The Land of Elyon Book One: The Dark Hills Divide

The Dark Hills Divide by, Patrick Carman. ISBN-13: 978-0439700931

Alexa Daley is desperate to escape the tall, stone walls that surround her kingdom. She finds a secret passageway that might just help her make that dream come true. She also discovers a magic stone that gives her the ability to talk to animals. This magical adventure is perfect for fans of the Spiderwick series.

Meet the Kreeps: There Goes the Neighborhood

There Goes the Neighborhood by, Kiki Thorpe. ISBN-13: 978-0545065597

Polly Winkler is searching for somebody to set up her father with because she is ready for a new mom. Although she is fascinated by the creepy family that moves into the old, haunted mansion across the street, she certainly didn't want her dad to fall for Veronica Kreep, who in undoubtedly the strangest women Polly has ever met. These new neighbors are about to make it a whole lot harder for Polly to ever feel normal! Readers who enjoy the My Sister the Vampire series will love these books!

A Single Shard

A Single Shard by, Linda Sue Park. ISBN-13: 978-0395978276

This 2002 Newberry Medal winner is a breathtaking story set in 12th-century Korea. Readers are transported to the village of Ch'ul'po where our orphan protagonist, Tree Ear, lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who has taken him in. Tree Ear accidentally breaks a piece of pottery created by the villages most famous craftsman, Min, and must work for Min to pay off his debt. Tree Ear becomes immersed in the world of pottery, and along the way grows into the type of person he was always meant to be.

Horns & Wrinkles

Horns & Wrinkles by, Joseph Helgerson. ISBN-13: 978-0618616794

Claire and her bully of a cousin, Duke, embark on an exciting adventure filled with river trolls and magic. Claire is trying to find a way to save Duke's parents, who have been turned to stone, while Duke is more concerned with pleasing and appeasing the river trolls. Oh, and he has a horn growing out of his face. This playful story, set along the banks of the Mississippi and loaded with magic, humor, and trolls, shows us that good and evil are not always as they seem.

The Dopple Ganger Chronicles Book One: The Great Escape

The Great Escape by, G.P. Taylor. ISBN-13: 978-1414319476

A unique cross between graphic novel and fictional text, this dark tale set in 20th century Britain is the first book of the Dopple Ganger Chronicles. Orphan twins, Saskia and Sadie Dopple, are extreme troublemakers who become separated when Saskia is sent to live with a wealthy woman named Muzz Elliot. Sadie and her friend Erik escape the orphanage and set off to find Saskia. All three children deal with loneliness and villains as they attempt to create their own destiny.

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now by, Lauren Child. ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-3935-8

Lauren Child, of Charlie and Lola fame, has written a new series of books with the same quirky humor that has brought her such notoriety. Clarice Bean is for those fans of Charlie and Lola who are now nearly, almost already grown up and needing to be reading much bigger books with chapters and headings. Child, as her name might suggest, speaks the language of children. The books she is writing are the Ramona Quimby books of the modern era.

In this delightful story Clarice Bean offers readers guidance that has been gleaned from her incessant reading of Ruby Redfort Survival Handbook and the Ruby Redfort Spy Guide. Clarice speaks frankly and directly to readers lending an amusing tone to the story, which is filled with Clarice's many worries. Along the way, Clarice talks about moving, divorce, new kids, bullies, family squabbles, acceptance, and friendship. This is most certainly an exceptionally fabulous story that will almost quite certainly help you feel very much better about all of the worries that might quite possibly be bothering you.

Amulet, Book One: The Stonekeeper

The Stonekeeper by, Kazu Kibuishi. ISBN-13: 978-0439846813

Murky earth tones lurk across glossy paper, in this dark and creepy graphic novel. After a tragic car accident in which her father was killed, Emily and her brother, Navin, move with their mother to an old house that was once inhabited by their Great-grandfather Silas. While cleaning the house, Emily discovers a magic amulet that speaks directly to her. Emily's mother gets swallowed by a giant tentacled monster who disappears into another world. Emily and Navin quickly follow after, and begin a quest to navigate this strange world in search of their mother. An air of suspense hangs over readers as they follow Emily and Navin on a journey that teaches them about survival, loss, and power. Emily is a strong and powerful heroine, but little development is given to her brother's character. The characters from the other world are intriguing, but many are just introduced, which makes one wonder what Kibuishi is leading up to. The book does not come to a nice, neat conclusion, but leaves readers hanging to see how things will progress for our young heroes. The artwork is full of depth and emotion, and it will be interesting to see how Kibuishi progresses as an author. Readers who enjoy The First Escape of the Dopple Ganger Chronicles, will also appreciate this unusual book.

Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy by, Christopher Paul Curtis. ISBN-13: 978-0385323062

This 2000 Newberry winner is the heartwarming story of Bud Caldwell, an African American orphan on the run in the midst of the great depression-- searching for the man he believes to be his father. This man, Herman E. Calloway, and his band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, may not be exactly what Bud was looking for, but they were what he was meant to find.

The City of Ember

The City of Ember by, Jeanne DuPrau. ISBN-13: 978-0375822735

Deep under the earth, exists a mysterious city named Ember. As far as the city's inhabitants know, they are the only life that exists. Unfortunately, things in their city are starting to fall apart. As the vasts storerooms for supplies become more and more empty, Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet begin to realize that Ember faces certain doom and that they might be the only two able to stop it.

Igraine the Brave

Igraine the Brave by, Cornelia Funke. ISBN-13: 978-0439903790

Igraine, born into a family of magicians, desperately wishes that she could become a brave and gallant knight. When her next door neighbor, the Baroness, has a visit from her nephew Osmund, Igraine might just get her wish. Osmund plans to steal the magic singing books from Igraine's family, and since her parents accidentally turned themselves into pigs, it will be up to Igraine to save the day!

Bella at Midnight

Bella at Midnight by, Diane Stanley. ISBN-13: 978-0060775735

This charming fairy tale will enchant readers from this kingdom to the next. Bella, who's mother died in childbirth, is sent off to be raised by a nursemaid in a nearby village. This nursemaid, who was also put in charge of nursing the youngest prince, is a kind sensible woman who raises Bella the best that she can. Bella and the prince, Julian, become the closest of friends whose lives are inexplicably intertwined together. This heartwarming story lures readers into considering notions of heroism, royalty, and friendship.

This Book Is Not Good For You

This Book Is Not Good For You by, Pseudonymous Bosch. ISBN-13: 978-0316040860

The third book in the Secret series will not leave readers disappointed by this delicious treat! Our heroes, Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yo-Yogi continue upon their dangerous missions with the Terces Society to try to stop the evil Miss Mauvais and Dr. L. In this story they will face new dangers and mysteries as they explore ancient Aztec mysteries surrounding chocolate. Cass' mother gets secretly kidnapped and held hostage for a magic tuning fork that Cass was supposed to bring in to the Terces Society. Will Cass betray her friends to save her mother? What are the true powers behind this tuning fork?

This book is delicious-- and not just because it is about chocolate. The second book in the series might have lost a bit of the momentum of the first, but Pseudonymous Bosch has gotten right back on track with third. Yo-Yogi is an established and interesting character and Cass and Max-Ernst have become slightly less eccentric-- thus making it easier for kids to relate to them. This is accentuated by the fact that all three kids come from different types of families and thereby offer a range of family types to be emulated. The plot moves quickly, the action is fast-paced and funny, and the author's tone is delightfully unique. Like in the first two books, Bosch speaks directly to readers, explaining to them the grave danger that reading the book could put them in. Readers can enjoy a chocolate glossary at the end of the story.

The Cabinet of Wonders: The Kronos Chronicles Book 1

The Cabinet of Wonders by, Marie Rutkoski ISBN-13: 978-0374310264

This fabulous story, set in an alternate 16th century Bohemia, tells of a time when magic was possible. Mikhail Kronos is a metalworker with a special gift--his tin creations can come to life! After Mikhail was commissioned by the Prince of Bohemia to build an extraordinary clock tower, the prince steals Mikhail's eyes! Mikhail's daughter, Petra Kronos, sets off on a mission to find the Prince of Bohemia and steal back her father's eyes. So begins an epic adventure that will draw readers into The Kronos Chronicles.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by, Rodman Philbrick. ISBN-13:978-0-439-66818-7

Homer P. Figg is a big, fat liar. Okay, maybe he's not so big or fat, but he can lie better than a pig can stink. Homer sets off on a wild adventure shortly after his no-good uncle Squinton Leach sells Homer's older brother, Harold, to be conscripted into the Union Army. Set in the 1860's, this humorous look at the Civil War era touches upon heavy topics like slavery and war with a lightness that keeps the story appealing for readers. The shoeless, twelve year old protagonist sets off across the country on a quest to save Harold. Along the way, Philbrick pits Homer against a host of unsavory characters in order to introduce readers to the dirty truths of U.S. history. Readers can't help but consider slavery and the Underground Railroad, or the ugly realities of war, while anxiously awaiting the next big whopper that Homer P. Figg is going to dream up. Whether he is impersonating a pig boy for the travelling medicine show, hoodwinking a couple of professional hoodwinkers, or stealing a hot air balloon from the Union army, Homer P. Figg's exploits will entertain and delight readers in this 2010 Newberry Honor winning book.

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones

The Maze of Bones by, Rick Riordan. ISBN-13:978-0-545-24365-0

Book one in the 39 Clues series is an action-packed, page gripping adventure that will send readers racing out to pick up the next book featuring the Cahill siblings. Amy and Dan Cahill find each other as annoying as any brother and sister do. But a string of outrageous events helps them to realize that all they have in this world is each other. Years before, Amy and Dan's parents both died in mysterious fire. Now, with the death of their grandmother, Grace, the two are plunged into a mysterious challenge that might just alter the course of human history. Amy and Dan better act fast, because there are other teams searching for the clues-- teams that are willing to do anything to get what they want. The heroes are believable and their sibling bickering makes them easy to relate to. The villains are devious, dastardly, and dangerous. The humorous story is fast-paced, exciting, and full of suspense. Rick Riordan has written a story complete with fires that burn down houses, bombs that blast museums, lightning charged mysterious goo, historical facts that are actually interesting, skeleton filled catacombs, people burning millions of dollars, and a cat who likes red snapper. It will be fascinating to see how book two relates-- while Riordan mapped the storyline for the ten book series, other authors will write the projected nine remaining books. Luckily, readers, who are left in a lurch at the end of the first book, can immediately go pick up the next book and decide for themselves. The book contains collector's cards, which contain clues relating to the puzzle. Scholastic has also developed a website where students can play the game and enter to win over $100,000 worth of prizes.

Twilight

Twilight by, Stephanie Meyer. ISBN-13: 978-0-316-16017-9

Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie. She feels an immediate attraction to Edward Cullen, a beautiful and withdrawn boy at her high school. Edward, who was initially repulsed by Isabella, eventually warms to her and brings Isabella to meet his unusual family. The two fall deeply in love, immersed completely in their passionate romance. Isabella finally learns Edward's dark secret, but at what cost?

Twilight is a perfect book for tweens and teens. Meyer painstakingly creates the teenage drama that high-school students live. The book's wild popularity is due, in part to the rich descriptions of what it is like to be in high school. Kids can relate to Isabelle. They can relate to what she's going through. Throw in a few vampires, and we've got a smash hit on our hands.

Although the Twilight saga is currently as popular as Coca-Cola, the book does have a few flaws. For instance, the main character is about as pathetic of a female protagonist as it gets. She is hopelessly in love, terribly clumsy, and doesn't seem to think about or do anything that doesn't revolve around the cute guy she likes. But with a book like this, it doesn't matter. So, pop open that can of coke, sit back, and enjoy this delightfully dark, teen vampire tale.

Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth

Enter the Earth by, Lee Welles. ISBN-10: 1-933609-00-1

Welles has written a wonderfully delightful story that speaks to the environmental and societal challenges that occur in modern society. Elizabeth Angier lives on Three Oaks Farm, in a fertile valley that contains housing subdivisions, large estates, and a number of family farms which become threatened by the arrival of the Harmony Farms Corporation. Gaia, the living entity of the Earth, speaks to Elizabeth about the importance of caring for the planet, and guides her on a mission to help save it. This is the first in a series of four books entitled, The Gaia Girls.

Syren

Syren by, Angie Sage. ISBN-10:0060882107

Seventh son of the seventh son, Septimus Heap has a powerful destiny. In this, the fifth book in the series, Septimus gets trapped on an island with Jenna and Beetle while they wait for their dragon, Spit Fyre to recover from a lightning injury. Septimus discovers that the island is inhabited by Syrah Syara, a 500 year-old apprentice who is controlled by a dangerous spirit named Syren. The story has many subplots that tie together nicely to create a grand adventure that is every bit as excellent as the rest of the series.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by, Rick Riordon. ISBN-13: 978-0786838653

There are many books that become overnight smash sensations, but this one really deserves the fame. Riordon has crafted an ingenious book, carefully melding together the world of the Greek gods with that of 21st century youth. The result is a marvel that educates and entertains readers who will have a difficult time putting down this book. Our hero, Percy Jackson, is a boy who suffers from ADHD and dyslexia. His best friend, Grover, turns out to be a satyr while Percy discovers that his own father was actually a Greek god. This, and a giant minotaur that attacked Percy, Grover, and his mother, lead Percy to Camp Half-Blood where Percy will discover his destiny. The action-packed adventure is exciting and intelligent. The characters are well-developed and slide gracefully between the world of the mundane and heroic battles with mythical creatures. Percy, who is granted a quest to find the magical lightning bolt belonging to Zeus, will travel from Olympus to the Underworld in an attempt to divert a massive battle from erupting between the gods and goddesses themselves. This, the first book in the Percy Jackson series is an unbelievably amazing story that begins an epic series that will be known for generations. Fans of Harry Potter will be enthralled with this magical delight!

Zoobreak

Zoobreak by, Gordon Kormon. ISBN-13: 978-0545124997

The man with the plan, Griffin Bing, teams up with his friends for another exciting adventure in this humorous sequel to Swindle. This time, the kids set out to rescue Savannah's pet monkey from a grimy, floating zoo. The kids tackle one problem after another in their heroic attempt to save the monkey. As expected, they end up way over their heads in a messy situation that even Griffin Bing will have a hard time fixing.