Surviving the Applewhites.

by Stephanie S. Tolan
Ages: 11+

Jake Semple is trouble with a capital "T". Rumor has it that he burned down the last school, he attended. Then, the Traybride Middle School kicks him out after a few weeks into the school year. His last hope is a home school run by a quirky and creative family, the Applewhites. E.D. Applewhite is the only non-creative Applewhite and she is not happy because Jake is the same-age and she has been paired with him in the family experiment of "cooperative education." The only thing they have in common is the desire and determination to survive the eccentric family.

The school year is filled with the family coming together to support E.D.'s father, in a production of "The Sound of Music." E.D. and Jake learn about supporting each other and the special gifts and talents they have.

I know why this book received the Newberry Honor in 2003. I enjoy reading about "weird" families learning to work together in crisis including anyone around them. The energy and creative is contagious.

Oh, Brother... Oh, Sister!: A Sister's Guide to Getting Along (American Girl Library Series)

written by Brooks Whitney and illustrated by Laura Cornell
ages 8-12 years

From the makers of the American Girl series comes a book that helps girls navigate the tricky relationships between brothers and sisters. Well written and cleverly illustrated, this book provides practical ideas for dealing with the ups and downs of having siblings. "Oh, Brother...Oh, Sister" includes quizzes, tricks, and tips on dealing with everything from sharing a room to tattling.

Here Lies the Librarian

by Richard Peck
Ages 9+

Peewee lives with her older brother, Jake, in Indiana. They barely make a living by repairing what few cars happen to pass their country "garage" shack. They are looking forward to the day that the road will get paved to bring in more business. They are also competing with the Kirbys, who own the other garage in town. The Kirbys are shady businessmen and trying to run them out of business with constant theft and vandalism. In 1914, they are few cars for the two businesses to fight over.

Life starts to change when a group of young ladies, fresh from the School of Library Science at Butler U., come to town and find the little town's library closed since the last librarian passed away. She was found in the library "with a fistful of library cards in her cold hand,". These ladies, with wealthy backgrounds, decide to reopen and improve this town's library. At the same time, the ladies seek to "improve" PeeWee, who is content with working on cars with her brother at the garage.

Richard Peck is an Newbery-winning author of "A Year Down Yonder." I always enjoy historical fiction. It includes a character that struggles with her role in the world. PeeWee was a tom boy and lived in a time that did not accept her interests. She is able to discover herself and keep her interests at the same time.

Doctor De Soto Goes to Africa

written and illustrated by William Steig
ages: preschool- grade 2

Doctor Bernard De Soto is a world renowned dentist; never mind that he's a mouse. When he receives a telegraph from deepest, darkest Africa from Mudambo, an ailing elephant, he and his wife Deborah, can't resist climbing aboard an ocean liner to assist him. While working to repair the elephant's rotten molar, Doctor De Soto is kidnapped by a rhesus monkey with a grudge against Mudambo for a previous insult. Will Doctor De Soto be saved in time?

This is the second book in the adventures of Doctor De Soto and his wife Deborah. Filled with big adventures and bright pictures, Mr. Steig's talent shines through. This book became a fast favorite at our house however, my preschooler was a bit scared of Honkeytonk the monkey. Funny name- worrisome monkey. As with all books, be mindful of your child's reaction to the characters and the story.

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Munoz Ryan
Ages 10+

Esperanza Ortega is a young girl who has everything she has ever wanted. She has fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants living in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico, and one day she will rise to her Mama’s position and presiding over all of Rancho de las Rosas. Her father buys her a beautiful doll every year on her birthday. The night before her birthday, her father is killed by bandits. Her corrupt wealthy uncles give Esperanza and her Mama no choice but to flee to California to live in the Mexican labor camps in the 1930's. Esperanza struggles letting go of her past and embracing her future and community. During her struggle, her mama becomes ill with Valley Fever and a labor strike threatens to change her life again.

I was truly touch by this book. I became fully invested and sympathetic to Esperanza struggles. She had to learn how to work including sweeping the floor. Then, she had to give up school to work and earn money while her mother was sick. She lost her father and her mother die. She left her home knowing that she could never return and have the same life again. How much can one young girl take in a year? Also, the author, Pam Muñoz Ryan, portrays the Mexican workers’ plight in this novel through Esperanza eyes. It earned the "Pura Belpré" Award which honors Latino authors whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a children's book.

The Rough-Face Girl

written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by David Shannon
ages- k-5

This Algonquin Indian Cinderella, beings with a poor man with three daughters. The two oldest daughters are cruel and force the youngest daughter to constantly tend the fire. As a result, her hair is singed and her skin is marked with the scars from sparks from the fire. The father gives all that he has to his two haughty daughters so that they might marry the invisible being; a rich, powerful, and supposedly handsome man on the banks of Lake Ontario. In order to marry the invisible being, the sisters must answer the questions that his sister poses. When the girls can't answer the questions, they are shamed and sent home. The Rough-Face girl then goes to her father and asks for the same things that her sisters were given. With the exception of some bits of broken shell and his old moccasins, he is unable to help her. He watches helplessly as his daughter uses her wits to create a dress, moccasins, and a shell necklace. As she walks to meet with the sister of the invisible being, other villagers mock her. Will she be able to be successful where her sisters have failed?

In this hauntingly beautiful telling of the Cinderella story, the true beauty of the spirit is emphasized. When the invisible being meets the Rough-Face girl, he remarks on her beauty, proving that the vision of beauty is individual. Beautifully written and illustrated, The Rough-Face Girl is unique and powerful.