Extra Credit - Andrew Clements

Abby hates doing homework. She would rather be outside exploring the woods, rock climbing or building her tree house. This is a problem, because now she is told her grades are too low to pass the sixth grade. Being held back a year would be sooo embarrassing and she wants to move on with her friends. So her teachers make her agree to do her homework every night, study hard and take on a project for extra credit. This project involves writing to a pen pal from across the world.

In a small village in Afghanistan, Sadeed is the best pupil at his school and he is selected to participate in this pen pal project, but since it is not OK for a boy to write to a girl in his culture, the school has his sister write the letters with Sadeed’s help. His sister can barely understand English, so Sadeed does most of the work and his sister signs the letters. The letters are so cool that Abby actually likes writing back! She is especially interested in the big mountains of Afghanistan.

Sadeed is proud of his writing and sends a secret letter to Abby letting her know that he is the real writer. This is a dangerous thing to do! Will he get caught? What does Abby think of Sadeed’s secret letter and how will she reply? Will Abby graduate to seventh grade at the end of the school year?

Extra Credit – Andrew Clements

Recommended for grades 4-7. Be prepared to show students where Afghanistan is.

The Secret School - Avi

For those who liked Little House on the Prairie or Sarah Plain and Tall, I highly recommend checking out this title. Set in rural Colorado in 1925, 14 year old Ida Bidson attends a one room school house with 7 other children and plans to attend high school in the fall. Ida is an excellent student and wants nothing more than to be a teacher when she grows up. But when her teacher needs to leave 3 months before the end of the school year and the school is slatted to be shut down, Ida's plans are in jeopardy. It also means the other students will not finish their current grade level. When she complains to the head of the school board about her dilemma, he tells her "I'm not so sure a girl needs a high school education."

Just when Ida begins to despair over her future, her good friend Tom suggests that she should take over the teachers position - secretly of course, as she is not certified. In a unanimous vote, the students agree to let Ida take over. Will they manage to keep this unusual set-up a secret? Will Ida and Tom be able to pass their exit exams? How will Ida teach, help her family with farm chores and keep up her own studies? This ambitious plan puts a great deal of pressure on Ida.

I was impressed by the positive virtues that are powerfully displayed in a very simple, but engaging story. For this poor community, the importance of education means a better future and opportunities that would not exist at this time in history otherwise. It's not all serious either, I especially liked the entertaining drive to school each day with Ida and her brother Felix in a model T Ford. Ida is only 4'11" and cannot reach the floor of the vehicle, so she controls the steering wheel while her younger brother is hunched down on the floor working the clutch and brakes. Ida shouts directions to Felix, while the old windowless car backfires its way to school and back. A fun easy read.

Recommended for grades 4-7.

Bella at Midnight - Diane Stanley

In this Medieval Cinderella story, Bella has been raised by peasants, the only family she knows. Life is simple, even her friendship from childhood with Prince Julian. As a fourth prince, he was shipped off as a youngster to live with his uncle and train to be a knight. But suddenly the world starts slipping, a horrible betrayal from Julian and a discovery that her parents aren't really her parents at all. She is a knight's daughter, sent away as a baby because the grieving man couldn't stand the sight of her. Now she is back, a thorn to her new step-mother, unwanted by her cold father. When a peace treaty is broken and Julian's life endangered, Bella must decide whether or not she will save her prince.

Each chapter in this story is told from the narrative of Bella or the characters she encounters, helping you understand the story from the motivations and perspectives of each character. The best voice comes from Bella, who is kind but strong; beautiful but clever; innocent but determined. How will these qualities help her survive the cruelties of her father and step mother? Will they help her prevent the invasion of two warring kingdoms and the death of Julian? This 21st century fairy tale will not disappoint you!

Recommended for grades 5-8.

All The Lovely Bad Ones - Mary Downing Hahn

When twelve year old Travis and his younger sister Corey are sent to stay with their grandmother for the summer at her Vermont Bed and Breakfast, they learn that the inn was rumored to be haunted in the past. Being a mischievous pair, they cannot resist the chance to scare the guests by creating ghostly sights and sounds in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, the rumored ghosts really exist and are awakened by the pranks that Travis and Corey have started. Bizarre things start to happen at the inn and the Grandmother thinks they're elaborate pranks created by the children. The ghost hunting guests love it, while the others are scared away. What do these ghosts want? We know that something bad happened in the past from the whispering conversations of the old caretakers. Some of the ghosts turn out to be mischievous children, like Cory and Travis, but one is truly evil. Can these siblings lay to rest the ghosts they’ve stirred? Read this book to find out!

I made the mistake of reading most of this story one night before bed and I had some very creepy dreams! Save this one for daytime reading! However, I imagine reading this book out loud during a group sleep-over party would be fun, as you dare each other to keep listening!

Some historical content on poor farms. The subject of child abuse may be disturbing for younger readers. Recommended for grades 5-7.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - Tom Angleberger

This funny and fast read will be the perfect choice for those who fell hard for Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The book is a collection of "case files" put together by Tommy, our main narrator. The files revolve around a group of sixth graders trying to figure out the unusual behavior of Dwight, a very dorky classmate that is generally clueless to normal social behavior. They want to know how someone so strange can be so wise when he speaks through his handmade finger puppet called Origami Yoda. Is Origami Yoda for real or is Dwight really some kind of a closet genius? Dwight uses the voice of Yoda from Star Wars when he speaks for his puppet, answering questions from the students, making accurate predictions and giving out wise advise for his classmates. The book is full of hilarious bad drawings that follow the events and characters. The case files share the voices of a wide variety of students keeping the story from getting dull.

For an excerpt, use the story of the Quavondo, the Cheeto Hog and Origami's advise on how to stop the bad nickname pg.67 & 68.

So, if you want to laugh and make your own judgement on Origami Yoda, "Read this book you must".

Recommended for grades 4-6. Directions on how to fold Origami Yoda at the back of the book and on YouTube. There is a sequel titled Origami Yoda 2: Darth Paper Strikes Back.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

How many ways can you tell a story? This 550 page novel combines words, pictures, and action scenes that resemble silent movies from the 1930"s. In fact, the story begins with this introduction: “I want you to picture yourself sitting in the darkness, like the beginning of a movie. ... You will eventually spot a boy amid the crowd, and he will start to move through the train station. Follow him, because this is Hugo Cabret. His head is full of secrets, and he’s waiting for his story to begin.”
So here is some background information to get you going on this complex and mysterious story. When Hugo's father and sole parent is killed in a fire at the museum, Hugo is forced to live with his Uncle who is a clock keeper and a drunk. When his uncle disappears, Hugo is left to maintain the clocks behind the walls of a busy Paris train station, stealing food to survive. Why would he choose to live like that? His motivation lies in the mechanical robot that his father was working on before he died. Hugo believes that if he can find the missing pieces needed to make the robot work, it will reveal a secret message from his father and he will know what to do with his life. But when his world suddenly collides with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's efforts are compromised and more pieces of the puzzle in this story need to be solved. This is a story unlike anything you have ever read. It's the story of magic: the magic of clockworks, the magic of magic tricks, and the magic of the movies. It's about finding secrets, about rediscovering your past and reinventing yourself. It will not take long to read, as the illustrations take up most of the pages.

Recommended for grades 4-9. The movie adaption is to be released for Thanksgiving 2011. Movie trailer available on YouTube. Also, Brian Selznick is releasing a new book similar to this one, titled Wonderstruck on September 13th, 2011. Can't wait!

The Beaded Moccasins: The Story of Mary Campbell - Lynda Durrant

On May 11th, 1759, the morning of her twelfth birthday, Mary Campbell gets angry with her mother and storms out of the cabin. It is a beautiful spring morning and Mary resents being stuck indoors all day doing women's work. As she picks wild strawberries and plans her apology to her mother, Mary is captured by Delaware Indians and plunged into a life that is fearsome, strenuous, and vastly different from the one she knows, beginning with the journey on foot from Pennsylvania to the Delawares' new home in Ohio Territory. Mrs. Stewart, who is Mary's neighbor was also taken captive. In a private conversation on page 38, (read excerpt) Mary tries to plan an escape with Mrs. Stewart. What do the Indians want with her? Will she ever get back to her home? Did the Indians harm her family before they took her? She knows her cabin was set on fire!

Over time, Mary becomes less resistant to the routines, traditions, and beliefs of her captors, and discovers within herself reserves of strength she hadn't known were hers. Mary's adaption to the people and the culture eventually cause Mary to wonder who she really is and where she fits best in early American life. The life of the real Mary Campbell is the basis for this short 175 page story. Most of the characters in this story were real and the afterword provides historical details of what happened to Mary and the Delaware Indians in later years. The fact that this dramatic and frightening story is based on real events will make this story more memorable than most - I promise!

Recommended for grades 5-8.

Recommended Book-a-likes: The Sign of the Beaver - Elizabeth George Speare, The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis & Clark Expedition - Kathryn Lasky, The Arrow over the Door - Joseph Bruchac, The Defenders (biography collection) - Ann McGovern.

Football Genius - Tim Green

Meet Troy White. At 11 years of age he is not only an excellent quarterback in football, but he also seems to have an unusual gift for predicting complicated plays on the field. Sounds great right? Unfortunately, coach Renfro is incredibly mean and self-serving, keeping Troy on the sidelines so his son Jamie can play quarterback. Jamie is a big kid who is a terrible football player and he constantly taunts Troy and his friends. Jamie thinks Troy's favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons are losers as his team, the Dallas Cowboys are winning. If Troy had a father, he might have stood a chance to play on his middle school team. How could anyone abandon their own child?

When Troy's mom gets a job working for the Falcons, Troy gets a chance to demonstrate his genius ability to predict plays and save the team from losing the season. Too bad he is constantly beaten down by those that don't believe he can do it or don't want him to do it! His only hope seems lie with the help a his two closest friends and one famous football player.

I have to tell you, I DO NOT know anything about football, but found this story exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking and very inspiring! If you've ever been the underdog in a sport, check out this story.

Tim Green is a former NFL football player who brings first-hand knowledge and passion for the game into this novel. He has written many sports themed books like this one for you to enjoy.

Recommended for grades 5-8.

The Maze of Bones (39 Clues Series, #1) - Rick Riordan

What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world in the form of 39 clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away ...or get the first clue and begin the search? At the reading of their grandmother's will, Dan and Amy Cahill are given this choice - and they take the clue. Immediately, they are caught in a dangerous race against their own family members. Word has gotten around that 14 year old Amy and 11 year old Dan were Grandma's favorites and they might have more information to solve the clues, so they are constantly being followed, deceived and sabotaged in their efforts. Join Amy and Dan as they begin the hunt for the 39 Clues in "Book One: The Maze of Bones". This fast moving adventure series will continue for a total of ten exhilarating books written by well-known authors, some of which include Margaret Peterson Haddix, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangus, Jude Watson, Linda Sue Park and more. When the books are purchased new, they contain a set of clue cards that can be used with the online 39 Clues website. We do not have those cards and they are not necessary to enjoy the books, solve the clues and be a real detective.

Recommended for grades 4-7. YouTube has a movie trailer for The Maze of Bones that will work well with the book talk. The link for that video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RVOyBH_bgw&list=PL3454A56279E0F073&index=1

Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli

Have you ever met someone who was not afraid to be different? In this story, the students at MICA High School are bewildered and amused by an unusual, spirited new student named Stargirl. She wears odd clothing, brings her pet rat to school with her in a big sunflower bag, carries a ukulele that she uses to serenade fellow students in the lunchroom on their birthdays, and does nice things for total strangers. When the students make fun of her, she doesn’t seem to mind. Is she real or is she just crazy?

Excerpt: page 14 – 15.

Stargirl’s enthusiasm gets her a position on the cheer-leading squad and helps jump start the basketball teams’ ratings, but when she cheers for both teams, her non-conformist behaviors turn the students against her.

This story is told through the narration of Leo, an eleventh grader who, despite his reservations about this eccentric girl, finds himself attracted to her. When they become friends, her actions affect the way the rest of the school treats them both and it’s not always good. Leo will find himself in the position to decide whether Stargirl or his friends are more important. Regardless, Stargirl has a profound effect on the school community.

This is a story about friendship, love, and acceptance of individuality. At 186 pages, this book is a short, easy to read selection. If you like the book, there is a sequel titled Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

Recommended for grades 5-8. A picture of a ukelele may be helpful!

The Magician's Elephant - Kate DiCamillo

In the Magician's Elephant, we have another incredible story by Kate DiCamillo, who wrote The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn Dixie BUT this book has a much darker atmosphere and falls into the fantasy genre. The writing is simple, yet so captivating that you will not be able to put it down. I read this book in one sitting for that very reason! It begins with Peter, who lost both his parents and his younger sister when he was five years of age. He is doubtful about his sister's fate though as her remembers her cry. He now lives a miserable lonely life with an old soldier who fought in a war with his father. One day he is sent out into the village to purchase a small piece of fish for the soldier, when he comes across a fortune teller that claims to answer all of the most important questions in life. (Read the first 3 pages, if time allows). The fortune teller claims he will find his sister, who is not dead, if he follows the elephant. This sounds ridiculous, until Peter hears of an overly ambitious magician who congers up some powerful magic and a real elephant falls from the sky onto the lap of a rich woman in the audience, breaking both of her legs! Although this was not the best thing for the rich lady, but people in the village begin to wonder if the impossible can really happen? Can dreams really come true? Is Peter's sister really alive? Can you put this story down after the first few pages? I dare you to try!

The charcoal drawings by Yoko Tamaka enhance the mystical dark atmosphere of the story and help the reader imagine the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

Recommended for grades 5-7. Also a great choice to read aloud.

Heir Apparent - Vivian Vande Velde

What if you were stuck in a virtual reality Medieval castle video game (complete with wizards, ghosts and a huge dragon)? If you get killed in the game, you must begin over and over and over again. But if don't eventually triumph, you will die - for real! Fortunately, with each new trial, the protagonist Giannine reacts differently to the situations finding clever ways to win alliances and change the outcome of events to progress into the game. There is no "one way" to win the game, but Giannine will have to figure it out fast after she receives a warning from the game store owner that her life is in danger because of a malfunction in the equipment caused by protesters outside the video game store - you know, the ones who believe video/virtual reality games are destroying the minds of children and teens. Some things never change!

I am not a video gamer and to be honest, I was not looking forward to reading this book, but it was a decent story/game. I loved the way the story takes place in the future, in a game set in the past and I really admire the author for the unusual format she used to tell a fictional fantasy tale. I also think the smart, sarcastic protagonist is a very believable and typical teenager. Some family issues are thrown in for good background development and factor into her reactions in the game.

Recommended for grades 7-10. Quotes could be taken from last paragraph on page 9 and the first two paragraphs on page 10. Alternately, quote last paragraph on page 7 and all of page 8.

May Bird and the Ever After - Jodi Lynn Anderson

Ten year old May Bird lives with her mother and a hairless cat named Somber Kitty at the edge of a woods in a place called Briery Swamp. She spends most of her time with her cat in the woods, dreaming of becoming a warrior princess or in her room drawing pictures of strange creatures. She's not like the other kids in her class and struggles without success to make a friend. In the fall, her mother plans to send her away from West Virginia to a boarding school in New York to help May develop normal friends and interests. Then she finds a mysterious old letter addressed to her 60 years ago in the rubble of an old post office in the woods. How strange is that? The letter is asking for her help and summons her to a hidden lake within the swamp. When May get there, she accidentally falls in and when she comes out her sensory system is different and she can see ghosts in the woods and at home. Upon a return visit to the lake, she falls through a portal to a dangerous ghostly world much farther away than New York, called the Ever After where only the deceased are welcome. May needs to remain concealed to escape the dreaded bogeyman Bo Cleevil, who steals souls and sucks them into nothingness (I've always wanted to know what the bogeyman was all about). Fortunately, May finds some unlikely and rather creepy friends that help her reach her quest and the possibility of returning home. This is a complex story with many frightening characters and events. BUT, if you love a good ghost story/mystery/adventure, this is a book you will not be able to put down! The end will leave you anxious to solve the unanswered questions...which is fine because this first book is part of a trilogy.

Note: Recommended for grades 5 - 7. Read excerpt on page 21 describing the face on the stamp and her address on the letter. Then read the letter on page 23.

Sister Of My Heart - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

When I reflect back on this story, I remember how much most of us hope to claim just one special person as our best friend growing up. In Sister of my Heart, the reader will become enchanted by the strong relationship between two cousins who are bonded together by tragedy and torn apart by secrecy, jealousy and distrust. This beautifully written story is told from the alternating perspective of each girl covering the time span of about 15 years.

The place is Calcutta, India, where the girls are being raised by their widowed mothers and an aunt, who follow strict cultural traditions and struggle to maintain the family business. The girls attend private school and expect to attend college until circumstances change and the girls are forced into arranged marriages. This change in plans is very difficult for Anju, who is a smart rebellious girl that opposes tradition and wants to attend college and live in America. Sudha is exquisitely beautiful and more traditional, but her future remains unsure as she was not born into wealth or a good family name. Despite these differences, they make great sacrifices for each other to ensure the happiness of the other.

When Sudha learns of a dark family secret, her relationship with Anju changes from innocent sisterly love to obligation and debt. Anju finds she can no longer trust Sudha when she discovers a different type of secret on her wedding day and is happy to move to America with her husband. The girls live very different lives for a few years, until tragedy brings out their need for each other once more.

This dramatic story will not let you down. It is heartbreaking, but inspiring. The oppression of women, the sacrifices endured to preserve the family name and social standing are difficult to comprehend. The men in the story also suffer in different ways to maintain family traditions and the reader will hope they are strong enough to understand and love Sudha and Anju.

This is a rich story that will transport you to a different place, where women struggle to establish their identities and independence in a very traditional culture. If you love this story as much as I did, you will be thrilled to pick up the sequel The Vine of Desire (public library).

Note: For a cinematic look at arranged marriages in Muslim and Jewish cultures, check out the movie Arranged in the public library. Very good story - not the slightest bit boring!!!

Note: The public library also has books on creating henna designs, just like the elaborate wedding henna's used in Sister of My Heart.

Recommended for grades 11 & 12.

What We Keep - Elizabeth Berg

At the age of 47, Ginny is on a plane to visit her mother, whom she has not seen or spoken to in 35 years. The trip is initiated by Ginny's sister Sharla, who is sick and wants to see her mother "just in case" she does not get better. On her trip, Ginny looks back on childhood memories when she was just 12 years old and reveals the dramatic events that lead to the separation of her mother from the family. In this short, simple and honest story we find out how Ginny and Sharla's predictable secure world changes when a mysterious and exotic new neighbor moves in next door, befriending Ginny's mother. The girls are forced to deal with changes they cannot understand. Will their visit as mature adults help them come to terms with what happened years ago? Could they still love their mother after so long? The conclusion to this story will reveal how our perceptions are often dictated by our own needs and what we want to see. This story may be especially appealing to those who have a complicated relationship with their mothers!

Symbolic quotes from book: Page 156 & 157,
Ginny's friend Wayne has put her favorite ring into a box for a magic trick and says "Sometimes you see something that isn't there, and sometimes...you don't see something that is there."
Ginny is questioning how her friend Wayne performs the magic trick and he tells her, "It's easy. You know why? Because people want to be fooled."

Excerpt of Interest: Second paragraph on page 242,
Ginny's thoughts after watching a woman trying to walk a dog that was pulling her down the road, "I was a bit surprised by my strong reaction: for one thing, it was none of my business. But I think my response was tied up with things like what I just remembered, that feeling of contempt you have for someone you see is not in control when you want them to be."
"It's funny how, oftentimes, the people you love the most are given the least margin of error. Funny too, the places where the anger ends up surfacing".

Recommended for grades 11-12.

The Wanderer - Sharon Creech

Has anyone here ever sailed on the ocean? In this story we take an adventure across the Atlantic ocean on a ship named "The Wanderer" with 13 year old Sophie who is the sole female among a crew of six family members and must prove her worth among the men.

The trip begins in Connecticut and travels to England where Sophie's dying grandfather lives. The ocean brings back some haunting memories from Sophie's past, that she cannot deal with. Also, throughout the journey the family struggles to get along with each other. But when the weather turns for the worst, cooperation is vital. Will they learn to get along? Will Sophie have the courage to fight her memories and face reality? Will they make it to England? Check out this title for an adventure you will not forget.

Don't be intimidated by the 300 page length; this is an easy read. This story is told from the alternating perspectives of Sophie and her rebellious, funny cousin, Cody in the form of journal writings. Each short chapter begins with an artsy block-print visual with a tiny block-print identifying the writer. I like that and I loved the story!

Recommended for grades 4-7.

Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay

In Sarah's Key, the reader will learn about the French participation in the holocaust through two parallel stories. The first story takes place in Paris during the Nazi occupation with Sarah, a ten year old French Jewish girl who attempts to protect her little brother by locking him into a secret closet during the round up of Jews in France by French police officers. She has promised to return with her key to rescue him when she returns. Will she be able to keep her promise? As Sarah is forced to endure the harsh living conditions of the camps and treatment of the officers, she changes from an innocent naive child to a wise, strong, brave and determined young girl.

The parallel story is about Julia, an American journalist living in Paris who is assigned to write a story commemorating the 60th anniversary of the French Vel' d'Hiv round up in 1942. She is shocked by the lack of public knowledge about the event and the reaction she receives when she discusses the topic with her French husband and extended family. At the same time, Julia discovers that the apartment her family is moving into was once occupied by one of these unfortunate Jewish families taken during the round up. Who were these people and what happened to them? These questions take Julia on a sad, unforgettable journey into the past that changes her perspective on life, love and reverence for history that must not be forgotten.

The message: life is precious and mistakes of the past, no matter how horrific, must be remembered so they are not repeated.(less)

Recommended for grades 11 & 12.

The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods - Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell

If you like fantasy and fast moving adventure, this series will appeal to you. The ominous other-world setting and highly inventive creatures will capture your interest. The tale begins with Twig (yes, Twig) who finds out that he is NOT a woodtroll like his family and friends, but was found as a baby on their doorstep thirteen years ago. It is a relief to finally understand why he has never fit in and Twig goes on a quest to find out who he really is and discover his destiny. When Twig is sent off to live with a distant relative in the deepwoods, he strays from the safety of the path, encountering bizarre and generally dangerous creatures. Sky pirates, smelly halitoads, hover worms, slaughterers, hammelhorns, caterbirds, skullpelts, bloodoaks, gyle goblins and their Grossmother, spindlebugs, milchgrubs, banderbears, carnivorous wig-wigs, the very disgusting rotsucker, and more--each brought to life with detailed illustrations. Warning to the light-hearted: this adventure series has scary moments and death occurs to some of the characters. This book is the first in a series of thirteen fantasy tales.

Recommended for grades 5-7.