Rookie of the Year
by John Roberts Tunis
Published 2006 by Odyssey Classics

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780152056483

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Jacket Notes:

The complex web of relationships that make up a major-league baseball team is the heart of this story about a rookie pitcher who becomes a threat to his team's chances for the pennant.

"Includes an introduction by Bruce Brooks."

Bartleby of the Big Bad Bayou
by Phyllis Shalant
Published 2005 by Dutton Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780525473664

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08/01/2005 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 3-6 -Bartleby, a red-eared turtle, and his alligator friend, Seezer, have traveled through three seasons to make their way from their former lives as pets in New York State to their rightful home in bayou country. Sadly, when they arrive, the bayou is not as Seezer remembers it, nor as Bartleby imagined it. A huge and nasty gator, Old Stump, and his gang of four have taken over the area and eaten or frightened away most of the other animals. Bartleby is as courageous and clever as he was when he met Seezer in Bartleby of the Mighty Mississippi (Dutton, 2000) and he manages to outwit the numerous enemies he encounters in the swamp. Finally he meets other red-ears, as he has longed to do since he saw a nature special in his former home, and finds his match in plucky Lucky Gal. Friends and foes interact much like people and discover loyalties and harmony after surviving drought, bullies, and another spell in captivity. Fans of the first book will enjoy this story most but it can stand on its own. Touching and exciting, this fast and easy read will appeal even to reluctant readers.-Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL

Bravo, Mia!
by Laurence Yep
Published 2008 by American Girl

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781593694104

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Mia St. Clair can't wait for Regionals. Or can she? Mia has been training all year to master the moves she needs to compete at the Regional Figure Skating Competition. It's her first time competing at that level, and Mia is eager for and worried about Regionals all at the same time. Is she a good enough skater? Does she have what it takes to survive in the world of competitive figure skating--and still be a good sport? When a family crisis threatens Mia's chances of going to Regionals, Mia is heartbroken. But she knows that being a good sport means accepting challenges--even big losses--with determination and grace.

Defiance
by Valerie Hobbs
Published 2005 by Farrar Straus Giroux

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780374308476

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In this honest and life-affirming novel for young readers, an unforgettable 11-year-old boy who has cancer learns about the importance of letting things happen on their own and listening to his heart.

09/01/2005 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-7 -After finally finishing his painful cancer treatment, Toby Steiner, 11, is spending the summer in a rented cabin with his overprotective mother and weekender dad. Determined not to go back into therapy, he hides from his parents the lump he's discovered on his side. Exploring the countryside on an old bike, he encounters a skinny old cow and its owner, an almost-blind woman whose motto, "Whoever steals my freedom takes my life," represents her own defiance over attempts to usurp her independence. Embittered by life, Pearl Rhodes Richardson, 94, is a celebrated poet who has vowed never to write again. She and Toby develop a friendship and find common ground in their resistance to their families' interference in their lives. He helps with chores and reads poetry to her, and the two care for the failing cow whose inevitable death becomes a metaphor for what must be accepted and for what it is not yet time. Defiance turns to decision as each one helps the other face a difficult but hopeful future. An afterword, set several years later, provides a triumphant conclusion for both Toby's and Pearl's stories. Spare, graceful writing, with just enough detail to bring the characters and setting to life, skillfully paces the action and keeps the focus on Toby's conflicted feelings, ultimately celebrating the source of strength he and Pearl become to one another. A quiet, yet resonant story.-Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Larry, the King of Rock and Roll
by Iris Rainer Dart
Published 2007 by Putnam Publishing Group

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780399245466

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Did you know dogs can talk? Well, neither did Cathy and her father, Tom, a songwriter struggling with a new tune?that is, until their pet dog Larry opened his mouth and helped Tom finish the song! Once Larry reveals he can not only talk but sing, there's no stopping him. In no time, he's on stage singing for sold-out audiences. Even the President of the United States is a fan of Larry. But soon enough, fame goes to Larry's head: he drops Tom from his act, abandons Cathy and moves in with his agent. By the time of his showcase gig at the Hollywood Bowl, it's clear he's the king of rock and roll?but at what cost? A fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek romp through the world of music stardom, Larry: The King of Rock and Roll is sure to win this lovable pooch a whole new legion of fans?young readers everywhere!

03/01/2007 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 4-6- Larry appears to be an average dog: loyal, faithful, and eager to please. The fluffy Maltese goes everywhere with his family, and loves nothing more than cuddling up with 10-year-old Cathy. Therefore, Cathy and her father, Tom, are understandably shocked when one day Larry gets hot under the collar and chews them out-in words. The premise is that Larry, and all dogs for that matter, can talk. They are simply more highly evolved beings who recognize the importance of their reticent role in society. Larry's role, however, changes quickly as he embarks on a successful musical career with Tom, who is a songwriter. Hounded by success and pawed by fame, Larry loses sight of his family, friends, and, ultimately, himself. Fortunately, Cathy and Tom eventually intervene and shepherd him home to forgiveness and reconciliation. Underneath its sweet, silly surface, this story touches on several issues that are important to today's children. Divorce, shared custody, new relationships, and difficult choices are all central themes. While the story flows fairly smoothly, the characters feel somewhat flat, and some key cultural references are a bit out of date, something most readers of this age will notice. Still, children begging for stories about pets will find this an entertaining read.-Tracy H. Chrenka, Forest Hills Public Schools, Ada, MI

Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker
Published 2008 by Hyperion Books for Children

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780786838844

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In this latest hilarious story, Clementine learns her favorite teacher Mr. DMatz is leaving for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt. When the substitute filling in for him gives her a whole new set of rules, Clementine must find a way to get Mr. DMatz back. Illustrations.

Abduction!
by Peg Kehret
Published 2006 by Puffin Books

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780142406175

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Jacket Notes:

Bonnie's brother Matt leaves his classroom to use the restroom--and vanishes. A police dog traces his scent to the curb, where he apparently got into a vehicle. But why would Matt go anywhere with a stranger? Kehret spins a gripping tale of suspense and family love.

The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Published 2007 by Little, Brown Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780316057776

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Jacket Notes:

A first-time novelist takes readers on a dazzling adventure that puts friends, family, and foe to the test, as four children go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children can complete. Illustrations.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 12/18/2006

Stewart's (Flood Summer , for adults) first book for young people begins with a bang. Gifted 11-year-old orphan Reynie Muldoon is sharing the newspaper with his tutor when she excitedly points out an ad: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" She encourages him to take the series of tests cited in the ad, and the entire process resembles the otherworldly experience of Roald Dahl'sCharlie and the Chocolate Factory , with puzzles within puzzles and tests within tests-some mental, some ethical, some physical. Ultimately three children pass the first test and go on to the next: Reynie, Sticky (born George) Washington and Kate Wetherall-all of them essentially orphans. A fourth, the "very, very small" Constance Contraire, joins them later, and Mr. Benedict describes why he has brought them together. Initially, readers-like the four children-may be unsure of what to think about this mysterious gent: Is he hero or villain? Mr. Benedict has recruited them to foil an evil plan, devised by a mysterious "Sender," to brainwash the population via secret messages-delivered by children-embedded in television and radio programs. The plot-driven novel follows many adventures among the four, whose unique talents all come into play; readers will likely warm to each of them. A couple of concluding twists involving Kate and Connie may throw readers a bit, but these do not detract from the book's entertainment value or from the author's sound overall structure. Though the book is lengthy, readers will likely enjoy getting lost in this fully imagined realm. Ages 8-12.(Mar.)

03/01/2007 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-9- After Reynie Muldoon responds to an advertisement recruiting "gifted children looking for special opportunities," he finds himself in a world of mystery and adventure. The 11-year-old orphan is one of four children to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks, and he, Kate, Constance, and Sticky become the Mysterious Benedict Society. After being trained by Mr. Benedict and his assistants, the four travel to an isolated school where children are being trained by a criminal mastermind to participate in his schemes to take over the world. The young investigators need to use their special talents and abilities in order to discover Mr. Curtain's secrets, and their only chance to defeat him is through working together. Readers will challenge their own abilities as they work with the Society members to solve clues and put together the pieces of Mr. Curtain's plan. In spite of a variety of coincidences, Stewart's unusual characters, threatening villains, and dramatic plot twists will grab and hold readers' attention. Fans of Roald Dahl or Blue Balliett will find a familiar blend of kid power, clues, and adventure inSociety , though its length may daunt reluctant or less-secure readers. Underlying themes about the power of media messages and the value of education add to this book's appeal, and a happy ending with hints of more adventures to come make this first-time author one to remember.-Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI