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.