The Midnight Zoo

The Midnight Zoo
by Sonya Hartnett
illustrated by Andrea Offermann

After two brothers, Andrej and Tomas, narrowly escape an attack on their family by German soldiers, they must travel through the country at night as they struggle to hide from their attackers.   As Andrej and Tomas, along with their newborn sister Wilma, journey through war damaged towns, they suddenly find themselves in a destroyed, empty village with an unique attraction: a tiny zoo of ten animals.   Although they are at first frightened by the zoo animals, the boys soon learn that they have a lot in common with these animals as they all share their own stories of freedom and hope. 

The Midnight Zoo is a good choice for readers who enjoy animal stories as well as readers who like books that take place during World War II.   

Author's Website:  http://www.sonyahartnett.com.au/

Tales for Very Picky Eaters

Tales for Very Picky Eaters
by Josh Schneider

Are you a picky eater?   James is.   He finds a reason to dislike every food his father gives him, including the lumpy oatmeal, the smelly mushroom lasagna, and the slimy eggs!   However, his father learns to be creative and finds ways to trick James into eating by telling him wild stories about his food.

This is a very funny book with hilarious pictures!  It is also the winner of the 2012 Geisel Award, making it an ideal choice for beginning readers.  

The Other Felix

The Other Felix
by Keir Graff

When he's awake Felix seems to be a typical boy, dealing with occasional family issues and problems at school.   At night, however, Felix travels in his vivid dreams to a creepy world filled with terrifying monsters.  He is terrified to fall asleep.   That is, until he meets The Other Felix.  The Other Felix may look just like him and have the same name, except he lives permanently in the dream world that Felix visits each night.   With The Other Felix his dreams are no longer nightmares.   Instead, he looks forward to sleep each night and the exciting dreams where he and his new friend share adventures and battle monsters.  Despite his new appreciation for his dream adventures, Felix will soon learn that it is difficult to escape the problems he faces in both his daily life and his dream world. 

The Other Felix is a good combination of realistic fiction and fantasy.  Felix's daily life is one that many readers will be able to relate to, yet his dream adventures will appeal to readers looking for stories that are more on the adventurous and suspenseful side.   

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

Bink and Gollie, Two for One

Bink & Gollie, Two for One
 by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee 
illustrated by Tony Fucile 

Best friends Bink and Gollie are as opposite as friends can be, but together these two girls always have a great time! When the state fair comes to town, the two friends find themselves having a wildly fun time as they compete in a talent show, have their fortunes told, and try to win the world's largest doughnut!

Readers who enjoyed the first Bink & Gollie book will be sure to love this sequel! The illustrations are bright and hilarious, and the short chapters make this a great choice for readers looking for their first chapter book.

Bink & Gollie website:   http://www.binkandgollie.com/
        Check out the Bink & Gollie website for great games and other fun activities!

Mission Unstoppable

Mission Unstoppable (The Genius Files series)
by Dan Gutman

A quiet walk home from school soon turns into a crazy adventure for Coke and Pepsi McDonald as they find themselves jumping off a cliff just to escape the crazy men chasing after them!   More danger soon follows after the twelve-year-old twins learn that they're part of a secret government program called The Genius Files and that someone is after them.   As they travel across the United States on a wild road trip with their parents, making stops along the way to visit unusual attractions such as the Pez museum and two very large balls of twine, the twins must find a way to escape from the dangerous people chasing them!

This is a great book full of adventure and a lot of funny moments!   I really like how all the attractions that Dan Gutman included in this book are real places.    I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and finding out what adventures Coke and Pepsi will face next.  

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

Book trailer: 

Beyond Lucky

Beyond Lucky
by Sarah Aronson

Do you believe in luck?   Ari Fish does.   Ari knows that with a just  little luck, he could be a great soccer player like his older brother Sam and his best friend Mac.    However, Ari is not a very lucky person.   Then he finds a rare card of his favorite soccer player.   Suddenly his luck begins to change.   Ari thinks his new good luck is all due to his soccer card.   When his lucky card suddenly goes missing, everything starts going wrong for Ari.   With his luck worse than ever, will Ari be able to reverse his bad luck?

I think this book will be a good choice for readers who enjoy sports stories as well as those who enjoy books that deal with family and friendship issues.

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

Beyond Lucky book trailer:  
 

A Year Without Autumn

A Year Without Autumn
by Liz Kessler

How would you like to ride on an elevator that takes you to the future?  That’s what happened to Jenni when she rode an old elevator in her best friend's building.  After stepping off the elevator, she learns that she has gone ahead in time one year and that everything has changed.  Her best friend Autumn’s family is falling apart due to a tragedy that occurred the previous summer.  Jenni has no idea what she missed during the year.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a problem that can be easily fixed by riding the elevator back downstairs!  As she continues to ride the elevator, things continue to change and Jenni soon has large gaps in her life that she must fill in.  She knows the answer lies somewhere in the elevator, but can she find it in time to save her family and friendship?

I thought this was a nice story that focused a lot on friendship.   I loved how Jenni was so devoted to helping her friends and family. The time-traveling elevator certainly gives the story some great twists!  

Author's website:  http://www.lizkessler.co.uk/

Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose
by Eugene Yelchin

Sasha Zaichik feels very lucky to be living in pre-Communist Russia under the rule of the his idol, Stalin.   The son of a secret Soviet policeman, Sasha looks forward to becoming a Young Pioneer, which is a great honor for any young Soviet child.   However, one night the same secret police his father works for comes and arrests his father.   Sasha is convinced that his hero Stalin will release his father in time for his Young Pioneer induction ceremony, but as more things start to go wrong he soon begins to question his confidence in his leader and in communism.    

Breaking Stalin's Nose is a 2012 Newbery Honor book.   I highly recommend this book, especially to readers who enjoy historical fiction.   This is an excellent book that may lead some readers to wanting to learn more about that time period.

Author's website:  http://www.eugeneyelchinbooks.com/breakingstalinsnose/index.php

Breaking Stalin's Nose book trailer:

Juniper Berry

Juniper Berry  
by M.P.  Kozlowsky

To most of the world, eleven-year-old Juniper Berry has it all: famous parents, a beautiful mansion, and a private tutor so that she doesn't have to go to school.   However, all is not happy inside the Berry home.  Juniper's once loving, cheery parents have suddenly become cold and distant.   When she comes across a boy, Giles, in the woods one day, she learns that his parents have also gone through a similar change.   After following her parents into the woods, Juniper discovers that a mysterious tree leads to the underground home of Skeksyl, a man who promises his visitors anything they want, but for a price.  Will Juniper and Giles be able to save their parents, or will they too fall into Skeksyl's trap?

This exciting and creepy modern fairy tale is a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy!   I had a difficult time putting this book down. 

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

Juniper Berry book trailer:  

Kate & Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story

Kate & Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story
by Martin Springett
photographs by Isobel Springett

When an abandoned fawn named Pippin is taken in by a family, she finds an surprising best friend in Kate, their Great Dane!  Large, adorable photographs show the close bond between the growing fawn and her canine companion as they snuggle and play. This is a cute, heartwarming tale that most animal lovers will probably enjoy! Be sure to visit the author's website for additional pictures as well as videos about this unlikely pair.   

Author's website:  http://kateandpippin.com/index.html