The Witch's Boy

Title: The Witch's Boy
Author: Kelly Barnhill

The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.

My favorite book I have read in a long time. I laughed, cried, and got the chills. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, magic, family and friendship. This is a great read for anyone. 

A Washington Post Best Book of 2014
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2014
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2014
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" 2014

“Barnhill . . . is an eloquent writer who spins beautiful lines . . . This spellbinding fantasy begs for a cozy chair, a stash of Halloween candy and several hours of uninterrupted reading time.” —The Washington Post

“A story with many alluring elements . . . Barnhill creates an absorbing world of kingdoms and prophecies in which transformation comes through language, and through courage and self-awareness as well . . . [The Witch’s Boy] should open young readers’ eyes to something that is all around them in the very world we live in: the magic of words.” —NewYorkTimes.com

“Barnhill tells a complex story, one that sustains and subverts the usual fairy-tale tropes. Through the eyes of the brave and increasingly shrewd Ned and Áine, young readers consider the complications of magic, the corrupting desire for power, and the conflicting natures of good and evil in this atmospheric and elegantly told literary fairy tale.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“The characters are vivid and well developed . . . The writing is beautiful and lyrical, but keeps pace with an action-packed story . . . Recommend this title to those who like retellings and strong, narrative fantasy.” —VOYA

Savvy- Ingrid Law

Title: Savvy
Author: Ingrid Law

You wont look at 13 the same ever again! 

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Mississippi Beaumont ("Mibs" for short) simply cannot wait for her 13th birthday. There's the allure of finally becoming a teenager, of course, but in the Beaumont family, 13 is when family members get their "savvy," or unworldly power. For Mibs's older brother Fish, it's control over the elements, and for her mother it's the ability to do everything perfectly. Unfortunately, Mibs's excitement is cut short when her father is injured in a car accident. Convinced that her new powers will be able to save her Poppa, she and some new friends climb aboard a bus toting pink bibles on her birthday, in the hopes of getting to the hospital. Instead they find themselves headed in the wrong direction with the cops looking for them, Mibs's powerful brother seriously angry, and the son of a preacher man she has a crush on coming dangerously close to figuring out the Beaumonts' secret. Mibs's real savvy isn't what she expected, and neither are her traveling companions. Though the story never lives up to the brilliance of its opening chapter, Law has a feel for characters and language that is matched by few. With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans. Definitely an author to watch.—Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library 

Nightbird- Alice Hoffman

Title: Nightbird
Author: Alice Hoffman

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—A sweet, if somewhat uneven middle grade tale by beloved adult author Hoffman. Twig is the daughter of the best baker in the town of Sidwell, NY. But Twig has a secret—the town doesn't know that she has an older brother, James, hidden away because of his large black wings, a result of the curse on the men in their family. James's clandestine nighttime jaunts around Sidwell have led fractious locals to talk of hunting down "the monster" in their midst. When a new family moves into the cottage that belonged to the witch who cursed Twig's ancestor, events are set in motion that will change all of their lives forever. Hoffman juggles multiple themes: an environmental thread, with a focus on the rare owls in the woods around Twig's home; a broken family thread (Twig hasn't seen or heard from her father since she was a toddler); a friendship tale of outsiders finding each other; along with bits of romance, curses, and magic. A clever narrator, beautiful imagery, and the quirky cast of secondary characters who populate the oddball town are the bright spots in this mix of fantasy and mystery. Unfortunately, the climax ties every plot line together neatly, and the overly pat ending undercuts an otherwise sophisticated narrative. Still, the spunky protagonist, copious descriptions of mouth-watering baked goods, and terrific cover art guarantee this magical story will find an audience.—Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT

About the Author- from amazon.com

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty bestselling works of fiction, including Practical Magic, a major motion picture; Here on Earth, an Oprah Book Club selection; the highly praised historical novel The Dovekeepers; and, most recently, The Museum of Extraordinary Things. Her books for teens include Green Angel, Green Witch, Incantation, The Fortelling, and Aquamarine, also a major motion picture, starring Emma Roberts. Visit her online at alicehoffman.com.

The True Meaning of Smekday

Title: The True Meaning of Smekday
Author: Adam Rex

The book that the movie Home was based on. Funny, light hearted and totally worth a read.

From Goodreads.com

It all starts with a school essay.

When twelve-year-old Gratuity (“Tip”) Tucci is assigned to write five pages on “The True Meaning of Smekday” for the National Time Capsule contest, she’s not sure where to begin. When her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge, bizarre spaceships descended on the Earth and the aliens – called Boov – abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it “Smekland” (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod?

In any case, Gratuity’s story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo.; a futile journey south to find Gratuity’s mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion.

Fully illustrated with “photos,” drawings, newspaper clippings, and comics sequences, this is a hilarious, perceptive, genre-bending novel by a remarkable new talent. the planet from a really big catastrophe. 

Noggin- John Corey Whaley

Title: Noggin
Author: John Corey Whaley

Watch a wonderful book Trailer for this one :)

Flebrain Loves Franny

Title: Fleabrain Loves Franny
Author: Joanne Rocklin


Awards 
Bank Street Children's Books "Best Books of the Year," Fiction Ages 9-12
Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers

"Heartwarming and endlessly funny, Fleabrain Loves Franny will delight readers of all ages. Rocklin’s sharp wit and exuberant writing style are refreshing. This book is not to be missed."
--VOYA

"Franny—a compassionate, thoughtful and sympathetic protagonist—is believably erratic in her emotions and reflections on her illness and its effects on her previously carefree life."
--Publishers Weekly

"Rocklin perfectly captures the era of 1952 and creates a sympathetic, realistic character in Franny, who begins to accept her condition, rejoin her friends and even protest her school’s inaccessibility."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Comedic and philosophical, readers will find multiple levels to enjoy."
--School Library Journal

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Title: The Fourteenth Goldfish
Author: Jennifer L Holm
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0375870644

Publishers Weekly starred review, May 26, 2014:“This is top-notch middle-grade fiction with a meaty dilemma, humor, and an ending that leaves room for the possibility of a sequel. “

Booklist starred review, July 1, 2014:"A great choice for book groups and class discussions as well as individual reading."

New York Times Books Review, August 24, 2014:
"“Youth, old age, life, death, love, possibilities, and – oh yes – goldfish all come together in this warm, witty and wise novel.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, September 2014:
"Holm’s writing is crisp, accessible, and well paced, and her enthusiasm for science and its impact emerges clearly and consistently but not overbearingly, with clear, appreciative nods to the world of theater and its purpose in our lives. Indeed, this novel explores weighty elements of human existence with a light touch, allowing readers to engage with the issues at multiple levels; an excellent appendix of recommended readings encourages exploration and dialogue. This novel would make an ideal classroom read aloud, particularly to expose students to the rich and rewarding STEM fields."

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World- Henry Clark

Title What we Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World
Author: Henry Clark
ISBN 9780316206662

Review:  This is an adventure that the reader wont easily forget. Three friends River, Freak and Fiona find a beat up sofa near their bus stop. They find many oddities in the sofa but the most interesting object is a rare green crayon. One thing leads to another and the three end up finding out that things aren't always as they seem. With the help of a cat, a domino with intellect and an odd neighbor, can these three save the world from a menacing billionaire?

The adventure is non stop. This is a book that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as avid readers. The character development is adequate, but the action is full of life.

Pi in the Sky- Wendy Mass

Title: Pi in the Sky
Author: Wendy Mass
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
ISBN: 978-0316089166
Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wendy Mass writes with a flow that makes the reader just continue to read. Joss is a likable character from the first page and his adventures keep everything intriguing. I liked that at the beginning of the book, Mass explains what we know about Dark Matter and how she created her world in this Dark Matter. It sets the reader up for success when reading the book. There are science terms and concepts in this book which could encourage further research. The adventure, friendship and science together make an amazing book! The students I have talked to about this book are excited for our order to come in. 

Green Angel- Alice Hoffman

Title: Green Angel
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN:

Plot and Review:

This is a powerful book that brings the reader to a time of tragedy and loss. Green has always been in the garden. She loves her garden and what she can do in it.  She stays to tend to the garden on the day her whole family dies in the city along with many other people. On her own, Green changes her name, and decides she is not the same girl. She hardens and gives herself tattoos. She feels like things are not going to be OK again. The most unlikely being comes to shift her thoughts and life. This is a wonderful book about the changes in life. Alice Hoffman normally writes adult books. This one crosses over and it is truly worth the read.

Dead Boys- Royce Buckingham

Title: The Dead Boys

Author: Royce Buckingham
ISBN: 978-0399252228
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Lexile: 850
Interest Level: 9-12

Plot and Review: 

Buckingham has written a thrilling book featuring a tree altered by nuclear waste in Richland, Washington. The tree feeds on the energy of little boys it takes with its branches. It needs a new boy every ten years. Teddy moves to town with his mother. They move right next to te tree. Now the tree thinks it has found it's next victim. Will teddy fall into this trap? 

This book is certainly a page turner. The reader is captured from the very first page. This would be a great book for a reluctant reader because it is full of thrill. Teddy is faced with many challenges throughout the book leaving the reader on the edge of their seats waiting to see if he will survive. 

The Sisters Grimm- The Fairy Tale Detectives- Michael Buckley

Title:The Sisters Grimm- The Fairy Tale Detectives
Author: Buckley, Michael
Publisher: Abrams, 2005
ISBN-13: 9780810959255

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 840 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+


Readers Annotation:What would you think if magic and folktales were real? What if the stories were about your family members?

Plot:
Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are two sisters who have had a rough life. Their parents have disappeared and there is no telling where they went or why they are gone. The girls get sent to live with their grandmother because their parents are gone. What they find at the grandmothers house is strange happenings each day. The fairy tale brothers, The Brothers Grimm, are ancestors of the girls and they find out the tales are real! Sabrina is not pleased about this and does not believe it for a second. Whether she wants to or not the girls must help the family fighting the creatures. They are to help stop a giant from taking over the town and destroying the land. Can they do it?

Review:
This is the first in a series of books about these girls and their adventures. It is a great spin on the Brothers Grimm stories because they are lighter in nature and have a comical aspect to them. Buckly writes with a voice that keeps the reader engaged but does not have too much detail to overwhelm the reader. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Similar Materials:
Sisters Grimm Series
Brothers Grimm

Falling In- Frances O'Roark Dowell

Title:Falling In
Author: Dowell, Frances O'Roark
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, 2012
ISBN-10: 1416999027

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 850 Lexile
Interest Level: 8+


Readers Annotation: Are fairy-tales real? Isabelle thinks so and then finds out. 

Plot:
Isabelle has a hard time paying attention. Her head is in the clouds a lot of the time. One day, she is sitting in class when she hears an odd buzzing sound. She gets sent to the principal's office to think about her learning. While waiting she checks out the closet and falls in. Isabelle ends up in a fairy-tale land that she has never seen before. Because of her red boots, everyone in this land thinks she is "the witch." Can she convince them otherwise? Isabelle goes on a quest to prove her innocence all the while learning more about this strange land. She encounters strange creatures and is lucky to make it through alive. Maybe this adventure will help her in the real world.

Review:
This is a fun story similar to Alice in Wonderland. Dowell wrote this book in a way that the reader is directly spoken to and part of the book. This makes the book easier to read and adds a personal element to the book that could have otherwise have been lost. Isabelle is a girl who has a hard time making friends and lives in her imagination because of it. There is something comforting about this book because the reader knows in their heart that she will make it back to the real world, even if at some parts it does not seem so.

Similar Materials:
Alice in Wonderland
The Sixty-Eight Rooms- Marianne Malone

Flawed Dogs- Berkeley Breathed

Title: Flawed Dogs
Author: Breathed, Berkeley
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780399252181

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 920 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+


Readers Annotation: Sometimes plans change from what you expect. Is it always a bad thing?

Plot:
Sam is a dachshund and was bread to be a show dog. He lived a life of privilege and love until one day a nasty poodle named Cassius frames him for something terrible. Sam is kicked out of his home and banished to the streets. Because he has never been on the streets before, terrible things happen including the loss of a leg. He uses a ladle as a leg to get around. One man scoops him up to have as a companion and then puts Sam into a dog fighting ring. When Sam escapes the dog fight he sees a sign for the dog show and guess who is on it, Cassius. Sam decides he is going to find and confront his enemy head on.

Review:
This is a cute book about rising even through tough times. Children and tweens can relate to this when they feel as though there are sad things going on in their life. Sam was put in many different situations where many dogs and people would have given up but he didn't He used the ladle like his own leg and became successful. I would recommend this to many readers who want a heart warming story.

Similar Materials:

Scat- Carl Hiaasen

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup- Sharon Creech

Title: Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
Author: Creech, Sharon
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2003
ISBN-13: 9780060292904

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 810 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+

Readers Annotation: Soup and other recipes can make the world a better place.

Plot:
Rosie's grandmother is an amazing cook. She is always cooking something delicious and teaching Rosie the way around the kitchen. Her friend Bailey on the other hand has made her mad. She was just trying to be more like him and now he is upset. Bailey is blind and Rosie has helped him for their entire lives to "see" the world. As Grandma finds out about the rift, she decides they need to cook something together to heal the problem. Will it work?

Review:
This is a story about friendship, love and cooking. Rosie's grandmother imparts knowledge of all kinds to her granddaughter while in the kitchen. She reflects on her past to help Rosie. Many readers have had this experience with an adult sometime. The kitchen is a place people come together. I liked this story. It was short but very sweet.

Similar Materials:

Walk two Moons- Sharon Creech
Eggs- Jerry Spinelli

Tale of Despereaux-Kate DiCamillo

Title:Tale of Despereaux
Author: DiCamillo, Kate
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2003
ISBN-13: 9780763617226

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 670 Lexile
Interest Level: 8+


Readers Annotation: One brave mouse, one different rat, and two women. What could happen?

Plot:
This is a story of love, bravery and the meaning of life. Despereaux was doomed in the mouse community from the start. He was extremely small, had large ears and was the only mouse of his litter to survive. He was different from the beginning and never became a normal mouse. He broke all the rules and not only entered a room to listen to music, but fell in love and talked to a human! He was banished to the dungeon. Roscuro is a rat who wishes to be in the light not the darkness of the dungeon and Miggery Sow is a girl who wants something she cannot have. The three stories come together in an unusual way and the three learn something about themselves.

Review:
This book was very cute and a fast read. I loved the format of the book and the voice in which it was written. DiCamillo did a great job creating characters the reader will love. The story was being told to the reader and the narrator actually addresses the reader throughout the book. I enjoyed this book and understand why it has been read for many years.

Similar Materials:
Because of Winn Dixie- Kate DiCamillo
Feathers- Jacqueline Woodson

Tunnels- Rodrick Gordon and Brian Williams

Title: Tunnels
Author: Gordon, Roderick and Williams, Brian
Publisher: Scholastic Inc., 2008
ISBN-13: 9780439871778

Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Reading Level: 990 Lexile
Interest Level: 11+

Readers Annotation: His father is missing and there seems to be some strange tunnels under the ground. Could the two be connected?

Plot:
Will is 14 and not a very popular kid. He gets made fun of a lot and his father is pretty eccentric as well. One day, Will's father disappears without a trace. This is odd and Will decides to look for him. He discovers some tunnels under the streets and since his father was an archaeologist he thinks maybe his father is lost in the tunnels. What he discovers is very different from an ancient civilization preserved under the ground. There is a community thriving in these tunnels and they have taken Will's father hostage. Can will get him back?

Review:
This is an interesting book that starts a series by Gordon and Williams. Tunnels is hard to get through at the beginning but once it gets going the adventures come one after another. The reader is captivated by the characters and civilization. The book leaves the reader ready for more which is a great way to start a series.

Similar Materials:

The Rest of the Series:
Deeper
Freefall
Closer
Spiral

Horns and Wrinkles- Joseph Helgerson

Title: Horns and Wrinkes
Author: Helgerson, Joseph
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 2006
ISBN-10: 0618616799

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 880 Lexile
Interest Level: 10+


Readers Annotation: Do you believe in river creatures? Claire didn't until one day when her cousin comes out of the river with a horn instead of a nose.

Plot:
His horn grows with time and there is an old woman who says it will continue to grow unless he is truly nice to someone or something. Claire has heard a lot about River Trolls and Rock Trolls always seemed to be a thing of stories. Now, she is seeing them with her cousin and she must help them before they will allow him to come back home. That is, if he even wants to go home. The Trolls need screens to lift a spell that has been placed on them. Claire is one of the only people who can help them reach their goal. Can the spell be lifted?

Review:
This book is not what I usually enjoy reading, but Helgerson did a great job keeping the reader entertained. The story moved forward quickly and the reader wants Claire to help the creatures even though they are mean creatures. This book lets the reader's imagination run wild.

Similar Materials:
Cinderella- Sarah Thompson
The Doll People- Ann Martin

Cirque De Freak: A Living Nightmare- Darren Shan

Title: Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare
Author: Shan, Darren
Publisher: Little, Brown Books, 2002
ISBN-13: 0316605107

Genre: Vampire Fiction
Reading Level: 650 Lexile
Interest Level: 10+

Readers Annotation: Are vampires real? What are their powers? Can we become one?

Plot:
These are all questions that Shan explores in the book series Cirque Du Freak. In this first book, Darren explains that real life can be messy and cruel. He and his friend decide to go to a freak show that comes to town secretly. There they see many different acts including a man who trains a tarantula to do whatever he wants. Darren's friend Steve not only recognizes the spider man Mr Crepsly, but he wants to be just like him, a vampire. Darren over hears a conversation between Mr Crepsly and Steve. The vampire will not turn Steve because he has "bad blood." Darren is more interested in the spider than vampires and he steals he tarantula to do tricks in his room. When he shows Steve the spider, it bites Steve who is sent into a violent illness. In order to save Steve, Darren must face his fears and talk to the one being who can save him, Mr. Crepsly.

Review:
This book is a quick read because it is so interesting. Shan grabs the reader from the beginning and does not let go even at the end. There is no surprise that this turned into a series that is loved by many. The characters are interesting and the question of the meaning of friendship is key to this story. Darren must make a choice to end his life the way he knows it to save Steve. The reader is left wanting for more in the second book.

Similar Materials:

Goosebumps Series- R.L Stine
The Cirque Du Freak Series

Vampire Diaries: The Awakening- L.J. Smith

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
Author: Smith, L.J.
Publisher: Harper Tenn, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780061963865

Genre: Vampire Fiction
Reading Level: HL 700 Lexile
Interest Level: 13+

Readers Annotation: A love triangle that can go bad in one instant.

Plot:
Elena finds the new boy in school very intriguing. He is mysterious, quiet and barely pays attention to her. His name is Stephan and what Elena does not know is that he wants her so badly, but is protecting her from him because he is a vampire. Her ex boyfriend Matt is not happy about any of this and still wants the affections of Elena. There are also these happenings in the woods. People are being badly hurt of killed in the wilderness of their town. Is Stephan part of this or is something else at work?

Review:
This is the beginning to a long and in depth series about vampires and humans. This book sets up the story and is not a great book because of this. Once the story gets going, the plot picks up and by the end of this book, the reader is ready for the second. This has become a television show and many tweens will know the story line before ever reading the first book. It is not a great vampire story to begin with, but the series would be worth reading.

Similar Materials:

The other Vampire Diaries Books
Twilight Saga- Stephanie Meyer