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Oliver, Lauren. LIESL & PO
New York : Harper, 2011
IL 3-6, RL 6.5
ISBN 006201451X
Liesl lives in an attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Liesl’s only companions are mice until one night a ghost appears. It is Po, a lonely ghost looking for someone to be with. Then, there’s Will, the alchemist’s apprentice. He delivers potions and magic to customers. One night, he bungles a delivery, switching powerful magic with something that is not magical at all. Liesl is able to escape her prison with Po’s help. Will is running for his life after his mistake is discovered. These three are drawn together on an adventure like no other. (Booktalk written by Susan MacDonald- GSF Committee/Weeks Public Library)
Ripken, Cal. HOTHEAD
New York : Disney/Hyperion Books, 2011
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN 1423140001
Connor Sullivan plays baseball for his Babe Ruth league team, the Orioles. He’s an All-Star shortstop and a cleanup hitter. The team is glad they have him. He has skill, dedication and he’s funny. But, lately, Connor just isn’t the same. Maybe he’s worried about something at home or working too hard. Whatever the reason, his temper is out of control. When Connor makes a mistake at the games, he erupts with a temper outburst. He slams his batting helmet down and throws his glove. His opponents are calling him “Psycho Sully”. Jordy, Connor best friend is starting to avoid him. Coach Hammond is thinking about benching him. Now, the school newspaper is doing an article about Connor’s temper tantrums including some embarrassing photos! The championship game is coming up, so Connor has to get his act together. Will he help the team win or will his temper get the best of him? (Booktalk written by Susan MacDonald-GSF Committee/Weeks Public Library)
Christopher, Lucy. FLYAWAY
New York : Chicken House, 2011
IL 5-8, RL 5.0
ISBN 0545317711
Thirteen year old Isla and her Father have a special bond with the Whooper Swans that migrate to their area each winter. When her father collapses during a swan watching outing, Isla and her family’s focus is on her Father’s recovery. While at the hospital, Isla meets a young cancer patient named Henry. Henry and Isla watch a lone Whooper Swan from Henry’s hospital window and the two become friends. Her Father’s illness brings the family closer to their Grandfather who is a retired vet. Flyaway is a story with characters you will really care about and you will find yourself searching the internet for photos and videos of these amazing birds. (Booktalk written by Lorreen Keating-GSF Committee/North Hampton Public Library)
Bruchac, Joseph. DRAGON CASTLE
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011
IL 5-8, IL 5.7
ISBN 0803733763
Imagine being a prince, smarter than your parents and your older brother. That is the fate of young Prince Rashko. When the King and Queen suddenly disappear, the young princes are left to handle the castle affairs. Soon after, the uninvited Baron Temny drops in with his entourage. Prince Rashko is taken aback when his simpleminded brother welcomes the group. Is Rasko the only one that can sense danger? What were his parents thinking when they left the castle? Will the Baron succeed with his obvious plot? Find out what happens as Prince Rasko discovers things are not always they seem. (Booktalk written by Catherine Ryan- GSF committee/ New England College)
Cotler, Steve. CHEESIE MACK IS NOT A GENIUS OR ANYTHING
It is end of the school year for fifth graders Ronald "Cheesie" Mack and his friend Georgie. They learn they can't afford to go to summer camp they have both gone to for several years. While in the basement, looking for spiders to scare his older sister, Georgie and Cheesie discover a yellowed envelope with one corner torn off. Inside the envelope is a folded up piece of paper containing a silvery metal heart on a chain and one penny. Throughout this story, Cheesie and Georgie provide lots of useful information like: How to say Gloucester, MA properly, Why you should not bring a bag of mice to school, and how to do the right thing when you find something that isn’t yours. You can also visit Cheesie at his very own website “CheesieMack.com”. (Booktalk written by Lorreen Keating- GSF Committee/North Hampton Public Library)
Snyder, Laurel. BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX
New York : Random House, 2011
IL 3-6, RL 5.7
ISBN 0375869166
Rebecca’s father has been out of work for a while and her mother has run out of patience trying to keep the family financially afloat so one day she packs up and drives off with 12 year old Rebecca and two year old Lew in the car. They leave Baltimore and head for their grandmother’s house in Atlanta where Rebecca’s mother has already found a job and chosen a school for Rebecca. Soon after their arrival Rebecca discovers an old red bread box in the attic and quickly finds out that when she wishes for something that fits inside the bread box, it appears. When she needs a birthday present for her mom, she wishes for a spoon. Over time she wishes for new clothes for herself and money, and things like pens, candy and lip gloss to give away to her new friends at school. Rebecca’s repeated wish to return to her real home in Baltimore and to her father eludes her. She never stops to think about where all the things come from until her life gets so complicated that she has to decide what she really wants and how the magic of the bread box can help her achieve it. (Booktalk written by Suzanne Wall-GSF Committee/Merrimack Public Library)
McElligott, Matthew. BENJAMIN FRANKLINSTEIN LIVES
New York : Putnam's, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 4.4
ISBN 0399252290
In 1790 Benjamin Franklin died.
Or did he?
Working with a secret team of scientists, Franklin found a way to cheat death … sort of. Franklin has spent the last 200 years in suspended animation in a sub basement in Philadelphia. A chance lightning strike (of course), reanimates Ben, and he finds himself in the apartment building of science nerd Victor Godwin. Victor must not only help him adjust to the modern world but also help him overcome a slight flaw: the reawakened Ben Franklin needs a particular amount of energy to keep going - too little and he's a zombie looking for electricity instead of brains. Too much and he becomes a rampaging monster. Just the right amount, fun with Ben Franklin in the 21st Century! All this while trying to take first place in the school science fair. With one of history's preeminent scientists helping out, what possibly could go wrong? (Booktalk written by Sara Zoe Patterson-GSF Committee/ New Franklin School)
Barrow, Randi. SAVING ZASHA
New York : Scholastic Press, 2011
IL 5-8, RL 4.0
ISBN 0545206324
"Maybe the soldier you found wasn't alone. Or he told you something important before he died. Or he still had his dog with him. His German dog," Katia said.
It’s 1945, and the war with Germany is finally over. Mikhail, 13, and his family are struggling to survive in their rural Russian community, where everything German is hated and Mikhail’s father is missing in action. An injured soldier had just enough time to entrust the care of his German shepherd to Mikhail before dying, and he and his family are determined to keep and protect this gentle, beautiful dog. But German shepherds are being shot on sight by people who see them as symbols of Hitler’s Germany, and anyone who owns one is considered a traitor to Russia.Will Mikhail and his family be able to keep Zasha safe, especially with the nosey Katia asking so many questions? Read Saving Zasha to find out. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Cottrell Boyce, Frank. COSMIC
New York : Walden Pond Press, 2010
IL 5-8, RL 5.1
ISBN 0061836834
Have you ever wished you could be someone other than who you are? Someone more confident, someone more athletic, or maybe even—someone older? Well, Liam Digby has the “older” thing in spades---he’s only 12 years old, but is already over 6 feet tall! (back when he was 7, and really starting to grow, his dad told his mom—“this isn’t a growth spurt—it’s a mutation!”) And it’s not just his height—Liam’s already shaving, and actually does get mistaken for a grownup. Which can be pretty cool when a car salesman gives you the keys to that sick red sportscar, and tells you to take it for a test drive. But what happens when you’ve earned yourself a spot on a trip to outer space by winning a “World’s Greatest Dad” contest, and you’re now the only “grownup” on a rocketship that’s 200,000 miles from Earth, and seriously off-course? Read “Cosmic” for a lot of laughs, and for some serious thinking about the stars, the earth, and the people that we live with---especially our dads. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Walsh, Pat. THE CROWFIELD CURSE
New York : Chicken House, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 4.1
ISBN 0545229227
England, The winter of 1347
William, age fourteen, works as a servant at Crowfield Abbey, in exchange for room and board. Gathering firewood one day, he discovers a hobgoblin caught in a trap and rescues it. The hob tells William that he can only be seen by those with the sight. This is a gift William did not know he possessed. This boy walks the line between the real world and the magical fey world. The hob has told William of the dark curse put upon the abbey and of the magical being buried in the snow. Now comes the clash of good and evil ,dark and light, for the fey war is coming. William must stand strong and believe in himself to survive. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Stevermer, Caroline. MAGIC BELOW STAIRS
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 5.7
ISBN 0803734670
Frederick Lincoln is a good boy who works hard and does what he’s told. He’s living in an orphanage when he is selected to be a footboy for the local wizard. He will be living with the other servants below stairs. Unknown to Frederick is the fact that he is accompanied by a brownie whose name is Billy Bly. The wizard has forbidden any magical creatures in his home but that won’t stop Billy Bly. He doesn’t want to leave Frederick. More magic might be what they need as it is soon discovered that the manor is under a hidden curse-- a curse so deep and ugly that it may take all of them to break it. But , first, they have to find it. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Clements, Andrew. WE THE CHILDREN (BENJAMIN PRATT AND THE KEEPERS OF THE SCHOOL)
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Raders, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN 1416938869
Benjamin Pratt’s school is going to be torn down to make way for an amusement park. The wrecking ball comes as soon as classes end for the summer. Ben should be happy but odd things are happening. First, the old janitor, Mr. Keane, gives Ben an old gold coin. The coin says the school belongs to the children, the school must be defended. Ben must swear to defend the school. Second, the new janitor Mr. Lyman, seems to be following Ben everywhere. He wants to know if Mr. Keane gave anything to Ben. Enlisting his super-smart friend Jill, these two students have twenty-eight days to find the clues and solve the mystery. Can they save the school against all the odds? Ben and Jill will have to work fast because Mr. Lyman is also on the hunt. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Kehret, Peg. GHOST DOG SECRETS
New York : Dutton's Children's Books, 2010
IL 5-8, RL 6.5
ISBN 0525421785
Randy notices the chained German shepherd on his way to school. The weather is cold and icy and there’s no shelter for the dog. After school, Randy goes to check the dog. The shepherd looks young but his ribs are showing. There’s no food or water around either. Randy buys a couple of hot dogs to feed the shepherd and decides to feed him again the next day. That night, Randy has a strange encounter--- a ghost dog appears in his room. The ghost dog wants Randy to follow but where? The ghost takes Randy to the shepherd that he had fed. Does the ghost dog want Randy to help the shepherd? Maybe, he’s just got to take the dog to save it. Is Randy rescuing this dog or stealing it? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
West, Jacqueline. THE SHADOWS (THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE)
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010
IL 5-8, RL 5.1
ISBN 0803734409
Eleven year old Olive has just moved into a weird, crumbling old mansion. What a place to explore! And all those antique paintings that line the walls, why do they seem so eerie? A secret attic room, three creepy cats and a pair of funny old-fashioned glasses, all add up to a fast moving adventure. When Olive puts on those glasses, she can see into… well, into places that she shouldn’t go. Did that spot, in that painting , just move? Yes, yes it did! What is going on? The battle begins. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Angleberger, Tom. THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA
New York : Amulet Books, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 4.1
ISBN 0810984253
Most of his sixth grade classmates think Dwight is weird but admit he does make cool origami, including a finger puppet of Yoda. When some students at the McQuarrie Middle School are faced with one question after another Dwight offers answers via his Origami Yoda. Origami Yoda appears to be able to predict the future and has advice that helps the students in puzzling situations. Before Dwight’s friend Tommy can ask a girl to dance at a school function without making a fool of himself he wants to know if he can trust Origami Yoda’s advice. To answer his question Tommy enlists the aid of fellow students to track down the results of Origami Yoda’s advice; the ensuing chapters tell of those results. Middle school can be a series of sand traps, some of them very funny to the observer, and if Origami Yoda’s advice is useful, why not take it, even if that advice does come from a green paper finger puppet? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Paulsen, Gary. MASTERS OF DISASTER
New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 6.7
ISBN 0385739974
After reading books like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , Treasure Island, and Hatchet, Henry Mosley tells his best friends Reed Hamner and Riley Dolen that the three of them are the most boring 12 year olds on the planet. Henry decides they need to become men of action and adventure and find out what they are made of and in the process impress girls. A bid to set the world record for the most forward airborne somersault on a bike is the first in a series of disasters that lands Reed in places filled with unmentionable types of goo. They venture into the wilderness and encounter escaped zoo animals, discover all retired bulls aren’t docile and learn that housedogs don’t make good sled dogs. Through each mishap Henry, Reed and Riley maintain their enthusiasm and certainly won’t be considered boring by anyone. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Behrens, Andy. THE FAST AND THE FURRIEST
New York : Knopf, 2010
IL 3-6, RL 5.3
ISBN 0375859225
Kevin Pugh, 12, and his dog Cromwell are the ultimate pair of couch potatoes. Kevin’s father, Howie, a former player for the Chicago Bears, encourages Kevin to play football, but Kevin is only interested in the video game form of the sport. One day in his basement retreat while flipping through tv channels, Kevin happens upon the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, a dog agility competition. Much to Kevin’s surprise Cromwell, referred by Kevin as “part beagle, part potato chip”, sits up, takes notice and is mesmerized by the stunning performance of Jody and her dog Shasta. As a result, Cromwell is soon acting totally out of character. Cromwell asks to be taken for walks and attempts to jump through a hanging hoop in his back yard. Kevin’s father, Howie, then insists he attend football camp for the summer. When Kevin’s kicked out for injuring another player in practice he surreptitiously signs up Cromwell for agility training with Elka, the “dog-whisperer” trainer at Paw Patch. This is enthusiastically financed by best friend Zach, and Team Cromwell is born. After crashing his way through classes at Paw Patch, Cromwell surprisingly manages to win his first competition. Is it possible to transform couch potatoes Kevin and Cromwell into champions to beat rivals Jody and Shasta in the Midwest Kennel Club Championship and win his family over to support them in their kind of sport? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Henson, Heather. DREAM OF NIGHT
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010
IL 5-8, RL 4.7
ISBN 1416948996
Middle-aged Jess DiLima is finding it harder to respond to the phone calls in the middle of the night summoning her to another rescue by the Humane Society of abused and neglected horses. But she can’t resist taking on a former race horse named Dream of Night who is terrified of people because of the terrible cruelty he has suffered. When Jess returns to her farm with Dream of Night she has the additional responsibility of a new foster child, Shiloh, who, like Dream of Night, has been removed from a violent domestic life and has been bounced from one unsatisfactory foster home to another. Both Dream of Night and Shiloh arrive at Jess’s home full of anger, need and mistrust. Can Jess, using infinite patience and care help Dream of Night and Shiloh find their ways out of darkness to the hope and promise of a happier future? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Sparkes, Ali. FROZEN IN TIME
New York : Egmont USA, 2009
IL 3-6, RL 6.3
ISBN 1606840770
What would you do if you had to spend a long boring summer at your Uncle’s house out in the countryside?
That is just what happens to Rachel and Ben Corder. And if things weren’t already boring enough, the TV blows up and it seems like it will never stop raining! But all of a sudden, the rain stops and the sun comes out. Rachel and Ben explore the gardens – and what do they find? An underground shelter buried long ago. Inside the shelter they find rooms and supplies -- canned food and stacks and stacks of toilet paper! But these things are old fashioned looking. Then they step into the next room. It feels cold. They notice two torpedo- like tubes. Rachel screams! There is a body within each tube! One is a girl and one is a boy. Eventually they discover that the two children are cryogenically frozen and were supposed to be that way for a short time only. But it is now more than 50 years later and Freddy and Polly wake up to find a very strange and new world. “Frozen in Time” is an action- packed adventure full of mystery and many humorous moments you will not want to put down. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
Tanner, Lian. MUSEUM OF THIEVES
Delacorte, 2010
Welcome to the city of Jewel. Jewel is strict society where all children under age 12 must wear long thin silver guard chains until they are twelve years of age. It is the blessed Guardians that keep the children safe in this land by use of strict control. Children who misbehave are made to wear the heavy gold punishment chains. The punishment chains are no stranger to Goldie Roth who is about to be separated from her guard chains now that she is 12 years old. The ceremony is stopped and Goldie manages to escape. She finds safe hiding in the Museum of Dunt; a strange and living museum of history. In the museum she meets Toadspit. a young boy who also ran away , and others including: Olga Ciavolga, Herro Dan, Sinew, “Morg” the Slaughterbird, a Brizzlehoud called “Broo”. In the museum - what lies beyond the “dirty gate”? Will Goldie and her new friends be able to save the people of Jewel? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominee, 2011-2012)
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