RULES by Cynthia Lord Booklist Gr. 4-7 "No toys in the fish tank"is one of many rules that 12-year-old Catherine shares with her

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Hugging the Rock

The Watsons Go to Birmingham~1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald

Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park

Mister and Me by Kimberly Willis Holt

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli

Dear Levi: Tales from the Overland Trail by Elvira Woodruff

My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt

Review by Tracey Firestone, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

HOLES by Louis Sachar Newbery Award Winner

School Library Journal (August 1, 2003) Gr 3 Up: A charming story of unlikely heroes whose destinies entwine to bring about a joyful resolution.

My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen

autistic younger brother, David to help him understand his world. Lots of the rules are practical. Others are more subtle and shed light on issues in Catherine's own life. Torn between love for her brother and impatience with the responsibilities and embarrassment he brings, she strives to be on her parents'radar and to establish an identity of her own. At her brother's clinic, Catherine befriends a wheelchair-bound boy, Jason, who talks by pointing at word cards in a communication notebook. Her drawing skills and additional vocabulary cards--including "whatever"(which prompts Jason to roll his eyes at his mother)--enliven his speech. The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships: Catherine experiences some of the same unease with Jason that others do in the presence of her brother. In the end, Jason helps Catherine see that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to look at things differently. A heartwarming first novel

BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE was named a 2001 Newbery Honor Book, a year 2000 New York Times Children's Notable Book, and one of the Best Children's Books 2000 by Publishers Weekly

"Brush strokes of magical realism elevate this beyond a simple story of friendship to a well-crafted tale of community and fellowship, of sweetness, sorry, and hope. And it's funny, too. A real gem." (Kirkus - )

Abandoned by her mother when she was just three years old, 10-year-old India Opal has been raised primarily by her father, a Baptist preacher. When he relocates the family to a small Florida town, Opal has trouble adjusting, until the day her father sends her to the store to pick up a few necessities--and she comes back with a dog. Inspired by her large, friendly new pet, whom she names Winn-Dixie (after the store), Opal finds the means to reach out and make friends with some of her neighbors--many of whom feel as lost and lonely as Opal herself. Color illustrations accompany the text.

Another family favorite. I love this book but hate when kids are forced to read it in school. Sometimes the cob's words go on and on and on and I get a little antsy. But, want to know a secret, it's okay to skim over his long speeches if you want to!!

Booklist Gr. 4-7. In seventeenth-century Korea, a 12-year-old girl becomes aware of the complexities of class and gender differences in this historically enlightening story. Being of good family, Jade Blossom is forbidden to leave home until she marries. Curiosity leads Jade to secretly leave the Inner Court, a brief but eye-opening adventure that reveals heart-wrenching poverty, unexpected beauty, and the knowledge that her home's high walls offer shelter and imprisonment. However,Jade discovers that creativity and imagination are powerful tools that can provide comfort and internal freedom. In descriptive, engaging prose, the story portrays the culture, traditions, and daily lives of the Korean aristocracy in a time of political and cultural change. Park sympathetically conveys the challenges and joys of becoming an adult, and offers perspective on the many meanings of "privileged." The lovely illustrations detail traditional clothing, architecture, and decorative arts for for visualization and context.

Booklist (Vol. 95, No. 6 (November 15, 1998)) Gr. 3-6. Since her father's death when she was very young, Jolene has lived very contentedly with Mama and Grandpa. Then Mama becomes engaged to Leroy Redfield, prompting Jolene to cut up the expensive velvet fabric Leroy purchased as a present for his bride. Mama and Grandpa are angry, but Jolene still resents the intrusion of the man she refers to as "Mister." Only when Mama and Grandpa are called away to New Orleans, leaving Leroy to take care of her, does Jolene begin to soften towards this gentle and forgiving man. Set in the South in 1940, this heartfelt story is filled with richly developed characters who deal with all-too-real problems. Jolene and her family are African American, but Jolene's problem is a universal one, and the book should have wide appeal.

Everytime I mention this book, I'm met with blank stares. No one has ever heard of this collection of four short stories of how a library card has changed the lives of the characters in each story. It's by Newbery winner Jerry Spinelli. Check it out. Very, very cool!

School Library Journal Gr 8 Up- Hope and her Aunt Addie, a much-sought-after diner cook, have toured the country, one diner at a time. With each move, the teen leaves her mark, "HOPE WAS HERE," in ballpoint pen. Now in Mulhoney, WI, she has no idea that the residents of this town will make their mark on her. G. T. Stoop, the Quaker owner of the Welcome Stairways, has leukemia, and while the disease can keep him from running the diner he loves, it can't keep him from running for mayor against a corrupt incumbent. Taking part in his campaign allows Hope to get to know Braverman, a fellow worker at the Welcome Stairways and G. T.'s greatest supporter. The mix of dealing with illness, small-town politics, and budding romance for both Hope and Addie is one that will entertain and inspire readers. Bauer tells a fast-paced, multilayered story with humor but doesn't gloss over the struggle of someone who is unable to trust, has been left before, and who avoids getting close to anyone for fear of being left again.

School Library Journal (September 1996)

Gr 4-6--Nicholas Allen, a sharp, creative, independent thinker starts fifth grade looking for a way to sabotage his Language Arts class. The teacher, Mrs. Granger, is a legend, and he believes her when she states that it is the people who decide what words go into the dictionary. Picking up a dropped pen triggers a brilliant idea. He coins a new word for pen-frindle. It's all for fun, but frindle catches on and Nick finds himself on the "Late Show" and "Good Morning America" explaining his new word. Readers will chuckle from beginning to end as they recognize themselves and their classrooms in the cast of characters. A remarkable teacher's belief in the power of words shines through the entire story, as does a young man's tenacity in proving his point. Outstanding and witty.--Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA

Foremost is Despereaux, a diminutive mouse who, as depicted in Ering's pencil drawings, is one of the most endearing of his ilk ever to appear in children's books. His mother, who is French, declares him to be "such the disappointment" at his birth and the rest of his family seems to agree that he is very odd: his ears are too big and his eyes open far too soon and they all expect him to die quickly. Of course, he doesn't. Then there is the human Princess Pea, with whom Despereaux falls deeply (one might say desperately) in love. She appreciates him despite her father's prejudice against rodents. Next is Roscuro, a rat with an uncharacteristic love of light and soup. Both these predilections get him into trouble. And finally, there is Miggery Sow, a peasant girl so dim that she believes she can become a princess. With a masterful hand, DiCamillo weaves four story lines together in a witty, suspenseful narrative that begs to be read aloud.Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY Copyright 2003

Is there a more perfect book? A GREAT book to share with the entire family. Even though I've read it over and over, I still find myself crying at the end and in awe of the writing.

When I picked this book up to read, I had never heard of it even though it had been out for some time. Our school was going from a K-2 to a K-5 building and I knew I had better start reading some novels that I could recommend to the older kids. I loved it. I told everyone about it. I actually said "This author will be the next J.K. Rowling." Two weeks later, I was mortified when someone looked at me like I had three heads and said, "Um, it won the Newbery Award." EEK! Like I said, I was a K-2 building at the time. (Hides head in shame!)

This is one of his biographies. Very unique. Each chapter is devoted to a particular dog in his life when he was younger. Touching. Funny. Even sad. Great story-telling. My favorite chapter: Ike. I get shivers each time I read it.