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

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Jack’s assignment for Miss Stretchberry’s class, room 105, is to keep a poetry journal and use what he learns in class to write his own poems. What results is a one-way conversation in free-verse as Jack by turns makes fun of and grows to appreciate poetry and its connection to his own life, largely through the work of Walter Dean Myers. Out of this conversation, influenced by the works of Robert Frost and William Blake as well, comes the story of Jack’s dog Sky and how he died, and a letter to his favorite poet Walter Dean Myers that results in a live school visit from the author. Jack’s initial aversion to poetry in general is realistic, as is his eventual understanding of its relevance and ability to give words to the deepest of emotions. Dog lovers will be sure to choke up. The free-verse style also makes the 85-page book a quick read and great transition for those younger readers moving into chapter books.

For a thoroughly entertaining time, you can see a reader's theater production of Love That Dog performed by authors Sharon Creech, Avi, Sara Weeks, and Mr. Walter Dean Myers himself online here.

"Jack's gradual appreciation of poetry is both natural and believable, and the sentence parsing required by the book's format will be a refreshing aid to beginning chapter book readers, whose fluency is threatened by word-by-word reading. The format, generous with white space, allows the book to reach the often-required one hundred pages without containing large chunks of text.” - Horn Book

"Creech has created a poignant, funny picture of a child's encounter with the power of poetry. Readers may have a similar experience because all of the selections mentioned in the story are included at the end. This book is a tiny treasure.” - School Library Journal

Fold Me a Poem by Kristine O'Connell George

Illustrations by Lauren Stringer

A collection of 32 short poems describes each of the different origami figures that a young boy folds over the course of a day. Most are short and bare, in the spirit of the haiku if not the form, but still manage to be clever and humorous. Most of this book’s appeal lies in Stringer’s illustrations, which tell a story where the text does not. The bold acrylic paintings depict the boy waking up, eating breakfast, getting dressed, playing with other toys, taking a bath and getting ready for bed again in the background of his intricate paper creatures. The attention paid to painting the exact folds of each creation is impressive. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of the boy’s black and white cat in every other illustration, peeking over his shoulder at the crinkle of paper, and opportunistically attacking the origami ostrich that blows off the table. Details of continuity such as this are a treat for children to find on each new page. A bibliography at the end provides suggested resources if readers would like to learn the art of origami themselves.

"The vividly colored acrylics depict the boy actively engaged in play with his creations, and the details that Stringer provides infuse the verses with both energy and humor. Her illustrator's note offers insight into her own efforts to master the art of origami" - School Library Journal

"There are no step diagrams, so this engrossing collaboration is more a motivator than a teaching resource--but Stringer supplies a list of classic titles for beginners at the end, and (librarians: be warned!) the square, brightly colored endpapers make tempting, oh so tempting starter sheets." - Kirkus Reviews

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse

Illustrated by Wendy Watson

In WWII era Warsaw, a young girl has escaped the Ghetto and is hiding in plain sight, living as a Polish girl. “Polish words float from my lips and I am almost safe, almost invisible…I look like any child.” She and her older sister work as part of a resistance that has plans to smuggle a shipment of food to those still inside the Ghetto, but at the last minute they find out that the Gestapo knows about the shipment and plans to meet the train with dogs who can sniff out the smugglers. But the little girl thinks of a solution – she thinks of all the stray cats in Krasinski Square that she plays with regularly. The resistance gathers up the cats in bags and baskets, and releases them at the train station. The dogs give chase, and the smugglers escape among the chaos, successfully getting the food into the Ghetto. The story manages to touch on the cruelties and terror of WWII without using unnecessary details that might overwhelm very young readers. This small girl’s understanding of war and what it means to be an orphan is reflected softly in how she sees the stray cats she plays with. “They belonged once to someone…They purred…nuzzling the chins of their beloveds. Now they have no one to kiss their velvet heads.” Illustrations are light and warming watercolors that allow Watson to suggest at the ruined city in the background, but to focus on the hope conveyed by the girl and her cats. This would be great to share with older picture book readers who have had an introductory lesson about WWII. An author's note shares where Hesse came across the idea for this imaginary story, as well as some details of historical background.

"The play of light and the naturalness of the cats' poses are almost a comfort in a story that adults sense as keenly distressing, and that beckons for adult interpretation or guidance. What is clear is the immediate poignancy of these cats and the author's evocative language in describing them...They could be the Polish Jewry of the Warsaw Ghetto.” - School Library Journal

"Simple, graceful words and pictures make this adventure story a taut and moving one. Watson's illustrations -- watercolor, ink, and pencil -- reveal the girl's sensitivity and delicacy, while the artist's depiction of the cats seems to pay homage to Wanda Gág's Millions of Cats." - Horn Book

Penny Lee and Her TV by Glenn McCoy

Tell me if this sounds familiar. Penny Lee loves her TV soooo much that she keeps it on day and night, eating her meals in front of it, and doesn’t really have many friends other than those in her 300 favorite shows. Penny Lee’s dog Mr. Barkley wants Penny’s attention though, and hasn’t quite given up on her, so when she wakes up one morning to find her TV cold and dark, Mr. Barkley takes charge and leads her outside to go down to the repair shop. Along the way they just so happen to get distracted by playing jump rope and hide-and-seek, flying a kite, swimming in a pond, fishing, visiting the library and more, so the repair shop is closed by the time they actually make it there. Penny Lee might get mad, but she has had enough fun with Mr. Barkley that she decides she might not miss her TV so much for just one more day. The twist? After Penny Lee goes to sleep, Mr. Barkley “fixes” the TV by putting the batteries back in the remote. The exaggerated and colorful cartoon art will make anyone laugh, and while you might have to explain the joke at the end to younger readers they will appreciate the humor of a dog rollerblading with his little girl. The end papers – full spread pictures of a TV screen being turned on and then off – are a cute touch as well.

"The cartoon art is lively and engaging. At the beginning of the story, the television takes center stage in every scene. Later, it is smaller and in the background, showing its diminishing role in the girl's life. This is a humorous and entertaining tale that kids and parents alike will enjoy.” School Library Journal

"McCoy's caricatures amuse with large heads, bulbous noses and ever-expressive furrowed brows and round eyes. However, the premise of a kid tricked out of her taste for TV may resonate more with parents than with children." - Publishers Weekly

Rabbit's Gift by George Shannon

Illustrated by Laura Dronzek

It’s the middle of winter, and Rabbit ventures outside to find some food before it snows again. He is lucky enough to find two turnips and rolls them home, but decides that one is plenty for himself. Rabbit decides to give one turnip to his friend Donkey, whom he worries hasn’t enough to eat, but when Donkey isn’t home Rabbit leaves the turnip by the door and scurries away. Donkey returns to find the gift, and decides she has enough of her own food so she passes the turnip to Goat, who passes it to Deer, who decides to give it to Rabbit. In the end, all share the extra meal. The bright, heavy acrylic paints used in the illustrations give Rabbit and his friends a warm and bold look, and Dronzek does a good job giving them facial expressions while not over-anthropomorphizing them. Pages of text are bordered by a turnip-patterned banner with the Chinese symbols for the different animals, which are explained in the author’s note. Shannon also shares the folktale roots of this story found in many cultures including Chinese, Japanese, French and Spanish. I always enjoy animal stories, and the warmth and simplicity of this one made me truly smile.

"The uncluttered illustrations, many framed in purple to compliment the purple of the turnip, perfectly capture the action of the story. The expressive faces of the animals are charming, and the thickly applied colors add a richness to the pictures that make them seem cozy despite the wintry backdrop.” - Booklist

"This folktale, with versions found in many cultures, is well told and richly illustrated. The appealing acrylic art supports the simple text and enhance the story. This title also includes an author's note and Chinese calligraphy glossary. A terrific seasonal storyhour selection.” - School Library Journal

Too Many Frogs! by Sandy Asher

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Illustrations by Keith Graves

Rabbit is just settling into his big purple chair to read himself a story, as he does every night, when a “knock-knockety-knocking” sounds at his door. It’s Froggie, who invites himself in to listen to Rabbit’s story with rapt attention and thankful enthusiasm. He returns on several subsequent nights to hear more stories, and makes himself progressively more at home with each visit, fixing snacks and making himself comfy with a pile of pillows. With each visit Rabbit becomes more and more annoyed that his privacy is being invaded and cluttered with so much mess, but he endures until, one night, Froggie shows up with his whole family. Rabbit kicks the family out and returns to his solitary and quiet reading, but it isn't long before he realizes that, just maybe, he liked it better the other way, and invites everyone back inside. Graves’s illustrations pop with color, and the exaggerated cartoon effect masterfully complements the text and conveys the full meaning of what the words only hint at. Rabbit's annoyance and horror is evident on his face at every turn, while Froggie’s genuine enthusiasm for reading is shown in his wide smile and bug-eyes. The story conveys a lesson on friendship without being heavy-handed or didactic.

"The humorous, repetitive text is well matched by the funny, expressive illustrations. Persnickety Rabbit is appropriately anxious and irritable, while Froggie and his family exude bug-eyed cheerfulness. A good choice for storytimes.” - Booklist

"The humorous illustrations create empathy for Rabbit but also for Froggie, who is genuinely delighted to listen to a story. The varied facial expressions lend credence to the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words"...the horror on Rabbit's face is priceless. A fun story that celebrates reading and standing up for oneself.” - School Library Journal