Hidden by Helen Frost

Written in a poetic format this book's title is also a clue to what is contained within. After Wren is accidentally kidnapped when Darra's father steals a car, Wren hides out in Darra's garage until she escapes. Years later, Darra and Wren finally meet face-to-face when they both attend the same summer camp. Will they talk? Or continue to ignore the fact that they both recognize each other, but can't reveal how? Don't forget to also read the writer's notes at the end to find out the secret messages hidden within the store!

Vodnik

Don't worry if you've don't know anything about Slovakian mythology.  By the time you finish reading this bitingly humerous tale in Vodnik by Bruce Moore, you'll be well versed in it.  When Tomas is nearly burned in a house fire, his family decide it is time to move back to Slovakia.  Unfortunately, once they arrive Tomas starts seeing and hearing things that other people can't see such as the Vodnik, which steals souls and keeps them in teacups....that's right...teacups!!! Soon Tomas finds about a lost soul that the Vodnik has made into a water sprite.  Can he outwit the Vodnik and rescue her?  Will anyone believe the things he is seeing are real?  Read Vodnik today and find out!

Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner

It is totally ironic that I am writing this post as I have been closely following a tornado storm cell that is threatening the area where I live.  I can just imagine how Kate Messner must have been in the same situation to inspire her to write this thrilling new novel.  Set in a futuristic world in 2050, where tornadic storms are an every day occurrence and threatens everyone.  Everyone that is except the chosen few who happen to live in Placid Meadows, the Storm-safe town that Jaden's father helped create.  Jaden, who has been separated from her father, has earned the right to live at Placid Meadows and attend Eye on Tomorrow, a camp where gifted students are groomed to become future storm scientists.  But the more Jaden learns about the tornadoes and storms that are somehow bouncing off Placid's storm-safe fence, the more she wonders just what exactly is her father doing to manipulate the weather and how much does she really know about him? 

Sorry it has been awhile since I've posted - hand surgery prevented typing. Hopefully full recovery is on its way!

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

What would you do if you couldn't talk, walk, or control your body?  Most people couldn't survive a day, but for Melody this has been her existence for her entire life.  Although Melody's body suffers from Cerebral Palsy, which leaves her relying on others to take care of her, her mind is brilliant. Unfortunately, most people assume because she can't do anything, then she can't think anything either.  But when Melody is finally able to communicate with the world, her classmates discover that Melody is just like them!

The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen

Cissy misses her former school teacher, Miss Loucien, who left to be an actress with the Bright Lights Theater company.  When diphtheria makes its appearance in town and a misfortunate accident leaves her family homeless, Cissy's father sends her off to join Miss Loucien.  Cissy discovers that the Bright Lights Theater Company has taken up residence in an abandoned marooned steamboat.  But when the waters suddenly rise, Cissy and the company finds themselves being swept along in one adventure after another as the river takes them further downstream. Will Cissy ever be able to return home?  Will the Bright Lights Theater Company be able to keep the Sunshine Queen? And if they do, will they be able to make a living entertaining folks along the river?  Find out the answers in The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen!

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Centered around three main characters, The Clockwork Three is a spellbinding tale of intrigue and mystery.  Frederick, a young apprentice to a clockmaker, is secretly building his own anamaton in hopes that he might one day be a journeyman, but can't figure out how to make his creation work.  When Hannah's father can no longer work and her mother has to stay home to take care of him, Hannah is employed as a maid at a hotel in order to help her family survive.  But when a mysterious stranger takes residence in the top floor, Hannah finds herself drawn into an adventure seeking a hidden treasure.  And when Giuseppe stumbles upon a green violin, will it help him break free from his oppressive padrone or guardian, and help him return to his Italian homeland?  Read The Clockwork Three to find out!

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

When Turtle's mother finds employment as a housekeeper for somone who doesn't like kids, Turtle ends up going to her aunt's house in Key West.  Turtle meets her cousins, who run a baby-sitting enterprise who call themselves "The Diaper Gang."  Unfortunately, its a boys-only club, so Turtle isn't allowed to know their secret diaper-rash formula.  But when she discovers a secret map, will she share it with the gang?  Read Turtle in Paradise to find out!

Mudville

What if you lived in a town where it always rained.  That's the premise of Mudville, by Kurtis Scaletta, where it has been pouring for the last twenty years in Moundville, when a baseball game between rival town Sinister Bend, was delayed due to rain.  Suddenly the rain has stopped - will the game finally be continued?  Or what will happen to the Roy and his father, who have adjusted and built their lives around the constant rain?  Read and find out!

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Eleven-year-old Delphine hopes to find out the answers to why her mother left her and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern, when the youngest, Fern, was just a baby.  They haven't had any contact with their mother, Cecile, but their father decides that they are old enough to spend a month with her and sends them on their way, despite her grandmother's, Big Ma's wishes.  However, instead of a warm reception, they find their mother is cold and distant, takes their money, refuses to call Fern by her name, and won't let them in the kitchen for any reason.  Instead of feeding them, she sends them out for take-out and sends them to a summer day camp run by the Black Panthers to keep them out of her hair.  Will Delphine find the answers she is desperately looking for?  How can she keep her sisters safe when the Black Panthers are being watched by the police? 

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Caitlin, who has Asperger's Syndrome, searches to find "closure" following the death of her brother, Devon,  at a school shooting incident.  Her father and counselor help her in her struggles to overcome her problems in making friends, understanding emotions, learning her manners, and grieving for Devon. The title is reflective of Caitlin and Devon's favorite movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, which helps Caitlin to relate to others.

Cosmic by Boyce Cottrell

What kid doesn't imagine what would happen if they were in charge?  Eleven-year-old Liam gets more than he can handle when he passes himself off as an adult to try to earn his place on a rocket ship bound for the moon.  This pitch-perfect humorous selection will keep you laughing out loud as Liam finds out that being an adult isn't all its cracked up to be. 

Storm Chaser

Jessica thinks she has spotted the perfect paint filly to replace her beloved Rusty, who is now unrideable because of his age.  However her plans go awry when a fire burns the family barn, dashing any chance of keeping the paint for her own, since it must be sold to replace the lost income.  Jessica also dreams of having a friend her own age, but when her father decides to allow visitors to stay on their ranch, will one of them become her new best friend?

The Red Pyramid

Rick Riordan does it AGAIN!!! This time he strikes gold with The Red Pyramid.  Once again he takes ancient mythology, mixes it with a modern day setting and transforms it into something students can't wait to get their hands on!  Main characters, Sadie and Carter Kane, are brother and sister who discover they are direct descendants from the pharaohs, set out to rescue their father and have a whole set of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses to contend with. 

Deep and Dark and Dangerous!

I was looking over my postings this morning and saw that I hadn't included this awesome book by Mary Downing Hahn. But that was probably because I first read it before I started this blog.  However, this book just won the Missouri Mark Twain Award for 2009-2010!  If you're looking for a scary story...THIS IS IT!  When twelve-year-old Ali discovers a torn photograph of her mother and aunt and an unknown person, she discovers a mystery that has been kept secret for years.  When she helps out with babysitting for her aunt at the very place where the photograph was taken, she meets the mysterious and bratty Sissy, who shows up everyday in the same blue bathing suit.  Ali begins to get suspicious of Sissy since she drops hints that she may know whats behind the mysterious photograph......

Any Which Wall......

Oh well, seems like I'm not keeping up too well on my postings.  I have been reading, though.  Currently I'm reading Any Which Wall by Lauren Snyder.  Four children discover a wall in a cornfield and learn that it can magically transport them to any place they wish - as long as there is another wall in the location.  However, their dreams and wishes end up not being quite what they expected!