Lunch Money by Andrew Clements

Greg Kenton is obessed with money, and has been ever since he learned to count. While still in preschool, he started charging his older brothers to do their chores for them at three and five and ten cents per chore. As he got older, he expanded to shining his parents’ shoes, mowing his neighbors’ lawns, selling lemonade on hot summer days, and even selling small toys at school, with visions in his young head of one day becoming a millionaire. At the end of his fifth grade year, Greg realizes that most kids in his school have at least an extra quarter or two everyday at lunch and comes up with his best idea yet – producing and selling his own line of miniature comic books for just twenty-five cents each. But as he launches this new business at the start of his sixth grade year, his long-time nemesis and neighbor, Maura, hones in on his business with a miniature book of her own for sale. Conflict between these two entrepreneurs escalates and draws the attention of the principle, who bans the comics from school. Greg and Maura then find themselves teamed up as business and creative partners as they take their argument to the school committee and try to get their comic business, well, back in business. As they learn to appreciate each other’s talents, Greg’s obsession with money lessens as his picture of success begins to change. Clements does a marvelous job crafting adult characters who are neither one-dimensionally mean or conveniently dumb, and does a kind service to teachers who truly care about their students but sometimes lose control a little. Kids will enjoy a character their own age who is as inventive and resourceful as Greg.

"Without belaboring his point, Clements takes on product placement in schools and the need for wealth. "Most people can only use one bathroom at a time," says Greg's math teacher, Mr. Z. Greg gets the message; middle-grade readers may ignore it in favor of the delightful spectacle of Greg's ultimate economic success, a pleasing result for the effort this up-and-coming young businessman puts into his work. Clements weaves intriguing information about comic book illustration into this entertaining, smoothly written story. Selznick's accompanying black-and-white drawings have the appearance of sketches Greg might have made himself. This hits the jackpot.” - Kirkus Reviews

"Along with providing a fast-paced and humorous story line, the author examines concepts of true wealth, teamwork, community mindedness, and the value of creative expression. Selznick's pencil sketches add comic touches throughout.” - School Library Journal

The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman

Whisper Nelson hates soccer. She hates sports in general, but the first and last time she played anything was in third grade when she kicked a goal on her own team’s net, humiliating herself and turning her off of sports. Flash forward to Whisper’s seventh grade year, and she’s slightly overweight and a complete outcast. The only person who might be her friend is a nerd named Jess Kirby, and he gets teased more than Whisper does. When a fluke drawing makes her the winner of an ad contest, the prize is a chance to kick a goal past a professional soccer player and win a million dollars, and Whisper has to decide if she’s willing to face down soccer again. When others begin to doubt her ability, she becomes resolved to prove them wrong and enlists the help of her soccer-crazed younger sister, a high school soccer player, and none other than Jess Kirby, whose computer simulation of the kick might be the key. Gutman’s description of the gauntlet of a middle school social life, and his observations about sports will appeal to young teen readers, as will the story of one girl learning that self-confidence is something you create for yourself. This is a great book to recommend to the odd girl who asks for a sports book. Not many feature female characters at all, much less those as independent and resilient as Whisper.

"Gutman paints a sharp, funny portrait of middle-school society. The dialogue rings true and the various cliques and subgroups will strike a familiar chord with adolescent readers. This is an exciting sports story with a compelling message about individuality and self-confidence, as well as a touch of romance.” - School Library Journal

Spy Cat by Peg Kehret

The Kendrill family is surprised and a little anxious when they hear that several houses in their small, sleepy neighborhood have been burglarized. While 6-year-old Benjie and his older brother Alex are worried about whether their house might be next, the family cat Pete is confident in his ability to defend his household. The burglars in fact do hit the Kendrill’s house next, and Benjie has the misfortune to come home by himself in the middle of their theft. He is kidnapped by the thieves as a witness to their crimes, but not before he is able to leave a few clues behind. Pete co-narrates the story, with his perspective written in italics, and his uniquely feline perspective on things adds humor and levity to a potentially scary story of kidnapping and theft. While he can understand everything his humans say, Pete is perpetually frustrated that the communication does not run both ways. While he is desperately trying to show the Kendrills Benjie’s clues, which only Pete was witness to, they assume he is crying for food. All works out in the end – thieves are caught and stolen goods are returned – but the suspense in the meantime makes for a page-turning read. This is a sequel of sorts to The Stranger Next Door, another mystery co-written and narrated by Pete as he solves the mystery and clues the humans in to the truth. If you like animal-friendly thrillers, these and many of Kehret’s other novels will fill your order.

"Readers will keep turning the pages, though Benjie's harrowing experiences as a captive might frighten very sensitive youngsters. Kehret manages to include in her satisfying story humor, commentary about kindness to animals, and the importance of family and friends.” - Kirkus Reviews

Into the Volcano by Don Wood

The Pugg brothers, Duffy and Sumo, are pulled out of school one afternoon and, with little warning, are shipped off with a cousin they’ve never met to spend ten days on the volcanic island of Kocalaha. Mister Come-and-Go – as their massive, bald, wrestler-looking cousin is called – takes Duffy and Sumo to their mysterious aunt who then bundles them off on a life-threatening expedition underground, into the depths of an erupting volcano. Mystery and danger run amok as the group’s boat is destroyed, and the boys escape from their rag-tag guides/kidnappers, amid whispers of family conflict and stolen riches. The most frightening moment comes when Duffy disappears down a seemingly bottomless ravine underground, and Sumo has to muster enough courage to lower himself precariously on rope to attempt a single-handed rescue. Will they make it out alive? Who is on their side? When they are unexpectedly reunited with their mother, a renowned volcanologist whom they thought to be studying in Borneo, they finally get answers to their questions. Many of the illustrations in this thrilling graphic novel are dark and haunted, and beautifully convey the dangerous and mystery-shrouded atmosphere in which the Pugg brothers find themselves. This one might be a hard sell for most girls – the drawings are not aesthetically pleasing as many graphic novels are – but boys should love the dark and smoky adventure.

"That the children, who appear to be 10 or 12, have been exposed to such peril knowingly by an adult who has been entrusted with their care is a dark vein running through the story. Wood's vividly colored artwork brings the perils the siblings face into startling focus. Keenly observed depictions of the Hawaiian landscape and geological processes lend an impressive veracity to this exciting and unusual offering. It is a rare example of a graphic novel for young people that is neither manga nor mainstream.” - School Library Journal

The pictures are perfectly suited to the story, vividly capturing plot, characters, and setting with bold lines, dramatic colors, and creative special effects that make tangible the brothers' peril. This is Wood's first foray into the medium of comics; let's hope that it won't be his last.” - Horn Book

Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger by Wendelin Van Draanen

In the first Shredderman book, super-nerd Nolan Byrd created his online, secret identity to out the bullies at his school in the name of truth and justice, and had a marvelous victory over the ultimate bully, Bubba Bixby. In this second installment, Nolan is back and this time he’s decided to track down and out the Tagger, some kid who is spray-painting smiley faces all over town. It really becomes personal when the Tagger hits the van belonging to Nolan’s sidekick, his teacher Mr. Green, and Nolan resorts to skipping school and using master disguises to catch the culprit. In the meantime he has to worry about his parents and everyone else finding out that he’s the kid behind the website. Nolan is incredibly smart and technologically gifted for a fifth-grader – not to mention incredibly lucky – but kids will enjoy a story that’s written in the spirit of Harriet the Spy. It’s not deep or thought-provoking, but fun in a nerdy cyber-superhero kind of way.

"Equipped with a genuinely juvenile sense of humor (but a clear sense of right and wrong, too), plus a serious addiction to exclamation points, this engagingly bright, complex fifth-grade sleuth will sweep readers into his newest jet-propelled adventure.” - Kirkus Reviews

“…readers will relish the gadgetry and ingenious problem solving. They’ll also connect to the story of a grade-school outsider whose triumphs in cyberspace boost his confidence in the bricks-and-mortar world. “Wa-hoo!” for Shredderman, and kudos to Van Draanen for delivering a character-driven series that’s spot-on for middle-graders and great for reluctant readers, especially boys." - Booklist

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Catherine is 12, and she’s praying that this summer will shape up to be a pretty normal one. She is hoping against hope that she can be best next-door-friends with her new neighbor Kristi – someone to go swimming and bike riding with all summer long. But before she can worry about that – before she can worry about anything – she has to contend with the challenges of watching after her autistic brother David. To help him understand how to act around other people, she has made up a list of rules he can remember, like “Not everything worth keeping has to be useful,” or “Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you,” and “No toys in the fish tank.” She has always thought of herself as understanding when it comes to David’s disability, but when Catherine meets a boy named Jason at her brother’s occupational therapy office he challenges her perceptions. Catherine has to question her own fears and understanding of what is normal? For young readers curious about autism and other disabilities, this book takes an insightful look at the quality of human emotions and dreams that are common to everyone, and thoughtfully questions our own prejudices against and discomfort with those who act or look differently than we do. Catherine's worries and hopes for acceptance are believable and she is realistically conflicted about the resentment she feels toward David.

"Catherine is an appealing and believable character, acutely self-conscious and torn between her love for her brother and her resentment of his special needs. Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences.” - Kirkus Reviews

"Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.” - School Library Journal

Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff

Other authors: Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
Photographs by Peter Greste

This book tells the unlikely and heartwarming story of an odd friendship between a giant tortoise and a hippo living in a Kenyan animal sanctuary. In 2004, when the tsunami washed over the Indian Ocean, it flooded the coast of Kenya where a pod of hippos had made themselves at home at the mouth of the Sabaki River. In the aftermath, one baby hippo was found alive, stranded out on a coral reef. After a dramatic rescue, he was shipped to an animal sanctuary where he immediately bonded with a 130-year-old giant Aldabra tortoise named Mzee. Against all odds – and some would say against nature – the pair remains bonded to this day and are often found near each other in their home at Haller Park. With full-page color photographs that capture the odd couple swimming and cuddling, the text provides plenty of background information on the animals in question and the people who care for them without being weighed down by too many minute facts. Notes in the back of the book give more information about the different species and the geography of their home in Kenya. For any young (or old!) reader who enjoys animals this book does a great job of presenting them in their best light.

"Children will...embrace the incident’s compelling anthropomorphic elements, thoughtfully framed by the authors, and will exclaim over the images of the winsome baby and its grizzled surrogate parent.” - Booklist

"Because it is sensitively structured, with careful choices about what is emphasized and illustrated, the situation does not overwhelm readers. The text and the back matter are brimming with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locale. This touching story of the power of a surprising friendship to mitigate the experience of loss is full of heart and hope.” - School Library Journal