Soar

In this big-kid fiction book written by Joan Bauer and on the Great Stone Face nominee list this year, a boy moves to a baseball-crazy new town, which is perfect for he and his dad.  The high school's team, however, soon finds itself in a scandal that could end baseball there forever.  Jeremiah leads the charge for the revival of the middle school team.  His weak heart won't allow him to play, but his love for the game, courage, and positive outlook create a spark that will help the town soar.  (FIC BAU)

The Big Dark

The author of this story wrote Freak the Mighty, so I was excited to read his latest, The Big Dark, a Great Stone Face Book Nominee this year. It is a survival story, a hugely popular genre right now.  When a solar flare causes a world-wide geomagnetic phenomena, the electric grid collapses. Car engines won't start. Batteries do not work. The town of Harmony, New Hampshire is in the middle of winter. Things look bleak, especially when a well-armed local family wants to establish their own sovereign nation of strong, white citizens. Charlie has to leave Harmony and trek to a place where he can get his mother's life-saving medicine.  It is an exciting story.  (FIC PHI)

Pax

This novel from the author of the early-reader Clementine series, Sara Pennypacker, was a wonderful read.  It is a big-kid chapter book, unlike her earlier series.  A boy and the fox he has raised since he was a pup get separated.  It is the story of how each of them separately tries to find their way back home.  I especially liked the journey that Peter took, highlighted by his time with Vola.  What a wonderful character.  They each are forever changed by the brief time they spend together.  The book is a Great Stone Face book this year.  I would not be surprised if it won.  (FIC PEN)

Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story

This book is available on our nooks.  It is a short book written by Nora Raleigh Baskin, but for older students.  The story begins two days before the tragic events of 9/11.  It is told from the perspective of four young people from around the country. Each of their experiences is unique and yet their stories connect, as all of us do in such a tragedy.
(FIC BAS)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This story picks up where the Deathly Hallows leaves off.  But although the story belongs to J.K. Rowling, it is written in play form by someone else.  I thought it was great to revisit beloved characters, of course.  However, I do not like that this amazing, epic story continues in another form. I found that the play left so much back-story out.  I missed the language and flow of the original stories.  (FIC ROW)

The Scourge

Jennifer Nielsen is one of my favorite authors.  Several years ago, she wrote the Ascendance Trilogy which I adore.  This is a stand-alone book, which is rare these days.  It is a story of a disease that is tearing through a kingdom.  When Ani is infected, she is taken to an island into isolation with other victims.  What she find is worse than the disease.  I loved Ani: a brave and sassy girl.  This fast-paced adventure story has friendship, betrayal, and courage.  But at its heart, it makes us think of tragic times in history when man was judged by where they lived or what they believed.  It speaks of courage to break down those barriers and to see all men as equal and do away with stereotypes that separate.  (FIC NIE)

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder

Yes.  You read that right - a book about powder that makes you pass gas - in a big way.  Jo Nesbo is the author of this big-kid fiction series about an inventor who develops a powder that makes a person fart without the smell. When Nilly, the tiny new kid next door, hears about it, he thinks he has gone to heaven!  What kid doesn't like to do that?  It is so much fun!  But the fun ends when the town bullies have the professor and Nilly arrested and try to steal the powder.  I did not enjoy this book.  I was dying for it to end, but I am also not a 4th grader who thinks this stuff is funny. Who knows?  Try it.  You may love it.  There are three sequels if you do.  (FIC NES)

Mr. Terupt Falls Again

In this sequel to his debut novel, Because of Mr.Terupt, Rob Buyea does not disappoint.  His students have now looped with their beloved teacher and are in 6th grade.  Like the first, this book is written from the perspectives of each student in his room.  I love that format.  However, as the students get older, the maturity of the book grows as well.  I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than fifth grade, as it mentions some events and behaviors that may be too old for younger readers.  (FIC BUY)

Waylon! One Awesome Thing

This is a the first in a new series from Sarah Pennypacker, the author of the Clementine series.  If you have read them, you may be familiar with Waylon, Clementine's classmate and science guy.  This book (and series) features him and his family while still peeking into his school and the Clementine gang.  I enjoyed the story about his trouble both at home with his sister and at school.  I think 3rd and 4th graders will definitely relate and enjoy reading about how he deals with it. (E PEN)

Ship of Dolls

Written by Shirley Parenteau, this is a historical fiction story based on a true event.  Before World War II, the tensions between the United States and Japan were high. In order to ease those tensions and create good feelings of friendship, communities all over the country raised money to buy a doll to send to Japan.  This book tells the story of a girl in the Northwest U.S, whose school raised the money and bought a doll to send.  Lexie has been sent to live with her grandparents there while her mother is far away. She has a special bond with the doll and a special reason for wanting to go to San Francisco to see the 12.000 dolls sail for Japan.

Way Down Deep

In a quaint town in the 1940s in The mountains of West Virginia, a little girl is found on the steps of the courthouse.  Ruby is taken in by the quiet woman who runs the boardinghouse in town and grows up well, much loved by all around town.  When a new family moves into town from over the mountain, they carry a clue to her past that could change all that.  (FIC WHI)

Because of Mr. Terupt

This is not a new book.  I finally added it to my collection after several teachers told me how great it is. The setting is a fifth-grade classroom.  They have a new teacher.  And they are not an easy group.  Seven students narrate the story.  Each has their own personality and problems.  But they are each touched by the magic of this amazing educator, even after an accident takes him from them. (FIC BUY)

Finley Flowers Original Recipe

This was a sweet chapter book that introduces a new character and her best friend.  In her desire to get her best friend a terrific birthday present, she joins a baking contest whose prize is a year of free pizza!  But it doesn't go so well and she learns a good lesson about cooperation and friendship.  It is the first in a series that straddles the early chapter and big-kid fiction sections as a 3rd-grade reading level book.  (FIC YOU)

Book of A Thousand Days

Shannon Hale has written some of my favorite books, particularly the Books of Bayern series.  This story is similar to those in setting and theme.  A poor girl named Dashti pledges herself to serve a princess, only to find out that they are to be shut up in a tower for seven years.  It is a story of bravery and loyalty, magic and adventure, and love.  I could not put it down, and as much as I was dying for the ending, I am sorry it is over.

Wonder

I adore this book by R.J. Polacio.  It centers around a boy with a disfigured face, and tells his perspective, but parts of the book are told from important people in his life.  The story makes you think about how we judge people on their looks alone.  How horrible is that? How shallow?  You cannot read this story and be the same as when you finished it.

Serafina and the Black Cloak

This spooky story written by Robert Beatty (FIC BEA) was set in an emormous Vanderbilt mansion around the turn of the 20th century.  The wealth of the famous family offsets the poverty of the main character, Serafina.  She and her father live in the mansion's basement, unknown to the owners.  When children start disappearing from the estate, only Serafina knows what really happened to them.  Her curious birth and emotional ties to the forest will give her the skills to catch the Man in the Black Cloak who has been stealing bodies...and souls.  In doing so, she will also discover who she really is.  This was a spooky one.  I would not suggest this to those younger than 5th grade.  It may be upsetting.

The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky

I know I shouldn't say this, but I almost did not read this because of the cover.  I am glad I did.  It was a wonderfully unique story (which of late is really saying something) about the definition of beauty.  A young girl living in a poor community is asked to spruce up her home.  She does by making whimsical recycled sculptures for her lawn, but when they are called junk, she can not understand it.  Her strength and determination in opening the eyes of those that would define beauty in their own terms changes her town and lets her discover her "shine".  I loved it all...the charming characters, the beautiful language... all of it. (FIC SCH)

What Was the Great Depression?

The hugely popular Who Was...?  series just branched off into historical events.  This one about the Depression is readable and informative.  Students who love history will be pleased with its drawings, photographs and quotes that make the event come alive.  (973.91 PAS)

Among the Hidden

Mary Petersen Haddix wrote a series about a dystopian world in which third children are illegal.  Jen and Luke are such children.  Their lives and experiences are very different, however, and their attitude toward changing that reality is, too.

In the last chapter, we discovered Luke's decision about the future.  What is that decision?  Do you think Jen would be happy with it?  Explain.

Upside-Down Magic

This first book in a new early-reader series was very sweet.  (E MLY) A young girl's magic doesn't work correctly and she ends up in a special class with other magic misfits.  They all think they are broken.  Only with the help of their special teacher who values them for ALL that they are do they begin to see they are not broken but gifted.  This is a story about loving who you are.

A Night Divided

Jennifer Nielsen is one of my new favorite authors.  She wrote The False Prince and its two sequels in the Ascendence Trilogy.  Like those, this is a historical fiction novel.  This is set during the Cold War in Berlin, right after the wall went up to separate the democratic sections of the city from the communist.  Gerta's father was on the other side of the wall when it went up overnight.  For four years the family was separated until she sees him one day on the other side.  His strange dance motions are sending her a message.  When she figures it out, she must use all her courage to do what he is asking and try to reunite their family.  (FIC NIE)

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

When Chris Grabenstein started this series a few years ago, as a librarian, I was excited.  I devour any book that sings the praises of reading and libraries.  I just did not know how it would translate for kids.  His first one, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library was a bit reminiscent of Willie Wonka, but it was exciting and original in other ways and my students loved it.  This sequel in which Kyle (and his other friends who won the contest in the first book), are now challenged by kids across the country who want a shot at winning the library games, too.  So Mr. Lemoncello is back at it, creating another set of games revolving around the library, reading and the Dewey Decimal System.  I did not find this one as exciting as the first, but it was still a great, fun read.  (FIC GRA)

Circus Mirandus

In this big-kid fiction fantasy book, we meet a young boy whose grandfather is very sick.  In his childhood, he was granted a wish with a magical circus.  He needs to cash that wish in now.  Can the boy find the circus in time and will the Lightbender fulfill his promise and save his grandfather?  This story reminded me of the Polar Express a bit.  Only those who believe in magic can see the circus.  I liked it very much.  (FIC BEA)

Treasure Hunters

This is a new series by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein.  It is an illustrated novel...not a graphic novel, but it has a lot of cartoony images to keep reluctant readers engaged.  It is an original story of four children who have lost their parents and who continue their treasure hunting business. The non-stop action and humor will be very appealing for my 4th and 5th grade readers.  I look forward to reading the second in the series. (FIC PAT)

The Unwanteds

During an annual ceremony, Alex, a 13-yr-old boy, has been sorted as an Unwanted.  He is brought to a land where he will be killed.  But it does not happen.  Instead, he lives in a wondrous, magical place where other Unwanteds, mostly artistic and creative people, can express their creativity free from a government that fears it.  That is, until the other world finds out about them....
From the first page, this book felt like a copy of The Giver or the Divergent series:  young children in a dystopian world being sorted into factions by an oppressive government.  It had a fantasy/magic element that the others did not have.  However, it reminded me too much of those others for me to enjoy it on its own.  I imagine if you haven't read the others, this would be entertaining.  (FIC MCM)

Book Scavenger

One of my students alerted me to this gem of a book.  It is the story of a girl named Emily who is hooked on a book scavenger hunt game.  The game was created by a world famous publisher who has been attacked and hurt.  The book Emily finds is the first clue in his latest game, but she doesn't realize it at the time.  This book reminded me A LOT of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library with its puzzles, clues, and references to great works of literature.  I also enjoyed the reinforcing lessons of protecting one's identity online. (FIC BER)

Last Stop on Market Street

This picture book is this year's Newbery Winner.  Newbery.  Not Caldecott...although it received a Caldecott Honor as well.  Newbery awards are given to the best contribution to children's literature for the year.  It almost always is a chapter book.  This year, it broke from that tradition.  This is a story of a little boy who is on a bus ride with his grandma.  He is complaining about all the things he doesn't have, while his grandma is pointing out all the beautiful things in life they would miss if they did not take the bus.  (PIC DEL)

Finding Winnie

This is the winner of the 2016 Caldecott Award.  It is the true story of the bear that was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh.  The author of the story is the great-granddaughter of the man who first owned Winnie.  It is a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated that all children will be able to relate to.  Who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh????? (PIC MAT)

The Thing About Jellyfish

This novel by Ali Benjamin is a bit mature in content.  I would suggest a middle-school reader.  The main character has lost her best friend and Suzi can not accept that. She needs a better reason that she died.  Their last exchange was horrible and she is wracked with guilt and sadness.  She stops talking.  She starts on a quest to make sense of the senseless. It is a sad story of grief and coming to terms with the death of a loved one.

Crenshaw

Katherine Applegate won a Newbery award a few years ago for The One and Only Ivan.  In her latest story, rather than a gorilla, she has an imaginary cat as her title character.  His name is Crenshaw and he is brought into existence by the imagination of a boy who is going through some serious problems in his life.  Jackson likes truth...scientific truth.  But he can't face the truths in his life and that's where Crenshaw fits in.  This is a touching story about a family's struggles with poverty and a boy's need to feel more in control of his life.