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1. Ida
B ... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save
the World
By Katherine Hannigan
"A fearless and joyful homeschooled 10-year-old, Ida B becomes a surly,
withdrawn student when she is forced to attend school after her mother
is diagnosed with cancer. Still, with the steadfast love of her family,
the quiet support of her remarkable teacher, and her own inner fortitude
and considerable insight, Ida B remains wonder-filled and triumphant."
--Coral Jordan, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Mequon, WI
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2. Dragon
Rider
By Cornelia Funke
"This is a wonderful adventure story about dragons trying to find a safe
place to live away from humans. It's a story -- filled with mythical animals
and a human boy -- that tells how they bond and help each other out. Children
will love Funke's latest." --Lee Musgjerd, Lee's Book Emporium, Glasgow,
MT
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3. Saving
Francesca
By Melina Marchetta
"Saving Francesca is achingly real -- funny and thoughtful at the same
time. It was almost enough to make me want to be back in high school,
just so that I could continue to spend time with Francesca. Like the girls
in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, these characters are strong
and well-defined -- a pleasure to discover!" --Erin Ostrander, The Secret
Garden, Seattle, WA
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4. The
Sea of Trolls
By Nancy Farmer
"Eleven-year-old Jack is apprenticed to the Bard when the berserkers kidnap
him and his younger sister (whom they mistake for a princess). This hearty,
realistic fantasy will delight kids and adults alike. But be warned: Their
adventure kept me up too late for several nights in a row." --Jodi Schneider,
Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
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5. The
Best Pet of All
By David LaRochelle, Hanako Wakiyama (Illus.)
"This is a delightful story about a boy whose mom says no to a pet dog
-- but yes to a dinosaur! When the dragon messes up their home big-time
(and the boy discovers that dinosaurs are afraid of dogs), you guessed
it, they end up with a dog. Terrific illustrations match this sweet, funny
story." --Susie Fruncillo, Lake Country Booksellers, White Bear Lake,
MN
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6. D
is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet
By Elissa Grodin, Victor Juhasz (Illus.)
"D Is for Democracy reminds children (and adults) of the principles our
country was built upon. It is a nonpartisan reminder of the importance
of participation in our government. What a great election-year treat!"
--Kay Vincent, Bohannons' Books With a Past, Georgetown, KY
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7. Actual
Size
By Steve Jenkins
"Jenkins' cut-and-torn paper collages illustrate amazing creatures. The
four-inch-long teeth of the great white shark zigzag across two pages,
and, in contrast, the dwarf goby -- smallest of all fish -- could ride
on the tip of a thumbnail. An intriguing book for youngsters pondering
the wonders of 'big and little.'" --Jody Shapiro, Adventures for Kids,
Ventura, CA
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8. Knuffle
Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
By Mo Willems
"Mo Willems -- author of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus -- has done
it again! With terrific illustrations and an endearing story, this will
be an absolute favorite. There is something about being able to relate
to a character not yet capable of talking and the eventual triumph of
speech." --Mary Gleysteen, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island,
WA
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9. Trout,
Trout, Trout: A Fish Chant
By April Pulley Sayre, Trip Park (Illus.)
"'Yazoo Darter, shout it out! Cavefish, Swampfish, Trout, Trout, Trout!'
This is a really cool book with great humorous pictures to share with
your favorite little 'fisherperson' around the campfire, or after hauling
in those 'keepers' all day long." --Linda Wright, Chesterfield Books,
Chesterfield, MI
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10. Becoming
Naomi Leóne
By Pam Muñoz Ryan
"Naomi León Outlaw is an immediately likeable character, and you will
be rooting for her to find herself, her voice, and her father. The author
has written a beautiful, intense book full of family and friends and imbued
with the rich culture of Mexico. This book and Naomi will touch your heart."
--Jill Bailey, BookPeople, Austin, TX
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Detective
LaRue: Letters from the Investigation
By Mark Teague
"Ike LaRue returns as the feisty dog who is always falsely accused ...
or is he? Mark Teague's fantastic illustrations give you clues leading
up to the end of a mystery every kid will want to read over and over."
--Erin Shuster, Schuler Books & Music, Lansing, MI
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Dig!
By Andrea Zimmerman, David Clemesha, Marc Rosenthal (Illus.)
"This surprising charmer of a book has a retro feel to it -- a cross between
Curious George and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. The simple story
of Mr. Rally and his faithful dog, Lightning, and the very important work
they do with his big, yellow backhoe is a great choice for those truck-obsessed
toddlers." --Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL
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Ella
the Elegant Elephant
By Carmela and Steven D'Amico
"When Ella decides to wear her grandmother's good-luck hat to help squash
her first-day-of-school nerves, the other kids don't exactly see the same
charming hat that Ella envisions. Great illustrations and a wonderful
read-aloud will make this a family favorite." --Patti McCall, Queen Anne
Avenue Books, Seattle, WA
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The
Friend
By Sarah Stewart, David Small (Illus.)
"The Friend tells the moving story of a young girl who spends her days
with her caregiver. This is actually Sarah Stewart's story of the woman
who cared for her as a child." --Valerie Lewis, Hicklebee's, San Jose,
CA
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John
Phillip Duck
By Patricia Polacco
"Patricia Polacco brings the first of the famous Peabody Hotel's ducks
colorfully to life in this warm and wonderful story about a boy -- Edward
Pembroke, the first Peabody Duckmaster -- who wouldn't give up his unforgettable
duck. This is the story of a boy who had a vision and turned it into reality."
--Yvonne Rogers, Lemuria Bookstore, Jackson, MS
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King
Matt the First: A Novel
By Janusz Korczak
"One of my absolute favorite books has been republished with a gorgeous
new cover by Brian Selznick. This is an adventurous, funny, and poignant
novel, and the author was a true hero who died in Treblinka with the orphans
whom he refused to abandon." --Tracy Wynne, Cover to Cover Booksellers,
San Francisco, CA
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Lost
in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy
By Carl R. Sams II, Jean Stoick
"From the creators of Stranger in the Woods, this photographic wonder
shares the first weeks of a newborn fawn, the forest animals concerned
for his safety, and why he isn't really 'lost.' Nature lovers will marvel
at the wildlife scenes in this photographic fantasy." --Diane Betz, Butterfly
Books, De Pere, WI
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Miss
Bridie Chose a Shovel
By Leslie Connor, Mary Azarian (Illus.)
"I was so, so excited to see this title reissued! I grew up with Jenny
(a small black cat with a red scarf) and her friends and all their adventures.
This is a great early reader story collection, with some illustrations-perfect
for kids who are trying to read on their own, and great for bedtime stories."
-- Nicki Leone, Bristol Books, Wilmington, NC
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Mrs.
Watson Wants Your Teeth
By Alison McGhee, Harry Bliss (Illus.)
"These funny yet realistic illustrations capture the fears and joys of
first grade -- especially the reactions to the alarmist stories of the
more experienced kids. A terrific story that's also very comforting."
--Pat Kehde, The Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, KS
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My
Kindergarten
By Rosemary Wells
"Letters, counting, holidays, seasons, and other common kindergarten themes
are explored in this delightful companion to Emily's First 100 Days of
School. Rosemary Wells shares what Emily is learning and discovering each
day in kindergarten through songs, stories, poems, and illustrations."
--Sara Sprague, Butterfly Books, De Pere, WI
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T
is for Terrible
By Peter McCarty
"Peter McCarty's beautiful, soft illustrations are award- winning, and
his work here should garner him more accolades. We meet a thoughtful Tyrannosaurus
rex who is trying to tell us he is really not so terrible after all. The
simple, sparse text is richly illustrated with warm, beautifully detailed
art. We will surely forgive T. rex for being so terrible." --Jill Bailey,
BookPeople, Austin, TX
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The
Toughest Cowboy: Or How the West Was Tamed
By John Frank, Zachary Pullen (Illus.)
"A miniture poodle among rough, tough cowboys? Yup. And named Foofy, to
boot. Grizz Brickbottom flosses his teeth with barbed wire and keeps a
rattlesnake in his bedroll to warm his feet, but the dog tames his wild
ways, and the gang moves to town, where they open a restaurant and a gift
shop for the tourists. A funny, sweet story of the wild, wild west with
great illustrations and a sense of humor." --Faith Hochhalter, Changing
Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ
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Unwitting
Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop's Fables
By retold and illustrated by Helen Ward
"Elegant and sophisticated illustrations accompany a dozen of Aesop's
most familiar fables. The oversize format makes it great for sharing with
a large group. Just gorgeous." --Carol Moyer, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh,
NC
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Wallace's
Lists
By Barbara Bottner, Gerald Kruglik, Olof Landstrom (Illus.)
"Wallace's Lists is a book about friendship and the ways in which the
very best friendships invite you (and sometimes force you) to grow as
a person (or, in this case, as a mouse). Wallace's Lists has most certainly
earned a place on my list of the best picture books of the year!" --Alison
Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA
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What
Presidents Are Made Of
By Hanoch Piven
"Clever collage illustrations are paired with witty, fun facts about the
presidents in this winning picture book. Find out why FDR was known as
a picky eater and what Calvin Coolidge did for exercise every morning.
A welcome bit of comic relief for election year!" --Barb Bassett, The
Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN
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When
the Sky is Like Lace
By Elinor Horwitz Lander, Barbara Cooney (Illus.)
"This book is over 30 years old and this new edition is cause for celebration.
I love the Lewis Carroll-like prose, and the lavender, cornflower blue,
and ochre softness of the silly illustrations give this absolutely delightful
gem a glow that reminds me of lantern light." --Kelly Justice, The Fountain
Bookstore, Richmond, VA
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Wild
About Books
By Lester L. Laminack and Chris Soentpiet (Illus.)
"Ever wonder what would happen if a bookmobile mistakenly showed up at
the town zoo? This is the premise of Wild About Books, where all the animals
discover the joy of books and, in their own unique ways, beome avid readers.
The fanciful illustrations and clever wording make this a book you will
want to read again and again." --Betty Bennett, Bennett Books, Wyckoff,
NJ
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The
Anybodies
By N.E. Bode
"Fern has dull parents, and a rather dull life, but every now and then
extraordinary, magical things happen to her, things that she doesn't understand.
One day, a person comes into her life who can explain everything that
she never understood about herself, and she embarks on a magical adventure
of her own. You are sure to have an absolutely marvelous time reading
this great book!" --Hilary Taber, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA
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Bucking
the Sarge
By Christopher Paul Curtis
"Luther T. Farrell is as good at school and at work as his tyrannical
mother, a.k.a. The Sarge, is at running her Flint, Michigan, businesses.
The Sarge may be able to outfox lawyers, clients, and government agencies,
but, in the long run, she can't outfox Luther. Curtis creates characters
whose humor, heart, and vanities illuminate tough, dirty, forgotten corners.
Sometimes they even bring glory." --Carol B. Chittenden, Eight Cousins,
Falmouth, MA
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Crispin:
The Cross of Lead
By Avi
"In this story set in 14th century England, Crispin and his mother lead
impoverished lives under the feudal system. After her death, Crispin is
falsely accused of a crime and must run for his life, his only possession
his mother's lead cross. This recent Newbery winner is a historical adventure
of great depth." --Diana Carroll, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
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The
Dark Dreamweaver
By Nick Ruth, Sue Concannon (Illus.)
"An exciting adventure that takes young David from his bed, where he has
lately been plagued by nightmares, to the land of Remin to confront their
cause, the evil dreamweaver, Thane." --Julie Heidtman, Page One Bookstore,
Albuquerque, NM
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The
End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even
Smaller Ant)
By Avi, Tricia Tusa (Illus.)
"Avi's latest story is a charming tale, featuring an ant and a snail on
an adventure. The format of this book, as well as the illustrations by
beloved artist Tricia Tusa, make this a timeless classic, perfect for
all ages." --Elizabeth Reynolds, Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
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Evangeline
Brown and the Cadillac Motel
By Michele Ivy Davis
"Eddie (Evangeline Dawn) and Farrell find friendship in the unlikely town
of Paradise. Both have drunks for fathers, tough skins from being bullied,
and bright, but undiscovered, minds. Warm, funny, and thoughtful -- this
book has it all!" --Jane Morck, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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The
Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 2)
By Jonathan Stroud
"Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are back! It's two years later, magicians still
rule London, and Nathaniel has been promoted to a position in internal
affairs, working to fight The Resistance. With action, magic, and fabulous
character development, Stroud lives up to the expections of his Amulet
of Samarkand fans!" --McKenna Jordan, Murder By the Book, Houston, TX
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Gregor
and the Prophecy of Bane
By Suzanne Collins
"Gregor the Overlander is back and, once again, he follows his baby sister,
Boots, this time through a doorway in Central Park to the Underland. There,
he's destined to confront a mysterious white Rat King. This exciting sequel
is even better than the first book. I couldn't put it down." --Joanne
R. Fritz, Chester County Book & Music Company, West Chester, PA
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Hachiko
Waits
By Leslea Newman, Machiyo Kodaira (Illus.)
"Even after his master dies Hachiko the dog waits at the train station
where he last saw his master. Hachiko embodies all the best qualities
of a dog. He is loyal, brave, gentle, and childlike. Based on a true story
from Japan, this is a beautiful tribute to a historic dog." --Dana Harper,
Brystone Children's Books, Fort Worth, TX
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Here
Today
By Ann M. Martin
"Ann Martin has written a fabulous new historical novel exploring issues
that are relevant to kids today: loneliness, teasing, diversity, divorce,
and friendship. The writing is wonderful. Readers won't be able to put
this one down." --Chris Saad, Chris' Corner, Philadelphia, PA
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The
Hungry Coat: A Tale from Turkey
By Demi
"Nasrettin Hoca spends more time helping others than preparing his outfit
for a banquet given by a rich friend. When he shows up in patched clothing
smelling of goat, his gracious friend and his guests give him the cold
shoulder. In beautiful illustrations, Demi shows how Nasrettin teaches
a clever lesson about true friendship." --Rachel King, Book House of Stuyvesant
Plaza, Albany, NY
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Indigo's
Star
By Hilary McKay
"Hilary McKay's hilarious depictions of disorganized family life somehow
also yield up deeply moving insights into the nature of friendship and
family. Her portrayal of the serious problem of bullying eventually brings
us to a compelling, and hopeful, conclusion." --Melissa Manlove, The Storyteller,
Lafayette, CA
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Leaping
Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales
By Gregory Maguire, Chris L. Demarest (Illus.)
"In Maguire's style of retelling age-old stories, this collection is full
of laughs and meant for all ages. Each tale is fun to read and to compare
with your memory of the original." --Carl Wichman, Varsity Mart, Fargo,
ND
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The
Legend of Spud Murphy
By Eoin Colfer
"Will and Marty are horrified to learn that they will be spending a couple
of days a week for the rest of summer vacation at the public library.
After all, the librarian, Mrs. Murphy -- a.k.a. Spud Murphy -- is known
to all kids as a 'total nut!' They quickly learn the strict rules of the
library, and even more quickly try to figure out how to outwit Spud. Will
they ever figure out that you can't sneak past Spud?" --Beth Plattner,
Fishing With Your Mind, Walker, MN
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Lionboy:
The Chase
By Zizou Corder
"Charlie Ashanti is still on the run and trying to find his kidnapped
parents -- and still trying to get six lions and a saber-toothed tiger
home where they belong. In this action-packed sequel, Charlie and the
lions are on their way to an amazing journey." --Samantha Haldeman, Book
House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
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No
Time Like Show Time: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure
By Michael Hoeye
"In the third Hermux Tantamoq adventure, Hermux must help save an old
theater -- and use all of his detective skills to save the day! This is
a good adventure for the middle reader." --Kathy Taber, Kids Ink, Indianapolis,
IN
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Piratica:
Being a Daring Tale of a Singular Girl's Adventure Upon the High Seas
By Tanith Lee
"Artemsia's memory returns -- and on its heels a pirate adventure as brave
and daring and fun as all pirate stories should be. A terrific, riveting
tale, and at its heart is a girl who embodies the amazing power of believing
wholeheartedly in yourself, and your story." --Melissa Manlove, The Storyteller,
Lafayette, CA
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Runt
By Marion Dane Bauer
"From the author of On My Honor comes a tale of a wolf pack and all of
their very human characteristics. Runt is, of course, the smallest of
the litter of new cubs and must find his place in the pack. A thoughtful
story, powerfully told." --Jane Stroh, The Bookstore, Glen Ellyn, IL
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The
Schwa Was Here
By Neal Shusterman
"Life in Brooklyn takes an interesting turn for Antsy Bonano when he befriends
Schwa, a boy who seems to blend into the background. Antsy and Schwa use
this to their financial advantage as they take bets on where Schwa can
sneak unseen, but they slip up when they enter the apartment of the local
villain. Now Schwa decides he doesn't want to be part of the backdrop,
and Antsy has to help him figure out how to re-enter the world of the
visible." --Julie Wilson, The Bookworm, Omaha, NE
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Show;
Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing
By Josephine Nobisso, Eva Montanari (Illus.)
"This is a wonderfully illustrated book that is actually a lesson in how
to write a story. There are tactile pieces, a scratch-and-sniff section,
and a sound chip. Nobisso's story is a wonderful lesson, and Montanari's
drawings are charming and funny." --Terry Lucas, The Open Book, Westhampton
Beach, NY
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The
Silver Door
By Terry Griggs
"This, the second book in the Cat's Eye Corner series, is a delightfully
whimsical tale, in which Oliver's friend, an egotistical pen named Murray,
is snatched by a little ink monkey let out of a book left open by a ghost
of a boy named Peely. The rescue that ensues, and the characters they
encounter, will captivate you." --Julie Heidtman, Page One Bookstore,
Albuquerque, NM
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The
Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts
By Richard Peck
"This book is a 'giggle' from the first line: 'If your teacher has to
die, August isn't a bad time of year for it.' Once again Peck captures
the spirit of a time when one-room schools, outhouses, pranksters, and
barefoot days ruled. Another winner for Peck!" --Marge Grutzmacher, Passtimes
Books, Sister Bay, WI
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Abarat:
Days of Magic, Nights of War
By Clive Barker
I loved the first book in this series, and this second installment is
even better! The magic of the Abarat will carry readers away to a land
filled with adventure and excitement. Once you start reading this book,
you won't want to put it down!" --Dennis Bowers, Outwrite Bookstore &
Coffeehouse, Atlanta, GA
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Break
the Surface (Watching Alice, 1)
By Daniel Parker, Lee Miller
"What better way to locate a missing person than to share your story with
the world. In this novel, that's exactly what Tom Sinclair is doing with
his journal. Tom's girlfriend, Alice Brown, has vanished and now he needs
your help to locate her." --Samantha Haldeman, Book House of Stuyvesant
Plaza, Albany, NY
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The
Burn Journals
By Brent Runyon
"This is not a novel. It's the first-person account of a man who, as a
14-year-old boy, felt his problems so intractable that he set himself
on fire. He explains what led up to his decision -- and what followed
from it. The long road back from near-death is filled with medical progress,
emotional probing, and, strange as it may seem, laugh-out-loud humor."
--Carol B. Chittenden, Eight Cousins, Falmouth, MA
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Drums,
Girls, & Dangerous Pies
By Jordan Sonnenblick
"I just finished reading Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, and I loved it!
This story of 13-year-old Steven Alper is funny, heartbreaking, and, ultimately,
uplifting. If I'd had a son, I would have wanted him to be like Steven."
--C.J. Trent, Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, PA
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Gifts
By Ursula K. Le Guin
"This is a rare and intelligent teen fantasy from the acclaimed author
of the Earthsea Cycle. Orrec and Gry live in a world where family and
lands are guarded fiercely with dark and powerful gifts -- the ability
to twist limbs, to blind and deafen, to enslave minds -- but they find
the courage to throw off their families' expectations and envision a world
of light and grace. Highly recommended." --Kim Fox, Schuler Books & Music,
Grand Rapids, MI
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Haunting
of Alaizabel Cray
By Chris Wooding
"Thaniel is a wych-hunter in Old London and finds the lovely and crazed
Alaizabel there. Dark sorcery has turned her into an unearthly lightning
rod for evil, attracting horrors from another world. This post-Goth, steampunk
world filled with ghouls, dirigibles, an underground kingdom of tattered
thieves, and eerie Victoriana will appeal to fans of horror, manga, and
fantasy -- but is not for the faint of heart!" --Bronwyn Wright, The Magic
Tree Bookstore, Oak Park, IL
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Head
Games
By Mariah Fredericks
"Jude Ellis' life has just fallen apart: Her best friend isn't one anymore,
her father has moved across the country, and the online game she is part
of has just gotten a little too real. This is a book filled with teenage
anxiety and problems, and it feels very real. Mariah Fredericks has a
keen sense of dialogue and humor." --Rene Kirkpatrick, All for Kids Books
& Music, Seattle, WA
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How
I Live Now
By Meg Rosoff
"Daisy is a bitter, anorexic New York teenager shipped off by her new
stepmother to stay with family members in England whom she has never met.
Her story of love, war, betrayal, and, ultimately, survival will grab
you from page one and keep you riveted. A great debut by a new author."
--Wendi Gratz, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
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In
the Shadow of the Ark
By Anne Provoost
"Re Jana's family has fled home for the desert, for dryer land. Noach
and his three sons are building an ark, but no one believes that the predicted
floods will come. The story of what ensues is a literary page-turner and
a great love story." --Barb MacDonald, Great Northern Books and Hobbies,
Oscoda, MI
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Monsoon
Summer
By Mitali Perkins
"Jazz Gardner is about to embark on a family summer retreat to her mother's
homeland of India, a trip that will tear her away from her best friend,
business partner, and crush, Steve Morales. Feeling like even more of
an outcast in her temporary home than in California, Jazz finds herself
isolating herself from a culture that is eager to accept her for who she
is. A thoughtful, well-paced, and believable read -- highly recommended."
--Nicole White, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA
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Petals
in the Ashes
By Mary Hooper
"This sequel to At the Sign of the Sugared Plum takes up where the first
book left off, with London recovering from the Plague in 1665, and with
the Great Fire in the near future. Very well written and historically
accurate -- with engaging characters and a touch of romance -- this is
thoroughly enjoyable!" --Katherine Osborne, Books, Etc., Portland, ME
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