How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor is about Georgina and the creative way she tries to solve her family's money problems. Georgina's father just up and left. Ever since, her mother has worked two jobs trying to make ends meet. Unfortunately, ends don't meet and the family is kicked out of their apartment. Georgina, her mother, and her younger brother Toby are now forced to live in their car, driving to a different spot every other night so they don't get in trouble. One day Georgina spots a sign for a missing dog offering a $500 reward. That is when she begins plotting to steal a dog of her own and return it when the owner puts up reward signs, collecting enough money for her family to move back into an apartment. Her plan seems easy enough, but nothing works out the way she thinks it will!

This was actually a pretty sad story. NOTE: nothing bad happened to the dog and there was a hopeful ending for Georgina and her family! I just felt so bad for Georgina and her family. Her mother was trying so hard and it seemed like she just couldn't catch a break. And Georgina had to face living in a car - washing up in fast food restaurant bathrooms, barely scraping up enough to eat, trying her best to contribute - on top of going to school and dealing with less than sympathetic peers.

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf is set during 1942 in Lidice, Czechoslovakia. Eleven year old Milada and her family are proud Czechs who do not agree with Hitler and his Nazis and are hoping for a fast end to the war. Their hopes are dashed when Nazi soldiers break into their home in the middle of the night and arrest everyone - Milada, her mother, father, grandmother, older brother and baby sister. All of the men and teen-aged boys in the neighborhood are separated and taken away, while the women and children are transported to a nearby town and held. Because she has blond hair and light eyes, Milada is selected, along with several other children, to be relocated to a Lebensborn center in Poland, leaving all of the rest of her family behind. There, Milada is forced to change her name to Eva, speak only German, and learn to "become" an upstanding German girl. Several times during her two years at this "school" Eva nearly forgets who she is and where she's from - the very things her grandmother pleaded with her to never forget as she was being taken away. Eventually, all of the girls are adopted by German families hoping to further the Aryan race. Eva works hard to remember who she truly is, despite the years it's been since she's seen her family. She prays for the war to come to an end and hangs on to the hope that she'll eventually be reunited with her real family.

This was a really good book. I actually cried at the end! The author's note was really interesting - I didn't realize the Nazis took non-Jewish, non-German children who had the right facial features and coloring and "repatriated" them as German children. This was a side of World War II I have never read about.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn is about Ali, a 13 year old girl who was hired by her aunt to spend the summer at a cottage in Maine and babysit her 4 year old cousin, Emma, while Aunt Dulcie works on her painting. Just before heading up to the family cottage, Ali stumbles upon a ripped photo of her mother and aunt. She can tell it was taken at the cottage in Maine, even though no one in their family has been there for 30 years. The strange things is, someone has been torn out of the photo and a name on the back, beginning with 'T' has been scratched out. When she asks her mother about it, she starts acting strangely and refuses to admit she knows anything about the other girl in the photo. Ali's mother doesn't want anyone going to the cottage for the summer, convinced it's too dangerous, but she won't say why. Once at the cottage, Ali and Emma meet Sissy, a young girl who seems to follow her own rules. She's not very nice, but Emma insists upon spending time with her. As Ali comes closer to discovering the secret about the girl in the photo, Sissy continues her erratic behavior, turning Emma against both Ali and Aunt Dulcie. Things come to a head on a foggy, stormy day when the mystery of what happened 30 years ago at the lake finally unravels for Ali, putting her and her family in a deep and dark and dangerous situation.

This was a great mystery! As a reader, the events unfold more quickly than they do for the characters in the book. This is one of those stories where you're practically shouting at the characters to, "Watch out!" and "Just go home and forget about the lake!". It was certainly eerie and definitely suspenseful. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a horror/mystery story that isn't too scary.

All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall

All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall is based on the story of a group of Ohio students who wanted to build the largest tetrahedron in the world. In this story, Mr. Collins has had it with his math class. On a whim, he asks one of the students what would make him want to be in class. His answer led Mr. Collins to begin the after school club that would try to build the 3-dimensional 4-sided triangular shape known as the tetrahedron. A school in California built one, and four of Mr. Collins's students decided to try beating their record. Rhondell is only part of the club because she thinks it may help her get into college - no one she's ever known has gone to college. Marcel joins the club for fun, but also so he can get out of working at his father, Willy Q's barbecue restaurant. Sharice joins so she'll have something to do in the afternoon, since her foster non-parent #5 won't allow Sharice to be in the house alone and has been coming home later and later each night. Finally, James joins the club because he's failing math and Mr. Collins promises him a passing grade for 1st quarter if he shows up every afternoon. Little does everyone know, this project will bring them together and change their lives in ways no one could have predicted.

This was a great story! It made me want to make a tetrahedron!! I really liked the way the author told the story through different perspectives - not only the kids in the club, but Mr. Collins, Rhondell's mother and aunt, Willy Q, and others. Knowing the students' back stories made the story a lot more interesting, and helped me understand their activities in the club and outside of school better. I especially liked the way Mr. Collins's thoughts about tetrahedrons mirrored the students' struggles.

Saturday Night Dirt by Will Weaver

Saturday Night Dirt by Will Weaver is about Mel (melody) Walters, her dad, Johnny, and their love of car racing. Mel and Johnny own and run Headwaters Speedway in central Minnesota, along with some gracious volunteers who couldn't bear to see the Walters' track go under. Every Saturday night, local racers of all ages and abilities face off in their stock cars. One particular Saturday night, rain has forced many larger tracks to cancel. With the weather holding off over Heatwaters, Mel sees this as their opportunity to bring in some extra drivers and more fans. With the storm quickly approaching and old, ongoing rivalries heating up, racing at Headwaters Speedway will surely be exciting this night!

I have to admit, I wasn't excited about reading this 2010-2011 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominee. I grew up in Ames, Iowa, so I was somewhat familiar with the racing in Knoxville, IA. To be honest, car racing never interested me. That is, until this story. It was so exciting and action packed, especially the climax when the storm finally hits and the local racer goes up against the big time champion. I felt like I was at the track watching it all unfold in person!

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser is about Gary and Brendan and what happened to them as a result of constant teasing and bullying. These two boys were bullied by the jocks and popular crowd every single day. Finally, they'd had enough. They stole guns from a neighbor and made homemade pipe bombs from plans thy found on the Internet. They set up an elaborate plan to eliminate everyone who had ever contributed to their misery - and even those who hadn't. On the last night of their lives, Gary and Brendan crashed a dance at their high school and held everyone hostage, intent on exacting revenge for everything they'd been put through just for existing and being different.

This was an extremely powerful story. I really related to it for two reasons: I am a teacher, and have strong feelings about protecting all students from teasing and bullying, and because the Littleton, Colorado school shooting at Columbine High School, where 15 people lost their lives happened on my birthday. The story is told through bits of interviews, text messages, and testimonials from classmates, friends, teachers, and parents of the boys who tried to teach their town a lesson about how people ought to be treated.

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is about 13 year old Kyra. She lives on a polygamist compound with The Chosen Ones. Her father has 3 wives and 21 children, counting Kyra. According to their beliefs, men must marry at least 3 women and have children with them to be admitted into Heaven. This is how Kyra was raised. The leaders of the compound, the Prophet Childs and the Apostles have created and strictly enforce all of the rules on the compound - they say to lead people along a path to God. But, when Kyra is suddenly promised to marry her own 60 year old uncle, one of the apostles, she thinks only of leaving. She is especially upset about the upcoming marriage because of the relationship she has been enjoying with Joshua, one of the boys on the compound. They've met in secret, holding hands and even kissing a little bit, but always when no one is around. When Joshua hears the news about Kyra and her uncle, he pleads with the Prophet to allow him to marry her. Instead, both Joshua and Kyra are beaten severely. Joshua runs away with a group of other boys. Will Kyra risk never seeing her family again to escape marriage to her violent uncle? Will she ever see Joshua again? What evils are the Prophet and Apostles willing to do to ensure that Kyra bends to their will?

This was an awesome book. I've seen some of the TV show Big Love (on ShowTime), and this book seems to mirror what the polygamist compound was like. I had no idea people still live lives like this. I really liked the way the author showed Kyra's love of reading, despite knowing reading anything but the Bible was against the rules. Excellent story!

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko is the story of Kirsten and Walker. Both are 7th graders, struggling with grades, friends, pressure at home, etc. Kirsten has recently lost all of her friends. One moved away over the summer and the other is suddenly a part of the popular group of girls who's mission it seems is to make everyone else miserable. She is also dealing with a family in crisis as her parents can't seem to even talk to each other without yelling. The way she copes is to eat, which is something her mother constantly points out. Walk is the only African American student at Kirsten's expensive private school after transferring in from his inner-city public school. He lives with his single mother who does her very best to make sure Walk will have a bright future. Walk also deals with pressure from his cousin Jamal and his old friends from City. Through a series of seemingly unrelated events, Kirsten and Walk become friends. But then, Kirsten learns a secret that could turn all of their worlds upside down.

I really enjoyed this story. It is told through the alternating perspectives of Kirsten and Walk. The author does a great job of showing how miserable middle school can be, but also shows how some of the smallest things can make it all OK.

Hear the first chapter courtesy of Random House Audio's Listening Library:

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is set in a future where the government has formed laws to control the number of children each family is allowed... 2. It is illegal to have more than two children. As a result, 3rd children, or Shadow Children, must hide at all costs or risk death. Luke is a Shadow Child. He lives with his family on their farm. Luke couldn't go to school or leave the property, but he could go outside on the farm, eat at the kitchen table, and participate in typical family activities. That is, until the government bought all of the land around his house and built huge mansions for the Barons to live in. Now Luke must be diligent in his hiding. He can only peer out the tiny attic vents in his bedroom to get a glimpse of the outside world. So, this is what he does while he's home alone all day, every day. But one day, as he's looking at the neighborhood, he sees a face in the window of a house where he's sure no one is home. Another Shadow Child? Yes! After several weeks of intently watching that house, Luke is certain another hidden child like himself is over there. He makes a plan to sneak out and meet this person. That's how Luke met Jen, the only friend he's ever had, the only person besides his family he's ever spoken to. Jen has some wild ideas about how to free the Shadow Children and wants Luke's help. Should he risk exposing himself and his family's secret for a chance at freedom or remain hidden for the rest of his life?

I have had so many 6th graders tell me how great this story (and series) is, but this is the first time I've read any of the books. I loved it! I couldn't put it down. I'm glad there are many books to follow this one because I can't wait to find out what happens to Luke (now Lee with his fake I.D. card) as he begins living out in the open at boarding school in Among the Imposters.

Star Split by Kathryn Lasky

Star Split by Kathryn Lasky is set in the year 3038. Scientists have figured out how to rid embryos of disease and even how to select certain traits for them! The Genhants, or genetically enhanced humans, carry an extra chromosome which makes this possible. The Originals, while still free of debilitating diseases have not been able - usually due to lack of money - to select certain traits for their children. Every year a special ceremony is held where new Laureates are announced. These are people who have made such great contributions to society that their DNA is collected so that clones, or ambullae, are created from them. Ambellation is strictly prohibited under all circumstances and is punishable by death - both the parents, the original child and the clone are incinerated. So, what happens to Darci, a typical Genhant teen, when she goes to rock climbing camp and comes face to face with her identical ambulla? Suddenly Darci's and Vivian's worlds turn upside down as they learn about a secret, underground movement to change the way their society operates.

This was a really interesting book. I can see how our society could get to a place like this, and I can see how easily genetic selection could get out of hand. This book reminds me a little bit of The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson and of Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I like this type of science "what if" story.

Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon

Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon is about Scyanthe, an 18 year old shapeshifter who lives in Carlbine Forest, the place where all shapeshifters were relegated by the King after the big rebellion. Scyanthe is different from everyone in her world, however, because she escaped having the priests mark her with the poison tattoo that binds the other shapeshifters to their part of the forest. While others of her kind would die an excruciating death upon leaving the boundary, Scyanthe is free to leave, though she never has. That is until the day her mother becomes ill with the wasting illness that seems to be taking over her land - not just the people, but the trees of the forest as well. Scyanthe is the only one who can save her mother, by leaving the forest and seeking out the medicine in the capitol. Along the way, Scyanthe must solve the mystery of what's killing the trees in her forest and poisoning the land. Eventually, she is taken in by a caravan of human traders who also possess magical capabilities. Scyanthe finally understands how the evil King and his priests have been gaining power and living beyond any normal human lifespan when she is forced to witness a ceremony. There, the priests sacrifice innocent animals, to which Scyanthe and all shapeshifters are tied, to preserve the lives of the wicked men who rule the land. When their caravan makes it to the capitol, Scyanthe desperately wants to find the medicine and leave, but she is held back by Jerel, the leader of the caravan. It turns out that none of them are what they seem and the "traders" have a special plan of their own to stop the King once and for all. Will Scyanthe make it back to the forest with the medicine in time to save her mother? Will Jerel and his crew accomplish their goal? Will they be captured by the priests who seek them out? Read Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon.

This was an awesome book! I was completely enthralled the entire time I read it. I was immediately immersed in the world of the shapeshifters, as if it were my own reality. I couldn't put it down from beginning to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy!

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about 15 year old Garrett and his experiences at Lake Harmony, a boot camp for "troubled" teens. Garrett is an incredibly smart boy who falls in love with the wrong girl, his math teacher. Because his high-class, high-power parents think he's an embarrassment and will never stop seeing Sabrina, they hire people to kidnap him in the middle of the night and send him to boot camp. Lake Harmony is anything but harmonious. Garrett is abused - physically and mentally - in hopes of brainwashing him and turning him into the kind of kid his parents always wanted. Garrett is tough, and withstands this atrocious treatment for 7 months before agreeing to an escape plan hatched by the only two prisoners on his side. From there, it only gets worse for Garrett, as his conscious kicks in and forces him to save and protect the very people who are trying to capture him... leading to his eventual return to Lake Harmony, only to endure the worse beatings imaginable. He's made to be an example to the other prisoners of what happens when one tries to escape.

This was an amazing book. I had no idea there are really boot camps like Lake Harmony, kidnapping minors and beating the will out of them. The afterword in this book is eye-opening. Todd Strasser is an awesome author who always finds the most controversial and interesting topics to expose. This one is definitely for a more mature audience due to violence and topic.

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon is a wordless graphic novel about a dog and a robot. Dog buys a robot kit through the mail and once he builds the robot, they become best friends. They watch movies together, and even take a vacation to the beach together. Unfortunately, Robot goes into the water and becomes rusty. He can't move at all! Dog doesn't know what to do, and ends up leaving Robot on the beach. Months go by... Dog passes his time making friends with others, but always losing them. Robot spends his time dreaming of other places. When a beach comber finds Robot, he takes him to a salvage yard where he is later purchased by a raccoon who rebuilds him with a radio body. Meanwhile, Dog returns to the beach in search of Robot, but only finds part of his leg. Sadly, Dog goes to a store to purchase a new robot. He builds the new robot and takes him on vacation to the beach. He's learned his lesson, and won't let his new friend go in the water. Together, they walk home. They pass by Raccoon and Robot's window on their way home. Robot sees them and feels a little sad. But then, he plays a tune on his radio body and Dog and the new robot head home singing.

This was an amazing book! My 5 year old son read it with me and we both absolutely loved it. It was both touching and sweet. The illustrations were awesome! The characters' expressions were so clear. It was easy to understand despite there being no words. Follow this link to an illustrated interview with the author, Sara Varon.

Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu is about sixteen year old Lucy and the secret her family is desperate to keep. Lucy's the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister and brother have already moved out of the house, and their father left a long time ago. Lucy is along with her mother, who is an obsessive hoarder. The only tidy place in the entire house is Lucy's room. The rest of the house is a maze of pathways in the stacks of newspapers, magazines, trash, random items, and even garbage. Any time anyone touches or moves anything from its place, Lucy's mother becomes extremely angry. Lucy has learned to keep to herself, but has just developed a friendship in Kaylie and may even be close to dating the boy of her dreams, Josh. Lucy knows the closer she gets to people outside of her family, the more likely it is their secret will get out - it's happened before. Lucy's former best friend caused such a swarm of bullying after finding out about Lucy's house, she eventually had to switch schools! Just when Lucy thinks she's got everything under control with her relationships with Kaylie and Josh, the unthinkable happens. She returns home one evening to find her mother dead under a pile of garbage. Lucy knows she should call 9-1-1, but she's too embarrassed to have medical workers enter her house to retrieve her mother. She's certain news crews will be soon to follow and then her secret will be exposed. So, Lucy develops a plan to clean up the house before reporting her mother's death. Unfortunately, many unforeseen obstacles present themselves, including nosy neighbors, the unexpected arrival of her bossy sister, her mother's boss's phone calls, and, of course, Josh's invitation to a party she'd really like to attend. Lucy has to make some drastic changes to her plan before everything works out for her.

This was a really good book. I've seen the TV show "Hoarders" once or twice, so I understand a little about the compulsion people who hoard feel. It never occurred to me to think about the families of these people, however. Teenagers face so many of their own issues just growing up, without having to keep a secret like this. Dirty Little Secrets gives an eye-opening and realistic view of a teen living with a secret that is nearly unthinkable.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry is about... well, a lot of things! In this story you'll find an orphaned infant, a bereaved widower benefactor, 4 siblings who desperately wish to be orphans, a mother and son who survive an avalanche, a set of parents who desperately wish to be rid of their children, a lonely postman, and much, much more! What could all of those people possible have in common? Read The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry to find out!

This tongue-in-cheek novel is absolutely, laugh out loud, hilarious! I loved the way all of these seemingly unrelated people become connected in the end. I would recommend this quick read to anyone who needs a little "pick me up" or anyone who just needs a good book!

Into the Volcano by Don Wood

Into the Volcano by Don Wood is about the Pugg brothers, Duffy and Sumo, and their wild and crazy trip to Kocalaha Island. The boys' cousin, Come-and-Go, shows up at their school unexpectedly to take them on a 10 day vacation while their mother finishes her research in Borneo. Little did the boys know that their vacation was going to be a nightmare! Soon after they arrive at their auntie's place, the boys leave on an expedition with Come-and-Go and his partners – straight into the heart of an active volcano! After some very dangerous experiences, the boys begin to realize they may be in serious trouble and that their “guides” may not be on their side. Duffy and Sumo escape even deeper into the volcano, and that's when disaster strikes. Duffy, the strong adventurous brother falls into a crevice and sustains serious injuries. Sumo isn't sure he's strong enough, or strong-willed enough, to save him. He eventually finds his way to Duffy, and what the two discover even deeper into the volcano both shocked and amazed them. It's then that they realize they've been used as “bait” in a deadly race against greed and the forces of nature.

This graphic novel is amazing. I couldn't put it down. The illustrations are absolutely incredible! I've never been so captivated by a book. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story!

Healing Water by Joyce Moyer Hostetter

Healing Water by Joyce Moyer Hostetter is set in Hawaii during the 1860s. Pia is a thirteen year old boy who grew up in a village where everyone was family, or 'ohana. He spent most of his time with Kamaka, his twenty year old best friend, and the person Pia looked up to most in the world. Suddenly Pia's world fell apart when he was diagnosed with leprosy. He was sent to live in isolation on Moloka'i, Hawaii's leprosy settlement, with other people who had the disease. Life was miserable there. Pia felt as though Kamaka had abandoned him and he had no one to rely upon. Eventually Pia was tricked into becoming the slave of the most feared man on the settlement, Boki, who forced Pia to do all his dirty work, including stealing from the new arrivals. Pia lived this way for years, forgetting the old ways of his family and friends. Things turned upside down for Pia once more when Kamaka and his new wife arrived at the settlement. Another turn of events placed Father Damien in their settlement. Through several twists and turns, and with the help of his old friends and new, Pia was finally able to get back to his old way of thinking and realize he had 'ohana on the settlement, too.

This was a really interesting story. I didn't know much about leprosy before reading this. I also had no idea that people with the disease were treated so poorly. I really enjoyed the way the author showed how people can change based on their life circumstances. I also liked the powerful message she sent about honoring your beliefs. I really appreciated all of the author's notes and information at the end of the book about Hawaiian beliefs and the history of the leprosy settlement there. The video below shows the settlement as it is today.