Better Late than Never ...

The 2010 Newbery Award medal was announced way back in January, so it's high time for the winning book to receive some attention on this blog.  If only there were a way to go back in time ...

Stead, Rebecca (2009). When You Reach Me. (Gr. 5-8)

In 1979, 12-year-old Miranda lives in Manhattan with her mother.  They have a run-down apartment in a run-down building, and she reads and re-reads a tattered copy of A Wrinkle in Time.  The homeless man on the corner and the gang of boys at the garage make Miranda nervous, but she has street smarts to keep her safe.  Everything starts to go wrong when Miranda's best friend, Sal, is punched while they're walking home from school.  Sal stops talking to her, and Miranda has no one to turn to when someone breaks into her apartment and leaves a strange note: "I'm coming to save your friend's life, and my own."  More mysterious notes accurately predict the future--and, as if that isn't enough to worry about, she has to make new friends.  Miranda has a lot of questions to answer.  Will her mom ever be able to leave the job that she hates?  Is time-travel possible?  Will Sal be her friend again?  Who keeps sending the notes?

There's a little bit of science fiction, here, but everything about the characters and the setting is realistic.  Clues are slyly dropped along the way, and everything fits together perfectly.  If you like science fiction, you'll probably like this book.  If you like realistic fiction, you'll probably like it, too.  If you like mysteries ... yep, you'll like this book.  (If you like all three genres: this is exactly the book you need to get on your next visit to the library.)  It's the kind of story that keeps turning over and over in your mind for days as you digest it all.

Especially recommended for Wrinkle in Time fans.

"The Girl Who Could Fly"

Forester, Victoria (200 ). The Girl Who Could Fly. Grades 5-8.

Meet Piper McCloud, a farm girl who has never left her hometown, not even to go to a school. When she realizes that she can fly, she amazes herself and shocks her parents. No matter how much her parents try to discourage her from continuing to fly, Piper feels that it is a special gift and that she should use it. Before she can master her flying skills, she is taken to a secret government facility, which is led by Dr. Letitia Hellion. Piper is immediately placed in a classroom with other kids who have a variety of special abilities. Piper is amazed with the quality of life at the school. Meals are the best that she has ever tasted and all of her needs are seen to. However, it is soon apparent that Dr. Letitia Hellion may not have been honest with Piper and her reason for bringing her to the facility. In order to discover the truth, Piper must work with the other children to figure out why they were all brought to the same place.

What would you do if you were kidnapped?

Kehret, Peg (2008). Stolen Children. Grades 5-8.

Fourteen-year-old Amy is hired at the last minute by Mrs. Edgerton to babysit her three-year-old daughter Kendra. Watching Kendra should have been an easy job, but things quickly take a turn for the worse. When Amy goes to wake Kendra up from her nap she finds that Kendra is gone! Amy frantically searches for her inside and outside the house. Then a horrible thought hits her, what if she was kidnapped? Before Amy has time to call the police, the kidnapper finds her and she is forced to go with him. Both girls are taken to a cabin in the woods where the kidnappers plan on keeping them while they await a ransom from the Edgerton family. But Amy doesn't plan to sit back and wait to be released. She comes up with a plan to send clues to her family and friend in the videos the kidnappers make. Will the clues help them locate Amy and Kendra? She can only try and hope that they do.

Fans of Rick Riordans' Percy Jackson series

While you're waiting to read the The Last Olympian, the final book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, why not read some other books about gods, godesses, and other mythological characters.

Here are a few suggestions:

Abouzeid, Chris. Anatopsis.
In the realm from which the Greek gods ruled the universe thousands of years ago, the immortal witch Anatopsis uncovers the true objectives of her demi-god tutor Mr. Pound and attempts to prevent him from carrying out his evil plans.













Deming, Sarah. Iris, Messenger.
After discovering that the immortals of Greek mythology reside in her hometown of Middleville, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Iris listens to their life stories, gaining wisdom, beauty, and startling revelations about her past.

Henessy, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Jealous.
Thirteen-year-old Pandy is hauled before Zeus and given six months to gather all of the evils that were released when the box she brought to school as her annual project was accidentally opened.













Jones, Diana Wynne. The Game.
Sent to a boisterous family gathering in Ireland by her overly strict grandmother, orphaned Hayley feels out of place until her unruly cousins include her in a special game involving travel through the mythosphere, the place where all the world's stories can be found, and where some secrets of her past are revealed.

Mebus, Scott. Gods of Manhattan.
Thirteen-year-old Rory discovers a spirit world that thrives alongside his contemporary New York City, filled with fantastical creatures and people from the city's colorful past who have become gods and goddesses and who have chosen Rory to perform a dangerous mission.

Ursu, Anne. The Shadow Thieves. (The Cronus Chronicles, bk.1)
After her cousin Zee arrives from England, thirteen-year-old Charlotte and he must set out to save humankind from denizens of the underworld, Nightmares, Death, Pain, and a really nasty guy named Phil.

Once upon a time...

Myers, Edward (2008). Storyteller. Grades 5-8.

Jack has always excelled at telling stories to his family, friends, and just about anyone who will listen. After turning seventeen, he decides to leave his small village of Yorrow and find his fortune in the world. His journey steers him to the royal city where he meets the sorrowful king, his daughters, and son. After successfully meeting his first task, Jack is appointed the royal storyteller. He decides that he must help the king overcome his sorrows and bring the kingdom back to its better days, but it seems that the king's son, Prince Yoss, has other plans. With the help of a bird named Loquasto and the eldest princess Stelinda, Jack will take on Prince Yoss and his evil plan to rule the kingdom.

A dark and sinister tale...

Horowitz, Anthony (2008). Groosham Grange. Grades 5-8.

Thirteen-year-old David Eliot is the son of a wheel-chair bound father who is abusive towards him and his mother. When David is expelled from his boarding school, his father is furious and considers his son a complete failure. Then a letter mysteriously arrives from another private school, Groosham Grange, offering David an instant placement, and his father doesn't hesitate to pack him up and send him off. On the train ride to the school, David meets two other students, who also received a similar letter. They share their feelings about attending this boarding school and vow to stick together. David soon realizes that something sinister and evil is happening at Groosham Grange. Cult-like meetings in the middle of the night, and secretive behavior by teachers and students lead him to believe that something horrible is happening. But what is really going on? It is up to David and his two friends to discover the truth, before they are forced to make a difficult decision.

Summer of self-discovery

Hirahara, Naomi (2008). 1001 Cranes. Grades 5-8.


Twelve-year-old Angela is sent to live with her grandparents and aunt Janet in Los Angeles for the summer. Unhappy with this situation, Angela arrives determined not to have a good time. Her parents are in the midst of a divorce and Angela feels that they are just trying to get rid of her. She spends the summer learning how to make cranes out of origami for wedding decorations--and actually begins to like it! While in L.A., she meets Rachel, who seems to compete for Angela's grandmother's attention and develops a crush on a skater boy. Angela also becomes friends with an elderly neighbor who is suffering from cancer. Although the adults in her family are very secretive and do not always show their love in obvious ways, over the summer, Angela realizes that love exists in many different shapes and forms.

"Revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture..."

Compestine, Ying Chang (2007). Revolution is Not a Dinner Party. 248 pages. Grades 5-8.


In early 1972, eight-year-old Ling lives with her parents, both doctors, in a comfortable apartment building. But that very summer, Ling's life changes when Comrade Li, a political officer, moves into a room in their apartment. Chairman Mao is the adored leader and anyone who disagrees with his views or is seen as being part of the bourgeois, is declared an enemy. Ling begins to witness the cruelty that meets her neighbors and her own family during the Cultural Revolution. Over four years, Ling grows into a teenager and endures more hardships than anyone, especially a child, should ever face.

An intriguing story about a young girl's life during the Cultural Revolution, based on the author's own experiences.

The Power of Music in a Women's Prison

Karr, Kathleen (2003). Gilbert & Sullivan: Set Me Free*. 226 pages. Grades 5-8.

Experience the power of music and the injustice of being an inmate during the the early 1900s at the Massachusetts Sherborn Prison for Women (SPW). Libby Dodge arrived at SPW in her finest of clothing, but her story or the reason why she ends up in prison does not surface until halfway through the story. She is soon befriended by another inmate, Ma McCreary, who stands up for her when the other women treat her unkindly. Fortunately, Libby's luck is about to change when Mrs. Wilkinson, the new chaplain, arrives at SPW. She is forming a women's choir and begins recruiting the inmates. The choir gives these women hope and acts as an escape from their dreary lives in prison. Mrs. Wilkinson hopes to reform the inmates through the power of music and for the most part she succeeds. The women put on a successful performance of Handel's Hallelujah choir and take on Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance. In the process, Libby and the other women's talents emerge, as they learn more about each other and the world around them.

Karr's story is wonderfully written. She portrays the harsh reality of life in a women's prison during the early 20th century using characters based on real women who made significant changes in the Massachusetts women's prison system.

*Request this book through interlibrary loan.

Ghosts in the Libary?

Alter, Stephen (2007). The Phantom Isles. 210 pages. Grades 5-8.

Sixth-graders Courtney, Orion, and Ming sneak into the library late one night and find a book, The Compleat Necromancer, which contains an incantation, that will awaken the ghosts. Their adventure begins as soon as they recite the spell. They find that the books were donated by Hezekiah Osgood, a scientist, and they contain the ghosts he captured on the island of Prithvideep and imprisoned within his books! Their images move and speak, but they cannot leave their page. In addition to figuring out how to help free the ghosts, the children's teacher, Mrs. Hokum stirs up controversy by attempting to ban books she disapproves of and to shut down the library. The chapters alternate between the children's adventure and the story of the ghosts they discover.

Note to reader: You may find a ghost or two hidden within the pages of this book.

Back in time -- London circa 1763

Buckley-Archer, Linda (2006). Gideon, the Cutpurse. 404 pages. Grades 5-8.

Peter has been looking forward to spending his twelfth-birthday with his father, who has had to postpone their plans twice already. When his birthday is put on hold for the third time, Peter has had enough. His father sends him to Derbyshire for the weekend with his au pair where he meets Kate and her large, but loving family. Peter imagined the weekend as being a horrible time in the country, but he couldn't be more wrong. During a trip to Kate's father's science lab, Peter and Kate stumble upon a time-travel machine, known as the anti-gravity machine, which transports them back to London c. 1763. At first, they are uncertain of where they are and what year it is, until they meet Gideon Seymour who aids them throughout their journey. In order to get back to their time period, they must rely on this stranger who knows where the anti-gravity machine is being held. While stuck in the London of 1763, the children meet King George and Princess Charlotte, as well as a few other historical figures. Find out if Peter and Kate make it back to 21st century London. The adventure continues with the sequel: The Time Thief.

And if the historical detail leaves you wanting to read more about the 18th century, try:

Steve Sheinkin's, King George: What Was His Problem?

What would you do if someone you knew disappeared right before your eyes?

Dowd, Siobhan (2008). The London Eye Mystery. 322 pages. Grades 5-8.

During his visit to London, Salim's cousins, Ted and Kat take him to ride on the London Eye. While waiting in line, they are approached by a stranger who offers them one ticket for the ride. Ted and Kat suggest that Salim take the ticket, which turns out to be a mistake. They watch as Salim walks into the pod that will carry him around the wheel, but when it opens again Salim has vanished! Ted and Kat must work together to solve the mystery of Salim's disappearance.

Higgins, F.E. (2007). The Black Book of Secrets. 273 pages. Grades 5-8.

After barely escaping his thieving parents, Ludlow Fitch hitches a ride on the back of a carriage to the village of Pagus Parvus where he meets Joe Zabidou, the "Secret Pawnbroker." Ludlow becomes his assistant and each night when a different villager appears on Joe's doorstep to share a deep, dark secret, he transcribes these confessions. Through these midnight sessions, Ludlow and Joe learn how Mr. Ratchet, who owns most of the town, has cheated and blackmailed most of the residents. The situation quickly gets worse when Mr. Ratchet realizes what is going on and he attempts to turn the villagers against Joe and Ludlow.

Great Summer Read!

Wolfson, Jill (2006). Home and Other Big Fat Lies. 281 pages. Grades 5 - 8.

Whitney or "Termite" is an eleven year-old girl who has lived with eleven different foster families and is on to number 12. She arrives in an economically depressed logging town to live with the McCrary family, who doesn't seem very thrilled upon her arrival. Once again, she feels like an outsider, but when she meets other foster kids at school Whitney's situation begins to brighten. In addition, Whitney realizes that she enjoys nature and exploring the forest next to her new home. With a little urging from her science teacher, she joins the ecology club and leads the group in saving a Redwood from being chopped down by a logging company. Whitney is a very funny and clever girl who arrives as an outsider, but becomes part of this new community.

Journey through rebel territory

Goodman, Joan E. (1998). Hope's Crossing. 212 pages. Grades 5-8.



Set during the American Revolutionary War, this historical novel follows the journey of Hope Wakeman as she tries to escape from her kidnappers, a group of British Loyalists. One of her kidnappers, Mr. Thomas, brings her home to his wife, Elspeth, where she is treated like a servant. No one shows her much sympathy, except for Mother Thomas. Hope and Mother Thomas decide to escape together for New York and then to Connecticut, where Hope's family is staying. As soon as the journey begins, Hope and Mother Thomas are met with many encumbrances, leaving only one to return home alive.

A Retelling of Beowulf

Rumford, James (2007). Beowulf: A Hero's Tale Retold. Grades 5-8.


Beowulf's epic poem is retold in a much simpler fashion that will appeal to kids who enjoy reading about battles, Greek mythology, as well as graphic novels! Rumford uses words rooted in Old English (with a phonetic spelling in parenthesis) to preserve the ancient feel of the story. The illustrations alone will draw in readers and are a great visual representation of key moments in the story.

Adventure, Heroism, and More!

Pierce, Tamora (1999). First Test (Protector of the Small, bk.1). 216 pages. Grades 5-8.

Ten years ago, it was decided that girls would be accepted to train as knights, but no one has come forward until Keladry of Mindalen. When she arrives at the school, Keladry is treated unjustly by the male students, as well as the male staff. In order to meet the first year requirements, Keladry must work harder than her colleagues in order to prove to them that she has what it takes to be a knight. When she stands up for the underdog, she earns respect from several students. Through the different tasks and battles, Keladry demonstrates her strength and heroism. This is a great adventure story with a strong female protagonist! If you liked the first book, continue with the sequel, Page.

Three Great Historical Fiction Novels!

Giff, Patricia Reilly (2000). Nory Ryan's Song. 148 pages. Grades 5-8.


This is a powerful story about twelve-year-old Nory and her family who struggle to survive during the Irish Potato Famine of 1845. Nory sees her neighbors being evicted by the English landlord for not paying their rent and she is afraid that her family will be met by the same fate. Their father "Da" has not yet returned from working aboard a ship and Nory must find ways in which to help her family find food. She attempts to sell shawls, find eggs from sea birds, and helps Anna, the local herbalist, with chores. After her Granda and sister leave for America, her friend Sean offers Nory a ticket, but she asks him to take her younger brother Patch instead. Find out if Nory can survive the famine and join her brother and family in America.

If you liked this book, read Maggie's Door and Water Street, which continue to follow Nory's life.

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, bk. 1) 377 pages. Grades 5 - 8.

Percy Jackson always thought that he was just a normal kid with a few issues, like dyslexia. But when his class takes a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York he realizes that something is more than a little bit weird. Mrs. Dodds, his math teacher, has always been mean to him, but at the museum she actually tries to kill him! After his escape he realizes that no one else, including his best friend Grover, knows who she is. Why was he the only one who saw her? To make things worse, his boarding school has kicked him out, just like every other school in the past. When Percy returns home to his mom, she decides to take him on a trip and that is when everything changes. They are attacked and chased by a minotaur and Percy's mother is killed, or is she? Only Percy and Grover make it to Half-Blood Hill, a summer camp for children of the Greek gods, where once he is claimed by a god he will be able to undertake a quest that will change his life forever. If you love this book read the second in this series, The Sea of Monsters.

Diana Wynne Jones' "The Game"

Hayley has been homeschooled and raised in London by her grandparents due to her parents’ disappearance when she was a baby. She has never met her extended family, except for Uncle Jolyon, who is not very friendly. When Hayley gets into trouble, her grandmother decides to send her to her aunts in Ireland. She meets her cousins who involve her in “the game,” which involves going to a place called “the mythosphere.” In the mythosphere, Hayley discovers characters from mythology and legends. After playing “the game” several times, Hayley runs into her father and mother whom she hopes to reunite and bring back to her regular world. Ultimately, she discovers her unique role in the world. Jones introduces readers to Greek mythology and includes an appendix in which she provides background on the characters used in her book. 179 pp. Grades 5-8.