Star in the Forest
By Laura Resau Publisher: Random House Children’s Books Pages: 160 Age Range: 7 – 10 Years ABOUT Zitlally’s family is undocumented, and her father has just been arrested for speeding and deported back to Mexico. As her family waits for him to return—they’ve paid a coyote to guide him back across the border—they receive news that he and the coyote’s other charges have been kidnapped and are being held for ransom. Meanwhile, Zitlally and a new friend find a dog in the forest near their trailer park. They name it Star for the star-shaped patch over its eye. As time goes on,...
Read MoreThe Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle
By Janet Fox Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Pages: 400 Lexile: 740L Age Range: 10 – 14 Years ABOUT “Keep calm and carry on.” That’s what Katherine Bateson’s father told her, and that’s what she’s trying to do: when her father goes off to the war, when her mother sends Kat and her brother and sister away from London to escape the incessant bombing, even when the children arrive at Rookskill Castle, an ancient, crumbling manor on the misty Scottish highlands. But it’s hard to keep calm in the strange castle that seems haunted by ghosts or worse. What’s making those terrifying...
Read MoreTut: The Story of My Immortal Life (Tut: My Immortal Life)
By P. J. Hoover Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates Pages: 320 Age Range: 8 – 12 Years ABOUT Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life is a funny, fast-paced novel for young readers by P. J. Hoover which chronicles the mischievous adventures of King Tut, now an immortal eighth-grader living in Washington, D.C.. King Tut used to rule Egypt. Now he’s stuck in Middle School. Granted the gift of immortality by the gods—or is it a curse?—Tut has been stuck in middle school for ages. Even worse, evil General Horemheb, the man who killed Tut’s father and whom Tut imprisoned in a tomb for...
Read MoreBook Scavenger (The Book Scavenger series)
By Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Pages: 368 Lexile: 810L Age Range: 9 – 14 Years ABOUT For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it’s the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game...
Read MoreThe Cupcake Queen
By Heather Hepler Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Pages: 256 Age Range: 12 Years ABOUT A confection of a novel, combining big city sophistication with small town charm. When her mother moves them from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, Penny’s life isn’t what she expected. Her father has stayed behind, and Mom isn’t talking about what the future holds for their family. And then there’s Charity, the girl who plays mean pranks almost daily. There are also bright spots in Hog’s Hollow-like Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and...
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