Junonia

Junonia
by Kevin Henkes

As Alice and her parents begin their annual Florida vacation, she is hopeful that this year will be as wonderful as every other year they have spent in the same cottage. This year is extra special: Alice will be turning ten, and for as long as she can remember she has celebrated her birthdays with the guests in the other cottages. Unfortunately, almost immediately upon their arrival, Alice learns that this vacation will be different. Her disappointment soon grows as she learns of more changes as well as the unexpected arrival of Mallory, a temperamental six-year-old. Will Alice be able to enjoy her vacation and birthday despite the changes?

I really enjoyed this book. It is a good choice for someone who likes realistic fiction. I think the main character, Alice, is someone that many girls of the same age will relate well to.

Author's website: http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot"

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot"
by Michael O. Tunnell

It all started with two sticks of gum. When U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen shared the only candy he had, two sticks of gum, with a group of children living in post World War II Berlin, it motivated him to do more for them by dropping candy from his airplane for the children of Berlin. Soon Lt. Halvorsen's efforts became famous, leading to numerous generous donations from many.

This was a wonderful book that shows how one person's generous idea grew to make a big difference in the lives of so many children!

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale
by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright
illustrated by Barry Moser

In 19th-century London, a street cat named Skilley is taken in as a mouse-catcher at the mouse infested Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, a popular place whose frequent visitors include the author Charles Dickens. Skilley soon becomes friends with Pip, a resident mouse who is relieved when he learns that the new "mouse-catcher" really prefers to eat cheese instead of mice! The mice and Skilley agree to work together and keep each others' secret, but their plan may be ruined with the arrival of Pinch, a tough, cruel alley cat who, unlike Skilley, loves to catch mice!

This is a cute and fun story. The 19th century setting combined with the animal characters makes this a good choice for readers who like animal stories as well as those who enjoy historical fiction.

Book Website: http://www.cheshirecheesecat.com/

The Search For Wondla

The Search for Wondla
by Tony Diterlizzi

Imagine a life underground, being raised by robots and never experiencing the world above you. That is the life of Eva 9, until a dangerous creature destroys the underground home she has lived in her entire life, forcing her to escape to the mysterious world outside her sanctuary. Despite preparation for the above-ground world, Eva 9 must confront danger,unusual places and unexpected creatures as she makes her way to find other humans in her strange new world.

This is a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy or science fiction. It is full of adventure, a lot of twists, and a great ending that left me anxious for the next book in the series!

Author's Website: http://diterlizzi.com/home/
Book Website: http://wondla.com/

How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life ( and a Dog)

How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life ( and a Dog)
By Art Corriveau

Nicky Flynn's life has been turned upside down. His parents are getting divorced and his mother has moved him out of their house and into a tiny apartment where he doesn't even have his own bedroom. Just when things couldn't get any crazier, his mother adopts Reggie, a large German Shepherd from the animal shelter. At first Nicky can't stand Reggie, but he soon learns that Reggie is a former seeing eye dog with an unusual past. In his efforts to learn more about Reggie, Nicky ends up inventing a new life for himself.

I liked this book so much that I didn't want to put it down! Readers who like stories about pets will enjoy reading about Nicky's experiences with Reggie. This is a great choice for readers who like pet stories as well as realistic fiction.

Author's website: http://www.artcorriveau.com/

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling
By Maryrose Wood
Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Penelope Lumley has no idea what awaits her when she is hired as the governess for the children at Ashton Place. She eagerly arrives to teach her new students, only to learn that these three children are far from ordinary! Instead of acting like normal children, Penelope's three new students think they are animals and prefer to spend their time howling, barking, biting, climbing trees, and chasing squirrels! Will Penelope solve the mystery of what happened to them and find a way to teach them to act like children?

I really enjoyed this book. This is a twisted story of humor and mystery that many readers will love! I am looking forward to reading the next book in this exciting series!

Author's website: http://www.maryrosewood.com/

Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical
by Nora Raleigh Baskin

This story is told from the point of view of Jason, a sixth grader with autism who struggles to fit with his classmates and family. Life is difficult and isolated for Jason, who prefers to spend his time writing stories that he can share on an online forum. It's through this online forum that he makes a friend, but when he faces the possibility of meeting his new friend in person, he fears that she will treat him just like everyone else does.

This was a wonderful book that gives readers an excellent opportunity to read a story told from the perspective of someone with autism. This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed books such as Rules by Cynthia Lord, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, and Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

Author's Website: http://www.norabaskin.com/

Floors

Floors
by Patrick Carman

How would you like to stay in a hotel that has crazy rooms? The Whippet Hotel is an unusual place with wild rooms, such as one that is a lifesized pinball machine, and another that is filled with cakes. Every room has a different theme. Leo lives in the basement with his father, who is the janitor of the Whippet Hotel. He thinks he knows every room, but shortly after the owner of the hotel mysteriously disappears, Leo starts finding strange boxes and soon learns that the hotel has more secrets then he ever imagined!

When I started this book, I didn't want to put it down! I loved reading about the different rooms in the hotel. It's a great mystery with a little fantasy and adventure mixed in. With all the wild rooms in the hotel, this story reminded me a lot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Author's Website: http://www.patrickcarman.com/

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
by Tom Angleberger

Can an origami finger puppet really give advice? Tommy needs to know fast so he can decide if he wants to take Origami Yoda's advice! He decides to investigate to find out if his unusual classmate Dwight's origami Yoda really has powers, or if it is just a joke. To find out, he interviews others who have gotten advice from Origami Yoda. Is Origami Yoda for real? Read the evidence and decide!

This was a very entertaining book and left me looking forward to the sequel!

Book Website: http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com/

A Tale Dark and Grimm

A Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Most of us know the story of Hansel and Gretel, but author Adam Gidwitz turns the familiar tale into a thrilling book that is full of unexpected twists and turns. This story follows the two children along many wild, dangerous, and occasionally humorous adventures as they struggle to find a place where they are safe and loved. Readers who love fantasy will enjoy this unusual retelling of Hansel and Gretel.


Author's Website: http://www.adamgidwitz.com/