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!

Margret & Flynn by Kathleen Duey

Ever wanted a horse but couldn't afford one?  Maybe you'll be as lucky as Margret when a lost horse shows up after a tornado moves through the farm where she and her sister, Libby, are working.  Margret wants to stay and tame the horse but is afraid her sister wants to leave.  The two orphans have been running from place to place as far as back as Margret can remember.  Libby has always been the one to make the decisions.  Can Margret stand up to her and tell Libby how much she loves where she is now?  Read this sweet horse story to find out.

Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

When a young babysitter, Amy, and her 3 year old charge are kidnapped, she must use her wits to out-think her abductors.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and lost most of an entire night's sleep when I couldn't put it down.  This page-turner is sure to become a most-requested item in the library!

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z

Gianna Z just can't help it, time keeps sleeping away as the deadline for her leaf collection project looms ever near.  Will she be able to finish it in time to get her grades up so she can still attend the track meet?  And why is she the only one who seems to notice that her grandmother's forgetfulness may be getting worse?  This book would be a great read for anyone who has to do a similar project.

11 Birthdays

I know, it's been awhile since I've posted, but I promise I've been doing my reading.  11 Birthdays is the perfect story for someone turning 11 (or who already has!).  The plot is similar to the movie Groundhog, in that the main character finds herself re-doing her birthday over and over again.  But, she's not the only one... and together they have to figure out how to break the cycle. 

Maximum Ride

I just recently finished reading, MAX, by James Patterson, currently the last book in the Maximum Ride series. I LOVE these books! If you like all-out, fast-paced, kick-butt adventure, then these are books for you. These science-fantasy books are about this group of genetically enhanced winged kids, who have escaped the mad scientist lab they were created in, and just want to have the freedom to live their own lives. Of course, all those scientists and other crazies are intent on re-capturing them so that they can be used in evil plots to take over the world!

The Last Olympian

I can't believe it. The last book in the Percy Jackson series. And like all of the others, this one is FABULOUS!!!! I'm a HUGE fan, and I've even had the privilege of getting to meet Rick Riordan twice. Not only is he an accomplished writer, but he is a wonderful presenter as well. If you ever get the chance to meet him, go-go-go! In The Last Olympian we finally find out whether or not the Oracle's prophecy for demigod Percy Jackson becomes a reality, and if there is any romantic interest between Percy and fellow Camp Half-Blood camper, Annabeth. If you've read all the others, I'm sure you can't wait to get your hands on this copy. But if this is the first time you've heard of the series, be sure to start at the beginning with The Lightning Thief. It'll be a wild and rocky thrill read!!!

Emma-Jean Lazarus Falls In Love

Emma-Jean is truly a character. She is usually great at solving problems, but when her heart starts fluttering when she looks at a boy she wonders is it a crush or true love... Emma-Jean is a great little read - its small number of pages probably won't intimidate the more reluctant reader, while its chock-fullness of unique vocabulary words will keep the more advanced reader entertained as well.

Lucky Breaks (Double entendre intended!)

O.K., you never know what's gonna happen, and I certainly didn't with my last posting. My niece had to be hospitalized the next day and I ended up spending the next few weeks at her house taking care of my 3 yr old great niece and 4 month old great nephew. I was going to stay another week to help her with the kids after my niece came home from the hospital, but I ended up breaking a toe walking across the carpet! Luckily everything has worked out and I'm back at home again. Which leads me to my next book, lucky breaks, (no - its not supposed to be capitalized.) This is the follow up book to the Newbery winner The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron. If you loved the first one, you're sure to enjoy this one as well. This time Lucky is about to turn 11 and has discovered a mystery surrounding a broken brooch.