The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez - by Peter Johnson

This book was so much better than I expected.  It's all about a seventh-grade boy with an odd family, and ailing grandfather, and a curse: The cutest girl in his school is out to get him.  The final challenge: A poetry contest.  Yes, this seems a bit odd, but it totally works in this creative and captivating story.

Meet the Alvarez family: Benny's energetic younger brother Crash, his negative and oddball dad, his overly optimistic mom, his lovable big sister (who makes the best chicken noodle soup on Earth), his spaz dog Spot, and Benny himself, who his mom calls "Mr. Negativity."  It's true that he looks at the world as a glass half-empty, but in his mind, if you're expecting the worst, it's hard to be disappointed!  When a combination of surprising events happen, Benny is forced to finally decide whether he's going to be negative or positive, as his future and friendships hang in the balance.

The plot is tight, though this is far from an action/adventure book.  It's a school/family/friendship story about a believable and likable kid with everyday problems, who finds his own inner strength (with a little help from friends and family) to save the day at the end.  There's poetry, heavy use of a thesaurus, lots of humor, a bit of blushing (well, it's not Benny's fault he can't ever seem to look Claudine in the eyes!), and some more serious topics too.  It's a rewarding read that will touch both your funny bone and your thoughtful side.

Boundless - by Kenneth Oppel

As tracks are laid for the new Trans-Canadian railroad, young Will steps into the adventure of a lifetime.  How could he have predicted the changes that would come after that one fateful day, the day he first met the curious tightrope walking girl, the powerful rail baron, the yeti, the ringmaster, and the man whose treachery would threaten everything.  It seemed like just another ordinary day, but that's how things go.

Will's adventure centers around the train tracks stretching across Canada in the 1800's.  His father works for the railroad, and is known to be strong and fearless, but Will just likes to draw.  Before long, both of their futures will be tied to that of the largest train to ever roll on two tracks: The Boundless.  To survive, Will is going to need every bit of luck he can get, his improving drawing skills, and plenty of courage, but also the help of a whole new collection of unexpected friends.  As the book builds to its breathtaking climax, Will's good deeds of the past are all repaid, reminding the reader that the choices we make really do have consequences far beyond the current moment.

This is one of my favorite books of the year, and an excellent adventure story for boys and girls alike.  It is the best book Mr. Oppel has written (and he's written some real winners), and a book I'll recommend to everyone.

Breadcrumbs - by Ann Ursu

Whoa.  This is not your average middle grade fantasy novel, but it is definitely worth reading.

11-year-old Hazel is a pretty normal fifth-grader: Frustrated with her parents, having friendship trouble, and dreading the bus ride to school. That said, she's pretty extraordinary as well, though it takes the other characters and the reader some time to realize it.  Could it be her obsession with fantasy stories, from Harry Potter to The Chronicles of Narnia? Maybe the fact that her lone friend is her next-door neighbor, who happens to be a boy?  Or could it possibly be that when one day her best friend Jack suddenly has an abrupt personality shift and no only stops talking to her, but goes and disappears mysteriously, she is the only one with the courage to go after him?  Yeah, let's go with that one.

The incredible thing about this book is the pacing and the gradual shift from realistic fiction to fantasy.  We begin in the suburban school days of a Midwestern winter, but we end up in a fantastical forest, where anything is possible.  Throughout, it is all Hazel can do, and the reader can hardly believe she pulls it off, to keep her head and follow her heart.

Not your average book at all, and so much the better for that.

The Odd Squad: Bully Bait - by Michael Fry

One is so tall that her classmates tease her relentlessly.  One is so strange that nobody wants to be near him.  The last is so short that he gets stuffed in his own locker every day. Life is hard for seventh graders Molly, Karl, and Nick, and there seems to be no way out.  When these three oddballs get forced to start a Safety Patrol together by their principal, things seem to be worse than ever.  However, helped by their apparently deranged Shakespeare-quoting school custodian, the three soon learn that working together, they can overcome their fears and actually turn things around.

The story is told by Nick (the shortest seventh grader in the history of the universe, according to himself), and centers around his interactions with Roy, the school bully.  Through the course of this graphic novel, Nick learns more about his tormentor and finds new strength and empathy that he never knew he had to make some really tough decisions that could either save them all, or ruin everything.

As a graphic novel, this is kind of Wimpy-Kiddish, with more of a story line, and more likable characters.  It wasn't an earth-shatteringly wonderful book, but it was funny, well-written and drawn, and touching at parts. I'd recommend it for a fun and easy read to anyone who enjoys graphic novels, school stories, and seeing bullies get what they deserve.

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat - by Dave Shelton

This story is about what the title says, and not much more.  Well, there's a little more.  There's a very old (and scary) sandwich.  There is a ukulele.  There is also an old comic book in a foreign language.  All of these are important to the story, which is kind of a bad sign.  You see, this story begins with the boy climbing into a small boat and asking the Captain, a bear, to take him to the other side.  Before you know it, they are lost (though the bear will never admit this), and boredom and adventures ensue.  The story really has no beginning or end, it is simply a tale of these two seafaring partners and the ups and downs of their relationship.  Though it's not much of a story, it's really quite a fun tale.

My favorite parts include everything to do with The Last Sandwich, the sea monster bits, and the ukulele.  You will come to love both the bear and the boy, though at times you will want to strangle both.  If you are in the mood for an odd, fun little read that will leave you smiling, but scratching your head, you could do much worse than this.

Boom - by Mark Haddon

This was either a British science fiction story with a very descriptive scene about a flying sandwich, or an English work of realistic fiction, with some funky aliens who look like humans, but with little tails.  Maybe it's the story of a boy and his sister who hate one another's guts until a major event throws them together in a desperate race to save the Earth.  Actually, it is the story of two oddball friends who would do anything to save one another.  This story is so many things, but one thing it is NOT is boring.

The book begins as a realistic mystery when Jimbo and Charlie, two English schoolboys, begin to suspect that their teachers are up to something.  When they bug the staff lounge and overhear two of their teachers speaking in a foreign language, they get even more suspicious.  Before long they are in way over their heads, and not even Jimbo's sister's smelly biker kung-fu boyfriend can keep them safe.  At this point, things take a turn for the sci-fi-tastic, and the story really heats up.

Read this if you want a wild ride on a fun, intelligent, emotional, and strangely alien roller coaster of a story!

Belly Up - by Stuart Gibbs

If I told you this was a book about a grumpy hippo who liked to shoot his poop at zoo guests, would you still read it?  That's only a small part of the story, but it definitely held my interest.  It's also the story of mysterious animal deaths, an amazing zoo, a famous teenage girl, a nasty park security guard, the smell of dead hippo guts, parents who stick up for their son, an escaped deadly black snake, and a really, really rich guy.   Yes, it's an interesting story.

This book was very well-written, and held my interest throughout.  It is a bit funny, kind of like a Carl Hiaasen book (but without any of the swearing).  It's the story of a boy whose parents work at a top-of-the-line Texas zoo, and who is the only kid who has access to all the "behind the scenes" areas.  When he discovers that the death of a famous hippo may not be as innocent as it seems, he is drawn into an investigation that could cost him his life.

Read this if you love animals, but are not too squeamish about a little death and guts.  Also, if you love fast-paced realistic adventures with quirky characters.

Blood on the River: Jamestown, 1607 - by Elisa Carbone

For lovers of historical fiction, this is a fantastic introduction to the story of Jamestown, the first English settlement what would become America.  It is a nuanced story of survival, following the course of Samuel, a young boy who joined the expedition to the New World as a servant to one of the trip's leaders, leaving behind his life of poverty in London.  As the story progresses, Samuel approaches each new discovery with an open mind and a kind heart, which is more than can be said for many of the Virginia Company's leaders, and when trouble strikes, it is Samuel's quick thinking that helps save the day.

This book is historically accurate, with many true-to-life characters (Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, and many others), but there is plenty of fiction to keep the story moving along and add mystery and excitement. The author did meticulous research, and this book does a nice job of showing how both the settlers and the natives experienced and viewed the clash of their two cultures.  The story of Jamestown is not really a happy one, as any readers of history know, and this book does not shy away from the gruesome truth of the settlers' plight, but the author provides plenty of hope and heart, and the story is a positive one in the end.

Thank you to my fellow fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Frye for recommending this to me again and again!

The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere #1) - by Jacqueline West

So, you're an 11-year-old girl whose family just moved into a dark creepy mansion, and you're getting a weird feeling from the paintings in the hall.  The paintings, along with all the other furniture, stayed behind when the old lady who last lived in the house died, mainly because your absent-minded mathematician parents couldn't be bothered with cleaning it out.  You, however, are quite normal, at least you thought so until you started seeing odd things, like small movements and a creeping sense of dread when you stared into a certain painting outside of your bedroom.  Before long you find an old pair of spectacles and realize that you can see into the pictures (Kind of like in the Charlie Bone series, but creepier.)  If this rings a bell, you must be Olive, the lead character in the new Books of Elsewhere series.  Good luck to you.

Once Olive discovers the secret of the paintings, it's a rush against time for her to save everything she knows and loves from a sinister old man long dead who is somehow reaching back from beyond the grave to work his dark magic one more time.  Oh, and she has to deal with three mysterious cats who seem to have come with the house, but who are also far more powerful and important (and silly) than she would have ever guessed.

This is kind of a haunted house story, but also a girl-power mysterious adventure.  It was pretty dark at times, with lots of weird things happening (think Neil Gaiman's writing), but also a hint of hope.  The writing itself was flowing and beautiful, and the author's use of language was my favorite thing about the book.  I liked it, but have talked to tween girls who absolutely loved it, so be your own judge.  The second book in the series, Spellbound, is now out as well.

Because of Mr. Terupt - by Rob Buyea

We have a winner!  This book tops my list of favorites, at least for now.  I couldn't put it down, and even woke up two hours earlier than usual the other day just to finish it before work.  Of course I drove to work with tears in my eyes, but it was worth it.

This is the story of Mr. Terupt, a new 5th grade teacher, and his class. That's all.  They're just ordinary kids, each different from the next in both obvious and more hidden ways, and they get along just like any classroom, which is not always so well. The magic is in how Mr. Terupt takes these oddballs and turns their lives around.  He is one of those (fictional, sadly) teachers who have the knack for not only making learning fun, but for helping children find the best in themselves and learn to see things in a whole new light. He's the teacher I would like to be.  Until the accident, that is.  Midway through the year something happens, something so horrible and unforeseen that it shakes the class to their very core, and things may never be the same.

I really can't say more, except that readers will surely not be disappointed.  This new author is also a teacher, and understands that short chapters can sometimes be the most powerful.  The book is told from alternating points of view of seven different students, like many other books (such as The Homework Machine), and this style is perfect for the story.  Pick this up and you'll cheer, cry, scratch your head, and a wince.  It's simply unforgettable.  I would especially recommend this to teachers, but students are bound to love it just as much.

Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School #1 - by Andrew Clements

A lonely boy whose parents have split up, a girl who is more brave and less nerdy than the boy once thought, a corporation willing to do anything it takes to get their new amusement park built, and a long-dead sea captain who lives on in mysterious and important ways.  That's what you're really picking up when you pull this book off the shelf.  Benjamin never thought much about his historic school on the Atlantic coast until the strange old janitor slips him a gold coin, whispers some confusing things, and then dies.  Suddenly it's up to Benjamin and his new friend Jill to save the school.  How can two kids go up against such a powerful and devious company?  With a little help from that zany old captain and some of the school's long-gone students.  It's a mystery, an adventure, and a bit of a friendship story all stirred together.

I was really looking forward to reading this new series by Andrew Clements, of whom I am a tremendous fan.  Although I ended up liking it, I was also disappointed.  The artwork was amazing, and the story was interesting, but this is one of those series where each book leaves you hanging for the the next one, meaning you pay big bucks for the hardcover (this is a fancy book) and don't even get resolution to the story that's been built up.  This whole book feels like the first chapter in a story, introducing the characters and laying out the plot, which is actually pretty mysterious.  The writing may be some of Mr. Clements' best, but I've always loved his stand-alone stories, which really tie up nicely and leave you feeling good.  This is more like the 39 Clues than I would like, though less rewarding to the reader from book to book.  Please Mr. Clements, just write big books or small, don't leave us hanging like this with your unresolved books with unnecessarily long names!

Read this if you love sailing, historical sites, architecture, evil janitor spies, or series that leave you hanging!

Brixton Brothers # 1: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity - by Mac Barnett

Steve wanted to be a detective more than ANYTHING.  At least he did until this seventh grader was accused of treason against the United States, and became the subject of a major manhunt by both ultra-secret highly-trained killer librarians and the bad guys, who were not nearly as scary as the good guys.  As Steve ran for his life, learned more about quilting than any teen boy would ever want to know, and tried to solve the country's greatest criminal mystery, he began to think that the detective's life isn't so great after all.  He'll either solve the mystery himself or get himself and his dopey best friend sent to prison forever.

This a pretty good mystery, and a goofy but fast-paced thriller.  It's kind of like the old Hardy Boys books, but much more silly.  The pictures are great, and the characters are interesting, in fact I enjoyed this much more than I had expected to.  My copy has a much uglier cover, and I'm glad the publisher made a change so quickly.  If you like mysteries and detective stories, you'll probably get a kick out of this series, and have a few laughs as well.

The Amulet of Smarkand - by Jonathan Stroud

I had been wondering about this series, The Bartimaeus Trilogy, and whether it would be worth a read.  I finally snagged a copy from the library started reading the first chapter, and totally lost interest.  Luckily I picked it up again the next day and finished that chapter, and I was hooked.  It takes a little while to understand how this book is written:  From the point of view of an ancient djinni (genie) in some chapters, and from the perspective of the brave but terribly young and inexperienced apprentice magician, Nathaniel, who summons Bartimaeus in others.

The story spins you into an England run by magicians, with imps, djinni, and other magical creatures doing their bidding.  Bartimaeus is one of these djinni, but he's got an attitude!  His humor adds a lot to the story, but the plot on its own is enough to hold your interest.  When Nathaniel orders Bartimaeus to steal a valuable amulet from a powerful magician who had once embarrassed him, everything goes wrong.  Soon the boy and djinni are on the run to save not only their own lives, but the country itself from an evil plan.  As the boy and his magical servant learn to work together, the reader is taken on a fantastic journey through a fictional London.  The end of the book leaves us wondering what on earth is going to happen in the sequel, and dying to find out.

If you like magic, interesting and challenging vocabulary, lots of action, politics, and genies, it's time to check out The Bartimaeus Trilogy!

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself - by Lincoln Pierce

This is an interesting graphic novel alternative to the Wimpy Kid series.  Nate is your average over-confident 6th grader, and this comic brings us into his world.  When Nate opens a fortune cookie to discover that he is destined to "surpass all others," he sets off to make that happen, which disastrous and hilarious results.  Nate is not a wimpy kid like Greg Heffley, he is a loudmouth trouble-making goofball who young readers are sure to love.

I can't say I approve of the way this book talks about teachers and school food, but I laughed so hard at some parts that I nearly cried, so that's something.  Check it out if you want to read a funny school story and love comics and cool illustrations.

Bone: Out From Boneville - by Jeff Smith

What do you get when you mix talking bones, dumb giant rat creatures, a cow-racing grandma, and a big red dragon all together?  A very interesting and well-designed graphic novel.  This is the first book in the Bone series, and the first I have read, though I've seen kids reading these for years.  I expected a simplistic plot, but was surprised by the quality and interest of the story.  This is a great series for lovers of graphic novels, and a very good introduction to the genre for those who expect graphic novels to just be big comic books.  It is, in a way, but it has as much in common with a novel as it does a typical comic.  Pick up this book and you'll see what I mean.

One thing Jeff Smith does is to create very enjoyable pictures, not just the striking characters, but the way he sets up scenes with pictures.  I'm hooked.

Bearwalker - by Joseph Bruchac

12-year old Baron has a tough life. Not only is he the shortest kid in the 8th grade at his new school in upstate New York, but his being Mohawk sets him apart even more. Add to that the fact that his parents are both marines fighting overseas in dangerous places, while he lives with his grandmother, and he's not very happy. At school, Baron has to deal with bullies, but luckily he finds a friend in the kindly school librarian, who helps him escape his troubles through good books (You go, Librarian!)

When the eighth grade heads out for their annual wilderness camping trip, even Baron is excited, but it doesn't take long for things to go very wrong. It wouldn't be fair to give too much away, but let me say that this is a more SCARY book than you would expect. The campers become trapped, good people turn out to be bad, and one scary staff member at the camp is out for blood. Being a member of the Mohawk Bear Clan, Baron has always been fascinated with bears, especially a legend about a half-bear, half-man called the bearwalker who leaves his victim's bones piled up in a cave. He soon recognizes that this deranged man may in fact be a bearwalker, and that he alone can save all of their lives.

This book is GREAT! It's labeled as a children's book, but seems to be a bit more of a teen story, although I think advanced fourth graders could handle it. The reader learns a lot about the Mohawk people and their legends (the author himself is of that tribe, see his website), and gets a good scare in the process. This story left chills running down my spine...

Becoming Naomi Leon - by Pam Munoz Ryan

What do you do when your mom, who left you with her own mother when you were young, tries to kidnap you from the only real home you've known?

From an author notable for her stories about brave girls comes this tale of Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw, a young girl with a grandma, brother, good friends, and big problems. The story takes place in the town of Lemon Tree, California, and varies between Naomi's school, her grandma's trailer park in the middle of an avocado plantation, and exotic Oaxaca, Mexico. The story includes adventure, suspense, joy, anger, a terrible boyfriend, a daring escape, lots of carvings (sculpture from bars of soap) and a very cool librarian, among other things.

This is the book for you if you like twists and turns, emotional stories, tales about kids who overcome problems, Mexico, or different types of art. What an incredible book!

Bridge to Terabithia - by Katherine Paterson

Two friends, a goofy dog, and a magical kingdom... This beautifully written story tells the tale of Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke, two oddballs who meet up at a point in their lives (5th grade) when they both desperately need a friend. Through their friendship, the two enjoy the happiest days of their lives, creating a magical kingdom in the woods near their farm, which they christen Terabithia, with themselves as rulers. Are these good times too good to last? Can their friendship survive school bullies, annoying sisters, and all of the other things that can happen to children living in the country? With the quality of the writing, your eyes will be glued to the book as you find out. Prepare to smell funny, because this book is so good you may not even take time off to shower!

The Bad Beginning - by Lemony Snicket

Sharp teeth, eye tattoos, shiny hooks, troubled orphans, and no roast beef. All of these strange elements will be important in this dreadful story.

This book tells the tale of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, three orphans who must find a way to escape the clutches of evil Count Olaf. This one-eyebrowed actor will stop at nothing to get his filthy, greedy hands on the Baudelaire fortune.

This is a somewhat challenging book, full of big words and tricky concepts. The reader must be ready to think a lot, and should have a box of tissues handy for all of the sad and unfortunate events that the children experience. This book is just right for readers who like sad stories, difficult words, weird phrases, and children who use their natural abilities (and schema) to solve their own problems.

Thank you to my wonderful fourth graders for their help with this recommendation!

Because of Winn-Dixie - by Kate DiCamillo

This book is now a classic, a favorite of many third graders and up, and there's good reason: it's a great story! Author Kate DiCamillo weaves together the stories of many different people in this book, all of them somehow having to do with the main character, Opal, and her dog, Winn-Dixie. In this book, it is the relationships between characters that really make it a great story, and worth reading. The dog is cute, and there are some funny parts, but mostly it's a book that touches your heart and leaves you wanting more. It has been a trend for younger students to read this, but I think the older the reader is, the more she/he will get out of this book. If you read it in third grade, read it again in fourth and fifth, and as an adult. You'll find new things to love about this book every time, I guarantee it.