The Headless Cupid Atheneum c1971 2023 pages Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Newbery Honor book. The story of Amanda who must learn to cope with a new life with her Mom, Stepdad, and step brothers and sisters. Amanda proves to be quiet a handful and keeps her new family on edge.

Pankration: The Ultimate Game

Blacklock, Dyan Pankration: the Ultimate Game Whitman, c1997 191 pages.

Set in Greece in 430 B.C. the story tells of Nic who is sent from home because of the plague spreading in Athens. He is taken by pirates and sold as a slave. Nic knows his only friend, Gellius, will be at the Olympic Games. Nic escapes and makes his way to his friend for help.
This book pictures the Olympics and especially the Pankration....a good adventure: pirates, thieves, and treachery. Pankration: pronounced either pahn-KRAHT-ee-uhn or pan-KRAY-shun

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Avi. Set in 14th century England a young, nameless, fatherless boy sets out to learn his true identity after his mother died and he was wrongly accused of stealing and now is hunted. Along the way he he meets Bear who is a very strong character in this story.... and the adventures begin. There is a real sense of how life must have been in feudalistic England.....extremely hard for the poor. There is mystery, suspense and some violence.

The Cat Who Escaped from Steerage

Mayerson Evelyn Wilde The Cat Who Escaped from Steerage Atheneum c1990
0-684-19209-8 66 pages.

Chanah and her family are packed together in the steerage section of a ship with other Polish immigrants bound for America. The story tells of the hardships faced by early immigrants coming to America. Chanah must worry about her cousin, Yaacov,who may not be allowed into America.She also must find her lost cat before leaving the ship.

Everything on a Waffle

Horvath, Polly Everything on a Waffle Farrar Straus Giroux c2001
150 pages 0-374-32236-8

Primrose Squarp's parents are lost at sea and she must eventually go to live with her Uncle Jack.Promrose learns to cope with the situation. Spending time at the restaurant, The Girl on the Red Swing, where everything is served on a waffle, helps as the owner, Miss Bowzer, lends a listening ear. Primrosr never gives up hope that her parents will return which they do.

The Green Book

Walsh, Jill Paton, The Green Book Farrar, Straus, and Giroux c1982
69 pages
Science fiction adventure about a family that must leave earth with a group and find a new home. The story tells of their ride in space, being pioneers in a new place, and how they learned to survive.

Olive's Ocean

Henkes, Kevin Olive's Ocean Harper Collins c2003 217 pages
0-06-053544-X

Just after a classmate of Martha Boyle's is killed, her family goes on their summer visit to her grandmother's house on the ocean. Martha spends her summer visit learning more about herself, relaionships in life, and thinking of the death of her classmate.

Newbery Honor book
ALA Notable book
ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Gutman, Dan. The Homework Machine

Four students with very different characters form an unlikely friendship that leads to problems in the story. Interestingly, the story is told through voices of the students, parents and the teacher given in depositions to the police. It is not a realistic story but a nice little book read for fun. Great moral too, ....DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

McKernan, Victoria. Shackleton's Stowaway

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton's ship the Endurance set sail from Buenos Aires to cross the Atlantic continent - a last unclaimed prize in exploration. As the crew stood on the deck and watched the city fade from sight Perce Blackburrow hid below deck in a locker. But his thrill of stowing away soon turns to fear. Within months, the Endurance was trapped and crushed by ice and sank. There was no hope of rescue. If they were to survive in that hostile land they would have to do it on their own. The story becomes an edge-of-your-seat novel through the eyes of the stowaway Perce Blackborrow. I recommend this book.

Sebestyen, Ouida. Words By Heart

Lena can recite scripture by heart. Hoping to make her Papa proud of her and to make her classmates notice her mind and not her black skin, Lena vows to win the Bible quoting contest in her school. But winning does not bring what she expected. This sheltered girl learns about the terrible reality about prejudice and racism. Now she must learn how to forgive. Kids will like this book if they like stories about racism. I think there is a lot to learn from this book.

Philbrick, Rodman. The Young Man and the Sea

Skiff Beaman is 12 years old and struggling on his own in a fishing town on the coast of Maine. His father if grieving over his mother's death by doing nothing but watch TV and drink beer. Skiff realizes he must be the breadwinner if they are to survive. He needs to raise their boat the Mary Rose, and earn money for supplies to repair her. After many setbacks, Skiff sets out to try and harpoon a bluefin tuna in the open sea for money. This second half of the book does some paralleling on Hemingway's, The Old Man and the Sea.

I loved to read about Skiff's determination to succeed. It's an inspiring book from that viewpoint. There's lots of action and I think kids will like this book.

Hobbes, Will; Bearstone

A young man searches for his identity in a world foreign to his upbringing. Cloyd, a 14 year old Ute, is hostile and in trouble with everone. His life comes to a head when he is sent to live with an old rancher who's wife recently died. That summer proves a turning point in his life. I think this book is exciting and will be liked by those who want action and a good story line. I also like happy endings which this book gives.

Jones, Diana Wynne. The Merlin Conspiracy.

This work of fantasy tells the story of teenage wizards who live in a world of many worlds trying to save their countries from the corruption of magic. The plot is confusing and there are some questionable themes through the book. Overall, there are books that better represent this genre. Not recommended.

The Rebel Trumpet

Shirreffs, Gordon D. The Rebel Trumpet.

This is the story of Steve who joins the Union Army as a fifteen year old drummer and his experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. It should be enjoyable for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories of the Civil War era.

Say, Allen The Inn-Keeper's Apprentice Puffin, c1996

Do not purchase. For older readers

Engdahl, Silvia Louise. Enchantress from the Stars.

How do legends come to be? This book tells the tale of two civilizations coming in contact. To Elena the world is science and techology. To Georyn these visitors are the stuff of legend and fairy tale. How will the Enchantress change the history of his world?
This book is more appropriate for an older reader who can follow a complex plot and comprehend the themes behind the story. For those readers it should be an enjoyable and thought provoking read.

Rinaldi, Ann. The Education of Mary.

In 1832, slavery is illegal in Conneticut but racism remains in other forms. This book tells the story of Prudence Crandall's school for "misses of color". Mary Harris and her sister Sarah were students at her school. This book tells the stories of the struggles Mary faced to get her education and the motives behind the characters involved in the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad and the early civil rights battles. It is a well written and interesting book.

Rees, Celia, Pirates! Bloomsbury c2003 376 pages.
More appropiate for older readers

Pullman, Philip Clockwork c1996
removed

Rinaldi, Ann The Fifth of March Harcourt c1993 333 pages

A story set in Boston at the time of the Boston Massacre. Rachel, an indectured servant to John and Abigail Adams, tells her story of living in Boston in pre Revolutionary days. She befriends a British soldier, Matthew Kilroy, which eventually costs her her postion but gains for her the place in life she was looking for.

Konigsburg, E.L. The View From Saturday Simon & Schuster c1996

Newbery 1997
removed

Cushman, Karen The Midwife's Apprentice Houghton Mifflin c1995

1996 Newbery
Removed

Hobbs, Will Jackie's Wild Seattle Harper Trophy c2003 197 pages.

Shannon and Cody are sent to live with their Uncle Neal for the summer while their Mom and Dad are working for Doctors Without Borders. The story follows their many adventures with Uncle Neal at a wildlife center called Jackie's Wild Seattle.

Toad Rage

Gleitzman, Morris Toad Rage Yearling c2001

Animal fantasy. Set in Australia the main character is a cane toad named Limpy. He sets off to find out why humans hate cane toads and to prove to them toads are really lovable.

Roberts, Willo Davis Jo and the Bandit Atheneum c1992 185 pages.

Set in the 1860's in Texas, Jo and her brother are sent to live with their uncle. Their stagecoach is robbed by a gang who continues to make trouble for the people in Muddy Wells. Jo meets and tries to help one gang member change his ways. Interesting read, good characters...

Burch, Robert, Quennie Peavy Puffin c1996 151 pages

Oueenie , an eighth grade girl living with her mother must learn to cope with having a father who is in jail. The book follows her troubles and we see her character grow and come to terms with the difficult situations in her life.

McAllister, M.I. Urchin of the Riding Stars Hyperion c2005 282 pages
The Mistmantle Chronicles Book One

Urchin, a tiny squirrel, abandoned but then rescued and raised in a colony of animals must fight the evil trying to take over his new home. A tale of heroes and villians...exciting...Redwall fans will be interested in this series.

Yolen, Jane Sword of the Rightful King Harcourt 349 pages

A great Arthur book. A Booklist Editor's Choice, ABA's pick of the lists, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Among the Hidden, Haddix, Margaret Peterson , Aladinn c 2000 153 pages.

Luke , one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police tells of his life of hiding. Until one day he sees another third child and by meeting her his life is changed forever. The first of the Shadow Children Series.

For Junior High
The libray also has book two, Among the Impostors and book three, Among the Betrayed.

McKinley, Robin, Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Harper Collins, c1978 325 pages.

A great retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Lisle, Janet Taylor Black Duck Philomel Books, c2006. 249 pages.

Set in Newport, R.I. during Prohibition. Ruben and his best friend and their families were caught up in the rum-running of the Prohibition. He relates his story to David Petersen who is tring to become a reporter. His story centers around the boat, the Black Duck and her crew.

Griffin, Adele. Rainy Season.

This book is set in Panama just after the completion of the Panama Canal. Soldiers and their families are still living at the army base but know that they will be leaving soon. Lane and Charlie and their family moved to Panama

Foreman, Lelia Rose. Shatter World.

This is a story of space-age pilgrims who leave a world of war to find a peaceful place. Rejoice and her family are among the group who find themselves in a strange world inhabited with some strange creatures. It takes some getting used to and some imaginative work! Rejoice and her brother miss their old home but slowly get used to the new home.

Gray, Dianne E. Together Apart.

The "Schoolchildren's Blizzard" of January 12, 1888 caught many children in Nebraska out in the weather on their way home from school. Hannah and Isaac helped each other survive the storm but were unable to save her brothers. This book tells the story of two teenagers and an entire town trying to deal with the effects of that terrible storm. Based on the real experiences of children in the Midwest, it is a piece of historical fiction that junior high readers will enjoy

Klise, Kate Regarding the Fountain Avon Books c1998 138 pages.
The drinking fountain at DC Middle School has a leak and must be fixed according to the principal, Walter Reed.Certain school board members do not think so. Follow the adventures at DC middle School through the letters from the students, principal and the artist hired to fix the fountatin. a very funny read.

Hoboken Chicken Emergency Daniel Pinkwater Simon & Schuster 1977.
Arthur goes to get the Thanksgiving turkey and returns with a 260-pound chicken. 108 pages of funny situations with Arthur and his chicken.

Jones, Diana Wynne, Archer's Goon,
324 pages.
Howard comes home to find the Goon sitting in the Sykes' kitchen. The Goon demands words from Howard's father in payments of back taxes. Howard discovers that the town is being run by seven wizards as he attempts to get the Goon out of his house and free his family.

Farmer, Nancy, Sea of Trolls,
Atheneum c2004, 0-689-86744-1, 450 pages.
Jack had just been apprenticed to a bard to learn magic when he is kidnapped by Vikings. Jack goes on a quest to the Land of the Trolls. Lord of the Rings type book.

Frederick, Heather Vogel, The Education of Patience Goodspeed,
Simon & Schuster c2004 0-689-86411-6. A continuation of Patience Goodspeed's adventures set in the mid 1800's.Patience and her brother Tad are sent to Rev. Wiggin's school for safe keeping . She must deal with Aunt Anne and Fanny Starbuck and learn what it means to be a lady in the 1800's.

Frederick, Heather Vogel, The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed,
Simon & Schuster c2002,
0-689-84851-X After their mother's death, Captain Goodspeed brings Patience and her brother Tad aboard his whaling ship.Patience uses her mathematical ablitites to stop a mutiny. Setting 1800's. Stong female character and a good read.

Wrede, Patricia, Dealing with Dragons,
Harcourt, c1990, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles book 1, 212 pages, 0-15-2229000-0. Princess Cimorene nver fit the mold of the typical princess and always wanted to do what was not done. She finally leaves home and volunteers to be the dragon, Kazul's princess . she is very happy taking care of Kazul and doing what is not expexted of a princess. she saves the dragons from the plot of the wizards to take over. Dynamic characters and interesting plot make it an enjoyable read.

Collins, Susan, Gregor the Overlander,
First book in the series. Gregor and his sister Boots fall into the Underland through the laudry room. He is the warrior who must save the Underland from the rats. He encounters roaches, bats, rats, spiders, and humans. He goes on a quest with all of the above to save his father who had fallen int the Underland two years before. good plot and action.

Levitin, Sonia, Room in the Heart,
Penguin c 2003, 0-14-240339-3. Historical fiction about Nazi occupation of Denmark. Many dynamic characters, all affectd by the occupation.

Cushman, Karen, Rodzina, Clarion c2003 0-618-13351-8. Rodzina is a Polish orphan put on a train to Chicago to find a new home out West. An interesting read. Characters and plot keep your attention.Lists other books about the orphan trains. 214 pages.

Taylor, Theodore, Odyssey of Ben O'Neal, Harcourt c2004, 0-15-205299-2 book 3 Cape Hatteras Trilogy. Ben takes a job on a ship tp try to find his brother, Reuben. Tee who was supposed to sail to England but didn't, finds Ben and they both flee the people tring to find Tee.

Taylor, Theodore, Teetoncey & Ben O'Neal, Harcourt, c1975, 0-15-205296-8 , Book 2 Cape Hatteras Trilogy. Continues the story of Tee and Ben. Tee tells Ben about silver treasure on the boat that sunk.

Taylor, Theodore, Teetoncey , Harcourt,c1974 0-15-205298-4 Book 1 Cape Hatteras Trilogy.
Set inthe Outer Banks in the late 1800's. Ben O'Neal who lives with his mother, Racheal rescues an English girl, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. The book details Ben's life as he copes with Teetoncey'a trama and his feelings about the sea. 191 pages.

Whelan, Gloria. Chu Ju's House: Harper Trophy 2004. 227 pages.
Fourteen-year-old Chu Ju runs away from home and sacrifices her own future to save her baby sister being sent away. For tradition says only a son can bring honor to a household and the law says only two children per family. While on the run she earns food and shelter and wonders if she will ever see her family again.

Giff, Patricia Reily, Maggie's Door, Random, c2003, 0-440-41581-0. Maggie's Door is the story of the journey from Ireland to America as told by Nory and her neighbor Sean. Two stories with the same destination, the home of Nory's sister Maggie in Brooklyn. Setting is the 1800's

Oppel, Kenneth, Airborn, Haper Collins, c2004 0-06-053182-7. 501 pages. Matt is a cabin boy on a dirigible which in this fantasy rule the airways. His ship finds a balloonist who mumbles something about cloud cats before he dies. The story invloves Matt and the granddaughter of the ballooist trying to find out what he meant. A believable alternate world with a lot of excitement. Michael L Printz, School Library Journal Best Book, ALA Notable Book, ALA top ten best book for young adults.

Schmidt, Gary, Lizze Bright and the Buckminster Boy. Clarion Books, c2004 0-618-43929.
Turner moves with his family from Boston to a new church in Maine where his father is the minister. Turner befriends an African American girl, Lizze, which causes trouble for him and his family. An interesting story and characters which makes the reader want to find out what happens to Tuner and Lizzie.

Carman, Patrick, Beyond the Valley of Thorns( The Land of Elyon bk 2). Orchard Books, c2005 0-439-79640-7 Alexa continues her adventures and once again leaves Bridewell through the tunnel in the library. She joins her old friends and meets some new ones to try to defeat the forces that threaten Bridewell.

Carman, Patrick. The Dark Hills Divide(Land of Elyon Bk 1) Orchard Books, c2005 0-439-75843-2. Alexa Daley goes beyond the walls built by Warvold to the forest and the Dark Hills. She finds enchantment and discovers some outlaws are planning to invade the city.She must find out who the spy in Bridewell is and report to the council. A 250 page mysteryand fantasy.

Wilson, Diane L. Black Storm Comin' Simon & Schuster c2005. 291 pages. This story follows the life of Colton Weston and his family as they make thier way to Sacramento fromthe East. along the way Colton's father abondons the family and Colton is left to make sure they make it to their destination. Colton takes care of his family and comes to terms with who he is and how people relate to his family. Historical fiction, Pony express-fiction, Slavery-fiction, Frontier and Pioneer Life-fiction, United States-history-1815-1861-fiction

Uchida, Yoshiko. A journey to Topaz: a story of the Japanese-American evacuation.
HeydayBooks, c 1971. 149 pages. Historical fiction A story of Yuki and her family as they face the struggles of dealing with the Japanese evacuations of WWII. Based on the life of the author Yoshiko Uchida. An ALA notable book.