The Runaway Dolls

 

Title: The Runaway Dolls

Author: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Rating: ★★★★★

Age Category: Middle Grade

    Back Cover Synopsis: 

    "Fast-paced, satisfyingly developed, the book is doubly enjoyable for its foundation in a solidly imagined doll culture." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Bridge to Terabithia

Title: Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Rating: ★★★★☆

Age Category: Middle Grade

    Back Cover Synopsis: 

    Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side of the playground and outruns everyone. 

    That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Leslie has imagination. Together, she and Jess create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him. 

The Meanest Doll in the World

Title: The Meanest Doll in the World

Author: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Rating: ★★★★☆

Age Category: Middle Grade

    Back Cover Synopsis: 

    "Wrapped in humor and adventure are serious considerations of self-esteem, the power of intimidation, and the nature of friendship." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Doll People

Title: The Doll People

Author: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Rating: ★★★★★

Age Category: Middle Grade

    Back Cover Synopsis: 

    "It is entertaining and satisfying, and likely to hold the attention of young readers, regardless of their interest in dolls." -- The New York Times

Hatchet

Title: Hatchet

Author: Gary Paulsen

Rating: ★★★★★

Ages: 12 - 18+

    Back Cover Synopsis:

    Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present - and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parents' divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self-pity, or despair - it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.  

Esio Trot

Title: Esio Trot

Author: Roald Dahl

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Ages: 6 - 14

    Back Cover Synopsis:

    Mr Hoppy loves Mrs Silver. Mrs Silver loves Alfie the tortoise. Sometimes Mr Hoppy wishes he could become a tortoise. Until one day he finds a way to win Mrs Silver's heart, with the help of a little magic and some cabbage . . .

Crenshaw

 

Title: Crenshaw

Author: Katherine Applegate

Rating: ★★★★★

Ages: 8 - 18+

    Back Cover Synopsis:

    Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. 

    Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enouch to save this family from losing everything?

The One and Only Ivan

Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Ages: 6 - 18+

Rating: ★★★★★

    A hearwarming novel that will be a instant classic. Ivan is lovable silverback gorilla, living in his domain in a shopping mall. His passion for painting keeps him occupied throught long days. When he meets Ruby, a baby elephant, he decides to take it upon himself to somehow free little Ruby from living her life in a cage. 

The Indian in the Cupboard

Title: The Indian in the Cupboard

Author: Lynne Reid Banks

Ages: 8-18+

Rating: ★★★★★

    After locking a toy indian in his new cupboard, Omri discovers that the cupboard is magical - it brings plastic toys to life! Thrilled, he carefully takes care of the little man, named Little Bear. Soon, he realizes something he hadn't really thought of before. The indian is not just a toy brought to life, he is a real man magicked from the past. Little Bear doesn't make things any easier, wanting fire, longhouses, and horses. All the while, Omri must decide what to do - while his secret becomes harder and harder to keep. 

Holes

 

Title: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Ages: 8-18+

Rating: ★★★★★

    Stanley Yelnats beleives that his family is cursed, because of his no-good-dirty-rotton-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather. When he finds a pair of shoes, he picks them up, not knowing that they are famous. He is arrested, and sent to Camp Green Lake. There he meets other boys, and each day, they are forced to dig holes, exactly five feet in circumfrence and five feet deep. But Stanley starts uncovering clues that lead him to beleive that the Warden is not trying to build character, she's forcing them to look for something! But what could possibly be buried five feet deep in a dried lake bed? To build the tention, Stanley's frind Zero runs away from the camp, leaving Stanley no choice but to go after him.

Pax

 

Title: Pax 

Author: Sara Pennypacker

Ages: 8-18+

Rating: ★★★★★

    This is a heartwarming story about a young boy's devotion to his pet fox. Peter rescued Pax when he was a kit, but when Peter's father enters the military, Pax is abandoned in a forest to fend for himself while Peter is sent to his grandfather's house. Missing his pet, Peter travels on his own to reunite with his fox. While Pax is waiting faithfully for the return of his boy, he meets other foxes and has adventures of his own.