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Book Selections for 2008-2009
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Hero hates her Shakespearean-based name and endures teasing about it from her new classmates. Instead of hanging out with her unkind classmates, she befriends her elderly, eccentric next-door neighbor. Mrs. Roth shares the intriguing story of the missing “Murphy Diamond” that is supposed to be lost in the old house Hero’s parents just bought. Mrs. Roth, Hero, and her new friend Danny set out to find the diamond. As their stealthy search continues, they discover that the diamond may have been owned by Edward de Vere, a nobleman believed by some to be the original author of Shakespeare’s plays. Quotes from Shakespeare sprinkled throughout the text enrich the telling of this suspenseful, multilayered mystery. (Grades 6-9) |
Maddie, 13, lives with her aunt in Providence, Rhode Island, after her parents’ deaths. She learns she is a descendent of the Narragansetts, but she does not believe her Grandmother’s retelling of the old stories, including the one about the Whisperer in the Dark. This Narrangansett vampire like creature has long, razor-sharp claws that he uses on his victims after they are paralyzed by fear. Suspense and terror build as Maddie receives strange hang-up calls and her dog shows up with deep cuts. Readers will race through the pages of this compelling supernatural/horror tale. (Grades 5-8) |
A prank turns into tragedy when a toddler dies after his parents’ kayak sinks in the Chesapeake Bay. Brady soon learns that his best friends had masterminded the prank. Revealing this terrible secret would involve his friends in the drowning, and, consequently, he is torn with guilt and fear. Brady wrestles with the decision of whether to tell the secret or not and must ultimately come to terms with his own responsibility for the tragedy. Mature readers will appreciate this suspenseful tale of deception and intrigue. (Grades 6-9) |
The spread of fear and hatred is brought to life in this compelling historical fiction account during the Salem witch hunts in 1692. Abigail, 10, and her family are drawn into the hysteria when two girls from Salem are brought to their town, Andover, to identify witches. Abigail, her sister, and Aunt Elizabeth are accused of being witches and are sent to the rat-infested prison. Eventually, Abigail speaks out about the evil of these false accusations and helps bring the insanity to an end. Readers will identify with strong-willed Abigail and will quickly become engaged in this heartrending story. (Grades 6-9) |
Eighth-grader Joseph is confused about his heritage. He was born in Korea, but was adopted by an Italian-American family when he was a baby. When Joseph must write an essay on his heritage, he struggles with his desire to find his birth mother, his concern for his hard-working adoptive parents, and his own need to find himself and his identity. Tensions build as Joseph befriends an immigrant family from Korea and he seeks more information on his birth heritage. This contemporary and realistic story will engage readers through a light-hearted approach to a complex issue. (Grades 4-8) |
Back in 1929, there was an infamous rum-running ship called the Black Duck. Prohibition was at its height and authorities in this small Rhode Island town are trying to track down the rumrunners that are using their docks and coastline to transport illegal goods. Fast forward to today. David, 14, wants to be a newspaper man and meets Ruben who was a young teenager in 1929. Together they explore the past, its ethical issues, and intrigue. Older readers will easily navigate the decade-alternating chapters, as well as be inspired by Jeddy’s and Ruben’s adventures. (Grades 7-10) |
Catherine, 12, has an autistic brother that she alternately is ashamed of and loves. To deal with her brother’s eccentricities, Catherine creates rules that her brother needs to follow. In the meanwhile, she befriends a nonverbal paraplegic boy who communicates by using a book of pictures, including a card for “whatever.” Catherine’s relationship with the boy, Jason, helps her better understand her complex feelings toward her brother. This uplifting, insightful Newbery Honor book is a warm read and a great discussion starter. (Grades 4-7) |
What is the meaning of life? Jeremy Fink and his best friend Lizzy are on a quest to open the box delivered to Jeremy one month before his thirteenth birthday. The box is entitled, “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to Open on His 13th Birthday.” However, the four keys needed to open the box are not delivered with it. The adventure begins as Jeremy and Lizzy travel across Manhattan searching for the keys at flea markets and office buildings. Along the way, they begin to discover the meaning of life and themselves along with it. Action, adventure, and humor make this tale a winner. (Grades 5-7) |
Jake Waters, 12, has a dream. He wants to be the first male in his family to escape the tiny town of Patience, Kansas, founded by his great-great-great-grandfather. Unfortunately, a curse was also placed on the city that involves buried treasure. In the meanwhile, Jake’s dad, the town plumber, wants to establish the first American Toilet Museum. Jake is horrified! A mixture of humor and suspense will pull readers into this well-written, whimsical mystery. (Grades 5-8) |
What could be better than a high-tech adventure set in the famous Disney World theme park? Finn, 13, and several of his friends become holograms at the park and are pulled into a delightful nighttime adventure. Who is stealing costumes, shutting off the rides, and creating havoc in the park? Can these five young adventurers save the Magic Kingdom? Readers will need to buckle up for their adventure ride with this tale. (Grades 6-9) |
Joey Willis, 13, has been deaf since age six. Her mother has refused to allow her to learn American Sign Language; consequently, Joey can only read lips to follow a conversation. As Joey gets older, her frustrations also grow. Then one day her world opens up when she meets Dr. Charles Mansell and his baby chimpanzee, Sukari, who sign with each other to communicate. Joey secretly begins to learn sign language from her new friends and her world blossoms with possibilities. Unfortunately, just the opposite happens with Sukari. This gripping animal-human relationship story will be a favorite of many readers. (Grades 6-9) |
Climbing tall buildings or mountains is a passion of Peak Marcello. His latest adventure of scaling skyscrapers in New York has met with stern disapproval from his mom and the authorities. The judge puts him on probation and tells him to leave the city. His mom and step-dad send him to stay with his father who is scaling Mount Everest. Peak quickly finds himself in the thick of base camp operations as he waits for his shot at the summit. This thrilling mountaineering story will carry readers to new heights of adventure. (Grades 6-9) |
Nine-year-old David’s mom is killed in a freak car accident. He is sent to Pennsylvania to live with his grandmother and soon meets thirteen-year-old Primrose whose mother is ill. Primrose decides to live in an abandoned van because space is at a premium in their one bedroom apartment. Their unlikely friendship thrusts shy David into adventures that include a competitive search for night crawlers, a late-night treasure hunt in the neighbor’s trash, and an overnight hike toward Philadelphia. This fast-paced and engaging story provides memorable moments for its readers. (Grades 5-8) |
Big news! Adam Canfield and his good friend, Jennifer, become co-editors of the school newspaper. Soon after, however, they uncover one of the biggest stories to ever hit their paper or the whole town. The other media outlets are all run by an unethical tycoon and the Slash is the only honest news source in the area. So should Adam and Jennifer print the story? Should they risk staining their permanent records as a result? This fresh, and often funny contemporary tale will spark lots of comment and have readers engaged in the sophisticated newsroom story. (Grades 5-8) |
The legendary sword, Excalibur, is stolen by Alfred, 15, and his uncle from a CEO who just happens to be a descendent of the Knights of the Round Table. The uncle turns out to be Mogart, a knight-gone-bad, who wants to use the sword’s magical powers to take over the world. Fortunately, another descendent of the Round Table, Bennacio, helps Alfred in his quest to bring back the sword and save the world from Mogart. A whirlwind adventure ensues including gunfights and car chases. Fans of The Lightning Thief will welcome this white-knuckle, page-turning read. (Grades 6-8) |
Broach, Elise. Shakespeare’s Secret. Square Fish, ©2007. 
Bruchac, Joseph. Whisper in the Dark. HarperCollins, ©2005.
Cummings, Priscilla. Red Kayak. Puffin, ©2006.
Duble, Kathleen Benner. The Sacrifice. Aladdin, ©2007.
Kent, Rose. Kimchi & Calamari. HarperCollins, ©2007.
Lisle, Janet Taylor. Black Duck. Puffin, ©2007.
Lord, Cynthia. Rules. Scholastic, ©2008. 
Mass, Wendy. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. Little, Brown, ©2008. 
Meehl, Brian. Out of Patience. Yearling, ©2008. 
Pearson, Ridley. The Kingdom Keepers. Disney, ©2007.
Rorby, Ginny. Hurt Go Happy. Starscape, ©2007.
Smith, Roland. Peak. Harcourt, ©2008.
Spinelli, Jerry. Eggs. Little, Brown, ©2008. 
Winerip, Michael. Adam Canfield of the Slash. Candlewick, ©2007.
Yancey, Rick. The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp. Bloomsbury, ©2008.This
page last updated:
July 4, 2008
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