranging form his weekend foot-bathing boycott as a member of the Filthy Feet Gang to his brief and disastrous stint as a hairdresser for his brother. Lord, Cynthia. Touch Blue. When the state of Maine threatens to shut down their islands one-room schoolhouse because of low enrollment, eleven-year-old Tess, a strong believer in luck, and her family take in a trumpet-playing foster child, to increase the schools population. Lubar, David. The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales. Some are humorous, such as the title story, which involves middle schoolers in a hot-pepper-eating contest, while others are moralistic horror tales, such as The Ratty Old Bumbershoot. (Advanced) Lupica, Mike. The Big Field. A baseball story involving a boy who must learn to get along with a more talented and arrogant teammate and his distant father who himself was once a ball player. Mass, Wendy. The Candymakers. Four gifted twelve-year-olds, including Logan, the candymakers son, are set to be contestants in the Confectionary Associations national competition to determine the nations tastiest sweet, but nobody anticipates that a friendship will form between them. McCall, Smith Alexander. Akimbo and the Elephants. Akimbo is an animal lover whose father works protecting wild animals in Africa. When he discovers poachers who kill elephants just for their tusks, Akimbo comes up with an adventurous plan. McElligott, Matthew. Benjamin Franklinstein Lives! Local author, Matt McElligott has started a new chapter book series with a historical figure who comes to life in the present. Combines historical and science themes in a fun way.

Mystery
Arthur, Robert. The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot. Jupiter, Pete, and Bob, who run a detective agency in a scrap yard, must locate a dozen parrots who all speak clues required to solve a mystery. Balliet, Blue. The Calder Game. This new adventure places Calder, Petra, and Tommy, our seventh grade sleuths, in England and in the middle of another art mystery. The author does a great job of getting readers to think by using puzzles and word games. Barrett, Tracy. The 100-Year Old Secret. American sister and brother, Xena and Xander Holmes, discover that they are descendents of the detective, Sherlock Holmes. While in London, they try to solve one of the famous detectives unsolved cases of a missing painting. This modern mystery which begins in chapter one with a note written in disappearing ink, has just enough clues and intrigue to keep the readers trying to solve the mystery before the sleuths do. Beil, Michael D. The Red Blazer Girls: the vanishing violin. Seventhgraders Sophie, Margaret, Rebecca, and Leigh Ann follow a trail of cryptic clues to locate a rare violin, catch the person sneaking into St. Veronicas School for late-night cleaning and redecorating, and outsmart a conniving classmate. Berlin, Eric. The Puzzling World of Winston Breen. Winston Breen loves solving puzzles; and when his sister uncovers a twenty-five-year-old scavenger hunt--which leads to a ring worth thousands of dollars--he and his family jump at the opportunity to solve it. __________. Winston Breen. Winston is a 12-year-old who loves puzzles of all types. When he and his sister, Katie, discover some wooden tiles in an old box, they are plunged into a mystery that they must solve. There are puzzles within the story for the reader to solve as the story unfolds. Bosch, Pseudonymous. The Name of the Book is Secret. In this quirky adventure mystery told by a mysterious narrator, two children attempt to find out about a dead magician and his potions. They end up on an adventure to save a classmates life and to deny others from gaining immortality. Using word games and anagrams, this book moves quickly. In the sequel, If Youre Reading This, Its Too Late, Max Ernest and Cass again go on an adventure and fight their enemies, the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais. The author has numbered the chapters backward in this book, giving the reader an inkling of the fun and mystery to be found inside the pages of the book.

Pfitsch, Patricia Curtis. Riding the Flume. In 1894 a 15-year-old girl fights the lumber men to save the largest Sequoia tree ever seen. Watson, Geoff. Edisons Gold. Tom Edison, the thirteen-year-old greatgreat-grandson of the famous inventor, finds a clue to his ancestors legendary secret formula for changing metal into gold, and while he searches desperately for the key to the life-changing discovery, he must also evade billionaire Curtis Keller and his minions, who want the formula to seize control of the world. Weatherford, Carole Boston. Freedom on the Menu: the Greensboro Sit-ins. This picture book tells the story of the sit-ins at the segregated Woolworths lunch counter in the 1960s. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl who is witnessing the change coming to her town. Wells, Rosemary. Wing Walker. In this story about the dust bowl of the 1930s, young Reuben travels with his parents from carnival to carnival. Reubens father is a wing walker. The beautiful paintings by Brian Selznick capture the emotions of each and every character. White, Ruth. The Search for Belle Prater. In 1955, Woodrow and his cousin Gypsy befriend a new girl in their seventh grade class in rural Virginia, and the three of them set off to find Woodrows missing mother, encountering unlikely and intriguing coincidences along the way. Wiles, Deborah. Countdown. As eleven-year-old Franny Chapman deals with drama at home and with her best friend in 1962, she tries to understand the larger problems in the world after President Kennedy announces that Russia is sending nuclear missiles to Cuba. Documentary novel with pictures and quotes from that time. Winthrop, Elizabeth. Counting on Grace. Grace is a twelve year old girl who leaves school and starts working in a cotton textile mill in North Pownal, Vermont in approximately 1910. With the help of the teacher, a photographer named Lewis Hine comes to town to take pictures to try to get the outside world to see the horrors of failing to enforce child labor laws.

Moss, Marissa. The All-New Amelia. One of several books in this series with a grade school girl writing in the first person of the trials, realities, and good times of 5th and 6th grade life. Written in notebook fashion with doodles and humorous illustrations typical of a child of this age. ______________. Max Disaster series. In this new graphic novel series by the author of the Amelia Notebook series, the scientist wannabe Max starts a notebook to record his inventions and adventures. Nuzum, K.A. The Leanin Dog. After the death of her mother, an eleven year old girl finds comfort from a stray dog. Paratore, Coleen. Mack McGinns Big Win. Sixth grader Mack is part of a very competitive family, but while proving he, too, excels, he teaches a more important lesson than winning to his parents and brother. _______________. Willa by Heart. The third installment after The Wedding Planners Daughter and Cupid Chronciles, Willa, 14, has a busy summer ahead of her. As the assistant wedding planner she has two weddings to plan, she is about to become a big sister, and shes dating the perfect boy. Paulsen, Gary. Masters of Disaster. Three 12-year-old friends believe that their lives lack adventure and excitement. They vow to change that and embark on a series of humorous and risky adventures that dont always work out as expected. Park, Linda Sue. A Long Walk to Water. The novel tells alternating stories, both of which start in Sudan. Nya must walk everyday, twice a day 2 hours one way to get water. Her entire day is spent walking in pursuit of water. Salva survives lions, deserts, crocodiles, and life in refugee camps, all the while separated from his family. This is a realistic novel about life in a different culture. Peck, Richard. Past Perfect, Present Tense: New and Collected Stories. A collection of eleven entertaining stories such as Priscilla and the Wimps and Shotgun Cheathams Last night Above Ground. Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine: Friend of the Week. With her kitten, Moisturizer, missing and having fought with her best friend, Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine finds it hard to concentrate on doing her best as her classmates Friend of the Week.

Postgate, Daniel. The Snagglegrollop. Sams parents will not let him have a dog or a cat, but they laugh and say yes when he asks for an imaginary creature, a snagglegrollop. He comes home from school one day with the large, hairy pet in tow. When Emily Evans tells Sam that her parents will not let her have a cat, he suggests a pet like his. She decides on a quibblesnuff. (Easy) Russell, P. Craig. Coraline. Recently released as a movie, this is the graphic novel adaptation of the story by Neil Gaiman of childhood nightmares. Coraline wanders the mansion and grounds of her new home and discovers another universe. Ryan, Pam Munoz. Paint the Wind. This novel is a sure win with all animal lovers looking for a good read. Salisbury, Graham. Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath. When Calvin gets a school assignment to do some original research, he decides to investigate his dogs stinky breath and ends up learning about more than just smells. Schwartz, Joanne F. Our Corner Grocery Store. This sweet story takes readers through young Anna Marias Saturday as she helps her grandparents in their neighborhood store. The fresh fruits and vegetables are lined up on wooden racks in front of the store, Nonno hand prints small signs to display among the produce, and fresh bread is delivered from a bakery in blue-and-white striped bags that Anna Maria sorts on the shelves. (Easy) Seidler, Tor. Gullys Travels. Gulliver, a pampered Lhasa Apso living in an upscale Manhattan neighborhood, becomes downwardly mobile when his master gives him to his buildings doorman and he goes to live with his loud large family in Queens. Smith, Charles R., Jr. Winning Words: Sports Stories and Photographs. Six short stories about six different sports. Smith, Hope Anita. Keeping the Night Watch. In this sequel to the book, The Way a Door Closes, the father who left the family in the first story returns, but the familys feelings of insecurity do not magically disappear. Written mainly in free verse with beautiful watercolor illustrations.` St. John, Lauren. The Last Leopard. Earlier books, The White Giraffe and Dolphin Song give insight into Martines story. This one catches readers up on the past. The movie version of The White Giraffe is due out this year.

Marino, Nan. Neil Armstrong is my Uncle. In this story set in 1969, Tammy is at a loss without Kebsie, her best friend who has moved. She takes out her loneliness on Douglas, a boy who lives in the foster home across the street. Tammy learns an important lesson about friendship. Mazer, Norma Fox. Good Night, Maman. After spending years fleeing from the Nazis in war-torn Europe, twelve-year-old Karin Levi and her older brother Marc find a new home in a refugee camp in Oswego, New York. Mitchell, Jack. The Ancient Ocean Blues. In this story set in ancient Rome, Marcus is asked to stop a young, idealistic soldier named Spurinna from reaching Pompey, who is at sea fighting pirates. Cicero has proposed that Spurinna and Pompey join forces and halt Caesars rise to power. (Advanced) Myers, Walter Dean. The Journal of Joshua Loper: A Black Cowboy. This journal is part of the Dear America series. In 1871 Joshua Loper, a sixteen-year-old black cowboy, records in his journal his experiences while making his first cattle drive under an unsympathetic trail boss. Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Emilys Fortune. A delightful Wild West romp about a young, newly orphaned girl headed west on a stagecoach. Her evil uncle is hot on her trail, as are Catchum Child-Catching Services. Will she make it to her aunts house at the end of the trail? Olson, Tod. How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail. Oregon Trail is the fictionalized account of an overland journey in 1852, recorded by 15-year old William Reed. We follow the teen from Springfield, IL., to Portland, OR during his family tribulations, rampant disease along the trail, perilous river crossings, interactions with Native tribes, and the exploits of a corrupt wagon master. Peck, Richard. On the Wings of Heroes. This novel is a tender, unforgettable portrait of the World War II homefront and a familys love. ____________. The Teachers Funeral: a Comedy in Three Parts. In 1904 the teacher of the towns one room schoolhouse unexpectedly dies. Russell prays this will end his formal education. Much to his chagrin, Russells bossy older sister (who is still in high school) is hired to teach the remaining six students. Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation. Color ink drawings accompany this dramatic picture book story of the Montgomery bus boycott. The story conveys the messages of courage and determination on the part on non-violent protestors.

Holm, Jennifer. Turtle in Paradise. In 1935, when her mother finally gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, elevenyear-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in far away Key West, Florida. Ibbotson, Eva. The Dragonfly Pool. A historical look at the lives of students who experience the consequences of war during the time of Hitler. The author shares a story of friendship and loyalty as she exposes readers to the innocence and evils of the time. Kelly, Jacqueline. The evolution of Calpurnia Tate. A 2010 Newbery Honor book. Callie Vees desire to become a scientist is at odds with societys expectation of her in this story set in Texas, 1899. Knight, Joan. Charlotte in London. A second novel that provides insight into the Victorian era through the eyes of Charlotte, a young American girl who is experiencing what society has to offer. The story is written as though Charlotte is making journal entries during her travels allowing a first hand account of what the culture was like. Larson, Kirby. Dear America, The Diary of Piper Davis: The Fences Between Us (Seattle, Washington, 1941). Written in a diary format, 13-year-old Pipers diary begins just prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Pipers diary about friends, school, and her daily life becomes more serious as she writes about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent internment of Japanese Americans who live in her community. Her diary reveals her feelings about these events, as well as how her family is perceived by others. Her brother is stationed at Pearl Harbor and her father is the pastor of the Japanese Baptist Church. LeZotte, Clare. T4: a Novel. A short (100 pages, written in free verse) read about a deaf girl living in Nazi Germany when T4 is introduced with the goal of euthanizing people with disabilities. Paula expresses her fears and uncertainty through her poetry while she is hiding. Lisle, Janet Taylor. Black Duck. Intrigue, adventure, danger, and suspense dominate this book, based on a true story of two boys involved in Prohibition era rum running in Newport, Rhode Island. Lois, Ruby. Steal Away Home. In two parallel stories, a Quaker family in Kansas in the late 1850s operates a station on the underground railroad, while almost 150 years later, twelve year old Dana moves into the same house and finds the skeleton of a black woman who helped the Quakers.

Telegemeier, Raina. Smile. The author tells her story of what follows the accidental loss of her two front teeth: teasing by friends, surgery and orthodontia and a career path as a graphic novelist. Williams, Carol Lynch. Pretty Like Us. An unlikely friendship develops between two sixth grade girls: Beauty, a shy girl who desperately wants to make friends, and Alane, a girl with the disease progeria which causes her to age prematurely. They discover they both have an adventurous spirit and bond over some escapades. Williams, Vera B. A Chair for Always. The storys central focus is Rosas beloved, velvet-rose covered chair. Grandma suggests that the worn and stained fabric needs replacing, and her mother mentions buying a new one. Rosa puts down her foot. Even if she becomes president and moves to the White House, Rosa claims, the chair will go too. Winkler, Henry. Hank Zipzer series. The school trials and tribulations of the lead character in this series are ones to which many kids can relate: Hank is imaginative and mischievous, and learning disabled.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. In 1776 Isabel, a slave, is sold to cruel loyalists in New York City and, in exchange for her freedom, she agrees to spy for the rebels. If you like this, read the sequel, Forge. Avi. Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor and the Merrimac: A Civil War Novel. Thirteen-year-old Tom Carroll takes his place as head of the family after his father dies fighting for the Union; but his job at the local ironworks, where he helps build an iron ship for the Union Army, and his loyalty come into question when he is approached by Confederate spies to sell secrets about the ship to the South. ___. The Seer of Shadows. The intriguing ghost story of a society woman who commissioned a photographic portrait of herself to be placed at her deceased daughters grave allegedly to bring her peace in the afterlife. Readers soon find out the daughter, Eleanora, was abused by her parents and is looking to seek revenge from the grave as her ghostly image appears in the photographs. Bruchac, Joseph. Codetalker. As children, Ned and other boys were taught in a boarding school run by whites, that their Navajo language was useless. However, during World War II these men were recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers. They sent secret messages during the war in their native language. This code remained unbroken for years. Carlson, Drew. Attack of the Turtle: a Novel. A fourteen-year-old joins forces with his older cousin, David Bushnell, to secretly build the first submarine during the Revolutionary War. Crisp, Marty. Titanicat. Taking care of the ships cat on the Titanic before its maiden voyage, the young cabin boy has unforeseen luck when he discovers that the cat is missing and disembarks to look for the cat and her kittens. Curtis, Christopher Paul. Elijah of Buxton. The coming of age story of a young boy (Elijah) who discovers the harsh reality of what his parents experienced as former slaves. Elijah struggles to understand the racial inequalities while embarking on a journey with a friend (Mr. Leroy) in an attempt to buy his children out of slavery. Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann. In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths.

Historical Fiction

Cushman, Karen. The Midwifes Apprentice. A realistic portrait of a homeless girl in medieval England who is taken in by a midwife, who in return for working as an apprentice is given a place to stay. During her first childbirth as a midwife Alyce fails and rather then facing what occurred she runs away from her failure. Will Alyce find her calling in life? DeFelice, Cynthia. The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker. Twelve-yearold Lucas was orphaned in 1849 when his entire family was claimed by consumption. Lucas took a job with Doc Beecher and learned the truth about the difference between superstition and science. Ferrari, Michael. Born to Fly. This is a great story of friendship among hostility. Eleven year old Bird McGill regards her Dad as her best friend. He takes her up in the planes he repairs and lets her take the controls. But a special bulletin disrupts her birthday afternoon. Japan has attacked a military base in Pearl Harbor and Birds world is turned upside down. Flores-Galbis, Enrique. 90 Miles to Havana. Set in 1961 this is the story based on the authors experience, of children moved from Cuba to a refugee camp in Miami. This is a book for older readers. Giff, Patricia Reilly. Willow Run. Experience life on the home-front during World War II with Meggie Dillon when her family moves to Michigan so her father can work in a plant constructing B-24 bombers. Gutman, Dan. Roberto & Me. Stosh travels back to 1969 to try to prevent the untimely death of Roberto Clemente, a legendary baseball player and humanitarian, but upon his return to the present, he meets his own great-grandson who takes him into the future, and what he finds there is more shocking than anything he has encountered in his travels to the past. Harness, Cheryl. Ghosts of the Civil War. This is a visually rich introduction to the Civil War. It opens with a girl attending a battle reenactment with her parents. She meets a boy, the ghost of Willie Lincoln and they travel through time during and after the war. Hesse, Karen. The Cats in Krasinski Square. Two Jewish sisters, escapees of the infamous Warsaw ghetto, devise a plan to thwart an attempt by the Gestapo to intercept food bound for starving people behind the dark Wall. Holm, Jennifer. Penny From Heaven. As Penny turns twelve during the summer of 1953, she gains new insights into herself and her family secrets.