RULES FOR STEALING STARS By: Corey Ann Haydu

RULES FOR STEALING STARS  By: Corey Ann Haydu
Silly is the youngest of four girls, and feels left out by her twin sisters and her older sister Marla. When Silly finds out that her sisters are escaping into the closets in the house she wants to join in the fun. What she doesn't know is the closets transform you to a special place where you wish to go, and she is really good at creating this place. This is where the girls go to escape the problems at home. A thought provoking book. Ages 8-12 $16.99 Katherine Tegen Books.

THE FULL MOON AT THE NAPPING HOUSE By: Audrey Wood and Don Wood

THE FULL MOON AT THE NAPPING HOUSE  By: Audrey Wood and Don Wood
Maybe because I am a granny I so relate to this boisterous tale. I didn't think anything could be better than The Napping House, but I think this is my new favorite.
The natives are restless at the Napping House. Their is a full moon and no one is sleeping. As a child plays and granny gets in bed, a dog, a playful dog, a prowling cat, a worried mouse are not getting ready for bed. But as the night progresses, granny gets a book, the child is in bed and they are reading.
Just like at my house. Hope it works for your family too. $17.99 HMH Ages 2 and up.

THIS RAGING LIGHT By: Estelle Laure

THIS RAGING LIGHT  By: Estelle Laure
This is the book you have to have a day to read and curl up with a cozy afghan. Wren is just a little girl and Lucille is her seventeen year old sister. Her Dad is long gone and her mother left for just two weeks. But when the bills start coming in Lucille has to find a job, she has to take care of her sister. Mom's two weeks are long over with and what is she to do. She can't call for help, she doesn't want to be separated from Wren. Then the unexpected happens, she falls in love. A great read for adults and young adults. Ages 14 and up. Coming 12/22/2015 $17.99 HMH

FIREFLY HOLLOW By: Alison McGhee

FIREFLY HOLLOW  By: Alison McGhee
A charming story to read aloud to your young children or for a child who has mastered reading, but wants a long successful chapter book.
This is the story of the Hollow where the fireflies and crickets go to school and dream big dreams. Until one day they decide to see what is beyond the Hollow. Their they meet a giant a young giant named Peter. Peter can see and hear them talk. What happens will delight you and your child. Ages 8-12 $16.99 Atheneum

ORBITING JUPITER By: Gary Schmidt

ORBITING JUPITER  By: Gary Schmidt
What can one say about Joseph so you will know a little about him. He was given a pill by someone and because of his reaction he almost killed a teacher. So he was sent to a place called Stone Mountain and now he won't let anyone come up behind him or a number of other things. He also has a daughter that is three months old and he has never even met her. Her name is Jupiter. He is only in eighth grade.
So a great family offers to be his foster parents, and they have a son named Jack. I won't spoil this novel for you, as it is a must read. Ages 12 and up $17.99 HMH

HONEST TRUTH By: Dan Gemeinhart

HONEST TRUTH  By: Dan Gemeinhart
Mark has a great friend Jessie, they write haiku poems to each other and leave them as notes. He also has a dog named Beau. Everything seems normal, but Mark is really sick, the kind of sick that may not be fixed.
So Mark decides to run away from home with Beau to reach Mount Rainer, a promise he made to his grandfather. Along the way he is robbed, beaten and you would think he would quit, but the determination is astounding. You will not be able to put this book down. A great read and a lot to discuss. $16.99 Ages 12 and up.Scholastic

CIRCUS MIRANDUS By: Cassie Beasley

CIRCUS MIRANDUS  By: Cassie Beasley
Micah lives with his grandpa Ephraim, who tells him wonderful stories of a place called Circus Mirandus. His grandfather is dying and he is sure that the Lightbender at Circus Mirandus can cure him. He knows this because his grandfather told him he owes him a favor. So Micah sets off to find this magical place. What he encounters is not what he expected, nor what he wishes. A fabulous read that you won't be able to put down. $17.99 Ages 8 and up. Dial

ENCHANTED AIR By: Margarita Engle

ENCHANTED AIR  By: Margarita Engle
Margarita is the daughter of an American father and a Cuban mother. This is a memoir of her life before the Cold War. Written in prose you will be transported to Cuba and it's wonderful culture. How Margarita went to Cuba every summer to spend time with her grandma, great grandma and all her relatives. Learning about all the beautiful plants and trees that she encountered on her trips and what a rich childhood she had living in both places. Then when she was no longer able to go to Cuba and how their lives changed. I feel like I was right with her all through her childhood. One of the best books of the season. Atheneum $17.99 Ages 12 and up. I feel this could be read by younger children, would be a great book for discussion with the embargo that has been lifted.

WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? By: Debbie Ridpath Ohi

WHERE ARE MY BOOKS?  Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Spencer is going crazy, his books are missing. Who on earth could be taking them, He is searching high and low.When he finally finds out who took his books you will be totally shocked. I won't give away a great ending for I am sure you and your children will love it as much as I do. Ages 4-8 Simon and Schuster
$17.99

TACKY AND THE HAUNTED IGLOO By: Helen Lester

TACKY AND THE HAUNTED IGLOO  By: Helen Lester
Tacky and his friends are going to decorate their igloo with the scariest stuff for Halloween. Of course Tacky just sits off to the side and eats treats. Then the have to make really scary costumes and of course Tacky thinks of bubbles. Not exactly scary. On Halloween night as the penguins give out treats, a really scary costume comes along. Turns out it is the wolves.Will Tacky save the day. Your children will love this new book. $16.99 HMH  Ages 3 up.

DUMPLIN By: Julie Murphy

DUMPLIN  By: Julie Murphy
Willowdean is a fat girl. She knows she is and she likes herself. But her mother is in charge of the beauty pageant in town that she won years ago and it is really annoying to Willowdean. Her whole home is turned upside down by this pageant. 
But since Willowdean is at a private school she is getting some attention from one of the boys at school. She is surprised as he is good looking and a former jock. She is also surprised that she likes him back.
Enter Willowdeans idea to enter the pageant, little does she know that she inspired some of the other girls that aren't what you would call pageant material. Now things really get interesting. 
Loved this book, it is honest and thought provoking. Their is some language if that troubles you. 
Balzer and Bray $17.99 14 and up.

ONE By: Sarah Crossan

ONE  By: Sarah Crossan
Grace and Tippi are conjoined twins, joined at the waist each having two arms and upper bodies. They are sixteen years old. Done in prose this novel will give you a glimpse at what it like to be in their shoes. They head off to a public school for the very first time and are really enjoying meeting new people. But something is changing in their bodies that they can't ignore. A heart wrenching novel that you won't be able to put down. Ages 13 and up. $17.99 Greenwillow

THE ASTOUNDING BROCCOLI BOY By: Frank Cottrell Boyce

THE ASTOUNDING BROCCOLI BOY  By: Frank Cottrell Boyce
 Rory is a thoughtful boy who is quite small and he get bullied a lot by Tommy-Lee. He is so excited for a field trip, only to be pushed in the water by other classmates. That wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't turned green. I don't mean army green, or all the other shades, I mean the color of broccoli. Everyone is worried about him being contagious, so he is sent to the hospital and who should his roommate be than his nemesis Tommy-Lee. He too has turned this incredible color. Now the doctor is determined to find the cause, lots of blood tests, urine samples, all green. Then Rory discovers that Tommy-Lee sleepwalks and he of course has to follow. It takes them all over London in the middle of the night. Will these kids who have proclaimed themselves superheros become normal again? A great read. Ages 8-12 Walden Pond Press $16.99

HOW TO SWALLOW A PIG By: Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

HOW TO SWALLOW A PIG  By: Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
"So you want to learn how to swallow a pig. You've come to the right place. Follow these step-by-step instructions, and soon you'll acquire the dining skills of a large snake. But maybe you're not quite ready to gulp down a hairy four-legged animal. Don't worry-there are lots of other useful techniques you can master. After all, you never know when you might need to spin a web, disguise yourself as a jellyfish, battle a sheep, or catch a wildebeest. Just take it slow, and remember: practice makes perfect." So begins the great art work and story of Jenkins and Page. Not to be missed by the non-fiction lover. $17.99 All ages
HMH

WAITING By: Kevin Henkes

WAITING  By: Kevin Henkes
A sweet little book with of course fabulous illustrations, by the incredible Kevin Henkes. Waiting is about five little toy animals looking out the window, there is owl, pig, bear, dog and rabbit. As they look out the window the weather changes, they reminisce about who had come before. Maybe they are just waiting for you to arrive and read this charming book. Ages 2 on up. Greenwillow $17.99

NEWT'S EMERALD By: Garth Nix

NEWT'S EMERALD  By: Garth Nix
When Lady Truthful's magical emerald disappears she sets out on a quest to find it. Most people think that eighteen is not old enough to go out in to London by herself, probably because this book takes place in the 19th century and she has not come out yet. Under more investigation by her allies ( a famous author and his friend)  she learns that her emerald has the power to change the world. I would not recommend this book to people who are expecting fantasy or adventure because this book is more about life in the olden days from a young girls point of view. Reviewed by Ella age 11. Grades 10-12  Katherine Tegen Books $18.99

CONNECT THE STARS By: Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

CONNECT THE STARS   By: Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
Audrey Alcott can always tell when a person is lying, every single time. So after her friend lies to her she completely gives up on the human race. Of course this is not always easy so she goes to a 6 week camp in the Texas desert. There she is forced to rely on the other kids in the group to survive.
Aaron Archer has a photographic memory, he never fits in with other kids. But in the Texas desert ti doesn't matter how smart you are as long as you can survive. 
Suddenly when a camper disappears all of the campers have to put aside their differences and work together to uncover an even bigger mystery than a missing camper.  Reviewed by Ella age 11. Harper Ages 8-12 $16.99

OLD WOLF By: Avi

OLD WOLF  By: Avi
Nashoba is very old for a wolf and his pack is hungry. The younger wolf wants to be the new leader of the pack and they get into a fight. Nashoba is still the leader, but he was injured and is suffering. 
Meanwhile Casey plays computer games at home and has a birthday. His father gets him two books on using a bow and arrow. He studies them and for his birthday and later in the day he gets a real bow and arrow. Told only to use it when his father is home. 
Well Nashoba with the help of a raven leads his pack to some elk. Unfortunately it doesn't go as planned and he is injured.
Casey goes against his father's wishes and uses the bow and arrow. He thinks he is responsible for the wolf's injury. 
A great story for children that need to learn about safety and consequences. Ages 8-12 Anthenum  $16.99

CHARLIE-PIECHART AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING PIZZA SLICE By: Comstock and Sadler

CHARLIE-PIECHART AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING PIZZA SLICE
By: Eric Comstock & Marilyn Sadler
When it is pizza night at Charlie's house, and they have to figure out how to divide it among six people. This is a great book for anyone who wants to do math with their children. It talks about how you have to divide it up. The dog in story wants pizza too and then a slice goes missing, could it possibly be him.  It has a great twist to the ending. Ages 4-8 Harper Collins $17.99

THE LOCH NESS PUNSTER By: Kate Klise

THE LOCH NESS PUNSTER  By: Kate Klise
This is book seven in the Old Cemetery Road series. You don't have to read them all to read this great book. 
Twelve year old Seymour Hope has inherited a castle in Loch Ness, Scotland. This might just be the perfect vacation spot, but only Olive is going with Hope on the trip as her father Ignatius Grumply won't go because it was owned by his Uncle Ian, a world famous psychiatrist and a real joker. Olive is a ghost, and she insists on buying a ticket for the trip. 
The ghastly public library has a new program this summer and Hope decides to take a pet borrowed from the library with her. It is a giant tortoise. She even finds a trunk in the attic with holes in it to let him breathe. So when they learn that pet store owner wants his tortoise back or ten thousand dollars, Hope gets really worried. What happens, can only happen in the Old Cemetery Road series. You will love this book and go back to read the rest. $15.99 Ages 8-12  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

THE YEAR OF THE THREE SISTERS By: Andrea Cheng

THE YEAR OF THE THREE SISTERS  By: Andrea Cheng
Anna has a pen pal from China. Fan had to quit school in order to help her family. She writes to Anna to keep up her English skills. Anna has actually been to China and knows all about how Fan lives and the sacrifices she has to make for her family. So when her friend Andee decides they should bring Fan to Cincinnati as and exchange student she is worried. But when Andee gets an idea in her head, she won't let it go. A very wonderful look at an exchange student learning all about two cultures. 3-6th grade. $16.99  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

FOG DIVER By: Joel Ross

FOG DIVER  By:  Joel Ross
The earth has a deadly fog over the land and many people have died because of the fog. All the people are clinging to the mountaintops to survive. But of course the wealthy have the best spots and Lord Kodoc makes sure that only the rich have what they need. But their is one boy, thirteen-year-old Chess that was born in the fog and helps to find articles of value to sell in order to survive. He and his salvage crew work tirelessly to float above the fog while Chess dives into it. He has a special eye that keeps him safe in the fog. But he is hunted by Kodoc, for he wants him for himself. He says he made him and he owns him. A highly thrilling, action packed novel you will  not forget. Ages 8-12  Harper $16.99

BLACKTHORN KEY By: Kevin Sands

BLACKTHORN KEY  By: Kevin Sands
Set in London when apothecaries were the primary source of healing young Christopher Rowe is asked to be a apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn. It is an honor to be chosen and it got Christopher out of the orphanage. Christopher works really hard, but Blackthorn is kind and doesn't harm him, like so many other apothecaries do to their apprentices. But apothecaries are being murdered and it is getting closer to Blackthorns. When Blackthorn is murdered, Christopher must learn the key to a terrible secret, or their world will fall apart. Highly suspenseful, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. A great read. 
Aladdin   Ages 8-12   $17.99

MILO SPECK, ACCIDENTAL AGENT By: Linda Urban

MILO SPECK, ACCIDENTAL AGENT  By: Linda Urban
Milo's adventure begins when he tries to get a sock out of the dryer, only to be pulled inside to Ogregon. The land that is populated by ogres, and might I add not very bright ones at that. Many children have met their fate by these Ogres, and Milo is determined to save them from being eaten by the orges. So with the help of a dino-sized turkey, Milo begins his plot. A thrilling adventures ensues. Ages 9-12  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $16.99

WILLY MAYKIT IN SPACE By: Greg Trine

WILLY MAYKIT IN SPACE  By: Greg Trine
Willy Maykit has a father who is an explorer. He has disappeared after many adventures and Willy wants to start exploring too. Only problem is his mother has to sign his permission slip to go off to Planet Ed. So Willy tries to slide the permission slip in between a bunch of school papers. Unfortunately his mother finds the slip. Even though she is frighten to let him go, she relents. The ship is flown by a droid, and Willy is determined to make him laugh, telling him many jokes on the way. Of course the droid doesn't understand. Well Willy is left behind with another classmate and they meet Norp an alien boy. What these children encounter is both funny and a little scary. Grades 3-6   $13.99  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

DOLDRUMS By: Nicholas Gannon

DOLDRUMS  By: Nicholas Gannon
The Doldrums is a story about three friends who come up with an impossible plan to go to Antarctica to save the grandparents that are famous explorers. The grandparents currently are stranded on a iceberg. The only problem is that the kids know nothing about Antarctica, for example they plan to eat ice. Plus the parents don't know their plan. Their teacher is ridiculously strict. For example as a punishment for having the hiccups a little boy  had to scrape gum off the teachers desk. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes hysterically funny adventure stories. Greenwillow Publishers  Ages 9 and up, $17.99. Reviewed by Ella, age 11.

NIGHTBIRD By: Alice Hoffman

NIGHTBIRD  By: Alice Hoffman

Twig lives in the little town of Sidwell, where people still think monsters are real. The house next door is rumored to have had a witch that lived there two hundred years ago. Twigs mother never lets her out to play with the neighborhood children, for she fears they will find out that she has a brother, that was cursed by this witch. What happens when the descendants of the house move in to renovate is utterly magic. A must read. Ages 10 and up. $16.99 Wendy Lamb Books

MONSTROUS By: MarcyKate Connolly

MONSTROUS  By: MarcyKate Connolly
This book captivated me from the first page. There is a city called Bryre that is being plagued by a wizard who is making all the girls sick. He has a daughter named Kymera that he brought back to life using many different parts. Kymera has a tail that has a barb on the end that can make people fall to sleep, She has two sets of eyes, one blue and another that is yellow. And she has wings to make her take flight. She believes that the wizard is her father and only wants to save Bryre. What takes place will make you stay up all night to find out. Ages 8-12 Harper $16.99

FIRST SNOW By: Peter McCarty

FIRST SNOW  By: Peter McCarty

Pedro comes to visit and he has never seen snow. But he is just in time for a big snowfall. However Pedro doesn't like the cold and doesn't want to go outside. Until his cousins tell him to get on some warm clothes and come outside. Pedro doesn't want to make snow angels, or catch the snow on his tongue, but when they go sledding with the other children, Pedro loves the snow and is no longer cold.

WHO WANTS A HUG? By: Jeff Mack

WHO WANTS A HUG?  By: Jeff Mack

Bear loves to Hug and when he sees Skunk he tells him he needs a hug. Skunks says no way, skunks don't hug. Then Skunk tries to trick bear into a smelly mess, but Skunk gets skunked. In this uproariously funny book, you will have the children asking you to read it again and again. Ages 4-8 $17.99 Harper

GOODNIGHT ALREADY By: Jory John & Benji Davies

GOODNIGHT ALREADY  By: Jory John & Benji Davies
A charming look at a bear that just wants to go to sleep, but the little duck that just keeps coming over. Poor bear, what is he going to do? Kids will love this book as it is just what they do to get out of going to sleep. Ages 4-8 Harper $17.99

MAHALIA JACKSON By: Nina Nolan Illustraded by: John Holyfield

MAHALIA JACKSON  By: Nina Nolan  Illustrated by: John Holyfield

The story of Mahalia Jackson and how she loved gospel music. At a young age she learned that people loved to hear her sing . But many hardships along the way forced her to seek other work. Eventually she made her way to singing what she loved best. Mahalia is an inspiration to all. Ages 4-8 $17.99 Amistad

MY NAME IS TRUTH By: Ann Turner Illustrated by: James Ransome

MY NAME IS TRUTH  By: Ann Turner Illustrated by: James Ransome
With stunning illustrations this beautifully crafted book tells the story of how Sojourner Truth was born, along with twelve brothers and sisters. Then sold off into slavery. A great read for children to learn how one woman rose above what happened in her life to make a better life. Ages 6-10 $17.99 Harper