The Crossover

This was this year's Newbery Medal winner (FIC ALE). It is written in verse style...like a poem.  The main character, Josh, raps and rhymes as he tells his story of his mad hoops skills and his beautiful dreadlocks that help him fly!  But when his twin gets a girlfriend, Josh is jealous and lonely and their relationship changes... as does his game after an incident on the court.  To make matters worse, his famous dad is ignoring health concerns.  How can a kid concentrate on his game?  

Best Friend Battle

This is a short book by Lindsay Eyre (FIC EYR).  It could be in the early reader section as it has a 3rd grade reading level, but it is a little longer than those.  The main character, Sylvie, is very jealous of her best friend's new friend.  She makes some choices that she soon regrets and gets herself into a very sticky situation as a result of her lies.  The story and characters were believable and likable.  It was a sweet story.

Amelia Bedelia Means Business

I was pleased to see Scholastic offer this new, chapter book version of Amelia Bedelia.  The original, lower-level readers have Amelia as an adult, and her literal translation of everything makes for a funny book, but one that I always thought was above the heads of its emerging readers.  Now, with this chapter book series, the older students, who can get the plays on words and humor, can appreciate the character more.  In this first of the series, Amelia is now a young girl who falls in love with a new bike, and does what is necessary to get it.  And you can bet there is a lot of misunderstandings and silliness along the way!

Disaster Strikes: Tornado Alley

This is a great new series for my Early Chapter Book shelves (E KEN). Following the same formula as I Survived, these action-packed stories are sure to be a hit, even with a child who thinks he/she does not like to read.  Written at a 3-4 grade reading level, they are a quick, exciting story that will leave them wanting more.
This one is set on an Oklahoma ranch.  A cousin visiting from New York City gets a vacation she never dreamed of, but she surprises her country cousin with her quick thinking during the emergency, and makes him think twice about judging her.

I Survived: The Great Chicago Fire, 1871

This very popular series by Lauren Tarshis continues to expand and students keep rushing to read these historical fiction novels (FIC TAR).  This is the eleventh in the series and deals with the Great Chicago Fire.  It is a great, page-turning action story that I could not put down.  These are perfect for older students who think they don't like to read.  They are not too long, very exciting, and are written at a 4th grade reading level.  I loved the pages at the end in which the author talks about the historical event that inspired the book.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid. the Long Haul

In the latest installment of Jeff Kinney's super-popular series, Greg and his family take a road trip.  As expected, nothing goes right.  One disaster follows the next.  Would you expect anything less?  (FIC KIN)

Smile

In this graphic novel, 7th grader Raina has to get braces.  But some complications with her teeth make it an arduous process.  As if that weren't bad enough, her friends tease her constantly.  The book spans three years of her life in which her smile, and her attitude, change.  I liked the story but thought it made the process of getting braces seem terrifying.  Also, the book was full of references to boys and some puberty issues.  It is a solid middle-school read, but not for the general K-5 population.