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The
Blue Ghost
Marion
Dane Bauer
When
a strange blue light glows and a voice calls her name, nine-year-old Liz
wakes to find a ghostly woman dressed in old-fashioned clothes in the
bedroom of the family’s old homestead. The woman beckons to Liz and then
disappears through the log cabin wall. Liz is at first bewildered by the
woman’s actions, but soon learns that she is being pulled back in time to
help the ghost’s family. Suspense builds as Liz reencounters the ghostly
woman and becomes involved with caring for a sick child. This spooky story
with its black and white artwork will satisfy many young readers. (Grades
2-4)
 Clementine
Sara Pennypacker
Clementine
is an outrageous, but ingenuous, third-grader who is constantly in trouble.
Her parents often remind her to “Think about the Consequences” before
she acts. Clementine tries to focus on the teacher, but her mind is
constantly redirected to other problems around her. One humorous scenario
follows another until Clementine saves the apartment building from pesky
pigeons. This easy chapter book blends humor and realistic characters into a
fun raed. (Grades 2-4)
 Dexter
the Tough
Margaret
Peterson Haddix
Dexter’s introduction to his new school and fourth-grade class is not a
good one. He slips in the hall on the newly waxed floor and the other
students laugh at him. He then goes into the restroom and punches classmate
Robin. In class, Dexter’s enthusiastic, bubbly teacher assigns a writing
assignment in which the students must create a story describing their lives.
At the moment, Dexter’s life is difficult. His father has cancer and both
parents moved to Seattle for treatments. Dexter must live with his
grandmother in Kentucky. Through interaction with his patient teacher,
Dexter’s story is creatively told as he begins to come to terms with his
emotions and situation. This realistic story will capture the interest of
readers and will also offer a good read-aloud selection.
(Grades 2-5)
The
Ghost’s Grave
Peg
Kehret
Twelve-year-old Josh is stuck in Carbon City, Washington with his eccentric
great-aunt while his mom and step-dad go to India for the summer. To keep
himself busy since there is no television, DVDs or CDs, Josh goes for long
bike rides past a haunted tree house and old cemetery. Josh eventually meets
the ghost of the coal miner who died in 1903 in a mining accident.
Unfortunately, the coal miner’s leg was buried separately from his body
and his mission over these long years was to find a kind person who would
dig up his leg and rebury it with the rest of him. When Josh exhumes the
leg, he also finds a box of cash! This fast-paced, spooky, but humorous
adventure will delight many readers.
(Grades 4-7)
The
Homework Machine
Gutman,
Dan
Four very different students are bound together by a big secret – Brenton
has created a homework machine! Their teacher divides the class into groups
and the four central characters form the D group, forcing them to spend a
lot of time together. At first, they do not get along with one another, but
their secret binds them together and leads them into a world of trouble.
This creative story is told in alternating chapters by the teacher, police
chief, and the four fifth-graders. Readers will enjoy this dramatic and
thought-provoking story that packs a strong message about honesty and
friendship. (Grades 4-6)
Listen!
Stephanie
S. Tolan
Twelve-year-old Charley is grieving for her mother while trying to
recuperate from a car accident that has left her with a slowly healing leg.
Summer looms as a lonely time for her since her best friend is at tennis
camp and her father has buried himself in work because of his own pain.
Charley decides to take her physical therapist’s advice and go for long
walks in the woods. On her first day out, she meets a stray dog that she
names Coyote. As she tries to tame him, they develop a deep and lasting
bond. Readers will appreciate this gentle story of healing and the
connections that can develop between humans and animals.
(Grades 4-8)
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The
Missing Manatee
Cynthia
DeFelice
11-year-old
Skeet Waters was excited about spring vacation in his Florida home, but his
hopes are soon dashed by the fact that his parents are splitting up and his
father is moving out. After hearing this devastating news, Skeet finds a
dead manatee floating in the water. He quickly goes back to shore to get the
sheriff, but when they return to the spot, the manatee is missing. Skeet is
determined to solve the crime, but soon learns that administering true
justice is not always simple or easy. Strong characters and the first-person
narrative are sure to hook older readers.
(Grades 5-7)
 No
Talking
Andrew
Clements
The “unshushables,” Dave Packer’s fifth-grade classmates, are known
for being nonstop talkers. After Dave learns that Mahatma Gandhi practiced
being silent one day a week to bring order to his mind, he decides to try
it. An encounter with Lynsey, another fifth-grade talker, initiates a
contest between the boys and girls for the next 48 hours. The principal and
teachers negatively react to the contest and insist that the students return
to their previous behavior. Consequently, Dave finds himself in the middle
of a swirling controversy. This fast-paced, thought-provoking story will
quickly grab readers and could lead to interesting class discussions.
(Grades 3-6)
Phineas
L. MacGuire . . . Erupts!: The First Experiment
Frances
O’Roark Dowell
Phineas Listerman MacGuire, also known as “Mac,” is a budding scientist
who is upset because his best friend moved away, leaving him without a
science fair partner. Eventually, Mac is paired with the new kid in class,
also known as Mac, who is obnoxious and has already alienated the entire
class. Along the way to building their erupting volcano, the two
boys also build a friendship and learn to respect each other’s
differences. This fast-paced, delightfully illustrated story will entertain
young readers. (Grades
3-5)
Roxie
and the Hooligans
Phyllis
Reynolds Naylor
Poor nine-year-old Roxie is the target of the class bullies known as
Helvetia’s Hooligans. They have chosen her to be the Victim of the Year
because she has ears that stick out. The Hooligans chase Roxie into a
dumpster and they all end up on a barge pulling out to sea. Eventually, they
are stranded on a deserted island with two robbers who are hiding out.
Roxie, however, comes to the rescue with her survival skills memorized from
a book written by her Uncle Dangerfoot’s colleague, Lord Thistlebottom.
This quick read that mixes fantasy and reality will have everyone cheering
for the success of the young adventurer. (Grades
2-4)
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Rules
Cynthia
Lord
Catherine, 12, has an autistic brother that she alternately is ashamed of
and loves. To deal with her brother’s eccentricities, Catherine creates
rules that her brother needs to follow. In the meanwhile, she befriends a
nonverbal paraplegic boy who communicates by using a book of pictures,
including a card for “whatever.” Catherine’s relationship with the
boy, Jason, helps her better understand her complex feelings toward her
brother. This uplifting, insightful Newbery Honor book is a warm read and
a great discussion starter. (Grades
4-7)
The
Sloppy Copy Slipup
DyAnne
DiSalvo
Brian Higman, also known as Big Hig, does not have his writing assignment
ready to turn in to the teacher. He has a good excuse, but the teacher is
not willing to listen. Brian cleverly invents a verbal account of his hectic
weekend that involves one crisis after another. This creative, verbal
“sloppy copy” narrative flows throughout the story, as do headlines and
articles that Brian imagines he would write if he were working for a
newspaper. This original and creative story with its funny black-and-white
drawings will keep young readers eagerly engaged.
(Grades 2-5)
Stumptown
Kid
Carol
Gorman and Ron J. Findley
Charlie Nebras, 11, lives in a small Iowa town in 1952. He misses his
father, who died in the Korean War, dislikes his mother’s domineering
boyfriend, and wants to play baseball on the famed Wildcats team, but is cut
instead. Then in walks Luther Peale, a former Negro Leagues player with a
big secret: he had accidentally killed a drunk, white batter with a wild
pitch. Luther agrees to coach Charlie’s “Stumptown” team in a game
against the Wildcats. The townspeople become more accepting of Luther until
his secret is revealed and a harrowing chase ensues. Honesty, loyalty, and
heroism are embedded in this fast-paced sports/historical fiction novel. (Grades
5-8)
The
Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco
Janice
Repka
Leaving his parents and the circus behind, Philip Stanislaw goes to live
with his aunt and uncle in Hardingtown, the Unofficial Dodgeball Capital of
the World. Much to his surprise, Philip learns that every gym class has a
sadistic version of the game. After his glasses are broken by a wild pitch
from the coach’s daughter, sixth-grader Philip decides to sue for damages
and ends up serving as his own lawyer. This humorous, but heartwarming story
will have readers cheering for Philip as he stands up against bullies and
works to improve his school’s morale.
(Grades 4-6)
The
Thing about Georgie
Graff,
Lisa
Georgie has a height issue. As a dwarf, nine-year-old Georgie will not get
much taller than his current 42 inches. Besides that fact Georgie has other
worries. His mother is expecting a baby and Georgie knows that the
brother/sister will soon physically outgrow him. Then he and his best
friend, Andy, argue. On top of all that Georgie must work on the Abraham
Lincoln project with Jeanie the Meanie who recommends him to play Abe in the
school play. Readers will gain insight into what it means to be different in
this upbeat, sensitive novel. (Grades
3-6)
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