Martin Bridge Ready for Takeoff! by Jessica Scott Kerrin

Martin Bridge tries to do the right things in these interconnected stories geared for students in Grades 3 & 4. First he plans a treat for a substitute bus driver only to have it go wrong when the regular busdriver returns. Then he deals with finding out his neighbor's guinea pig died while he was taking care of it. Throughout his love of the TV show Zip Rideout keeps him going. The black and white illustrations by Joseph Kelly move the story along. Enjoyable, realistic fun for new readers. First of a series. Martin Bridge Ready for Takeoff! by Jessica Scott Kerrin. Illustrated by Joseph Kelly. Kids Can Press, 2005.

Pendragon Book 1: The Merchant of Death by D. J. MacHale

When Bobby Pendragon's uncle asks him to skip an important basketball game to help some people in trouble, he had no idea what he was getting into. He and his uncle go through some kind of mysterious portal and end up in another "territory" called Denduron where the Milago people are being enslaved. Separated from his uncle, who has been sentenced to death by the ruling people, Bobby discovers he is a "traveller" someone able to move between territories who has the responsibility to help maintain peace in the various territories. The problems in Denderon are being made worse by another traveller, Saint Dene, who is wanting to create chaos and disorder. Can Bobby rescue his uncle before his execution and help keep the revolution that is brewing from destroying life on Denderon? Pendragon Book 1: The Merchant of Death by D. J. MacHale. Brilliance Audio, 2002.

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

After a prologue where a mysterious plane arrives at an airport with nothing but babies aboard, the story jumps ahead 13 years. Jonah has known all his life that he was adopted. After he befriends a new boy who moved in down the street, he receives a mysterious letter that says only "You are one of the missing." When his new friend gets the same letter and discovers he is adopted also, they set off on a hunt for the truth with the help of his sister Katherine. Plenty of mystery and excitement follow with a cliff hanging ending setting things up for the sequel, Sent. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Simon and Schuster Books for Young People, 2008.