Pretties by Scott Westerfield

Well, the Blue Duke has been a bit lax in keeping up with the blog. It's been a few months since I posted. But I've been busy. School has started up and then there was the testing but now things have settled into a routine so I hope to start blogging a bit more often now. So, here is a book I recommend for you. The first book in the series was called The Uglies. This is the second book and there is one more after this. This is a really interesting book about a utopian society. Would you like to live here?

Westerfield, Scott
PRETTIES
New York : Simon Pulse, 2005.
IL YA
ISBN 0689865392

Tally Youngblood has become a pretty. She is living her new life just as the other new pretties -- partying and having fun with no worries. But she has a nagging feeling that there is something important that she has forgotten. Something she promised she'd never forget. And now her new boyfriend Zane keeps asking her questions about her time in the Smoke. Tally remembers some of it but can't understand why Zane would want to know. That was before. Before she was pretty. But the night of the party, Tally runs into Croy. He has risked everything to find Tally and remind her of her time at the Smoke. He has come to give her the cure. What is Croy talking about? The cure for what? Being pretty? But Tally remembers enough to try the cure. With Zane. But something has gone terribly wrong with Zane. And now the other Crims are asking about a cure. Is it time for Tally to come to grips with what is going on around her?

Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles

Wiles, Deborah.
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS
Orlando : Harcourt, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 4.0
ISBN 0152051139

Ten year old Comfort Snowberger lives in a funeral home with a loving extended family. It’s a very busy place with flowers to arrange, special foods to cook, mourners to console and life notices (not obituaries) to be written. Her happy, contented world is shaken when first Uncle Edisto dies and then within months, great-great-Aunt Florentine dies. Beyond those tragedies her best friend, Declaration, is starting to hang out with two other girls from their class. Comfort learns that she will be responsible for keeping her younger cousin, Peach, calm at great-great-Aunt Florentines funeral. Peach is a special child who is very upset about the deaths in the family. Comfort objects but her mother reminds her of the family motto, “We live to serve”. On the way to the graveside, Comfort’s beloved dog, Dismay, and Peach are swept up in a flash flood. Instant decisions have to be made. Would you have done the s ame thing? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Three Good Deeds by Vivian Vande Velde

Vande Velde, Vivian.
THREE GOOD DEEDS
Orlando : Harcourt, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN 0152053824

Click on Howard had a problem. One day, when he joined in with the other boys in Dumphrey’s Mill, teasing the ugly old village witch, She retaliated by turning him into a goose…an actual goose, with feathers and webbed feet, able only to say “honk”! She informed him that there was only one way out of his predicament. He must perform three genuine good deeds. But how was he to do that in his present condition? Follow Howard on his quest and find out how this prankster-turned- poultry attempts to carry out his mission, and what he learns along the way. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Silver Spoon of Solomon Snow by Kaye Umansky

Umansky, Kaye.
THE SILVER SPOON OF SOLOMON SNOW
Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN 0763627925

“Dumped…foundling…” and to think he’d never guessed any of it before! Young Solomon had been brought up in the sleepy little village of Boring , by an uncouth couple known as Ma and Pa Scubbins. He always knew there was something different about himself. He had a certain gentility and sensitivity that distinguished him somehow from the slovenly washer woman and her ne’er do well, hard-drinking husband. Nevertheless, he dutifully carried out his many assigned tasks, which included pick up and delivery of customers’ “unmentionables”. That is, until the day he learned that he was actually left on the Scubbins’ doorstep as an infant, with a silver spoon in his mouth! As he sets out to find this silver spoon and the loving parents who left him with it, Solomon is joined in his quest by an irritable redhead named Prudence, a coquettish “Infant Prodigy” with a lisp, and a very cheerful young chimney sweep. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Tiger by Jeffrey Stone

Stone, Jeffrey S.
TIGER
New York : Random, 2005.
IL 5-8
ISBN 0375830715


Set in 17th century China, the first of the Five Ancestors series follows five young monks who are schooled in various forms of kung fu. The young monks live at the Cangzhen Temple with thier revered Grandmaster who has taught them the animal kung fu. But a former student has left the temple and vowed to kill the Grandmaster. When Ying returns, the Grandmaster successfully protects the brothers but the temple is destroyed and valuable scrolls are stolen. Young Fu, a twelve year old monk who has mastered tiger kung fu is separated from his brothers but will do anything to retrieve the scrolls and extract revenge on Ying.

The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco by Janice Repka

Repka, Janice.
THE STUPENDOUS DODGEBALL FIASCO
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2004.
IL 3-6, RL 4.7
ISBN 0525473467

I was having lunch one day at the café at the Hardingtown City Hall when I saw a skinny kid reading a law book. Turns out that it was Phillip Stanislaw -- the kid who sued a student from his school for being slammed in the face with a dodgeball. Phillip has had a different sort of life. He comes from a circus family. His father is Leo Laugh-a-Lot and his mother is Matilda the Fat Lady. Well, I don’t have to tell you that to Phillip, dodgeball is no laughing matter! It takes one courageous kid to take on the Unofficial Dodgeball Capital of the World. You can find out all about Phillip Stanislaw by reading “The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco”. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Magyk by Angie Sage

Sage, Angie.
MAGYKNew York : Katherine Tegan Books, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN 0060577320

Click When the seventh son of a seventh son is born, you know you have a magical read ahead. In these pages we find a hidden princess chased by an evil Hunter with a silver bullet in his gun. An Ordinary wizard and an Extra Ordinary Wizard are helping the princess hide. A poor soldier boy whose only name is Boy 412, must decide whether to help the Hunter or the hunted princess. Witches, boggarts, and ghosts roam through the pages of this exciting first book in the Septimus Heap series. This fantasy offers clever twists and turns of plot, surprising characters, and humorous spells. Magyk is a thick book but, magically, a quick read. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall

Pearsall, Shelley.
CROOKED RIVER
New York : Random House, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.2
ISBN 0375923896

In 1812, Ohio was the frontier where settlers were trying to establish homesteads. The settlers were frightened of the Indians and determined to keep the “heathens” away. When a trapper is murdered, the men of the village capture an Indian and chain him in the attic of Rebecca’s house.Rebecca and her older sister are expected to take care of Amik.At first, Rebecca is anxious but she soon starts to like him and exchanges small gifts with him.Rebecca comes up with a plan to free Amik before he is hung, but the ending is even more spectacular than she had planned.(New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret

Kehret, Peg.
THE GHOST'S GRAVE
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2005.
IL 5-8, RL 5.6
ISBN 0525461620

Willie just wanted his leg bones to be buried with the rest of him. Josh just wanted to help the old ghost out. Digging in the old cemetery, Josh finds more than just bones. This summer is getting creepy! Who is keeping watch on the graveyard? Who knows what Josh found there? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

Hahn, Mary Downing.
THE OLD WILLIS PLACE : A GHOST STORY
New York : Clarion Books, 2004.
IL 5-8, RL 6.2
ISBN 0618430180

Dianna and her younger brother, Georgie, roam the grounds of the Old Willis Place. Bound by strict rules, the two never dare to leave the premises or reveal themselves to anyone. As they watch from the shadows of the woods, another caretaker moves into the caretaker’s house. Many have come and gone, but this time it’s different. This one has a daughter Dianna’s age. As Dianna longs for the companionship of a girl her own age, she struggles with taking care of her younger brother and knowing the rules. They must never reveal themselves. What are they afraid of? What harm could it really do? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman

Gorman, Carol.
STUMPTOWN KID
Atlanta : Peachtree, 2005
IL 3-6, RL 4.4
ISBN 1561453374

Wouldn’t it be great to have a professional baseball player give you personal pointers on your pitching style and batting technique? Twelve year old Charlie Nebraska isn’t the best baseball player in his town, but if professional Luther Peale helps him, Charlie knows he’ll get a lot better. Luther has even offered to coachCharlie’s team. It sounds like a perfect situation but there is a problem. This is the 1950’s and Luther is a black man and a stranger to the small Nebraska town. Not only that, but Luther has a secret. This is an exciting story about a boy fighting his family and neighbors for what he believes is right, even if doing so puts him in danger. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff

Giff, Patricia Reilly.
A HOUSE OF TAILORS
New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2004.
IL 3-6
ISBN 0385908792


Going to America? No, this can't be true. Dina's older sister is supposed to be the one going. That was before Dina got into trouble with the soldiers. And now Dina is going to New York City. Her dream had always been to escape the drudgery of her mother's sewing shop. She just knows when she gets to the uncle's house in America that there will be no more sewing for her. She will live a life of luxury. But life in Brooklyn in the 1870s is not as she imagines. And worse than anything is the sight of the sewing machine in the uncle's small apartment. The rug under it is worn almost through -- a sure sign of the many hours of work done on that old machine. And Dina is the one expected to use it. She makes up her mind then and there to find a way to earn her passage back to Germany and her family. If she must sew, she would be happier back home. What will life hold for 13-year-old Dina?

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner

Gardner, Sally.
I, CORIANDER
New York : Dial, 2005
IL 5-8, RL 6.5
ISBN 0803730993

When the silver shoes arrived, Coriander knew they were meant for her. Coriander is a young girl growing up in seventeenth century England . Coriander is the privileged daughter of a wealthy merchant. When Coriander's father flees political enemies, she is left with an evil stepmother and mean preacher. Through the magic of the slippers, Coriander travels to the golden land. In the fairy world, Coriander discovers that her real mother was a fairy princess. Can Coriander find a powerful hidden object and restore the fairy world along with the real world from which she came? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Flanagan, John.
THE RUINS OF GORLAN
New York : Philomel Books, 2005
IL 5-8, RL 5.8
ISBN 0399244549

Will is nervous about “choosing day”. Who will choose him as their apprentice? He would love to be a knight, but instead, he winds up as a ranger’s apprentice. The rangers are a secretive group that protects the kingdom from evil and crime. Will soon learns that becoming a ranger is much more difficult and dangerous than he ever imagined. The last apprentice was killed in training, now its Will’s turn to try. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Sloppy Copy Slipup

DiSalvo, DyAnne
THE SLOPPY COPY SLIPUP
New York : Holiday House, 2006.
IL 3-6, RL 5.9
ISBN 0823419479

Fourth-grader Big Hig knows he will get detention from his teacher when he doesn’t hand in his homework, the first draft of a story. He thinks it is worth a try to find excuses for his failure and soon finds that his class, his teacher and even the principal look forward to the next installment in a personal story that is truly Big Hig’s to tell. It might even be worth writing down to complete the assignment. Listen to his tale of woe and life when you read “The Sloppy Copy Slipup”. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face

Beekman's Big Deal by Michael De Guzman

De Guzman, Michael.
BEEKMAN'S BIG DEAL
New York : Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004.
IL 5-8, RL 4.0
ISBN 0374306729

When asked by the Headmaster of Chance Academy to state his personal philosophy of life, Beekman O’Day responds, “To stay in one place as long as I can”. You see, Beekman has had enough moving around for a whole lifetime, fourteen homes and nine schools in his twelve years. Beekman’s dad is always looking for the great business deal to come along, and when it doesn’t, they move to yet another apartment or rented room somewhere in Manhattan. His dad is always saying, “Think big, live big”, but it looks like his latest scheme isn’t working and he’s looking to bail again. Beekman takes a gamble on his own one big deal and finds a way, with the help of some eccentric neighbors, to make them grow some roots. Does he succeed? Read “Beekman’s Big Deal” to find out. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

Carman, Patrick.
THE DARK HILLS DIVIDE
New York : Orchard, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.7
ISBN 0439700930

Alexa is the 12 year old daughter of a mayor of one of the four walled cities. She has wanted to find out what is beyond the walls and why they were built. Just as Warvold, the architect of the walls and leader of Birdwell, is about to tell her, he dies. She has the courage to take the key from around his neck and unlock the door to the forests and mountains outside. She learns there is a conspiracy headed by someone in power inside the castle and evil forces outside who are going to invade the walled cities. A small elf/gnome-like man who lives beyond the walls leads Alexa to talking animals and a complex code that she must decipher in order to save her city. See if you can figure out who the “bad guy” is before he is revealed. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Shakespeare's secret by Elise Broach

Broach, Elise.
SHAKESPEARE'S SECRET
New York : Holt, 2005.
IL 5-8, RL 6.1
ISBN 0805073876

Oh, hello, you’re new, aren’t you?” the teacher said, smiling. “I’ll introduce you to the rest of the class. Let’s see, your name is…” Mrs. Vanderley studied the attendance roster, pursing her lips. Here we go, thought Hero. “It’s Hero,” she
said, her voice ringing in the quiet classroom. “Hero Netherfield.” “Hero?” said a red-haired girl in the front row. “Hey, that’s my dog’s name.” A split second later the classroom erupted in laughter. Two boys in the back began whistling and slapping their jeans, calling, ”Here, Hero, here, girl!” Someone else yelled, “Watch out, she’s not housebroken!” Hero hurried across the room and slid into the empty seat, her heart filled with despair. There was no way the dog joke would end here. It was exactly the kind of mindless label that stuck to a person like glue. In this class, in this school, she would always be the girl named after a dog.

Hero hates the name her parents gave her—right out of a Shakespeare play---and she hates having to start in at another new school. But her life looks up when an elderly neighbor enlists her aid in solving the mystery of the disappeared “Murphy Diamond”. It’s valued at nearly 1 million dollars, and rumor has it that the thief hid it somewhere in Hero’s house! And another thing---the coolest boy in the eighth-grade seems awfully interested in helping Hero solve the mystery---why? And will this help her chances of fitting in with the other sixth-graders at Ogden Elementary, or hurt them? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Birdsall, Jeanne.
THE PENDERWICKS : A SUMMER TALE OF FOUR SISTERS, TWO RABBITS, AND A VERY INTERESTING BOY
New York : Knopf, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 5.6
ISBN 0375931430

When our story begins, Batty is still only four years old. Rosalind is twelve, Skye eleven, and Jane ten. They're in their car with Mr. Penderwick and Hound. The family is on the way to Arundel and, unfortunately, they're lost.
"It's Batty's fault," said Skye.
"It is not," said Batty.
"Of course it is," said Skye. "We wouldn't be lost if Hound hadn't eaten the map, and Hound wouldn't have eaten the map if you hadn't hidden your sandwich in it."
"Maybe it's fate that Hound ate the map. Maybe we'll discover something wonderful while we're lost," said Jane.
"We'll discover that when I'm in the backseat for too long with my younger sisters, I go insane and murder them," said Skye.

Rosalind, who was sitting in the front seat with Mr. Penderwick, turned around and gave Skye her oldest-sister glare. It wouldn't do much, Rosalind knew. After all, Skye was only one year younger than she was. But it might quiet her long enough for Rosalind to concentrate on where they were going. They really were badly lost.

It’s vacation time, and the Penderwick sisters and their dad will be staying in a cottage in the Berkshires for the summer. They do manage to find it, but Arundel isn’t quite the cottage they were expecting. It’s located on a grand estate, with a mansion next door. Add a mysterious boy glimpsed in a window, a handsome young groundskeeper and a bad-tempered bull and things are bound to get interesting! Join the Penderwick sisters for a bit of adventure, a bit of mystery, a bit of growing up, and a lot of fun. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Coastwatcher by Elise Weston

During World War II, the war was being fought in Europe, Africa and in Asia. But those who lived along the coast of the United States kept watch to be sure that the enemy was not sneaking into the country. One of those who voluntarily keep watch is Hugh. Even though his sister has lost interest in watching and his cousin Tom doesn't seem to want to help, Hugh spends part of each day with his binoculars staring out at the waters near his South Carolina home. One day he sees it. Out in the water. He is sure it is a periscope from a submarine. But no one will believe him. Has he just been spending so much time watching that he is imaging this?

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

Young Tom is the seventh son of the seventh son. There is no inheritance for the seventh son. There is just one thing that a seventh son can do and that is to be apprenticed to a tradesman. And Tom is following that route. His mother has chosen a very unusual apprenticeship for him. He is to work or the village spook. Now the spook is not the most popular man in town. As a matter of fact, he has no friends. It is a very lonely life. The spook is in charge of protecting the villagers against ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties. Tom is not sure that he is cut out for this life. But it his duty to learn what he can. He very quickly finds himself disobeying the Spook's warnings and gets himself into trouble by mistakenly freeing the witch Mother Malkin. Can he right this wrong? Or will catastrophe ensue?

Elsewhere by Garielle Zevin

Liz has no idea what is going on. She hasn't a clue how she got here. Or even where "here" is. She is on a ship of some kind. And there is another girl on the top bunk who seems to be about Liz's age. They appear to be among the few young passengers. Most of the others are very old and seem to be enjoying the voyage. Where is she? And where is she going? She is on her way to Elsewhere. This is where you go when you die. The place you "live" until it is time for you to go back to earth to be born again. The place that is the opposite of earth. But Liz is having a real problem. She doesn't want to believe she is dead. She is angry and won't accept the truth. Will Liz find a way to come to terms with her death? Will she find a way to accept what is and take a chance on life again?

Infernal Devices by Philip Reeve

For years, Tom Natsworthy and Hester have lived in relative happiness in Anchorage. The city has been hiding in the unexplored regions away from the predators. But all that is about to change. The Lost Boys have found the city and are looking for something. Tom's daughter Wren has been raised on stories of the Lost Boys and traction cities and she is so excited to meet one of the boys in person. He doesn't seem so dangerous. And all he wants to steal is one book from the library. Wren is so tired of living in Anchorage and longs to travel and have adventures. And she is really tired of her mother. Hester always seems to put her down. So, when the Lost Boys promise to take Wren with them, she eagerly steals the book and delivers it to them. But what will she find out about their true nature. And the contents of the book?

Rash by Pete Hautman

In a future world where personal safety has gone a bit over the top, Bo Marsten is just one of the kids. Well, it's true that both his father and his brother are serving time in prison. But that is not that unusual. After all, if it wasn't for the prisoners, there would be no one to do the manual labor. Now, Bo has a bit of an anger management issue. He has to keep it under control or he might just find himself in prison as well. Even yelling at someone and making them feel bad is a punishable offense. So when Bo is accused of inflicting a rash on a classmate, he finds himself in a work camp surrounded by fierce polar bears and criminals. Will he ever found a way out of this mess? And just who are the gold shirts that everyone fears?

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Once upon a time, there was a magnificent china rabbit who did not know how to love. He only cared about his looks and only half listens to the young girl he belongs to. But this will all change when Edward is tossed overboard on the way to England and begins a journey from the depths of the ocean through many new homes and adventures. Will Edward ever come to realize that love is not something you should take for granted?

Replay by Sharon Creech

Leo, age 12, is the next to the youngest in a large Italian family. The household tends to be loud with everyone talking over the others. Leo feels invisible some of the time. While looking in the attic, Leo finds his father's journal from when he was Leo's age. Leo knows he shouldn't read it but he can't help it. He learns many things about his father that he never knew. All the while, Leo is rehearsing for the school play. The rehearsals are not going well and Leo has a fantasy that he will be asked to step into the lead at the last moment. As a matter of fact, Leo has a lot of fantasies. There is so much to this story. You are sure to become involved in Leo's unpredictable life.

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

With his nose always in a book, Eben is always dreaming of faraway places and the wonders of the world. But here his is. Stuck in Sassafras Springs, Missourri in 1923. There is surely not anything wonderful here. Tired of hearing Eben complaining, his father challenges him to really look around him. If he can find seven wonders in Sassafras Springs in one week, his father will buy him a train ticket to visit relatives in Colorado. But this is Sassafras Springs! There is no way Eben will find anything unusual here. Or is he just not looking hard enough?

Where the Great Hawk Flies by Liza Ketchum

Years after the violent Indian raids during the Revolutionary War, two families come face to face with the prejudices left by the war. Daniel has been living in Vermont with his family since long before the raids. He remembers hiding in a cave during that awful night. What makes it even harder for Daniel is that his mother is Peqout and when people look at him, they sometimes just see an Indian and not a member of the community. When Hiram Coombs and his family move in to the abandoned farm near by, Daniel thinks he will finally have a friend to be with. But Hiram also remembers the Indian raids. The raid where he was taken by the Indians. Where his uncle was taken and has not been seen since. Can these two boys, and their families, look beyond the past in order to create a new future?

Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher

OK all you fish out there. I'm about to drop a dime on Harry Sue and tell you a bit of her backstory. You see, her mother's a conette. Now Harry Sue is doing time with her Grandmother. Now you might think that the woman who runs Granny's Lap Daycare is a real lovely woman but that wouldn't be further from the truth. We're talking about a woman who gives the crumb snatchers cold medicine to keep them sleeping all day. Not too cool. And Harry Sue's best homey just happens to be a quadriplegic. No, Harry Sue is doing hard time. But she is not about to let the world take her down.

Going going by Naomi Shihab Nye

"McDonald's is a fungus on the landscape." Florrie is outraged that the small businesses in her city are being replaced by the large franchises like Walmart, McDonald's, the Gap and all the others. She has grown to love the small establishments and the quaint architecture in her San Antonio home town and decides she must do something to fight the take over by big business. But what can one person do? Well, for one thing, Florrie makes her family promise to boycott the chain stores for six weeks. And then she takes her campaign to the people. What will happen? Will she be able to change anything? Should she?

Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm

Meet the incredible Babymouse! She is a young mouse with quite the imagination. In this first book, we meet Babymouse as she is under the nice warm blankets not wanting to get up to face the day. The first thing she faces when she gets to school is the locker monster. Her locker is stuck and nothing is going to change that. And the day just goes on from there. And then comes the news. Felicia Furrypaws is having a slumber party. Everyone is invited except -- you guessed it -- Babymouse. Will Babymouse find a way to wrangle an invitation to the party?

Seven Natural Wonders of the United States and Canada by Cheryl DeFries

You may have heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world. But this is about some natural wonders here in North America. Wonders such as the Everglades, Niagara Falls, and of course, the Grand Canyon. Find out about these incredible natural wonders.

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Najmah's life in Afghanistan has never been easy but at least she had her family. But after 9/11, the Taliban invade her home and take her father and brother away to fight with them. Then the Americans attack and her mother and infant brother are killed in an air raid. Knowing she cannot stay, Najmah disguises herself as a boy and begins the long journey to Pakistan in the belief that she will be safe there. She also believes that her father and brother will head there when they can. At the same time, we meet Nusrat, an American who has moved to Pakistan with her doctor husband to help the refugees. Nusrat has not heard from her husband since he left to help in Afghanistan. The two women meet in a refugee camp where they wait for news of there loved ones.

Olivia Kidney and the Exit Academy by Ellen Potter

Have you ever moved to a new home? I bet you've never moved to a place like Olivia and her father have rented. There is a lagoon in the living room and all the furniture floats! And the building's owner runs something known as the Exit Academy. Somehow this all involves mysterious visitors at all hours of the night wanting to know how they will die.