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.