Remembering Mrs. Rossi -- Amy Hest

This book was . . . cute, I suppose. I wasn't very fond of it.

Hest tries very hard to capture the voice of an eight year old, but children are usually more eloquent than writers expect them to be, and she fails miserably in her attempt. The main character, Annie, is a brat, and while I sympathize with the loss of her mother, I found it very hard to like her. The supporting characters and the natural naivety of Annie were the only things that made it worthwhile.

Younger readers might enjoy this story.

Estimated Reading Level: 3rd grade
Grade: C

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg -- Rodman Philbrick

I liked this story. Philbrick has some real talent.

Homer is a fun character to follow with a very unique voice, and his journey to find and save his brother from the war is full of surprises. Set in the time of the Civil War, there are a few racial slurs in this book, and although the "n-word" is never used, this might be something parents want to discuss with their children. Over the course of the book, Homer sees and learns things that change him from a boy to a young man, and the change is a fascinating thing to watch.

If you like adventure, this is an excellent book to try.

Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade +
Grade: A+

Dial-a-Ghost -- Eva Ibbotson

I love Ibbotson, but I forgot just how gruesome her imagery can be. Her style reminds me of Roald Dahl's--quirky, delightful, and, in the best possible sense, a tad bit morbid.

This off-the-wall story follows the sweet, polite Wilkinson ghost family, the evil, vengeful Shriekers spook couple, and the humans who adopt them. It is endlessly entertaining. My one complaint with Ibbotson is that she has a nasty habit of switching from characters' regular names to their nicknames and back again without warning. Even so, the characters themselves are brilliantly written and easy enough to distinguish from one another.

This is a terrific book with plenty of twists, humor, and a wonderful ending. It's perfect for a reader looking for an exciting, but not too scary, story.

Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade
Grade: B+

Among the Hidden -- Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix did a wonderful job taking a dark plot and writing it for young audiences.

She has created a believable world where having more than two children is illegal, and those few who are born are forced into hiding. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is convincing, and the pacing is perfect. The narration, however, was distant and lacked emotional involvement.

If you're looking for a book with suspense appropriate for younger children, this is a great one to try.

Estimated Reading level: 5th grade
Grade: B+

every soul a star -- Wendy Mass

This book ended up better than it started out to be.

The first few chapters dragged on a bit, as if Mass was trying too hard to define the voices of her narrators. Luckily, the idea of her vastly different characters (Ally, Bree, and Jack) coming together to view an eclipse is just interesting enough to keep the readers curious. Once the pace picks up, it becomes a well written, fascinating story, and if the readers pay enough attention, they might just learn some interesting scientific jargon.

Because the characters go through some surprisingly deep and complex changes, this is a slightly heavier read than expected, but nothing a young reader won't be able to handle.

Estimated Reading Level: 6th - 7th grade
Grade: B

Horns & Wrinkles -- Joseph Helgerson

A delightful story.

Claire--the quick-witted child we all wish we had been--embarks on a journey through the magic infested river to save her bully cousin from the spell of a troll. Helgerson adds just the right amount of whimsy here without losing the tension of the adventure, and the chapters, though short, flow together smoothly. While the end is easy to predict, there are just enough twists to keep readers doubting.

Any child with a fanciful imagination will love this, and not even the bullies of the classroom will balk at its lesson of redemption and second chances.

Estimated reading level: 5th grade
Grade: B+

getting near to baby -- Audrey Couloumbis

Couloumbis has created something achingly poetic and haunting in this book.

Not only does she employ solid, believable narrative and poignant characters, but also one of the best examples of a frame story I've seen. English teachers will love it.

I warn you, however, it does deal with mature subjects--the death of a younger sibling and the mourning process that follows--but does so in such a sweet and gentle voice that readers are completely captivated. Although heart-wrenching at times, this is a story of redemption, healing, and love. If they're mature enough, I highly recommend it for younger readers.

Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade +
Grade: A