Kids Book Beat resumes

Rundlett students will soon be showing up on the local public access station in the return of the show Kids Book Beat. In addition to the familiar format where we have a panel of students discussing books, we are also experimenting with doing individual booktalks that can be aired but also added to the Rundlett Rocks Podcast. Here is Tom offering our first video cast. His favorite book is Eldest by Christopher Paolini.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock

DJ sometimes feels just like the cows she tends to every day. The cows just do what they are supposed to do and never question their lives. And DJ is not so different. With her older brothers away at college and her father unable to do the farm work, DJ takes on the responsibility of doing the work. She has no plans for college herself since there is no money to send her. But this summer may hold some surprises. The quarterback for the rival school's team is sent to help out on the farm to get into shape. Even though it is a rocky start to their relationship, Brian soon realizes that DJ knows football. And DJ has the knowledge to train Brian and help him win a football scholarship. But can a farm girl really help someone like Brian?

Wooding, Chris. STORM THIEF

Wooding, Chris.
STORM THIEF
New York : Scholastic, 2006

What do you get when you combine two teenagers, a golem, a crime boss determined to get what she wants, ghosts that can take over your body and a probability storm that could wreak unbelievable havoc at any time? The Storm Thief by Chris Wooding. Probability storms rule life in Orokos, when they come anything could happen, you could go from being right-handed to left- handed. You could find that your arm is now your leg. You could grow a tail. You could find yourself needing a special apparatus to breathe, because your lungs no longer work. Both Rail and Moa are an unlikely duo who have both been affected by the probability storms in their own way. Rail can no longer breathe without an apparatus and Moa has gone from right-handed to left-handed. As they try to escape the thief lord Anya-Jacana, and hide a prized treasure from her, they meet up with many interesting characters including the Golem who has a dead bird, something that hasn't been seen in Orokos in years, hanging around his neck. They also find out they are in possession of a mysterious object which can open doors in the wall and start to discover the secrets of Orokos and what causes the probability storms. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Westerfeld, Scott. MIDNIGHTERS: THE SECRET HOUR

Westerfeld, Scott.
THE SECRET HOUR
New York : Eos, 2004.

Long, long ago it was determined that there should a time when man was not present. So an hour was set aside from each day, and every night at midnight the world as we know it stops and life forms long forgotten emerge. Now, if you happen to be born at the stroke of midnight, there are two things about you that are special. One, you have access to that hour, and two you were born with secret, special powers. There are only a few places on earth that are open to this other reality and one is a seemingly ordinary little town in Oklahoma. When the story opens fifteen-year-old Jessica Day’s family has just moved to Bixby Oklahoma, and Jessica is feeling rather dismal about the local high school and its populace. It is still so soon after moving that her room is littered with half emptied boxes. She notices them stacked about in the still, dark of the room, when she wakes up in the middle of the night, and they echo her feeling of not belonging. She notices that it is quiet, absolutely quiet, and the sky outside her window is full of tiny, sparkly diamonds of light. She is very drawn to the diamonds outside her window and she reaches out into the night air. As she does, the sparkly diamonds become tiny droplets of still rain that drop at her touch, and behind the movement of her hand a small, black tunnel of empty night air forms. Jessica has entered the midnight hour. Soon she will learn that she is one of a small group of people in town who know the hour, each with special abilities they must master quickly, for they are about to face an ancient evil that lurks in that hour and wants out. Book 1 of the Midnighters series. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Somper, Justin. DEMONS OF THE OCEAN : VAMPIRATES

Somper, Justin.
DEMONS OF THE OCEAN : VAMPIRATES
Boston : Little, Brown, 2006

Connor and Grace’s father always sang a sea shanty to them about the vampirates, but they never imagined it could really be true. When their ship goes down in a storm, Connor is rescued by pirates and becomes convinced that he saw his sister being pulled from the water by the mythical winged vampirate ship. His determination to rescue his sister sets the course for this rollicking high seas fantasy adventure. Book 1 of the Vampirates series. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Smelcer, John. THE TRAP

Smelcer, John.
THE TRAP
New York : Holt, 2006

My name is Albert Least-Weasel. I am an 80 year-old Inuit trapper. I am the only person for miles around. I am returning home from my trapping cabin. I have forty miles of trap lines and no one ever insults my pride by coming near them. We Inuits have great respect for our elders. On the way home to my wife and grandson I have been checking my trap line one last time. This is such a beautiful time and place; so quiet, so cold and so still. Winter is coming in hard. The days are short and the nights are a cold nineteen hours long. I can hear wolves in the distance and can feel the temperature plummet. That’s my sled over there – only 12 feet away. I left my hat on the seat of the yellow snowmobile before I stepped into the waist-deep snow. The sled carries two quarters of moose meat and my backpack of survival gear. It carries some more warm clothes and my gun, and supplies to tide me over on the trip home. I have been trapping for over 60 years and know what to take with me. It is so quiet and so beautiful here. The wilderness seems to speak to me. It’s getting colder. I am thinking about trapping, my family, my life, my survival skills. I am standing just under the branches of a huge tree. The frozen rabbit, my bait, hangs just above my head. I am all alone in this beautiful white wilderness. It is getting colder and I can hear the wolves in the distance. It is getting colder and darker. This is the last trap I will check. It is getting colder and the wolves are getting nearer. This was the first time I ever made a mistake. It is getting colder. My foot is caught in The Trap. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Rose, Malcolm. FRAMED

Rose, Malcolm.
FRAMED
New York : Kingfisher, 2005

As with most librarians, I’m constantly challenge by all the students who have read every single Alex Rider book and are looking for where to go next. Well, problem solved, and crisis averted (for now). Luke Harding happens to be the number 1 student in forensic sciences; in fact he’ll be the youngest student to graduate ever now that he's passed his forensic investigator test. Along with his robot, Malc, the ultra cool robot that can do just about anything, Luke’s set to go out and start working. His first assignment unfortunately hits rather close to home. One of his biggest rivals in the field of forensics, Crispin aka Crispy, is killed at his school, Crispy's murder is followed by 2 others including a professor that leave the school community shaking. While solving the crime Luke has to face the fact that all clues seem to point to him as being the murderer, even Malc doesn't believe that he could be innocent. How does he solve the crime and figure out who is out to get him? Fortunately, it doesn’t affect Luke’s ability to solve this mystery or have a little fun with it as he goes. Malcolm Rose's first book in the Traces series, Framed takes us into the excited and increasingly “cool” world of forensic science and investigation with action, adventure, cool gadgets and robots, mystery and just enough humor to keep us all laughing. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Riordan, Rick. LIGHTNING THIEF

Riordan, Rick.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF

New York : Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005.

The absolutely worst thing has just happened to you…you’ve been kicked out of your 5th school in 5 years, a school that is specially designed for “trouble makers” like you one that you were really trying to stay in. Okay, so maybe being kicked out of your 5th school in 5 years isn’t the worse thing that can happen to you. Especially when monsters from those Greek Mythology books you love seem to be coming to life and are determined to get you. You see, it isn’t really your fault that your pre-Algebra teacher just happens to be a winged hag who decides that it’s finally time to take you out of the picture during a field trip to New York’s Metropolitan Museum. And she wouldn’t have even done anything to you if it hadn’t been for Nancy. Mom will freak out. Things really could be a lot worse. You soon find yourself at Camp Half-Blood, where there are a lot of other kids like you. Turns out you’re the son of one of the Greek Gods. Yes, they’re still around and kicking, and living in New York City. The absolute worst part? You’re accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt, and if you don’t get it back, well that could be the end of the world as we know it. So with your new friends from Camp, who are also demi-Gods, you’re off to the underworld, to visit Hades and get the lightning bolt back. And you thought being kicked out of your 5th…no, wait a minute it’s actually 6th boarding school in 6 years was the worst thing to happen. Find out what happens and whether you’ll get that lightning bolt back and save the world in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This is the first book in a series that, if your students are anything like mine, will have your students begging for the next book and gobbling up your Greek Mythology books to find out more about their favorite characters. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Reeve, Philip. MORTAL ENGINES

Reeve, Philip.
MORTAL ENGINES
New York : EOS, 2003.

Imagine a time, in the hopefully distant future, when cities prowl the earth preying on each other. Whole cities, like islands, mounted on tracs so they can hunt, or flee as the need arises on the great hunting ground that earth has become.
Thaddeus Valentine, the famous historian and archeologist of the great traction city of London, and his daughter Katherine are down in the gut when a young assassin with a black scarf strikes. Only the quick intervention of Tom, a lowly 3rd class apprentice saves Valentine from sure death. Racing after the fleeing girl, tom glimpses her hideously scarred face. "Look at what your Valentine did to me!" she screams. "Ask him! Ask him what he did to Hester Shaw!" Moments later she disappears down a waste chute and Tom, unable to stop, tumbles after her. He lands on a sea of mud scored by huge caterpillar tracks and watches as the great city that was his home churns off into the distance. How to survive? What is there in Out-Country? It looks to be a desolate wasteland. And why did the girl with the scarred face want to kill their hero?
Book 1 of The Hungry City Chronicles. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Pfeffer, Sue Beth. LIFE AS WE KNEW IT

Pfeffer, Susan Beth.
LIFE AS WE KNEW IT
Orlando : Harcourt, 2006

When scientists predict that an asteroid will collide with the moon, Miranda and her neighbors break out their lawn chairs to watch the spectacular show. But when the collision pushes the moon closer to the Earth, it sets off devastating tsunamis, earthquakes, and storms. Through her daily journal entries, Miranda recounts her family’s struggle to survive. While the book falls firmly into the science fiction genre, it will also appeal to readers who enjoyed Anne Frank’s diary, as the focus of the narrative is on a girl facing grim circumstances and ultimately learning about herself and the nature of hope. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Nolan, Han. SUMMER OF KINGS

Nolan, Han.
A SUMMER OF KINGS
Orlando : Harcourt, 2006

Let me tell you about my summer. The summer of 1963. This summer will not be like any of my past ones. No more summer- long tutoring. No more being the only one without a boy friend. Because this is the summer that my mother’s best friend (well they were best friends until they learned that little white girls and little black girls weren’t supposed to be best friends). Anyway this is the summer that my mother’s best friend sent her son north to spend the summer with us. Just until things cooled down a bit. Because her son, King-Roy, had been accused of killing a white man. Anyway this is to be the summer of my big romance. My romance with King-Roy. He is everything I expected – tall, dark and handsome – and only four years older than I am. He is kind, and gentle. I never expected that we would become soul-mates. I can tell him just everything, things I have never told anyone. And he can tap dance and he is teaching me how to tap-dance! There are other things I did not expect. I did not expect that he could get SO angry. And he talks about Malcolm X and the white devil (that’s me and all other whites). And I never imagined he would sneak a gun into our house. I’ll tell you all about it in Summer of the Kings. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Murdock, Catherine. DAIRY QUEEN

Murdock, Catherine Gilbert.
DAIRY QUEEN
New York : Houghton Mifflin, 2006

She may be “just a girl,” but D.J. knows football. She has always helped her older brothers’ practice, and now the coach of her rival high school’s team has asked her to train their quarterback and toughen him up. On top of that, she’s trying to keep the family farm up and running as her ailing father and working mother try to make ends meet. But as the summer wears on, D.J. begins to realize that she is ready to step out of her role as a helper and practice buddy and step up to the line on her own. This funny, high-spirited character will have readers cheering in Dairy Queen, by Catherine Murdock. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Lupica, Mike. HEAT

Lupica, Mike.
HEAT
New York : Puffin Books, 2007

Michael Arroyo’s father brings him to the US so that he will be able to pitch in the Little League World Series and make a name for himself. But before Michael can get there, his father dies, leaving him and his seventeen-year-old brother Carlos fearful of being discovered by the authorities. When Michael’s incredible pitching ability causes a competitor to challenge his age, he must produce a birth certificate that is lost somewhere in Cuba. Now Michael and Carlos must hide from a well-meaning admirer who happens to work for social services while they try to make ends meet and keep their Papi’s dream alive. This fast-paced sports story is upbeat and fun to read, even for someone like me who avoids a sports story at all costs. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Lubar, David. SLEEPING FRESHMAN NEVER LIE

A laugh-out-loud novel about surviving freshman year in high school. Scott Hudson uses a series of journal entries to his unborn baby brother, who he has nicknamed “Smelly,” to give tips and advice about everything from avoiding bullies and seniors to why you should not join the wrestling team. (“Two things get rubbed on that mat, butts and faces. This can’t be good for my complexion.”) This sure-fire hit from David Lubar will fly off your shelves. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Klages, Ellen. GREEN GLASS SEA

Klages, Ellen.
GREEN GLASS SEA
New York : Viking, 2006

It is 1943, and 11 year old Dewey Kerrigan is once again uprooted to follow her scientist father….this time to a remote area in New Mexico. When she reaches Los Alamos she finds that everything is a secret…locked doors, many hushed voices discussing the “Gadget”, and lots of places that are signed as off limits. It’s as if the rest of the world has forgotten anyone here exists. Dewey is lonely as her father is working long hours and he is her best friend after all. He’s the one who taught her how to be mechanical and he has always been there for her, even when her mother walked out on her when she was just a baby. So Dewey is left to fend for herself among the other kids on base…and that’s not so easy for someone considered a bit strange. Dewey soon has issues with Suze Gordon, a popular girl who makes fun of Dewey any chance she gets. And things only get worse when Dewey’s dad is called away and she is taken in by Suze’s parents….can she live with a girl who draws a line down the middle of her bedroom to keep Dewey’s JUNK out of her area? Will these two kill each other or become friends? Will the “gadget” work? And if so, will that end the war? This is a sweet and sometimes sad historical tale of how the children of Los Alamos grew up under the shadow the war. It is also a story of two girls who learn that true friends sometimes come from the oddest places. Be prepared with some tissues as you finish this one. (Isinglass Book Award committee, 2007-2008)

Higson, Charlie. SILVERFIN

Higson, Charlie.
SILVERFIN
New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2005

The story opens in highlands of Scotland as a local boy, Alfie is sneaking onto the new laird's reserve to fish. There is something strange and very unpleasant about the new laird, and Alfie knows he better not get caught. While fishing he falls into the water and is overwhelmed, and then pulled under by large, very aggressive eels. The story then moves to a prestigious boy’s school and one of its newest students, a young James Bond. He is soon picked out for some vicious harassment by another new student, George Hellebore and his followers, but finds ways to deal with it. After all, he IS the young James Bond. Home for the holidays with his Scottish aunt, who of course lives near the nasty laird with the fishing pond full of eels, James befriends a boy who has come home to look for his young cousin, Alfie, who went fishing one day, and never came back. The story rumbles to an edgy climax as James and his friend Red tackle the nasty laird who is none other than the father of James’ school nemesis. Full of action and intrigue with a few surprises thrown in, this is a sure hit for your male readers. Book 1 in the Young Bond series. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Friend, Natasha. PERFECT

Friend, Natasha.
PERFECT
New York : Milkweed Editions, 2004

Her mother discovers her secret and Isabelle is sent to group therapy. Among the girls in her group is Ashley Barnum. Ashley is considered ‘the most perfect girl in school’. Despite their seeming differences they develop a friendship and as they do, Isabelle gets more and more peeks into just how Ashley manages to keep herself so "perfect", The balance begins to shift and Isabelle begins to believe in her own strength and to try to help Ashley who is so fragile inside. Like Cut, by Patricia McCormick, this is a story of healing and self-discovery, and like Define Normal, by Julie Ann Peters this is a story about the illusion of appearance and an unlikely friendship. As such it is a book that many girls are drawn to and then tell their friends to read. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Fisher, Catherine. ORACLE BETRAYED

Fisher, Catherine.
THE ORACLE BETRAYED
New York : Greenwillow, 2004.

Set with overtones of ancient Egypt, this is an intense and multi-layered story of a common girl placed within the inner circle of the servants of "god" when she is chosen to be the one who carries the sacred bowl to the mouth of the god and receive his voice in the form of a scorpion. In the midst of this intense and frightening role, she hears the God speak to her, and becomes convinced that the high priestesses and the powerful head of the military are scheming to betray everything that is sacred and enslave the people with a deception of their religion. She then sets out with an old musician and a young scribe on a long and dangerous journey, to find the true religious heir, known as the Archon. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Ewing, Lynn. GODDESS OF THE NIGHT

Ewing, Lynne.
GODDESS OF THE NIGHT
New York : HBFC/Hyperion Books for Children, 2000.

Best friends Vanessa and Catty both have special powers, but while Catty revels in her ability to time travel, Vanessa hates the fact that she begins to disappear anytime she feels strong emotion, like when she is about to kiss her boyfriend, Michael. But something happens to Catty, and Vanessa discovers that they are both Daughters of the Moon and that the evil Atrox is plotting to destroy them. Can she find Catty in time to save her? Book 1 in the Daughters of the Moon series. (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Carter, Ally. I'D TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU

Carter, Ally.
I'D TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU
New York : Hyperion, 2006

Cammie Morgan goes to an all-girls private boarding school, The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. Her friends come from all over the world. Like her they speak 14 languages, and are math, computer and chemistry experts. A couple of things are unusual about Cam’s school. Her mother, the headmistress, is a retired CIA operative. Since you all have level four clearance you already know what is special about this school. It is a training ground for future spies. While on her first covert operation, Cammie meets a boy. A normal, cute, friendly, nice boy named Josh. With a little spy help from her friends, Cammie gets to know and REALLY like Josh. They go through his trash, his email, his history. As a cover she creates a new life story, because if Josh knew the truth about her … as she says “I’d tell you I love you, but then I’d have to kill you.” (New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award committee)

Carey, Kate. BLOODLINE

Carey, Kate.
BLOODLINE
New York : Razorbill, 2005

This novel, told primarily in journal entries, is the story of John Shaw, a young communications officer in WWI who finds out that his commanding officer, Quincy Harker is truly an evil man. After John is shipped home he slowly begins to remember his experiences on the front lines and realizes that his sister Lily, now madly in love with Harker, is in grave danger. Quincy Harker is a vampire! Lily meets Captain Harker during one of her visits to John in the hospital, they fall in love, and he takes her home to Romania to be married. However, Quincey is the son of Count Tepes and Mina Harker, and he has taken Lily to Dracula's Castle to fulfill the family's destiny. Lily and John are also connected to Count Tepes, as John is the son of Count Tepes and Rosemary Shaw. As the wedding day draws near, the full story of the family is revealed. Lily is faced with a dilemma–to live forever as a vampire or to end it all. A fast paced horror story with twists and turns will keep even a reluctant reader involved. This is an interesting mix of romance and grisly revelations that pays homage to the classic tale of Dracula while making it fresh for today’s audience. (Isinglass Book Award committee, 2007-2008)

Beddor, Frank. LOOKING GLASS WARS

Beddor, Frank.
LOOKING GLASS WARS
New York : Dial Books, 2006

Who was Alice? Not the girl we met through Lewis Carroll’s version of Wonderland….that’s for sure! Alyss, is the heir to the Wonderland throne and she is forced to flee through a wormhole in the Pool of Tears as her evil Aunt Redd tries to overthrow the government. Alyss lives for years in England as her body guard, Hatter Madigan searches for her so she may return to Wonderland and overthrow the evil Redd. But Alyss’s imaginative powers have faded from disuse…can she actually defeat Redd? Enter a world of Cheshire cat assassins, white rabbits that are actually learned scholars, and generals that have an interesting habit of splitting in two. This is a book that is filled with interesting twists on old plot lines and characters. You will be taken into a whole new society where political intrigue and fantastical powers clash for lots of action and suspense. (Isinglass Book Award committee, 2007-2008)

Yep, Laurence. THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES : THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE OF 1906

Yep, Laurence.
THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES : THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE OF 1906
New York : HarperCollins, 2006

Tuesday night. It is early evening in San Francisco. Streetlights come on. People hurry home. No one knows about the danger below. Underneath their feet, the earth begins to stir. Wednesday morning on Sacramento Street. Early the next morning, Henry Travis hears a low rumbling. It sounds like a train coming….Windows rattle. Doors thump. There is a crash above him. Wednesday morning in Chinatown across town, Henry’s friend Chin waits for the trembling to stop. But it goes on and on…”The tenement is falling!” Chin’s father shouts. Walls crack and crumble. Windows shatter. Broken glass sprays like little daggers.
The Earth Dragon has awakened….with a vengeance.

Travel back in time to the spring of 1906, to experience the Great San Francisco Earthquake through the eyes of two boys from very different backgrounds. When the quake subsides, Henry and Chin and their families are lucky to be alive. But now they must escape the fires that have broken out and find their way to safety. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Woods, Brenda. MY NAME IS SALLY LITTLE SONG

Woods, Brenda.
MY NAME IS SALLY LITTLE SONG
New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006

Sally May lives on a plantation with her brother, mother and father. They are slaves and work very hard. When Sally May’s father finds out that Sally May and her brother, Abraham, are going to be sold, the family makes plans to escape. But they are not escaping to the North where most slaves head towards. They are escaping deeper into the south! Why would they do that? Shouldn’t they be going north away from the cruel plantation owners and slave hunters? Read My Name is Sally Little Song to find out why. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Stewart, Paul. FERGUS CRANE

Stewart, Paul.
FERGUS CRANE
New York : David Fickling Books, 2006, c2004.

Nine year old Fergus is not prepared for a flying silver box that arrives bearing a warning from his long lost Uncle Theo. What danger is he in? How do the pirate-like teachers on his floating school figure into this mystery? When the ship sails away with his classmates on board it takes bravery and resourcefulness, (and a flying mechanical horse and a map making lunchbox), to help Fergus find the meaning of the message. Will Fergus save the day? Read Fergus Crane, the first book in the Far-Flung Adventures series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell to find out. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Stanley, Diane. BELLA AT MIDNIGHT

Stanley, Diane.
BELLA AT MIDNIGHT
New York : HarperCollins, 2006

Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful young woman, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. But her wicked new step-mother despised her, and treated her as a lowly servant… Oops! Wrong story…

Once upon a time, in the village of Castle Down, a peasant girl named Bella lived in the humble home of a kindly blacksmith and his family, assuming she was one of his own. The country was at war, and the world was fraught with danger on all sides. Little did Bella know that her best friend who often came calling was none other than Prince Julian of Moranmoor! And neither of them knew that she wasn’t a peasant at all…she was, in truth, Lady Isabel, abandoned by her noble, but cruel and deranged father in infancy. There was a terrible plot afoot that placed Bella in danger for her very life…one that would change the kingdom forever! She found herself caught in a web with no way out…but wait! This is a fairy tale! With the help of a handsome prince, a fairy godmother and a large dollop of enchantment, they all live happily ever after…don’t they? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Springer, Nancy. THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS : AN ENOLA HOLMES MYSTERY

Springer, Nancy.
THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS : AN ENOLA HOLMES MYSTERY
New York : Philomel Books, 2006

When Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared—on her 14th birthday nonetheless—she knows she alone can find her. Disguising herself as a grieving widow, Enola sets out to the heart of London to uncover her mother’s whereabouts—but not even the last name Holmes can prepare her for what awaits. Suddenly involved in the kidnapping of the young Marquess of Basilwether, Enola must escape murderous villains, free the spoiled Marquess, and perhaps hardest of all, elude her shrewd older brother—all while collecting clues to her mother’s disappearance! (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Schlitz, Laura Amy. A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR : A MELODRAMA

Schlitz, Laura Amy.
A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR : A MELODRAMA
Cambridge : Candlewick Press, 2006

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama has a great opening:
"On the morning of the best day of her life, Maud Flynn was locked in the outhouse, singing 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic’. She was locked in because she was being punished. The Barbary Asylum for Female Orphans was overcrowded; every room in the wide brick building was in use. There were few places where one could imprison a child who had misbehaved. The outhouse was one such place, and very suitable for the purpose, because the children hated it."

Set in the early 1900’s, troublemaker Maud Flynn gets to leave the orphanage this very same day when adopted by the Hawthorne sisters, who despite coming to adopt a child of eight, choose Maud for her small stature and nice singing voice. These three older ladies live together in a wealthy home. They treat Maud to good food, new clothes, and the use of indoor plumbing to win her over. Maud takes to sister Hyacinth and longs for her approval and love, doing whatever she asks for bits of praise. It isn't long before the sisters have thrust Maud into the family business of betraying customers with fake séances. The story follows Maud as the sisters use her in a scam against a wealthy woman whose daughter drowned the previous summer. This ghost story is wonderfully intriguing and readers will be rooting for Maud to find happiness. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Russell, Christopher. DOGBOY

Russell, Christopher.
DOGBOY
New York : Greenwillow, 2006

Twelve year-old Brind, having been abandoned at birth, has been raised with a pack of mastiffs in Sir Edmund’s barn. Brind can communicate with the fierce mastiff dogs and they are his friends. Sir Edmund, an aging knight, must prove his value to defend England as he embarks in battle against France. The year is 1346. Into battle he heads with his prize pack of mastiffs, along with Tullo, his cruel huntsman and Brind, the dogboy. As Sir Edmund falls in battle, Tullo sets in motion his plan to take over the prize pack of Mastiffs and return to England to take his place as the hero and win the affections of the knight’s widow. Will Brind’s bond with the pack be stronger than Tullo bargained for? What measures will Tullo take to sever the ties that Brind has with the pack? If you like action, adventure, narrow escapes and a little history, then you should read Dogboy. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Roy, Jennifer Rozines. YELLOW STAR

Roy, Jennifer Rozines
YELLOW STAR
New York : Marshall Cavendish, 2006

Syvia is only four years old but she knows something is wrong. She has to hide from the Nazis in the cellar and wear the yellow star on her new coat. Her family has to leave their home and join 200,000 other people being resettled into a ghetto for the Jews. Syvia understands the word Jew; she knows she is one; so is the rest of her family. Why people hate them is a question she cannot understand until she lives through the war and is one of only 12 children to leave the ghetto six years later. You’ll have an understanding too when you read this true account called Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Pennypacker, Sara. CLEMENTINE

Pennypacker, Sara.
CLEMENTINE
New York : Hyperion Books for Children, c2006.

Hi, I'm Clementine and I'm having a “not so good of a week.” Even though “spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain” I still got in trouble over gluing Margaret’s hair back on her head. I wasn’t even the one to cut it off in the first place, at least not the first time. And why does everyone tell me I'm not paying attention when I'm the one who notices things like what's happening outside the classroom window or what that the lady in our building is feeding the pigeons out her front windows? Trust me, both these things come in handy. Read Clementine by Sara Pennypacker to see what I mean. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Paterson, Katherine. BREAD AND ROSES, TOO

Paterson, Katherine.
BREAD AND ROSES, TOO
New York : Clarion, 2006.

Conditions of immigrant labor in the mills in Lawrence Mass in 1912 are the backdrop for a friendship between 12 year-old Rosa and 13 year-old Jake. Rosa is in a family where the father has died in a mill accident and the mother and older sister are working at the mill for very poor wages. Jake is working in a factory until it is closed because of the strike. When the children are sent to Vermont to keep them safe, Jake jumps on the train with Rosa thinking he's going to New York. In Vermont, Rosa continues her education and Jake learns to trust others. A realistic view of the roles women and children played in the New England factories of the early 1900s (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Nuzum, K. A. A SMALL WHITE SCAR

Nuzum, K. A.
A SMALL WHITE SCAR
New York : Joanna Cotler Books, c2006.

Will can see his future stretch out before him. It's as clear as the plains that lead to La Junta and the first-place prize at the rodeo. He will become a man, a cowboy with a life of his own. But his twin brother, Denny, follows, bringing with him the memory of that small white scar. Ahead lies adventure; behind, responsibility. And on the road between, Will and Denny will travel together -- brothers united by blood. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. ROXIE AND THE HOOLIGANS

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.
ROXIE AND THE HOOLIGANS
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2006.

Nine year old Roxie just can’t hide from the Hooligans, the local school bullies led by Helvetia. Yet how can she admit she is afraid? After all, her Uncle Dangerfoot is a well known author and adventurer. In her zealous attempt to escape the Hooligans, Roxie leads them plunging into the school dumpster along with herself. Among the trash and smelly garbage, they all find themselves transported to a barge and out to sea, ending up on a deserted island. Roxie finds herself not only trapped on an island to face the Hooligans, but discovers the island is not as deserted as they first thought. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Mowll, Joshua. OPERATION RED JERICHO

Mowll, Joshua.
OPERATION RED JERICHO
Cambridge : Candlewick Press, 2005

The year: 1920
The place: Shanghai
The protagonists: Becca and Doug MacKenzie, aged 15 and 13, respectively
Their mission: To locate their parents, gone missing from a top-secret expedition
Their uncle: Captain Fitzroy MacKenzie
His mission: To save the world by hunting down the world’s stores of highly potent zoridium
and taking it out of enemy hands
Ship’s cat: Duchess, a rare white Bengal tiger
The enemy: The evil Sheng Fat and his dastardly henchmen

Written in manual format (it even has a built-in elastic bookmark), and interspersed with Becca’s diary entries, this highly intriguing adventure story reads like a genuine accounting of a very complex and dangerous expedition. Highly detailed drawings, maps, tables and diagrams add to the illusion that this tale could really be true. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Lubar, David. PUNISHED

Lubar, David.
PUNISHED
New York : Darby Creek Pub., 2006

Logan knew he shouldn't have been playing tag in the library. He didn't mean to crash into Professor Wordsworth. What did that old man mean when he said Logan should be punished? Now, Logan can talk only with puns and they are terrible ones at that! He can't stop at all. His friends and family think he's being a wise guy, but Logan knows he's under a curse. Logan has three days to collect all the word plays he needs to break the curse. Can he do it in time or be punished forever? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Consider the idea that objects retain memories. A loved teddy bear might hold within its stuffing a vacation to the mountains, your first overnight at a friend’s house, or a time you had the flu and the animal brought comfort. Now, imagine that there were creatures that just by touching your teddy bear, could bring about these memories and then weave them together into a story and give them back to you in your dreams. Gossamer by Lois Lowry is a story where these dream creatures exist and through them you meet the characters of John, a boy who is in need of some good memories and comfort. The Old Woman, who takes care of John. Toby, the trustworthy dog, and John’s mom, who is working to make a better life for John. This beautiful fantasy will linger with you, in fact the story might just make it into your own dreams.

Lord, Cynthia. RULES

If someone says “Hi”, say “Hi” back.
Say “Thank you” when someone gives you a present (even if you don’t like it).
Don’t stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it.
No toys in the fish tank.

Rules, rules…so many things David doesn’t understand! It’s hard enough for any twelve-year-old to make her way in adolescent society…but soooo much harder when you have an autistic little brother! Cynthia loves David deeply, and protects him all she can, but his embarrassing behaviors present a real challenge in her search for the ideal best friend. One day, as Cynthia sits sketching in the waiting room during one of David’s many doctor visits, she meets someone who really rocks her categories and changes her whole perspective on who she is and what kind of relationships matter most. What was it that turned her world upside down, and what is “normal”, anyway? Read Rules by Cynthia Lord.

Kehret, Peg. TRAPPED

Kehret, Peg.
TRAPPED
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2006
IL 5-8, RL 5.4
ISBN 0525477284

Pete is a very clever, brave and smart cat. At least that is what he wrote about himself in this adventure and mystery story. Alex is Pete’s owner, but can you really own a cat? Not according to Pete! When Alex and his friends witness animal cruelty and illegal traps, they are determined to find out who set the traps. Pete’s detective skills lead him to find the answer before the children can. However, this puts Pete in a very dangerous situation. One that can cost him his life! (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Jones, Kimberly. SAND DOLLAR SUMMER

Twelve-year old Lise has to go back to her mother’s childhood island home in Maine while her mother recovers from a car accident. She enjoys the company of her 5 year-old brother but is uncomfortable with the ocean. Talks with an old Abenaki neighbor and concern for his welfare during a hurricane bring the novel to an exciting conclusion.

Sheep by Valerie Hobbs

Jack is a young border collie, who tells us his passion is to be the best sheep herder ever. This passion stays with him no matter how difficult his life becomes. Jack has had many names and owners. He's been in many tough situations but his courage is strong. He wants a good home. Is he strong enough to find a home for himself and one lonely boy?

TWO HOT DOGS WITH EVERYTHING by Paul Haven

Haven, Paul.
TWO HOT DOGS WITH EVERYTHING
New York : Random House, 2006
IL 3-6, RL 6.0
ISBN 0375933484

Some people believe that for the Red Sox to win, they need to wear the same clothes they wore the last time they won. Or maybe they need to rub their Big Papi bobble head doll after each out. Or perhaps they sit in the same spot and will only leave the couch to go to the bathroom during the commercial breaks and only in the top of the inning and never if the home team is ahead. 11 year-old Danny Gurkin is this type of superstitious fan. In fact he is overly so, to the point where he believes every single one of his actions during a game could affect the outcome. “Never leave a window open when a right handed pitcher in on the mound”. In Two Hot Dogs with Everything by Paul Haven, Danny is a loyal fan to the Sluggers, a baseball team that has only won one championship in 108 years. Not even one since the curse of the poison pretzel had taken over. Founded by a bubblegum tycoon, Danny and his friends make a trip to the tycoon’s home to try to figure out how to break the curse. A little bit of magic is found and the season picks up. Will the Sluggers win? Does Danny somehow affect the outcome with his rituals? If you have ever loved a hot dog, a baseball game, or a bit of magic, you will love this book. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Witch Catcher by Mary Downing Hahn

Hahn, Mary Downing.
WITCH CATCHER
New York : Clarion Books, 2006
IL 5-8, RL 6.6
ISBN 0618504575

Jen is thrilled when her father inherits a castle estate in the West Virginia mountains. But all is not wonderful. Dad has a spooky new girlfriend and the castle has mysterious objects hidden away in strange places. Jen is starting to realize that something supernatural is going on here. How can she fight this alone? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

THE 7 PROFESSORS OF THE FAR NORTH by John Fardell

Fardell, John.
THE 7 PROFESSORS OF THE FAR NORTH
New York : Putnam's, 2005, c2004.
IL 3-6, RL 6.0
ISBN 039924381X

Spy story, adventure and a mad scientist combine to leave three kids with the key to rescue the adults who have been taken to the Far North to a secret laboratory. Sam and his two new friends, Zara and her brother Ben, find a secret route to the laboratory and must liberate the adults. Lots of unique characters and some serious ideas how far science can and should go. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble

Duble, Kathleen Benner.
THE SACRIFICE
New York : M.K. McElderry, c2005.
IL 5-8, RL 5.2
ISBN 0689876505

What would you do if you were accused of a crime that you did not do by someone you do not know and then they threw you into prison? What if that prison was so horrible that people died from starvation, cold and disease within 6 months, even before they had their trial? Well, that is what happened to the people in Andover, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail is a spirited 10 year-old girl who loves to run in the fields with her friends. But that activity is forbidden and she is marked as a troublemaker in her town. Her Aunt Elizabeth was accused of being a witch and sent to jail and then Abigail and her older sister, Dorothy, were also accused. When Abigail and Dorothy arrived at the jail, they were put in the same cell as their aunt along with several others. The girls could not even recognize their aunt because she looked so ill. This story tells about life in those awful jails and how family members sacrificed themselves so that their children could be set free. A chilling story based upon actual events that happened to the author’s ancestors. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Cottrell Boyce, Frank.
FRAMED
New York : HarperCollins, 2005
IL 3-6, RL 4.5
ISBN 0060734035

Okay—so how do a bunch of super secretive art experts from London end up in a tiny mining village in Wales? (That’s the western part of Great Britain, in case you didn't know---they speak English there, but some of the names of things are spelled really strange…..) Well, London is having the worst flooding in centuries, and they’re going to keep all the paintings from the National Gallery in the mine--where it is very dry-- until it’s safe to bring them back.

So, what else is going on in the little town of Manod? NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!!! Unless you count the fact that everyone seems to be moving OUT, and Dylan is now the ONLY BOY living in town (which is putting a real crimp in his soccer career), and Dylan’s family’s garage is losing what little business they used to get before someone knocked over the sign for Manod on the big highway…..If things go on this way, it won’t be long before Manod isn't even a town anymore, and THEN where will they be?? And what about those art experts from London---can they help to save this little village? Do they care? Thanks to Dylan (and his pet chickens Michelangelo and Donatello) things are about to change for everyone. With lots of humor, mystery, and a even a bit of crime thrown in, Framed shows us what can be accomplished with determination and a little help from the power of art. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2007-2008)

New Hampshire Great Stone Face award

The winner of the 2007 New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award is:

Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret

The nominees for next year's award are:
Auch, Mary Jane. ONE-HANDED CATCH
Cottrell Boyce, Frank. FRAMED
Duble, Kathleen Benner. THE SACRIFICE
Fardell, John. THE 7 PROFESSORS OF THE FAR NORTH
Hahn, Mary Downing. WITCH CATCHER
Haven, Paul. TWO HOT DOGS WITH EVERYTHING
Hobbs, Valerie. SHEEP
Jones, Kimberly. SAND DOLLAR SUMMER
Kehret, Peg. TRAPPED
Lord, Cynthia. RULES
Lowry, Lois. GOSSAMER
Lubar, David. PUNISHED
Mowll, Joshua. OPERATION RED JERICHO
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. ROXIE AND THE HOOLIGANS
Nuzum, K. A. A SMALL WHITE SCAR
Paterson, Katherine. BREAD AND ROSES, TOO
Pennypacker, Sara. CLEMENTINE
Roy, Jennifer Rozines. YELLOW STAR
Russell, Christopher. DOGBOY
Schlitz, Laura Amy. A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR : A MELODRAMA
Springer, Nancy. THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS : AN ENOLA HOLMES MYSTERY
Stanley, Diane. BELLA AT MIDNIGHT
Stewart, Paul. FERGUS CRANE
Woods, Brenda. MY NAME IS SALLY LITTLE SONG
Yep, Laurence. THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES : THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE OF 1906

Time to get reading!!

RULES OF SURVIVAL by Nancy Werlin

I know you don't remember much about what happened when you were little. At least I hope you don't. But I need to write it down so we can all remember. So if there comes a day when you want to know how we ended up here, I can tell you. How we lived. How we met Murdock. How Murdock became an obsession with me. How Callie found him. How safe we felt. How wrong we were. I really don't want you to remember. To remember how afraid we were.

I'D TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU by Ally Carter

Gallagher Academy is just your typical girls boarding school filled with rich, spoiled girls. At least that is what they would have you believe. But behind those ivy covered walls is a very different kind of school. The kind where the girls take courses like Covert Operations and where the girls learn the art of following without being seen. You see, Gallagher Academy is a school for future spies. That's right. All these girls are being trained to be top notch spies. It isn't easy to get into the academy -- especially since it's so hush-hush! Cammie has an in of course since her mother is the head mistress. But Cammie has done something that may jeopardize her stay at Gallagher. She has formed a crush on a local boy!

Baby by Joseph Monninger

Baby. Can you imagine anyone naming their daughter Baby? And if that isn't enough, she's abandoned as well. Now she's a teen in the foster system with few options. This may just be her last chance. So here she is somewhere in New Hampshire living with some ex-hippies. These people seem nice enough although they are a bit off. It doesn't matter to Baby. She has no plans to stick around for long. As soon as her boyfriend can find her, she's out of there. She and Bobby don't need anyone else. But for the time being, Baby will try to hang out and not make too many waves. And it isn't going to be all that bad. You see, the old hippies have some really cool dogs. They run sled dogs and they are teaching Baby to run her own team. Yea the dogs are cool but they are not Bobby. Will Baby blow her last chance in the system or will she find something to work for?

THE NIGHT OF THE BURNING : DEVORAH'S STORY by Linda Press Wulf

It's 1921 and Devorah has lost just about everything that mattered to her. Her parents have died. Many other people from the town have died during the war. And now Poland is not a safe place to be if you are Jewish. When a gentle man arrives from South Africa, Devorah and her younger sister may just have a way out. The man has raised funds to transport 200 Jewish orphans to South Africa where they will be safe. Where they will have enough to eat. Where they will have a chance to go to school. And where they just might find a new family to love.

LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The moon is going to be hit by a meteor. Big deal. But everyone in the country is talking about it. And every teacher in school is requiring the kids to watch it. So from the comfort of a lawn chair in the front yard, Miranda is doing just that. But no one is prepared for what happens. The meteor knocks the moon off course and sends it closer to the earth! At first it just seems kind of eerie but then the reality of what has happened hits Miranda and her family. The east coast is wiped out by tsunamis. There are earthquakes and volcanoes to deal with. And it comes down to a struggle for survival. This book is sure to keep you engrossed in their story. And to keep you thinking about the possibilities long after it ends.

Gabriel's Horses by Alison Hart

Gabriel has just one dream in life. He wants to be a jockey. Now that's not too much to ask, is it? Well, even though Gabriel is fantastic around horses and certainly does have the talent to be a jockey, he has several obstacles in his way. For one, he is African American and a slave. And the Civil War is raging. Kentucky has sided with the Union but there are lots of Confederate raiders found in these parts. And they would just love to get their hands on good horses. How can Gabriel ever hope to live his dream?

SWINDLED! : THE 1906 JOURNAL OF FITZ MORGAN by Bill H. Doyle

Fitz is ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Since his mother and brother died, his father has been reluctant to let Fitz out of his site. But 14-year-old Fitz thinks he's more than old enough to travel cross country to visit his aunt in San Francisco. So he boards the train with his trusty dog disguised as a baby, and sets off. Now one thing you need to know about Fitz is that he wants to be a detective. It's all he thinks about. And when he meets Justine Pinkerton, it's only natural that they become friends. After all, the Pinkerton family is just about the best detective agency ever. When a passenger on the train is poisoned, Fitz and Justine set out to solve the murder.

LOOK CLOSER : ART MASTERPIECES THROUGH THE AGES by Caroline Desnoettes

Look closer at this painting [show Mona Lisa painting]. What do you see? You have probably seen this painting dozens, even hundreds, of times. But did you ever really look at it? Did you notice the veil covering her hair? Did you notice the lack of eyebrows? Did you notice the background? The roads, the bridges, the mountain? Perhaps not. This lovely book shows us a close up of some of the world's most famous paintings and draws our eyes to the minute details that we have probably missed. So be prepared to Look Closer.

THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY by Susan Patron

Life is not easy in Hard Pan, population 43. Lucky is 10 years old and is living with a guardian. Her mom has died and her dad doesn't want to take care of her. So she is living with her dad's first wife who has come from France to take care of Lucky. But it is a temporary arrangement. Every day Lucky sees how much Brigitte misses her life in France. Lucky has a part-time job to help pay the bills. She cleans up after an assortment of "Anonymous" meetings. You know, Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous. Through eavesdropping on the meetings, she becomes convinced that she must find her own higher power in order to find true happiness. Be sure not to miss this 2007 Newbery Award winner.

Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant

With the success of the Saddle Club series television show, these books should just fly off the shelves.

Horse Power

Stevie, Carole and Lisa are looking forward to the upcoming competition. They will be riding against other teams. They know their Saddle Club has a good chance of winning. There's just one problem. They need four riders on the team. Carole's new friend Kate is a good choice. She used to be a champion rider. But she won't ride anymore. What is she hiding? Can the Saddle Club find a way to help?

Horse Crazy

Stevie can't believe what her mother said. Get her grades up or she won't pay for horse camp. That just can't be. Riding is the most important thing in Stevie's life. She has been looking forward to going on the overnight for so long. But, she has an idea. Her mom only say she wouldn't pay for camp. She didn't say Stevie couldn't go if someone else paid. So Stevie enlists the help of her friend Carole and tries to find a way to make some money. How will this work out? And how will the new girl in the riding school fit into her plans?

Horse Sense

The Saddle Club has been inseparable but that is about to change. Each of the girls is working on their own thing and don't seem to have time for each other. Stevie is trying to come up with games for the upcoming riding competition. And Carole is taking care of a horse who is about to give birth. This leaves Lisa on her own and she doesn't like it much. She sits down to write the rules for the Saddle Club. Will this bring them back together?

Horse Shy

The overnight camping trip into the mountains is a great experience. Stevie, Carole and Lisa and so happy to be out in woods enjoying the horses. Of course, Veronica is being a brat as usual. Will she ever grow up? But the good thing about her antics is that it means that Carole has the chance to take care of her beloved Cobalt. Veronica just doesn't deserve a horse as wonderful as Cobalt. But the camping trip ends in tragedy.

CHILDREN OF ALCATRAZ : GROWING UP ON THE ROCK by Claire Rudolf Murphy

What do you think of when you hear Alcatraz? I know I think of the prison that was home to the likes of Al Capone and other Chicago mobsters. Before it was a prison for the most notorious criminals, it was an army barracks. So why is there a book about children living on Alcatraz? Because, there were children on the island. Even when it was a maximum security prison, there were children living there. They were the children of the guards and other employees. What must their lives have been like? Did they interact with the criminals? Was there a school on the island? Find out what life was like for the Children of Alcatraz.

FEAR THIS BOOK : YOUR GUIDE TO FRIGHT, HORROR & THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT by Jeff Szpirglas

OK, what are you afraid of? The dark? Spiders? High places? If you're smart, you won't tell anyone. They may use it against you! But don't be too afraid of this book in spite of the title. You'll find out all about fear. Do you know your body does some interesting things when you're afraid? Your hair stands on end. Your stomach stops digesting food. The pupils in your eyes get bigger. Find out all about fear in this really neat book.

A True and Faithful Narrative by Katherine Sturtevant

Meg Moore, who we met in At the Sign of the Star, is now a 16 year old but still working in her father's book shop. She has come to accept that she will never own her father's copyrights. But she has a secret desire. Meg longs to be a writer. But in 17th century England, that is just not an option. Her friend's brother is leaving for Italy and asks Meg if he can bring something back for her. Meg playfully asks that he be captured by pirates and enslaved by Muslims so he will have an adventure that Meg can write about. What will happen when Edward is indeed captured and sold as a slave?

Auch, Mary Jane. One-handed catch

Auch, Mary Jane.
ONE-HANDED CATCH
New York : Holt, 2006
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 0805079009
Sixth grader Norm tragically looses his hand in a meat grinder helping his father at the family store. Told with humor and a sense of reality, Norm struggles with wanting to succeed and wanting to take the easy way out. Norm’s father feels guilty regarding the accident and has a hard time coming to terms with the loss but Norm’s mother refuses to allow her son’s disability make him a cripple. As Norm struggles to come to terms with the reactions of those around him, he discovers music and his drive to play baseball increases. Will he learn to play with one hand? Will he ever be given a chance?

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Tired of being Hattie-here-and-there, Hattie longs for a place to call home. She has had several homes since her parents died but none of them was really home. And now Aunt Ivy wants to hire her out to a boarding house. Can anything save her from this? You bet. She has inherited a homestead in Montana. An uncle who she didn't know has left her his claim. With little hesitation, Hattie heads to Montana to work the homestead. When she finds out that she has less than a year to fence in the claim and plant 40 acres, she is determined to make a go of it. With the help of some good neighbors, she might just do it. But the United States is at war in Europe and the Spanish flu is making it's way across the country and the neighbors are getting suspicious of anyone who is different. Hattie worries about her homestead, her friends, and her special friend who is away fighting in the war.

The Pull of the Ocean

Mourlevat, Jean-Claude.
THE PULL OF THE OCEAN
New York : Delacorte, 2006
IL YA
ISBN 9780385903646
"My name is Yann Doutreleau. I am ten years old. On a very rainy November night, I convinced my brothers to flee our parents' farm. We went west." Yann and his six brothers, three sets of twins, set out in search of the ocean. Yann was the youngest brother but he was definitely the leader. What a site it must have been. Three sets of identical twins being led through the countryside by a ten year old the size of a two year old.

Happy New Year!!

Well, here it is 2007. I've been doing some reading over the break and want to share with you. I hope you had a chance to catch up on your reading as well. How about sending me a comment and telling about a book you read?

Park, Linda Sue.
ARCHER'S QUEST
New York : Clarion Books, 2006
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 0618596313


Imagine sitting in your bedroom when an arrow barely misses your head! What would you think? And when you turn around, a young man who is dressed really strange is standing in your room aiming another arrow at you? For twelve-year-old Kevin, the whole thing is really frightening and yet he knows that he must try to figure out what is going on. The stranger is Chu-mong, the legendary ruler of ancient Korea! And the last thing he remembers is riding on a tiger through his kingdom. Together, they try to figure out what happened to bring The Archer to modern day New York. And more importantly, how to get him back!