RAIN REIGN By: Ann Martin

RAIN REIGN  By: Ann Martin
Rose is not your ordinary girl. She loves to collect homonyms. She has lists of them and every time she finds a new one she has to add it to her list. One night her father brings her home a dog, she names it rain for she was brought to her when it was raining. It also is a homonym, reign. But when a really bad storm hits their house her Dad lets Rain out in the storm and she disappears. When Rose starts to search for her with the help of her uncle, she finds out something that will make her world turn upside down. Brilliantly written. Ages 9-12  $16.99  Feiwel and Friends

CENTAUR RISING By: Jane Yolen

CENTAUR RISING  By: Jane Yolen

Arianne thinks she sees a shooting star land in the fields surrounding her family's horse farm. Then she hears a whinny from one of the horses. About a year later the horse gives birth to a baby centaur. Her brother Robbie loves the centaur right from the start. Robbie was born with a birth defect caused by an experimental drug. He and Kai become instant friends, Robbie reads to Kai and they play games together. But how will they keep him a secret from everyone. They really don't want Kai to become a freak show. A fabulous read, I am sure all children will love. Ages 8-12  Henry Holt and Company  $15.99

PENELOPE CRUMB IS MAD AT THE MOON By: Shawn K. Stout

PENELOPE CRUMB IS MAD AT THE MOON  By: Shawn K. Stout
This book really tickled my funny bone. Penelope just doesn't get the day right for Animal Day at school. She shows up dressed as an elephant, but it is the wrong week. And to top it off she has to learn to square dance with the boy whose known as Lippy Gordon because he has a sweaty upper lip. But things can get worse when you are a terrible dancer. You just have to read it to appreciate all the things that happen to Penelope. Philomel Books Ages 8-10  $14.99

I WANNA GO HOME By: Karen Orloff Ilustrated by: David Catrow

I WANNA GO HOME  By: Karen Kaufman Orloff   Illustrated by: David Catrow
I love this author-illustrator combination. Haven't read one book they have done together that isn't wonderful. This time the grandchildren are sent to Florida to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Alex really doesn't like it and writes to his parents that he wants to go home. But his parents insist he stay as they are in Bora Bora. Alex even says his Grandpa's teeth are fake and they look like killer jellyfish. But when the week ends, Alex and his sister ask if they can stay longer. You will chuckle all the way till the end. $16.99 G.P. Putnam

SMALL BLUE AND THE DEEP DARK NIGHT By: Jon Davis

SMALL BLUE AND THE DEEP DARK NIGHT  By: Jon Davis
Small Blue wakes up in the night and starts to see very scary, hairy things. What will Small Blue do when Big Brown opens the door. He said he saw goblins, but when the light is turned on they disappear. Big Brown knows just what to do. A little scary, but it ends perfectly. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $16.99

CIRCLE SQUARE MOOSE By: Kelly Bingham Illustrated by: Paul Zelinsky

CIRCLE SQUARE MOOSE By: Kelly Bingham  Illustrated by: Paul Zelinsky

When Moose arrives in the middle of a picture book about shapes, everything goes crazy. He starts to eat the sandwich that is supposed to be a square. What the heck is Moose doing in this book anyway? If you want your children to shout out that they know what the shapes are, this is the book for you. Paul Zelinsky's illustrations make the story perfect. Ages 4-8 Greenwillow Books $17.99

THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES By: B.J. Novak

THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES  By: B.J. Novak

This book has no pictures, but is the biggest hit. I took it to the first grade and read it to the children. With words that make you say silly things, sounds and ridiculous voices. Oh mm goodness, a riotous read. I don't think it should have an age to it as my eleven year old grandson loved it, and so did all the adults and teachers. What a fabulous book to give. $17.99 Dial books.

BACKHOE JOE By: Lori Alexander

BACKHOE JOE  By: Lori Alexander  Illustrated by: Craig Cameron

Nolan is so excited when he finds a backhoe to bring home as a pet. He has a lot of work to do, as the backhoe doesn't always do what it should. Digging in his mother's flower bed is not what his parents think is appropriate. So Nolan sets off to train him. Then one day he sees a notice of a missing backhoe. So he has to return him. His parents say he is finally responsible to have a pet. You'll never guess what he has in mind. Ages 4-8  $15.99 Harper

AS AN OAK TREE GROWS By: G. Brian Karas

AS AN OAK TREE GROWS  By: G. Brian Karas
As a child plants an acorn, so does the oak tree grow. This book shows a next two hundred years of the beautiful tree and all the people who lived near. At the bottom of the pages it has a timeline. A beautiful book for parents and teachers to read to their children. Loved the art work! $17.99 Nancy Paulsen Books  All ages will appreciate this picture book.

SPIRIT'S KEY By: Edith Cohn

SPIRIT'S KEY  By: Edith Cohn
Spirit is a young girl who lives on an island with her father.At twelve she thought she would inherit her father's gift to read the future. But when she tries nothing happens. Then her pet Sky dies and when she touches his dog tag, she sees him. He is trying to tell her something. Is this the start to seeing the future? The islanders don't like that Spirit had a wild dog, they felt that all of them should have been killed. Then islanders start to become sick and so does her father. They are blaming the dogs. Locking up the people who are sick and Spirit is trying to figure out how to help. Will she be able to figure out the future before disaster strikes again. Ages 8-12 Farrah Straus and Giroux $16.99

I'M BRAVE By: Kate and Jim McMullan

I'M BRAVE  By: Kate and Jim McMullan
"Whaddya call a big red engine with a siren, eeeeeeeeowoooooooo and a horn, honnnnnnhhhhhhkkkk a tank full of waster, sloosh, slosh and a whole lotta, Whole lotta hose? Good Lookin', that's what." The McMullan team does it again. I'm Brave is a great little story with a lot of heart. How one fire engine can save the day. I am sure your child will love this book as much as my grandson does. The jacket says ages 4-8, but I read it too my not quite two year old grandson and he said, again. You know it is good if you need to read it more than once. Balzer and Bray. $16.99

LAST KING OF ANGKOR WAT By: Graeme Base

LAST KING OF ANGKOR WAT  By: Graeme Base
Graeme Base has fabulous illustrations with a great story. How four animals want to become the King of Angkor Wat. The elephant tells them they must go to the temple at the top of the hill. So off Tiger, Water Buffalo, Gecko and Gibbon go. As they race to be the first to get to the temple they forget that Elephant told them it takes strength, compassion, resilience and courage. And as they move through the jungle those qualities are tested. Of course they get to the temple and Elephant is already waiting. Will one of them become King? Read it to find out. $17.95 ages 4 and up. Abrams

HUG MACHINE By: Scott Campbell

HUG MACHINE  By: Scott Campbell
Everyone watch out the Hug Machine is on the loose. He hugs everything and everyone. Make sure you get your hugs in too! Ages 4-8  Atheneum Books for Young Readers $16.99

LOUISE LOVES ART By: Kelly Light

LOUISE LOVES ART  By: Kelly Light
Louise is an artist extraordinaire. She is sure her art work needs a place of honor in the house. So she looks around for the best place. While she is searching her little brother has taken over her piece of artwork and cut it into paper dolls. When Louise finds out you would think that everything would blow up. But to your surprise she takes a different approach. A great book to teach children there are lots of ways to handle problems on your own. $17.99 Balzer and Bray Ages 4-8

FLEABRAIN LOVES FRANNY By: Joanne Rocklin

FLEABRAIN LOVES FRANNY  By: Joanne Rocklin
Franny receives her first letter from Fleabrain while she is recovering from polio. Of course Fleabrain is a flea that lives on the tail of her dog. The year is 1952 and while Franny was in the hospital in an iron lung she is given the book Charlotte's Web. So coming home to a talking flea is a real possibility. She is determined to talk to Fleabrain who is an avid reader too, Thus begin a great friendship between the two. You learn all about her struggles to try to walk, and how children aren't allowed to go near her for fear they will contract polio even though she is cured. A great read. $16.99 Ages 8-12
Amulet Books.

GRAHAM CRACKER PLOT By: Shelley Tougas

GRAHAM CRACKER PLOT  By: Shelley Tougas

Daisy's father is in prison for a crime she is sure he didn't commit. You find this out right away when each chapter begins, Dear Judge Henry. This is Daisy's punishment for trying to break her father out of prison with the help of her friend Graham. Thus the Graham Cracker Plot. But things take a twist when everything goes horribly wrong, a big thunderstorm, breaking into a house, knocking over a fridge, stealing a mini-pony and more. An entertaining read. $16.99 Roaring Brook Press Ages 8-12

COUNTABLOCK By: Christopher Franceschelli

COUNTABLOCK  By: Christopher Franceschelli  Art by: Peskimo

Best board book this season! A simple concept that becomes brilliant. Picture a squirrel on one page looking at an acorn. "One Acorn becomes......." turn the page "One oak tree" all the way to 100. The art work matches the text perfectly. My grandson who is almost two really enjoyed the book, especially the cardboard fold out pages. A must for any long child's library. Abramsappleseed. $10.95

LIGHTNING CATHER: THE STORM TOWER THIEF By: Anne Cameron

LIGHTNING CATHER: THE STORM TOWER THIEF  By: Anne Cameron
In this amazing sequel, Angus McFangus finds he has an Uncle he never knew he had. He works in Canada at another Exploratorium. What Angus doesn't know is he is about to embark on a very dangerous journey with his friends, Dougal and Indigo. This time the world is in danger of ice storms everywhere. Will Angus and his friends be able to stop this from destroying everything. Ages 8-12  Greenwillow  $16.99

LIGHTNING CATCHER By: Anne Cameron

LIGHTNING CATCHER  By: Ann Cameron
I was first introduced to this book by my eleven year old grandson. He saw the next book in my pile of books to read and told me it was fantastic. So being his grandmother I asked him to bring me the first book so I could read it. He has great taste.
Angus is eleven and he is living with his inventor uncle while his parents are missing. And one day he is whisked off to the island of Umbur to become an apprentice at the Perilous Exploratorium for Weather and Vicious Storms. Their he finds himself with other students his age, but all of them know about the island and the Exploratorium. He hasn't a clue. It turns out his parents aren't who he thought they were and they too work on Umbur, only they are being held captive at the other end of the island. Angus wants to find them, but he has so much to learn, classes in fog and lightning. Not to be missed. Ages 8-12 Greenwillow Books
$16.99

CREATURE KEEPERS AND THE HIJACKED HYRDO-HIDE By: Peter Nelson & Rohitash Rao

CREATURE KEEPERS AND THE HIJACKED HYDRO-HIDE  By: Peter Nelson & Rohitash
Jordan is going to have to put away all his electronics because his parents are going to his long lost grandfather's home in South Florida. His parents decide that it needs to be fixed up on their vacation. It is awful and when he discovers that their is a secret society to protect elite creatures like the Skunk Ape, all his energy is put into finding out if this is real. A marvelous book, that will entertain you from the beginning. Ages 8-12  Balzer & Bray $12.99 Coming 9/16/2014

THE GIRL FROM FELONY BAY By: J.E. Thompson

THE GIRL FROM FELONY BAY  By: J.E. Thompson
Abbey Force is having a terrible time right now. Her father is in a coma in the hospital and he is being framed for a crime he didn't commit. Their home on a plantation had to be sold to pay off his debts and she has to live with drunk uncle and aunt. But just when she doesn't think she can take anymore someone buys Reward Plantation and they have a girl just her age. Her name is Bee Force. She has the same last name, for her family was owned by Abbey's family long ago, when they were slaves. The girls don't care, the just enjoy being together and with Bee's help Abbey is determined to find out what really is going on on Felony Bay.
A great mystery. Ages 8-12 Walden Pond Press $16.99

THE ZOO AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD By: Eric Kahn Gale

THE ZOO AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD  By: Eric Kahn Gale
This book is quite an adventure. Marlin is the younger son of the world famous Roland Rackham. His father has built a zoo on a dark continent. People come from all over the country to see this amazing zoo.
 Marlin has a big problem, he is teased by his older brother and he has a terrible stutter. But he only stutters when he talks to people. Speaking to animals has never been an issue. Then one day his father brings home a jaguar and the jaguar casts a spell on him. Now he can not only talk to the animals, but they understand him. When a royal family comes to visit with their daughter she realizes that Marlin has special abilities. They quickly become friends. But then something terrible happens to one of the employees and Marlin knows he has to do something. What he chooses you will just have to read to find out. I read this aloud to my seven year old grandson and he loved it. Ages 8-12 Balzer & Bray. $16.99 Will be available 8/26/2014

THICKETY By: J.A. White

THICKETY  By: J.A. White

One of my favorite books of the year. This ti she remarkable story of Kara, her mother was convicted of the terrible crime of witchcraft when she was just six. When she gets older the people of her village aren't kind to her or her brother. Around their village is a woods that they refer to as the Thickety. Terrible things are supposed to be in the Thickety. But Kara follows a bird into the woods one day and discovers a book that might have belonged to her mother. The book has powers that amaze Kara. A must read for children 10 and up. Katherine Tegen Books.  $16.99

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER By: Peter Brown

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER  By: Peter Brown
Bobby's teacher is a monster, she is loud and scary. But then Bobby runs into her at the park. They begin to talk to each other and when her hat blows away, Bobby comes to the rescue. In the park they find things to talk about, ducks and climbing high on the hills. Soon this teacher suggests he make a paper airplane. His teacher is still a monster sometimes at school, but she turns quite human. Little Brown Ages 4-8, $18.00

SUNNY SWEET IS SO DEAD MEAT By: Jennifer Ann Mann

SUNNY SWEET IS SO DEAD MEAT  By: Jennifer Ann Mann

Masha has to go to Sunny's science fair. Of course Sunny always walks away with the prize. Masha is in for a surprise when Sunny gives her a bottle of ketchup that explodes all over her. Sunny climbs a tree outside the school where the fair is held so Masha can't get to her. What happens when Masha doesn't want to be seen is hilarious. I love the Sunny Sweet books. $15.99 Bloomsbury, Ages 8-11

LOOT By: Jude Watson

LOOT  By: Jude Watson
When a notorious jewel thief Alfie McQuinn is killed on the job, he asks his son March to find the Jewels. Only March doesn't realize that Jules is his twin sister he never knew he had. They try to take over where their father left off. A brilliantly crafted mystery. I am sure you will love. Scholastic Ages 8-12  $16.99

MONSTER LOVES SCHOOL By: Mike Austin

MONSTER LOVES SCHOOL  By: Mike Austin
Summer is over and now is the time to get ready for the biggest adventure of all, Monster School. Love this books, not only does it talk about getting school supplies, but it even has the crossing guard Miss Wiggles. "Wiggle, wiggle, cross the street. Off to school, now move those feet." The whole book is this way. From the principal to the librarian. A great back to school book. Ages 4-8  $15.99  Harper Collins

CHU'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL By:Neil Gaiman and Adam Rex

CHU'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL  By: Neil Gaiman and Adam Rex
Chu is a panda who is afraid to go to school. His parents tell him not to worry. And when he gets to school he is frightened that he has to say his name and what he does well. So all the animals tell their names and what they do. When it is Chu's turn he sneezes, for that is what he can do well. His parents ask him how his day was and he says he is no longer afraid. The illustrations are great. I read this with my grandson and he told me to buy a lot. He really liked it. Ages 4-8, $17.99, Harper

NUTS TO YOU By: Lynne Rae Perkins

NUTS TO YOU  By: Lynne Rae Perkins
If you love squirrels and a powerful friendship, this is your kind of book. When their friend is snatched by a hawk, and they see him escape,  they have no choice but to try and find him. That means they have to travel the spider webs. And when they arrive they find that someone is taking the homes away from the squirrels who live there. A funny and easy to read novel. On sale at the end of August 2014. Ages 8-12 Greenwillow Books $16.99

MESSENGER OF FEAR By: Michael Grant

MESSENGER OF FEAR  By: Michael Grant
Mara awakes in a field, She is afraid she is dead, but a very good looking boy appears. He is the Messenger of Fear. He tries to make her see how individual people are doing bad things.  A very dark novel about a messenger that tries to make people see the wrongs they have committed. They can take the challenge to right their wrong, or suffer the consequences. I was totally scared, and a little freaked out. Not for the faint at heart. Ages 14 up, $17.99 On sale in September. Katherine Tegen Books

WHERE I BELONG By: Mary Downing Hahn

WHERE I BELONG  By: Mary Downing Hahn
Brendan was abandoned at birth and loves in foster care. He is smart and and artist, but he is picked on and bullies. He doesn't feel good about himself and refuses to apply himself in school. So he goes into the woods and builds a great tree house. Their he feels at home. When he is about to fail sixth grade he is sent to summer school. Their his life begins ta new course, with a friend. Together they meet the Green Man of the woods. When Brendan is brutally attacked his tree house is not longer his refuge. What happens you'll just have to read it to find out. Mary Downing Han is a great storyteller. I've read many of her novels and this one is brilliant. Coming September 2014, Clarion Books, $16.99 Ages 9-12

BALANCE KEEPERS By: Lindsay Cummings

BALANCE KEEPERS  By: Lindsay Cummings
Albert spends his summers in a sleepy little town with little to keep him occupied. His Dad is the gone most days delivering mail. One day he is asked to sort dead letters in the post office, a dog appears with a letter in his mouth. He is to deliver the letter to a place in the woods. Little does he know that he is summoned to the underground realms of the earth to become a Balance Keeper. For the earth is in trouble and he and the other children are their to save the earth.
Great new series Coming in October. Felt like a great Harry Potter read. Katherine Tegen Books. Ages 8-12 $16.99

CASTLE BEHIND THORNS By: Merrie Haskell

CASTLE BEHIND THORNS  By: Merrie Haskell
When Sand wakes up in an abandoned castle surrounded by thorns, he is overwhelmed. Nothing in the castle is whole. He was told by his father the castle was damaged in an earthquake, but an earthquake doesn't make an iron pot split in half. As Sand sets out to mend the castle, magical things begin to happen. A must read. I know you will be as intrigued by Sand too. Ages 8-12  $16.99 Katherine Tegen Books

DISAPPEARANCE AT HANGMAN'S BLUFF By: J.E, Thompson

DISAPPEARANCE AT HANGMAN'S BLUFF  By: J.E. Thompson
This author is new to me, but his mystery is one I am sure will keep you on the edge of your seat.
When Abbey and Bee realize the neighbors pregnant dog is kidnapped they have to find out who took him Even they they are told not too.Abbey Force and Bee Force are neighbors. When Abbey's father owned the plantation in South Carolina, Bees family lived in the slave quarters. But now it is reversed. They both share the same last name, but they aren't related, just best friends. What these two girls do, well you must read it to find out. Ages 8-12  $16.99 Walden Pond Press  Coming in September 2014

DON'T TOUCH By: Rachel M. Wilson

DON'T TOUCH  By: Rachel M. Wilson
Caddie can't stop think about being touched. She even goes to the extreme of wearing long gloves in very hot weather. As long as she isn't touched on her skin she is okay. In her mind she thinks that if she isn't touched her parents will get back together. So starts Caddie at a new school for the arts where she meets an old friend and makes a number of new ones. When she is cast for Ophelia in the school play, opposite of Peter she really begins to fall apart. The book was fascinating, as it deals with severe anxiety disorders. Ages 14 on up. $17.99 Coming in September 2014 Harper Teen

SAY WHAT YOU WILL By: Cammie McGovern

SAY WHAT YOU WILL   By: Cammie McGovern
Reading this book I needed about a box of tissues. Not because it was terribly sad, but so powerful and humbling to meet the cast of characters. Amy is going into senior high school, she has CP and has always had an adult aide take her from class to class. She fights with her mother to allow her to hire students her age so she can make friends. Amy has to use a voice synthesizer to speak, so really she has never had the opportunity to just be alone with her peers. Then Amy bravely writes to one of the students she want to help her, Matthew. He has his own issues, which Amy thinks she can help. What evolves is more than friendship, if they can ever get the courage to admit it. A must read. Ages 14 and up. Harper Teen $17.99

SAVING LUCAS BIGGS By: Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

SAVING LUCAS BIGGS  By: Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
Can Margaret O'Malley save her innocent father's life after he is sentenced to death by the terrible Judge Biggs? Margaret decides that the only way to help is to use her magical properties and travel back in time to change Lucas Biggs from becoming the meanest man. With the encouragement of her friend and his grandfather, that is what she attempts to do. I read this in one sitting and couldn't put it down. Ages 8-12 Harper $16.99

SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE By: Marcus Sedgwick

SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE  By: Marcus Sedgwick
Laureth's father is a writer. They live in London, and Laureth takes care of all of her father's correspondence. But then her dad goes missing. Laureth gets an e-mail
from a man in New York that has found her father's notebook. Laureth is sure something is terribly wrong and her Mum doesn't agree. So with the help of her seven year old brother she gathers their passports, her mother's credit card and they head to New York to find their father. The only problem is she cannot see. What an adventure-mystery. It will leave you on the edge. $16.99 Roaring Brook Press 

SNORING BEAUTY By: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

SNORING BEAUTY  By: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

When Mouse tries to go to sleep the night before his wedding, he just can't for Sleeping Beauty is snoring away. Desperate to sleep he makes a plan to have the prince kiss her and make her stop. But the prince can't believe the noise she is making. In this hilarious spoof, you will laugh along with the characters. A gem of a book. Ages 4-8 $17.99  Harper 

GOING PLACES By: Peter and Paul Reynolds

GOING PLACES  By: Peter and Paul Reynolds
When the teacher hands out boxes to each of her students, it says Going Places. Rafael can't wait to put his together. When he is done it is a go-cart, he is so proud of his cart. Then he looks next door to see how Maya is doing and she is just sitting on her box looking at a bird. The next time he looks she has made her cart into wings like an airplane. So they decide to collaborate. Amazing what tow minds can come up with. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. When my son, now grown with a son of his own. Loved the Peter Spier book Oh Were they Ever Happy. I know this will be on the list of books I will purchase for his son. 
$15.99 Ages 4-8 Atheneum

FANCY NANCY AND THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY By: Jane O'Connor

FANCY NANCY AND THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY  By: Jane O'Connor
Okay, I don't know how Jane O'Connor does it, but she made the perfect book for little girls who would love to be in a wedding. Fancy Nancy is sure she is going to be a flower girl, she will have the most beautiful dress and stay up past midnight. But when her Uncle Cal says the wedding is to be a surprise, Nancy is shocked. There going to have a morning wedding, not a traditional one. Will this be a great wedding or a disappointment. Make sure you get a copy! Ages 4-8  Harper $17.99

MAPLE By: Lori Nichols

MAPLE  By: Lori Nichols
Maple is a wonderful little girl, her parents planted a Maple tree when she was born. So when Maple grew so did her tree. When would go out to play and sing to her tree, try to throw snowballs at it, but it didn't throw back. He tree didn't even mind if she was noisy. One day her parents had another baby, and in her honor they plant another tree. Read this book to find out what they name this baby. I read this to my grandson's class and they really loved the book. Ages 2-7  $16.99 Nancy Paulsen Books

EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER BY: Marcia Wells

EDDIE RED UNDERCOVER  By: Marcia Wells
Eddie Red is a code name for Edmund. He has a photographic memory and sees a a crime. So the police call him into the station so he can describe the man to a sketch artist. Well the sketch artist isn't doing the drawing right and Edmund says he can draw it better. Well he does and so begins his job with the police department. He is to go undercover and watch for some art thieves. The humor in this book made me laugh out loud while I was reading it. Very entertaining. $16.99 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

SHERLOCK, LUPIN & ME By: Irene Adler

SHERLOCK, LUPIN & ME  By: Irene Adler
Irene Adler is on vacation with her overprotective family in Saint-Malo in 1870. She runs across a boy her age near the beach. He is William Sherlock who tells Irene that her powers of observation aren't very good. But he helps her evade her caretaker Mr. Nelson with the help of his friend Lupin. The three become fast friends and try to solve a missing diamond necklace and and dead man on the beach. Their is intrigue and mischief galore. A great read. $12.95 Ages 8-12  Capstone

A SNICKER OF MAGIC By: Natalie Lloyd

A SNICKER OF MAGIC  By: Natalie Lloyd
Felicity Pickle collects words, words people are thinking about, words that glow, dance or just make her happy. But the one thing she wants more than the words she collects is a real home. Her mother moves at a moments notice. Then something wonderful happens when her Mama's van pulls into a town called Midnight Gulch. This is where her luck is going to change, she just knows it. The town used to be magical and that is what Felicity's words seem to be, and with the help of two new friends she is about to find out. Ages 9-13 $16.99 Scholastic

HALF A CHANCE By: Cynthia Lord

HALF A CHANCE  By: Cynthia Lord
 Lucy just moved to New Hampshire lake with her famous dad, who is a photographer.  So when she hears their is a photography contest she decides to enter knowing her father is the judge. Lucy just wants to show him that she is talented and she doesn't want him to know she took the photos. So she gets Nate, the boy living in the cottage next door to enter in his name. But Nate has his own problems, his Grandmother's  memory is fading and this may be his last summer at the lake. What happens will  touch your heart. I loved this book and hope you will too. $16.99 Scholastic Ages 9-13

NORTHWOOD By: Brian Falkner

NORTHWOOD  By: Brian Falkner
Cecilia Undergarment lives in an amazing shaped house. It is shaped like a balloon and her room is at the top. She is a very thoughtful child and when she sees that the dog next door is being neglected she makes up her mind to rescue him. But when the dog runs into Northwood the forbidden forest, she must follow. No one has ever returned from the forest once they arrive. What Cecilia finds will amaze you. A great read. $12.95 Capstone  Ages 9-13

IT'S AN ORANGE AARDVARK! By: Michael Hall

IT'S AN ORANGE AARDVARK! By: Michael Hall
Truly hilarious story of some carpenter ants boring holes in a tree stump to see if an orange aardvark is going to eat them. It has all the colors of the rainbow and a perfect ending. All the ants wear hardhats in different colors. When I showed it to a librarian, she immediately grabbed a hardhat to use when she reads the story! $17.99 Greenwillow

SCHOOL OF CHARM By: Lisa Ann Scot

SCHOOL OF CHARM  By: Lisa Ann Scott                                                                                    Chip faces may sad events in her life. Because her father died, the family must move in with her grandmother in North Carolina. Her grandmother does not accept Chip because she is not beautiful like her two sisters. Chip loves nature and is a "'tomboy." Luckily, Chip discovers a school of charms run by Miss Vernie and decides to try to be in a beauty pageant with her sisters. Miss Vernie helps Chip learn to be herself and to get along with the two other girls at the school--on is African American at a time when blacks have not been accepted in beauty pageants (around 1977) and one feels bad about herself because she is overweight and her stepfather always reminds her of it.  Many times throughout the book Chip wants her dead father to send her a sign to show her how to get along with her family since she feels she is so different from them. This book deals with many problems middle-schoolers face, being beautiful, diversity, death of loved ones, and getting along with their family and peers. Most of all, the characters learn to communicate with each other and to see that being beautiful is being true to yourself. Ages 8-12 Katherine Tegen Books Review written by: Julie Hoch

MAYBE ONE DAY By: Melissa Kantor

MAYBE ONE DAY  By: Melissa Kantor
Friendship is a beautiful thing, especially when you have something in common. Zoe and Olivia have been best friends forever. They both can't wait to become famous ballerinas and live in New York together when they finish with high school But then their dreams are crushed when they are kicked out of the exclusive dance class. They don't think anything worse can happen after that, but it does Olivia gets sick and Zoe has to find the courage to help her friend. Please bring a box of tissues with you when you read this unforgettable novel. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. (some language) $17.99  Harper Teen  A must read.