Summer Reading 2011

Eighth Grade

What do you think?

Ronde and Tiki Barber are entering eighth grade and ready to defend their school's title as football division champs. Unfortunately, their beloved coach announces that he has accepted a job at the nearby high school. On top of that, their quarterback is dividing the team with his hotdogging antics and insults. The Barber twins are convinced that, if they can get the team to listen to their new coach, they can salvage the season. The authors are NFL players and know a thing or two about football. A glossary for the vocabulary is included, but a solid familiarity with terms and rules is still necessary. An adult sensibility prevails: a former teammate declares that a player is "just immature…. I was the same way in seventh grade." On the same note, in the midst of training, Tiki has an inner monologue about how lucky he is "in the mom department.” This book will circulate based on the subject, the authors' popularity, and the snazzy cover.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Go Longby Tiki and Ronde Barber

• 5 AR points• 160 pages• Sports

What do you think?Welcome 12-year-old Xena Holmes and her brother, Xander, Sherlock Holme's great-great-great grandchildren, newly arrived in London from Florida. They are playing a favorite game, guessing people's occupation by appearance, in front of their hotel when a strange man delivers a note written in disappearing ink directing them to the Dancing Men Pub. There, through a set of tests, their famous relative is revealed to them, and they are given his "Unsolved Cases" notebook. Xena, intrigued by it, soon finds a case with modern relevance—a missing portrait by Nigel Batheson, whose other works are being displayed in a nearby gallery. The siblings are off and running through a plot laced with references to the original stories and using similar devices, including a red herring. The main characters are observant, bright, and gifted with powers of deduction. Watson's great-great-great grandson, Andrew, is integral to the plot. Some clues seem to be obvious, but they can lead to a wrong conclusion. A well-paced beginning to a new series.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

The 100-year-old Secret By Tracy Barrett

• 4 AR points• 160 pages• Mystery, suspense

What do you think?• Strange things are happening in

Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out. . .and then email the clips for Ryan to see.

In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

Skeleton Creekby Patrick Carman

• 4 AR points• 144 pages• Horror, mystery

What do you think?Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, is the main

character in this thoughtful tale. Edward is dearly loved by a young girl named Abilene. One day he is lost over the side of a boat. His journey leads him to a older couple who dress him like a girl rabbit. Also he meets a hobo and his dog. Later, He meets a young girl and her brother Finally, he ends up in a doll shop. Along the way, Edward learns to love the people he encounters. He also learns that family members can be cruel to one another. Hobos have family that they love dearly and don't want to forget. No matter how much you love someone, they may still die. Finally, no matter what happens in life, never give up on love.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

• 2 AR points• 228 pages• Adventure, animals

What do you think? In the newly formed Third Reich, Hitler's initial political doctrine is filled with hopeful solutions for a country plagued with unemployment, poverty, and a post-World War I feeling of defeat. Propaganda and promises quickly turn to oppressive new laws including the required participation in the Hitler Youth. Helmuth Hübener enters the program and is at once impressed with the bravado, shiny uniforms, boots, and patriotic fever sweeping the country. But his Mormon-based teachings trigger questions in his mind about the reality behind the regime's invasions of neighboring countries, mistreatment of Jewish citizens, and closely controlled media. He creates an underground newsletter with information gathered from BBC reports using an illegal shortwave radio. As he secretly distributes the flyers throughout the town, his boldness encourages him to gather several accomplices resulting in his arrest, trial, and execution. The novel opens as he is on death row, and the story is told as a series of flashbacks. Helmuth is portrayed as a brave, outspoken voice amid a family of brothers, mother, and new SS stepfather. Based on a real person, the novel includes black-and-white photos of Hübener and his family.—Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

• 5 AR points• 192 pa• Historical fiction

What do you think?According to the gutsy sixth grade narrator of Bruchac's latest novel, the book draws from the traditions of Native American stories, especially one about a "skeleton man," for its spine-tingling effects. Not long after Molly's parents mysteriously disappear one night, her "great-uncle" shows up to claim her, with photographs of her family that convince the adults around her (but not Molly) that he is a relative. In fact, the photos look suspiciously like those that belonged to her father, who grew up on a Mohawk reservation. Each night, the bony guardian locks her into her room, allowing her to attend school during the day. Molly relies on the deciphering of her dreams, her "warrior-girl" courage and the support of her quirky but compassionate teacher to solve the mystery and rescue her parents. The eerie figure of the semi-human creature pretending to be Molly's uncle is particularly well drawn: "His fingers spread out so wide that they look like the talons of a giant bird.... His eyes are twin blue flames burning from within his skull." The mix of traditional and contemporary cultural references adds to the story's haunting appeal, and the quick pace and suspense, particularly in the last few chapters, will likely hold the interest of young readers.

Skeleton Manby Joseph Bruchac

• 4 AR points• 128 pages• Realistic fiction, suspense, mystery

What do you think?This book, The Time Hackers, is a book that

will take you to a place you may have never been. The Time Hackers is a book that will take you back in time A boy named Dorso was used to having pranks pulled on him. People always put dead rats, frogs even people in his locker, but there was a trick to it. The dead things in his locker weren’t actually there.

The dead objects in his locker were actually holographic projections. They would be there one minute and the next they would be gone.

Dorso and his friend Frank was always butt of their jokes. He knew that the holograms couldn’t actually see him but when George Armstrong and Beethoven we looking directly at him, he started to wonder, what was going on?

He and Frank finally figure out the Time Hackers actually had got into a time line. Things that were in the past were appearing in the future. He and Frank soon realized they had to stop it or bad thing were going to happen.

Dorso and Frank go on an exciting adventure back in time, saving themselves and others. This book will make you thing and keep you on the edge of your seat. Amazon.com

The Time Hackers by Gary Paulson

• 3 AR points• 96 pages• Science fiction, adventure

What do you think?

In my opinion, I think the book The Doll in the Garden is very interesting. The main character, Ashley , finds a doll in the garden of her new house and soon discovers that it belonged to a girl who is now dead. An old woman snatches the doll and soon afterwards Ashley finds that she is meeting the girl who owned the doll. The most exciting part in the story is when Ashley suddenly travels back in time when she goes to a certain place in the garden. It's a good book because there also is a strange cat in the garden. It is a little scary and adventurous. In conclusion, this was a thrilling book.

The Doll in the Gardenby Mary Downing Hahn

• 3 AR points• 128 pages• Mystery, suspense

What do you think?• The year is 1955, and there’s nothing that

Paul and his best friends, Oz, Arnie, and Crank, love more than horror movies. So when “Invasion of the Body Snatchers “ starts filming in their small California town, they couldn’t be more excited. But when their acquaintance with Laura and Darryl, extras on the movie, leads to an involvement in a possible Communist conspiracy, Paul is afraid that they’re in too deep. It’s not a horror movie anymore—this is real life. From acclaimed storyteller Ronald Kidd comes this coming-of-age tale about taking a stand, following the crowd, and navigating the gray areas in between.

The Year of the Bombby Ronald Kidd

• 5 AR points• 208 pages• Historical fiction

What do you think?

Mary Lee and Madrigal are identical twins, exactly alike in every way. Until they are separated -- then Mary Lee wishes she could live her sister's life. And then she gets her wish . . . along with a horrifying discovery.

Twinsby Caroline Cooney

• 5 AR points• 192 pages• Horro, suspense

What do you think?Through the alternating viewpoints of 16 characters from various walks of life, readers gain insight into the first battle of the Civil War and into the nature of war in general. Poignant, dramatic cameos seamlessly woven together make for compelling historical fiction. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Bull Runby Paul Fleischman

• 3 AR points• 128 pages• historical fiction, civil war

What do you think?• The Willoughby's—Timothy; his twin

brothers, Barnaby A and Barnaby B; and their little sister, Jane—are old-fashioned children who adore old-fashioned adventures. Unfortunately, the Willoughby parents are not very fond of their children, and the truth is that the siblings are not too keen on their parents either. Little do the Willoughby kids know that their neglectful mother and father are hatching an evil plan to get rid of them! Not to worry—these resourceful adventurers have a few plans of their own. But they have no idea what lies ahead in their quest to rid themselves of their ghastly parents and live happily ever after.

The Willoughbysby Lois Lowry

• 4 AR points• 176 pages• Adventure, humor

What do you think?Eddie Ball, 11, lives with his mother in a cramped trailer in rural Louisiana. Although he dreams of moving to a "regular house," Mrs. Ball's salary at the Finkle Foods Factory is low, and her bills are many. Eddie's best friend is his African-American next-door neighbor and classmate, the poetry-loving, basketball-playing, Annie Stokely, who lives with her father. When both adults are laid off from the factory, Eddie enters one of Annie's poems in a poetry contest sponsored by Finkle Foods; the winner gets a chance to sink a foul shot during halftime at the first game of the NBA finals for a million-dollar prize. Early in the book, Eddie wins the poetry contest but can he make the basket? Shooting lessons from Mr. Stokely improve Eddie's free-throw success rate, but someone seems to be sabotaging the practice sessions. Things become more complicated when Mr. Finkle visits Eddie, admits that his company is having financial troubles, and offers him a bribe to throw an air ball. Gutman expertly builds up suspense to the moment of the shot, milking the throw itself for several delightfully agonizing pages. The story, with occasional basketball tips well woven into the narrative, will appeal to both sports readers and general audiences.

Million Dollar Shotby Dan Gutman

• 3 AR points• 128 points• Sports, basketball

What do you think?Eleventh-grader Roni Delicata is the sometimes pushy but always dedicated reporter for the school paper. She meets science geek Brian Bain, 14, when both are in trouble with the principal. They discover that Alicia Camden, the snooty new kid who lives in a mansion with her cold mother and bland stepfather, has been kidnapped. Through sheer force of personality, Roni involves Brian in her determination to crack the case. Could the culprit be Alicia's stepfather? Driftwood Doug? And what about Alicia's unpleasant ex-boyfriend? There are several mysteries here, and some unusual twists. The mixture of suspense and humor is effective, particularly in the interactions between complete opposites Roni and Brian. The authors are able to manage the rapid unfolding of the plot while still allowing for character development. Ultimately, straight-arrow Brian decides that while Roni can be a bit of a pain, she is also a lot of fun.

Snatchedby Pete Hautman

• 5 AR points• 176 pages• mystery

What do you think?• Victor Godwin, a serious-minded boy

genius living in Philadelphia, discovers that Ben Franklin never died - he was put into suspended animation, and was hidden away for more than 200 years in Victor's basement! An accident re-awakens Ben centuries before he was supposed to be, and there's a problem - when Ben runs low on energy, he turns into a rampaging monster desperately hungry for electricity! All this while Victor is trying to take first place in the school science fair. But with one of history's preeminent scientists helping out, what could go wrong?

Benjamin Franklinstein Livesby Matthew McElligott

• 3 AR points• 224 pages• Science Fiction

What do you think?It's Rafe Khatchadorian's first day at Hills Village

Middle School, and it's shaping up to be the worst year ever. He has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix, but luckily he's got an ace plan for the best year ever--if only he can pull it off. With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class--5,000 points! Running in the hallway--10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm--50,000 points!

But not everyone thinks Rafe's plan is a good idea, especially not the teachers, parents, and bullies who keep getting in his way. Will Rafe decide that winning is the only thing that matters? Are things about to go from magic to tragic?

Middle School: The Worst Yearsby James Patterson

• 4 AR points• 224 pages• Realistic humor

What do you think? Rusty-James knows he is a tough teen, but he wants to be even tougher, just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. He wants to stay calm and laugh when things get dangerous, to be the strongest streetfighter and the most respected guy this side of the river.

Rumble Fishby S.E. Hinton

• 4 AR points• 144 pages• Realistic fiction

What do you think?

Ginger Shaw first senses she is being watched at her 13th birthday party in a restaurant, and the suspicion seems true when an odd woman approaches her. During the next several days (while her parents are conveniently out of town), Ginger sees the stranger wherever she goes. Readers gain information about the stalker early on, when a shift in the narrative identifies her as Joyce Enderly, a former mental patient who believes that Ginger is her long-lost daughter. Joyce's plot to abduct Ginger begins to take shape as Ginger becomes involved in a crusade to prevent a harassed basketball coach from losing his job; the conflict distracts her, to some extent, from Joyce's presence. Ginger is strong and sensible and most readers will want to stick around long enough to see how she escapes Joyce's clutches.

I am Not Who You Think I Amby Peggy Kehret

• 4 AR points• 160 pages• Realistic fiction

What do you think?An overnight camp out at the zoo turns into a nightmare for Ellen and her little brother Corey when an escaped prisoner also takes refuge there. Through a series of mostly implausible coincidences, they find themselves locked in the zoo grounds with a dangerous and desperate man who plans to hold them for ransom. Each of the several adults responsible for the children thinks someone else is with them, so no one comes to their rescue. Several pursuit scenes through the ominous dark lead the siblings to the Elephant Forest, where Ellen communicates telepathically with the elephants, spurring her favorite one to attack the man. The last minute arrival of the children's parents and a security guard prevents any blood from being shed. This adventure will appeal to animal lovers looking for a spooky story. There is plenty of suspense, as the children are never sure around which dark corner the criminal lurks. A baby monkey and, of course, the heroic elephants add color to the story. Lightweight but entertaining fare. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School,

Greensboro,

Terror at the Zooby Peggy Kehret

• 5 AR points• 144 pages• Mystery, suspense

What do you think?• Adam Pelko has lived for only two weeks in

Honolulu, where his father is an officer assigned to the USS Arizona in nearby Pearl Harbor. When he befriends Davi Mori, a high school classmate whose parents are Japanese, Adam's rigid father forbids him to associate with Davi, fearing that the anti-Japanese sentiment so rampant on the island will tarnish the Pelko family and Lieutenant Pelko's navy career. When his father is called back to the ship unexpectedly, Adam slips away from his house the following morning-December 7, 1941-to go fishing with Davi and another classmate. Rowing close to the fleet in Pearl Harbor, they witness the horrific Japanese air attack and are nearly killed themselves, their boat shot from beneath them by a low-flying fighter plane. Desperate to reach home and find out if his father is alive, Adam is spotted by an officer who mistakes him for a young enlisted man and orders him into action to help rescue survivors and restore order. Before the day is out, Adam proves himself a hero, bravely confronting death and destruction as he struggles to learn his father's fate.

• William McLoughlin, Brookside School, Worthington, OH

A Boy at Warby Harry Mazer

• 3 AR points• 112 pages• Realistic fiction, World War II

What do you think?Burdened with the pressure of believing she is responsible for her brother's illness, 15-year-old Callie begins a course of self-destruction that leads to her being admitted to Sea Pines, a psychiatric hospital the "guests" refer to as Sick Minds. Although initially she refuses to speak, her individual and group therapy sessions trigger memories and insights. Slowly, she begins emerging from her miserable silence, ultimately understanding the role her dysfunctional family played in her brother's health crisis. Callie suffers from a less familiar teen problem--she cuts herself to relieve her inner frustrations and guilt. The hope and hard-won progress that comes at the conclusion of the novel is believable and heartening for any teen reader who feels alone in her (or his) angst.

Cutby Patricia McCormick

• 5 AR points• 176 pages• Realistic Fiction

What do you think? Patterson jumps on the superheroes bandwagon with contributor Ledwidge and delivers the adventures of Daniel X, a superpowered alien whose mission is to defend Earth from more malignant, threatening aliens. In his first adventure, listeners hear the typical origin story (parents killed by the most vile alien on Earth), his early adventures (growing up on his own with amazing powers) and his first real step into manhood (facing off against another alien). The story throws in a few interesting twists.

Dangerous Days of Daniel Xby James Patterson

• 5 AR points• 272 pages• science fiction, adventure

What do you think?His reflexes honed chasing triplet toddler sisters, Lyle Williams, 12, earned the nickname Mudshark during an especially fierce game of Death Ball. He relishes reading and observing the world as much as he enjoys sports, and his memory for finding lost articles wins him the prestige of unofficial school detective. The inevitable trouble in paradise occurs when the librarian's psychic parrot threatens his reputation. Mudshark decides that he can simultaneously neutralize the bird and solve a missing-eraser problem with a little help from a wacky assortment of classmates. The principal's intercom announcements that introduce each chapter may cause teary-eyed chortles ("Please refrain from forming hunting parties to hunt the gerbil"). Fresh and light with scads of humor, this is a tale that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Mudsharkby Gary Paulson

• 2 AR points• 96 pages• Humor, realistic fiction

What do you think?Will Tuppence is a sensible kid, good at science, with an average social life and a loud-mouthed little sister, Tabby, whom he does his very best to avoid. But when he learns that scientists have recorded the first instance of proton decay, his logical mind goes into free fall contemplating the implications. When, soon after, he catches his friends Mi-Su and BT kissing, his confusion skyrockets. Does he like Mi-Su himself? Would Mi-Su kiss him? Does it even matter now that all protons in the universe are impermanent? But the point of the story is not proton decay; nor is it the uncertainty that the phenomenon represents—as manifested in Will's life via the love triangle. The story ultimately hinges on Tabby, and Will's relationship with her. With narrative that is fast moving and often laugh-out-loud funny, this book would make an excellent addition to any collection. Short sentences and brief chapters make it a good pick for even reluctant readers. Spinelli lives up to his well-established precedent of stories full of warmth, humor, and memorable characters. Tabby, though at times slightly unbelievable in her precociousness, is a comical and endearing creation. Will's teenage insecurities, overanalyzing, and mood swings are entirely believable, and readers empathize fully with him while willing him to step outside himself and look around at what he has.—

Smiles to goby Jerry Spinelli

• 5 AR points• 272 pages• Realistic fiction, humor

What do you think?The attic is always a great place to look for nuggets of one's family history, but when 12-year-old Amy explores her great-grandparents' attic, she uncovers clues to a chilling family secret. As Amy and her Aunt Claire sift through clothes, trinkets and other memorabilia, Amy comes across Aunt Claire's long-forgotten dollhouse, a finely crafted replica of the house they are in. Aunt Claire seems unusually distressed about the dollhouse and Amy is determined to find out why. The real fun begins when Amy learns that the dolls in the dollhouse move of their own will and that they seem to be trying to tell her something. After a little sleuthing at the local library, Amy learns that her great-grandparents were murdered years ago and that Aunt Claire's fiancé (who died in a car accident that same night) was the prime suspect in the unsolved case. Before long, Amy unravels the mystery, helping Aunt Claire to resolve her feelings about the past.

The Dollhouse Murdersby Betty Ren Wright

• 5 AR points• 149 pages• Mystery, fantasy

References

• Pictures:www.barnesandnoble.com

• Reviews:www.amazon.com