California Blue

by David Glass
Ages 12+

John didn't expect to discover a new species of butterfly.  He knew what a powerful effect of his discovery would have on his town and his family.  The town lived and died with the business the lumber mill generated.  His relationship with his father was already strained because of their differences.  He has a difficult decision to make, whether to stick with family and friends and fight for his town or side with the those who want to protect the new rare butterfly?

This is great story about a young teenager.  He can't relate to his father because he is interested in father isn't.  They can't talk.  His father is dying and now he has to choose to help the town and his father or pick against family and friends.  This story is heartbreaking as you experience the dilemma John faces.  His choice will affect his future.

The Adventure of Captain Underpants

by Dav Pilkey

ages- 8+

George and Harold are best friends and trouble makers.  They have created their own comic superhero, Captain Underpants and sell them to their friends at school.  Their principal, Mr. Krupp, catches them during one of their practical jokes and blackmails them into doing good.  The boys decide to hypnotize him to get out of being blackmailed.  Quickly, they decide to make Mr. Krupp, their comic superhero, Captain Underpants.  Then, he escapes before they are able to turn him back into Mr. Krupp.  Mr. Krupp tries to save the world as the boys try to find him to un-hypnotize him.  

This is the first book a a great popular series.  It is funny and hilarious that a grown man is running around in his underwear believing he is a super hero.    

Bigger

by Patricia Calvert

ages 12 +

Tyler is glad the Civil War is over and his father will come home after fighting for the South.  Tyler learns that his father's regiment has refused to surrender and is headed for Mexico, he decides to find his father and bring him home.  Along his way, a strange dog, named Bigger joins him.  As the two journey south, Tyler is forced to confront his feelings and let go of his most cherished dream.  Bigger becomes his best friend when Tyler has to face the truth about his father. 

This is a great historical fiction and teen coming of age book.  Tyler is a great character and you fall in love with him.  You are able to connect with him as he faces growing up after the Civil War.  The country has changed and so has his family.

Stormbreaker (Alex Rider Series #1)

written by Anthony Horowitz

ages: Young adult

When 14 year-old Alex Rider's uncle in unexpectedly killed in a car accident, he knows that something is amiss. When he discovers his uncle's car riddled with bullets, it confirms suspicions that his uncle was murdered. Alex soon finds out that his uncle was a spy for the British Secret Service. He is recruited to complete the mission that his uncle began and save Great Britain from a mad man. Alex must impersonate a boy who has won a trip to the facility where Stormbreaker computers are being made. Stormbreaker is a revolutionary new computer created and donated by a multimillionaire to all of the schools in Great Britain. Now it's up to Alex to avenge his uncle's murder and save a nation.

I first heard about these books through an interview with the author, Anthony Horowitz, on NPR and couldn't wait to get my hands on one. Think James Bond in his earlier years-complete with gadgets, quirky characters, and near death experiences. This is truly an on the edge of your seat read-I can't wait to jump into the next book in the series.

Call It Courage

by Armstrong Sperry

Ages-9+

Mafatu is a son of Chief in the Pacific Islands.  The tribe calls him a coward because he is afraid of the water, ever since he watched his mother drown in the sea.  When Mafatu turns 12 years old, he decides that it is time to face his fears.  He builds a canoe and set sail.  He almost drowns in a storm and finds himself trapped on an island with cannibals.  Will he make it home?  Does he have the courage? 

I remember reading this book in middle school and enjoying it then.  I could call it a classic since it won the Newberry Medal in 1941.  It is still a great read, no matter how many times you read the book.  I found myself relating to Mafatu about facing my fears and trying to conquer with resistance.  It teaches those readers that with persistence you can overcome anything. 

Esio Trot

by Roald Dahl

Ages-8+

Mr. Hoppy is in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Silver. She is in love with her pet turtle, Alfie. Mrs. Silver doesn't even noticed Mr. Hoppy because all of her attention is on taking care of Alfie. Mr. Hoppy is a shy man, so he devises a plan to get her attention and have her fall in love with him.

Although, I am not a fan of other works of Dahl's, I am a fan of this book,. It is cute, light hearted story about a man who is willing to do anything to have the woman he loves notice him. He finds out what she is interested in and uses that as the attention starter. If you have not figured it out Esio Trot is tortoise spelled backwards.

The Watcher

by james howe
ages-15+

Three troubled teens lives converge at a seaside resort. Chris Powell, a lifeguard, whose is dealing with the loss of his younger brother and how it has affected his family and their relationships. Evan, vacationing with his family, is watching his parent's relationship struggle. They both noticed "The Watcher", Margaret. Margaret is a small bony little girl, who sits on the beach watching others and writing in her notebook. She creates fairy-tales about Chris and Evan's lives to escape her reality. Can Chris and Evan stop and see what is really going on in "The Watcher"'s life?

"The Watcher" is a book about a three powerful teen subjects: Lost of a loved, facing parent's divorce, and admitting abuse and asking for help. The book hops around from the different perspectives of Chris, Evan, and Margaret and their interactions. How perception of a perfect life is wrong? This book can be a great way to talk about these difficult subjects with your teens.

Heat

by Mike Lupica
Ages- 12+

Micheal Arroyo has pitched is Bronx-All Star team to the District Finals and has a shot at the Little League World Series. Michael is good, maybe too good and it creates problems. Rival coaches and players can't believe Michael is only twelve years old. He also has no way to prove it because he has no mother, no father, and his birth certificate is in Cuba. If social services finds out his secret, he will create more problems: being separated from his older brother Carlos. In baseball games, you have winners (with champion hearts) or losers (crushed dreams). For Michael, life and baseball have collided.

Lupica uses sports as metaphor for life. If you like sports, like me, you will enjoy reading this book. Something about Lupica's writing style allow me to connect to Michael. He is only 12 years old and he has to carry a big secret. He deals with the fear of the unknown and whom to trust.

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo
Ages-10+

Rob Horton, 12 years old, recently moved with his father to a seedy motel in Lister, Florda. Following his mother's death, Rob has shut his feeling in a big "suitcase." He vowed nothing would make him cry again, including the bullies at his new school and the weird rash on his legs. Two amazing things happen to Rob, he discovers a real-life tiger in a cage near the motel where he lives and meets Sistine Bailey. Sistine is feisty girl, who doesn't hold back her feelings. They learn to trust each other and become friends. They show that some things like memories, heartaches, and tigers are not meant to be locked up forever.

Kate DiCamillo has become one of my favorite authors. I found myself hurting for Rob and hoping that he would be able to deal with his mother death and gain a better relationship with his father. Death of a loved one is a difficult subject and again, Kate is able to write about dealing with that loss. Sistine and Rob are dealing with changes, loss, and growing up, but found friendship in their growth to understanding the world.

Too Many Toys

written and illustrated by David Shannon

ages: pre-reader through grade 3

Spencer has toys of all kinds: wooden pull toys, big toys, small toys, and electronic toys. But his toys are starting to take over the house. When Spencer's Mom tells him that some of the toys will have to go, the battle begins. Which toys will Spencer get to keep? Will Mom prevail? Will they ever see the floor of his room again?

David Shannon is a shining example of an author who combines creative storytelling with wonderful illustrations. The result is a story that both parents and children will enjoy; in our house we have read it multiple times in one day! Any family that has more than just a few toys will find that this book hits home-especially for Moms who get to take care of all of them. Witty and fun, Too Many Toys is a great read for preschool through the early elementary years. Look for Shannon's other picture books: Alice the Fairy and the David series.