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Miss Cathy's Pick |
Imperfections
by Lynda Durrant Grades 5-9 (J Durrant)
For 14-year-old Rosemary and her younger siblings, the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill is a safe haven from her violent father and the rages of the Civil War. Shakers believe in heaven on earth, so all must submit to perfect order. As Rosemary walks the Shaker path hoping for her mother’s return, she revels in the cleanliness, delicious food, and beautiful simplicity in Shaker designs. However, her independent nature conflicts with the many rules. In accepting imperfection as inherent in human nature, Rosemary starts to see the Shakers are individuals. Now she must decide whether to stay at Pleasant Hill or find peace outside it. This historical novel offers a glimpse into the religious sect whose artifacts are still prized today.
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Mary Beth's Pick |
Drita, My Homegirl
by Jenny Lombard Ages 9-11 (J Lombard)
Drita is a refugee from Kosovo and has just started school in NYC. She speaks no English and had no friends. Maxie is the popular girl in class and teases Drita just to be funny. As a result, Maxie has to do a report on Kosovo with Drita as a source of information. Can the 2 become friends after such a bad start?
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Miss Lynne 's Pick |
Kidnap at the Catfish Café
(The Adventures of Minnie and Max)
by Patricia Reilly Giff Grades 3-5 (J Giff)
Minnie lives with her older brother Orlando, who has acted like a parent to her ever since their mother and father died. They live in a seaport town that is filled with unusual residents, and sooner or later most of them end up eating at Orlando's restaurant, the Catfish Cafe.
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Kris's Pick |
The Great Wide Sea
by Madaline Herlong Grades 6-10 (J Herlong)
Fifteen year old Ben and his brothers are stunned when their father sells their home, buys a sailboat and announces that they will live on board and cruise the Bahamas for the coming year. When their father disappears overboard one night, the boys have to survive and keep their boat afloat through a fierce Atlantic storm. Lost at sea in a damaged boat, they become stranded on an island with little food, little water and little hope of rescue.
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Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley
by Aaron Blabey Grades Pre-K and up (JJ Blabey)
Pearl and Charlie are best friends yet they are absolutely nothing alike. How can that be? What does it mean to be best friends? Great story with fabulous illustrations.
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Candace's Pick |
London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd Grades 5-7 (J Dowd)
Ted, a 12-year-old Londoner with Asperger's syndrome narrates this page-turner. Ted and his older sister Katrina watch their visiting cousin Salim board a ride on the London Eye, a towering ferris wheel in the heart of London. The mystery begins when Salim never comes down. He has vanished. Ted and Katrina have 9 different theories what could have happened to him, as Ted uses his “funny brain that runs on a different system from other people’s” to solve the mystery. |
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The Magician’s Boy
by Susan Cooper Ages 9-12 (J Cooper)
The boy’s favorite job is operating the puppets for the Magician’s famous puppet play, “Saint George and the Dragon”. One night, right in the middle of the play, Saint George disappears, and so does the boy! Great fun and you will meet some very familiar characters along the way.
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Drita, My Homegirl
by Jenny Lombard Ages 9-11 (J Lombard)
Drita is a refugee from Kosovo and has just started school in NYC. She speaks no English and had no friends. Maxie is the popular girl in class and teases Drita just to be funny. As a result, Maxie has to do a report on Kosovo with Drita as a source of information. Can the 2 become friends after such a bad start?
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Archer’s Quest
by Linda Sue Park Grade 4-6 (J Park)
Kevin, a Korean American math whiz, is shocked beyond belief when a young man carrying a bow and arrows crash-lands in his bedroom. The Skillful Archer, claims to be
a ruler from ancient Korea. How did he get here and how will he get back? Great fun! |
