Lost and Found by Andrew Clements

Jay starts his sixth grade year at a new school alone because his twin brother Ray is sick. Jay quickly realizes that due to an error in the school office, there is no record of his brother Ray. Finally the two will not be confused as the other one and will not be compared. Together the two launch a plan that requires only one of them to go to school but encounter some unexpected problems along the way. Like Clement's other books, this school related book would be a good read aloud for grades 3-5. Fans of his other books will enjoy Clements newest book.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out Of A Tree

Emma-Jean is not like her classmates. She has always known this and has never tried to be more her fellow seventh graders. But Emma-Jean ends up tangled in a mess when she attempts to help another student and sends out a ripple that could ultimately end with her being suspended. This book would appeal best to girls in grades 4 and up.

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff

Upon first looking at the cover of this book, it struck me as a book that needed to be previewed before being put out on the shelf. The front cover seems somewhat "scary". However after reading the book I would say this is one of my favorite Giff's book. The book would be a good read for kids in grades 4 and up that enjoy mystery and suspense. Through the entire book the reader is trying to figure out what is significant about the number 11 and how Sam came to be with his grandfather Mack...IF Mack is really is his grandfather.

Itch by Michelle D. Kwasney

Delores Colchester, Better known as "itch", is devastated when her Gramps dies and her grandmother and her move to Ohio. Itch assumes she will never find another best friend. She is delighted when she meets Gwendolyn and becomes friends with her. But Itch soon discovers a secret about Gwendolyn and must "speak up" for her friend.

Grades 5 and Up.

Sarah Simpson's Rules for Living

Sarah Simpson loves to make lists. Her list making helps her deal with a year of changes as she writes lists in her journal about the changes around her. This quick read would be enjoyed by 5th graders and up.

It's Only Temporary

When Skye's older brother is in a car accident, Skye is sent "temporarily" to live with her Gran in Sierra Madre, California. Armed with her sketchbook, Skye learns that life in California, with the help of art class and some new friends, is not as bad as she thought it would be. Unfortunately a group of kids try to ruin everything for Skye and her friends, and Skye makes a poor decision, that could ruin all her friendships.

Grade level: 4th - 7th

Comback Kids: Two Minute Drill

Written by Mike Lupica, who writes a syndicated sports column and appears weekly on ESPN's The Sports Reporters, is the football themed book in his series of books for middle elementary kids. Noone is sure why Chris Conlan, the star quarterback of the football team, befriends the new kid, Scott Parry. They are even more shocked when Parry joins the football team. Together the two new friends survive the football season and school.

Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel

Ellie McDoodle is the Wimpy Kid for girls. Through reading the journal of Ellie McDoodle the reader embarks on a camping journey with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Along the journey Ellie realizes she has more in common with her "extended" family than she thought - and acutally ends up enjoying camping! THe fun style of writing and comical pictures will be enjoyed by kids of varying ages.

Please Write In This Book

This "book" is written by Mary Amato. I had read about the "structure" of this book and thought it would be a great book for reluctant readers. The teacher in the book puts a journal in the writing center and invites the students to write to each other using this journal. The challenge of the book is keeping track of which student is writing each entry. Through this experience the students argue, poke fun at each other, and finally resolve the issues to write a story with each having a chance to write a portion of it. I think this book might be challenging to read aloud to a class but this book would be great for a small book club or reading group. Great for kids in grades 3, 4, and 5th grades.

Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts!

Mac is a "boy-scientist extraordinaire". He is not excited to be starting 4th grade since his best friend has moved. A new student, "Mac R.", joins his class and immediately makes enemies. Unfortunately the two Macs end up as science partners for the 4th grade science project. Mac just knows this will end in disaster!

Read Aloud Level: Grades 1 (late in the year) - grade 4
Independent Level: Grade 2- 4

Chasing the Falconers: On the Run

This is the first book in a series about the Falconer family. Meg and Aiden have been "placed" in Sunnydale Detention Center because their parents have been put in jail for supposably being terrorist. Meg and Aident are able to escape when Sunnydale goes up in flames and thus begins life on the "run". The book ends with a great lead into the next installment of the Falconers. Great book for 4th and 5th graders! Full of supsense!

Planting the Trees of Kenya

This picture book which was published in April 2008, is the story of Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The book describes how Maathai returned to her native Kenya to find the land bare, the people hungry, the trees gone, and the streams empty. Using her biology background she taught the women to plant and care for trees that eventually led to the revitalization of her homeland. This would be a great book to show students that one person can make a difference.

The Get Rich Quick Club by Dan Gutman

It's summer and the CEO of the GRQ Club, Gina Tumolo, is determined to earn 1 million dollars before the end of the summer. Vice President Rob Hunnicutt comes up with a scheme to pretend the members of the club have seen a UFO. This plan works great until one of the club's members starts to feel guilty and reveals the hoax to the newspaper. This is a quick read that kids will enjoy. Footnotes are included to better understand Creative Director Quincy Biddle's Australian lingo.

Grade Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th

Marley, A Dog Like No Other

Marley, A Dog Like No Other is based on John Grogan's #1 New York Times bestselling book Marley & Me. The original book was adapted for younger readers. I have read both and the younger reader version is a little faster reader and is just as funny. I am not a dog person but I enjoyed reading about this rambunctious dog and all that he got himself in to, often times thinking, "That is why I DON'T have a dog!" The book would be appropriate for kids 4th grade and up. The ending is obviously sad when Marley must be put to sleep but overall is a pretty funny book for kids.

The Legend of Spud Murphy

This book was recommended to me by one of the first grade classes that read it as a read aloud. First graders (and second graders) will love this silly book as a read aloud. Some would be able to read it independently. I can see 3rd, 4th, and
5th graders also enjoy reading it as a "fun" book. The two brothers in the book are "sentenced" to spending 3 afternoons a week at the library. They are terrified of the librarian, Spud Murphy as there are rumors that she has a "spud gun" under her desk and is ready to use it on any child that makes a noise or ventures off the carpet. As they are serving their sentence however, the boys discover they actually might enjoy reading!

Grade Level: 2nd, - 5th
Read Aloud: 1st - up

The Mystery of Kill Devil Hills

This is a book I have had for years but never read it. I bought it when I taught 4th grade Ohio history since the book is about the Wright Brothers. I recently purchased the entire series of Carole Marsh Mysteries for Fouse and thought I better read this so I could "sell" it to the kids. The characters are the grandchildren of the author. There are some real photographs of the characters within the book. I was initially attracted to the books because they involved real places and historical events. This book takes place on the sand dunes of Kill Devil Hills as preparations are being made for the Centennial of Flight festivities. The kids must find the priceless missing plane in time for the festivities. The content of the book is appropriate for elementary kids and also will teach about different places and events.

Grade Level: 3rd- 5th

Dexter the Tough by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Dexter is mad at everyone. He does not want to go to a new school, does not want to live with his grandmother, and does not want his parents to be on the other side of the country in Seattle. Dexter arrives at his new school in time to start a new writing project with his class. Through the writing process Dexter learns what he is really mad about his dad's illness.

Grade Level: 4th - 6th

Punished by David Lubar

Logan and his friend Benedict are in the public library when Logan runs into (literally) a very unusual man. Logan soon learns what the unusual man means when he "punishes" Logan. Logan is speaking in only puns. His little sister thinks he is funny, his parents believe he is going through a phase, and his friends and teacher find him annoying. In order to return to normal Logan must complete some "word" tasks. This book does a great job of explaining words like palindromes, oxymorons, and anagrams. Some of the humor of the book may be lost if being read aloud.

Grade level: 3rd-5th