Moving Day: Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls by Meg Cabot

Allie Finkel is dismayed to find out that her family is moving to a nearby town. It means leaving her best friend, even if she does cry a lot, and moving into a house potentially haunted by a zombie hand. So she starts plotting and trying to find ways to sabatoge the process. Allie copes with her troubles by creating rules such as "never eat anything red." Her efforts to keep her family from moving, dealing with her complicated social life, and her grudging acceptance of the good things that might come from the move are all heartfelt and delightful. Tara Sands narrates the audiobook in a voice fitting for a nine-year-old heroine. First of a series. Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot. Scholastic Audiobooks, 2008.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Prosper and Bo are runaway orphans in Venice trying to escape from the aunt who wants to adopt Bo, but send Prosper away to a boarding school. They are hiding out in a closed movie theater with other orphans when the Thief Lord, a slightly older boy who has provided their hideout, gets a clandestine offer to steal something for hire for a local count. Meanwhile, a detective is on their trail after being hired by the aunt to find the brothers. When the children attempt the robbery the tale turns into a mystery and adventure as they try to find out what the count really wanted with the item. The book is steeped in the allure and mystique of Venice as the children travel the canals and lagoons and explore well-known parts of the city. The audiobook is ably narrated by Simon Jones. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. Listening Library, 2002.

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Peter is a young orphan who dreams of his baby sister who he thinks died at birth. He lives in a city called Baltese with his guardian, who was a soldier with his father. In this cold, northern city of Baltese, a magician has somehow made an elephant appear with unfortunate consequences. When a fortuneteller tells Peter that he should follow the elephant to his sister, the stories begin to intertwine. Lyrical, mysterious and thought provoking, the latest by Kate DiCamillo is a charming tale. The website at  http://www.themagicianselephant.com/ includes a webcast with Kate DiCamillo, an activity guide and a reading group discussion guide. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick Press, 2009.

Imperfections: A Novel by Lynda Durrant

Rosemary Elizabeth is escaping with her mother, brother and baby sister from her abusive father in Kentucky in 1862. Her mother brings then to the Shaker Community of Pleasant Hill then leaves. Struggling to adjust to the stringent perfection and hard work demanded by the Shakers, she questions everything that is going on around her. Her brother is slowly withdrawing from her due to the enforced separation of the sexes the Shakers believe in, and her baby sister is being raised in the nursery. Then she finds herself being attracted to a young man in the community, who she is not allowed to speak to. As time goes on, she deals with Confederate and Union Soldiers passing through and is set upon by Morgan's Raiders while coming back from a trip to town to sell butter and cheese. The book vividly describes daily life in the Shaker Community and Shaker beliefs. An afterword gives additional background on Shaker history and Morgan's Raiders. Imperfections: A Novel by Lynda Durrant. Clarion Books, 2008.

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Jon Scieszka grew up one of 6 brothers in Flint, Michigan and his tales of the mischief they got into are priceless. They spent summers at a lake in Michigan, tormented the nuns at his Catholic School, broke furniture, and generally got into all sorts of trouble. Many of the adventures seem to describe a bygone era. I don't know how many boys these days get into dirt fights at construction sites or can spend summer days just hanging out by the lake, but I think they would enjoy listening about them. The author narrates the audiobook, it would be a great family listen during a holiday car trip. I frequently was laughing out loud while listening. Knucklehead:tall tales & mostly true stories of growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka. Brilliance Audio, 2008.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Catherine lives in midieval England and at 14 is on the verge of becoming a woman. Her father, who is a local lord, is looking to wed her to a prosperous man to improve his situation. She, however, prefers escaping to the village, hanging out with the goat herder and generally doing anything to avoid embroidery, sewing and learning to be a lady. She writes a diary detailing her days, the many feast days, the harvest, the trevails of her mother, who is expecting another child, and, of course, her fears of being wed to an older, boorish man she calls "Shaggy Beard." The details about life in 13th century England are wonderful and Catherine's voice is authentic, if a bit ahead of her time. The audiobook narrator, Jenny Sterlin, does a great job of capturing the inflection, tone and rhythm of the style of speech of the time. A Newbery Honor Book. Fascinating. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman. Recorded Books, 1994.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This story creates a future where a disease has developed that brings the dead back to life and makes them crave human flesh. One bite from these "Unconsecrated" beings infects a live human and turns him/her into a similar zombie. Mary, a young girl, lives in a fenced village that is constantly under seige from the "Unconsecrated" living in the forest beyond. When the village's fences are breeched and the village is overrun, she escapes down a fenced path into the forest with a small group of others, including her brother and her fiance. What will they find? Reminiscent of Omega Man, the story is scary and intriguing. Sure to appeal to the horror fans out there in upper Middle School or High School. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Delacorte Press, 2009.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson feels frustrated and misunderstood. Suffering from dyslexia and ADHD, he has been kicked out of every school he has gone to at the end of the year. Now he faces another summer with his mother and abusive step-father. But strange things keep happening to him, like his math teacher attacking him during a field trip to a museum. When he and his mother go for a summer outing to a cottage on the beach, he learns that he is indeed not like other kids because his father is a god. A race ensues to get Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for the children of the Greek Gods, before he is attacked by a Minotaur. As Percy learns the truth about himself at camp, he comes to learn that he needs to go on a quest to prevent a war from breaking out between the gods, which would be disastrous for mankind. A rollicking read! Great fun. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Random House, 2005.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Olver Relin

The young reader's adaptation of Greg Mortenson's best-selling memoir stays true to the story. It recounts Mortenson's attempt to climb K-2, the world's second highest mountain to honor his deceased sister Krista, the wrong turn that led him to the village of Korphe in Pakistan, and his subsequent vow to build the village a school. Some of the more harrowing details of such things as his kidnapping by the Taliban have been removed or toned down, but the gist of the story--his desire to help the Pakistanis improve their lot with improved education is still strong. Adapted by Sarah Thomson, it includes an interview with Mortenson's daughter, Amira, who has traveled with her father and is a strong supporter of his work. With the current situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan having the opportunity for students to read about the situation there and what some people are doing to improve it is invaluable. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Adapted by Sarah Thompson. Puffin Books, 2009.

Judy Moody Declares Independence by Megan MacDonald

Irrepressible Judy Moody takes a trip to Boston in this episode of the series. She tours various sites on the Freedom Trail, visits a reproduction of the ship from the Boston Tea Party, and is inspired by the actions of the Founding Fathers. Back home, she yearns for more independence of her own, but her efforts to prove she is responsible backfire until an emergency one day forces her to take action. Fun, silly at times, but thoroughly enjoyable for Judy Moody fans. Judy Moody Declares Independence by Megan MacDonald. Narrated by Kate Forbes. Recorded Books, 2005.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This was a great book to finish up the summer with. A tale of four sisters who go on vacation to a cottage in the Berkshires. It's not an ordinary summer cottage, though. It is on an estate where a boy lives with his mother. The girls befriend the boy and proceed to get in all sorts of trouble with the mother, who is trying to get her garden ready for a local Garden Club competition. The sisters have fun summer adventures, get into various messes and try to help the boy who doesn't want to go to the military school his mother and fiance want him to. All ends well and the family heads back home. The audiobook version is ably narrated by Susan Denaker. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. Read by Susan Denaker. Listening Library, Random House, 2005.

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Nick and Marta are friends who attend a private school in Florida. When a field trip to a local swamp gets cut short because of a fire, their biology teacher disappears. Mysterious sitings of the teacher's blue Prius pique the students interest and they start investigating her what happened. All the while, Nick is worried about his father who is stationed in Iraq with his National Guard unit. As the students' learn more about what happened to their teacher, they get involved with an effort to save an endangered panther cub by reuniting it with its mother. Interesting characters, quirky side plots and a good story all combine to make this a great read. The audiobook version is narrated by Ed Asner, who had fun with the characters. Scat by Carl Hiaasen. Random House/Listening Library 2009.

Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

When 14 year-old Amy gets a new babysitting job for a well-to-do family in her tow, she gets caught up in a kidnapping plot. When two criminals kidnap Kendra, the 3 year old girl Amy is babysitting, she is taken as well. The kidnappers take them to an abandoned cabin and record video messages to send to the parents leading up to the ransom demand. While trying to keep Kendra safe and comfortable, Amy tries to think of ways to send clues in the DVDs to help the parents and police find her. Meanwhile, she has to deal with the kidnappers, one of which has a volatile temper. Amy fears they plan to kill her when they return the Kendra since her family isn't able to pay any ransom. Exciting, suspenseful, with a brave, resourceful heroine, Stolen Children is a great read. Stolen Children by Peg Kehret. Dutton Children's Books, 2008.

The Boy Who Saved Cleveland by James Cross Giblin

It's hard to imagine Cleveland, Ohio as a small settlement of log cabins, but in 1798, that's how it was. Seth Doan is 10 years old and adjusting to the hard life of the wilderness after moving with his family from Connecticut. To survive, the family members farm, hunt, scavange, and depend on corn that was bought to tide them over until their own crops come in. When Seth's sister and father come down with a mysterious ailment (malaria), it is up to Seth to make the 2 mile walk to the mile to grind the corn daily so that his family doesn't starve. A realistic picture of the hardships of pioneer life. The Boy Who Saved Cleveland by James Cross Giblin. Henry Holt and Company, 2006

Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath

Primrose knows her parents weren't killed a sea during a storm, but no one else in her small community thinks so. After staying with a local elderly woman, Miss Perfidy, who had served as her babysitter, the town council tracks down her Uncle Jack, who moves to town and starts a business trying to develop the town and turn it into a tourist destination. Meanwhile, Primrose befriends a local business owner, a local restaurant called the Girl on the Red Swing, where everything is served on a waffle. As she learns cooking from Miss Bowzer, and deals with Miss Perfidy's increasing eccentricity, she spends her days at the dock watching for her parents to come home and having accidents, which lead to her being placed in a foster home. The book is a touching and funny slice of life about a small town and the variety of people who live there. Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath. Listening Library, 2002.

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Julia Song is a Korean-American middle schooler who lives in a Midwestern American town. With her friend Patrick she is trying to come up with a farm project for a club she belongs to. When her mother suggests raising silkworms, she is unenthusiastic as it is too "Korean" and she longs to be an all-American girl. But Patrick is enthusiastic and she can't come up with any other ideas, so after a solving a couple of problems they begin to raise their worms. The book is interspersed with conversations between Julia and the author, Linda Sue Park, discussing the writing process. In the audiobook, it worked quite well as the narrator and Linda Sue Park herself traded comments. The book has several subplots including Patrick and Julia learning about sustainable farming and making friends with an older African-American man who has the mulberry tree they need to feed the silkworm caterpillers. In the end Julia has to make a difficult choice when she learns how the silk is harvested. Overall it was an enjoyable, interesting story. Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park. Random House Listening Library, 2005.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

A charming story set in the same enchanting world as Ella Enchanted, this story tells the tale of Aza, a innkeeper's daughter from Ayortha. She was abandoned at birth at the inn and raised with love by the innkeeper and his wife, but her appearance is unusual and she thinks herself ugly. However, she is blessed with a powerful, lovely voice that she can project like a ventriloquist. When she befriends a duchess who frequents the inn, she is hired to accompany her to the Royal Wedding, where she meets the new queen. The Queen is not from Ayortha, where singing is a prominent part of life, and when she accidently discovers Aza's ability she threatens her and her family unless Aza becomes her lady in waiting and uses her gift to allow her to lipsync at important functions. Meanwhile, Aza has befriended the Prince and is enjoying his company. Complications ensue and Aza is discovered. She has to flee and faces ogre attacks, murder attempts and learns about her possible heritage. The book features many songs that were written by Levine, and the full cast audio book sets them to music. Charming and lively with a powerful message about becoming comfortable with oneself, this is a great story. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. Full Cast Audio, 2007.

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

A beetle that can draw reproductions of famous artist's work? It's a bit of a stretch, even for fantasy, but some might find it fun. Marvin is a beetle that lives in the home of James, a 10 year old boy. When his artist father gives him a pen and ink drawing set for his birthday, the beetle draws a picture with his front feet by dipping them in ink left in the cap. When his parents assume that James drew the picture, he ends up in an art museum being asked to reproduce a drawing by Albrecht Durer so it can be used in a plot to lure whoever has stolen the other drawings in the set. There are all sorts of attempts at human, insect communication and some excitement when the plan goes awry. The descriptions of insect family life are fun, also. Masterpiece by Elise Broach. Henry Holt and Company, 2008.

A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee

James visits Eamon's grandparents so the 2 boys could go to Nature Camp for a week. In this enthusiastic volume, the boys hang out, have fun on the beach, negotiate with Eamon's penguin loving grandfather and generally have fun. The book extoles the traditional summer joys of doing what you want, eating fun food, and creating something just for the fun of it. The illustrations are lively, and subtle, sometimes contradicting the text. Great fun. A Caldecott Honor Book. A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee. Harcourt, Inc., 2008.

The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson

This lovely bed-time read is based on a traditional rhyme, This is the key to the kingdom. The story flows from page to page describing a house, a bed, a book and the comfort of familiar things. The scratchboard illustrations resemble woodcuts giving it a timeless feel. Comforting. Caldecott Award Winner. The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson. Pictures by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2008.

How I learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz

This simple picture book illustrates how something can bring hope in the most dire circumstances. Uri Shulevitz's family fled Poland during the Nazi invasion and sought refuge in what is now Kazakhstan. Poor and hungry, his father returned from the market one day with a large world map, which they posted on the wall of their home. The book shows how Uri spent hours looking at the map and imagining the various places he could go, which took him away from his hunger, fear and frustrations. The illustrations of the dusty town and the soaring imaginary destinations are wonderful. A Caldecott Honor Book. How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2008.

Silver by the Tree by Susan Cooper

The final installment of Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence, brings all the major characters together for a satisfying final battle against the dark. Will Stanton returns to Wales and connects with Bran Davis, the out-of-time boy from The Grey King. There he also meets up with the Drew Children, who were featured in Over Sea, Under Stone and The Greenwitch. Once again Alex Jennings narrates flawlessly, easily slipping into Welch dialect and pronouncing the Welch words that I stumbled on while reading the Grey King. In this book, Will and Bran have to seek out a crystal sword made to fight the dark in the "Lost Land," an area of Wales that was reclaimed by the sea hundreds of years ago. Then meeting up with Will's mentor, Merriman, they all take the final journey to stop the dark from rising. Full of wonderful symbolism, great mythological references, and historical figures, Silver by the Tree is a satisfying conclusion to the series. Silver by the Tree by Susan Cooper. Random House/Listening Library, 2007.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimen

When a toddler escapes a killer by running into a graveyard, it sparks a lively tale of the dead working to help a living boy survive. Adopted by a pair of dead Victorian parents, the Owens, the boy, named Nobody, has the run of the graveyard and interacts with a wide variety of its residents from the Roman time to close to the present. Each one is identified by the name on his or her headstone and the saying engraved thereon. As Nobody (Bod) grows, he meets humans, ghouls, werewolves and other creatures who come into the graveyard, tries his hand at going to school, and tries to avoid the killer who is still out there hunting him. When the showdown finally comes between Bod and the killer, Jack, his knowledge of all things otherworldly comes in handy. Quirky, creepy, funny and creative, it is a story sure to engage those looking for a great read. Newbery Award winner. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimen, with illustrations by Dave McKean. HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

The Underneath is a complex, lyrical story of a animal family. It starts with a cat that has been abandoned meeting up with an old bloodhound who is chained and mistreated by its owner in the backcountry of Louisiana. Gar Face, the owner, is a loner who survives trapping animals and selling the pelts for alcohol and supplies. He is stalking a great alligator who lurks in a bayou near his home. The cat, who befriends the bloodhound, soon has kittens and she raises them under the house where the dog, Ranger, is chained. It is safe in the underneath, she tells her kittens, and encourages them to stay out of site to keep them safe from Gar Face, who often uses small animals as bait. A parellel story tells of the great Grandmother moccasin snake who was imprisoned 1000 years again in a jar under a tree. As the story unfolds we learn why and what happened, and the two stories eventually come together. The book is touching and poetic with references to nature, the Native Americans who previously lived in the area, and magical, mystical creatures. Charming. A Newbery Honor Book. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.

Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter

A stylistic biography of Gertrude Stein, this picture book (subtitled And Gertrude is Gertrude Stein, a most fabulous writer, who lived a most fabulous life) gives snippets of facts in Stein's unique style. Parties, famous people, and nights spent writing are described with such prose as "Everyone who's everyone is at this party. And everyone is everyone. And if everyone is everyone, they must come to this party." The illustrations are colorful, playful and bold and add to the frivolity and fun of the images created of Stein, Alice B. Tolkis and the other artists and writers who lived in the creative world of Paris in the early 20th Century. Young readers will enjoy the pictures and the repetitive phrasing although they probably won't understand any of the references. Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter. Illustrated by Caleb Brown. Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009.