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Grk Smells A Rat
Joshua Doder
Synopsis: A perfect middle-grade adventure for the same fans as Alex Rider readers.

Tim Malt; his parents; his dog, Grk; and his friends Natascha and Max Raffifi have just arrived in India. They are all set to see the famous sights and watch Max compete in a tennis tournament. But after meeting a boy named Krishnan, they learn about the Blue Rat Gang, a group that enslaves children. Krishnan needs help to rescue his sister from a cruel life of forced labor, and Tim and Grk are up to the challenge. Racing against time, Tim and Grk are chased through dark alleys only to find themselves face-to-face with the infamous leader inside the Blue Rats’ headquarters. Can they foil his evil plans before it’s too late?

Praise for the Grk books:
“Pure adventure fun.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Crackles with Doder’s crisp prose and absurdist sensibility . . . [a] wildly engaging story.”—Time Out NY Kids
Publication Date: 11/10/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Kit Feeny: The Ugly Necklace
Michael Townsend
Synopsis: Comic book geek, deviser of crazy schemes, genius (according to him)—Kit Feeny is here!

Kit’s mother’s birthday looms and Kit is determined to get her something way, way better than his sisters, something completely “stupid awesome!” Would she like a cool metal detector? Where might Kit buy a baby dragon? Or maybe a spiffy pair of hip hi-tops? Shovels, dirt, Elvis, and the words “pip-pip!” all lead to the best, ugliest present ever!
Publication Date: 10/13/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Dweeb
Andy Rash, Aaron Starmer
Synopsis: A smart and funny tale of perseverance, teamwork, and the true meaning of success.

Strange things are happening at Ho-Ho-Kus Junior High. The cafeteria is covered in a sea of burger wrappers. Bullies aren’t bullying anymore. And there’s an eerie growling coming from the walls.

If anyone can get to the bottom of these mysteries, it’s Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah, and Bijay. They may be misfits, but they’re also the smartest kids in the eighth grade. There’s just one problem. Vice Principal Snodgrass has framed them for a crime they didn’t commit and imprisoned them in a secret room in the bowels of the school. His terms: Ace the dreaded Idaho Tests and all will be forgiven. Their plan: figure out who—or what—is to blame for the changes at school. It will take the nerdiest of skills. It will be scarier than talking to girls. It will be a true test, one that can be passed only by a select few. And those five boys are known as DWEEB.
Publication Date: 10/13/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
I Am Jack
Cathy Wilcox, Susanne Gervay
Synopsis: Life is good for Jack. He's a great photographer, he wins at handball, and time at home with his family is never boring. But when big George Hamel starts calling Jack "Butt Head," school becomes a little less great. And when everyone starts calling him "Butt Head," it gets outright dangerous.

Susanne Gervay's thoughtful story sheds light on the contagious and destructive nature of school bullying, and the power of humor, love, and community to overcome it.
Publication Date: 10/13/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix
Synopsis: Calvin Coconut needs to fix things with Stella—and fast!

Stella from Texas is now officially a member of the Coconut household. As if getting a bossy babysitter isn’t bad enough for Calvin, Stella teases him mercilessly. What’s a nine-year-old boy to do? Calvin decides to “fix” her, and he dumps his neighbor’s cat Zippy on Stella’s bed, knowing she’s allergic. But when Stella breaks out in hives and misses her first big date, Calvin realizes his “zippy fix” went too far. He’s got to make it up to her, and decides to give her a birthday present. But he has no money. Along with the help of his loyal friends and little sister, Darci, Calvin works hard, and comes up with enough cash to give Stella the best birthday gift ever.

Graham Salisbury’s voice perfectly captures the inner workings of Calvin’s mind, and Jacqueline Rogers’ delightful pictures add zest and humor to The Zippy Fix.
Publication Date: 09/08/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Stone Rabbit #3  Deep Space Disco
Erik Craddock, Erik Craddock
Synopsis: Don’t try to pat THIS bunny.

In a case of mistaken identity, Stone Rabbit is beamed up into space and imprisoned by intergalactic enforcers. Will our hero escape laser lockup in time to stop an alien invader from atomizing the earth?

Deep-Space Disco is the third book in a full-color series of riotous, rip-roaring graphic novels that chronicle the zany adventures of a quick-tempered and quick-witted young rabbit. Its fast pace and outrageously high visual content will appeal to thrill-seeking young readers everywhere!
Publication Date: 09/08/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Arizona: Book One
Tanja Bauerle, Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley
Synopsis: Announcing Book #1 in the first series about a homeschooling family. The Wrights travel the USA in an RV. Each month brings them to a new state with a new educational theme to explore and play with. They prove that learning can happen all the time, anywhere, and that being with family is fun! Meet Aidan, age 7: Boisterous and joking all the time, this sporty boy knows how to have fun! Meet Nadia, age 11: Curious and fiery, this intellectual girl can always find out answers to even the most difficult questions. Meet their parents: Harrison, a writer and linguist expert, and Stephanie, a telecommuting computer expert; ready to adventure with their children. Meet Prince Pumpkin III, turtle extraordinaire: This 50 year old little guy is holding on tight, as the family RV and a mysterious device take him on an adventure no turtle has ever gone on before. Explore an Arizona desert cave with the Wrights as they begin their trip. What will Aidan and Nadia discover? This series is Wright on Time.
Publication Date: 08/27/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Scream Street: Fang of the Vampire
Ltd. Cartoon Saloon, Tommy Donbavand
Synopsis: Welcome to Scream Street — a hilarious middle-grade series that will spook kids silly. (Ages 8-10)

When Luke Watson turns into a werewolf for the third time, the Government Housing of Unusual Lifeforms (G.H.O.U.L.) moves his family to Scream Street — a frightful community of vampires, zombies, witches, and sundry undead. Though Luke quickly makes friends, he vows to find a way to take his terrified parents home. The secret to opening the exit, he learns, is collecting six powerful relics the founding fathers left behind. But with a sinister landlord determined to thwart Luke at every turn, will he even get past the first hurdle alive?
Publication Date: 08/25/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
The Curse of the Romany Wolves
Christian Slade, S. Jones Rogan
Synopsis: Penhaligon takes on pirates and sea serpents on the high seas.

The creatures of Porthleven are suffering from a mysterious illness that looks like Febra lupi, the curse of the Romany wolves, which has no known cure. The dashing apothecary fox Penhaligon must find a cure or risk losing everyone he holds dear!

Penhaligon uncovers a fragment of parchment that just might be a recipe for a cure—and it includes ingredients found only on the haunted Howling Island. But the obstacles Penhaligon must face on his quest for the cure make ghosts seem friendly: Pirates! Sea serpents! Double-crossing ferrets! Can Penhaligon make it back in time to save his village?
Publication Date: 08/11/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
My Rotten Life
David Lubar
Synopsis:

Ten-year-old Nathan Abercrombie is having a really bad day. First, Shawna Lanchester, the prettiest girl in his class, doesn't invite him to her party. Then he gets picked last in gym class. Things couldn't get any worse…until he gets doused with an experimental serum that turns him into a half-dead zombie!

Nathan soon discovers that being half dead isn't all bad. He doesn't need any sleep, so he can stay up all night and play games online. He doesn't feel any pain, so there's no need to worry about Rodney the bully anymore. Still, Nathan would rather be human. Will he find a cure? Or will Nathan be half-dead forever?

Fans of David Lubar's popular Weenies short story collections―which have sold more than one million copies―will love My Rotten Life, the first of a series of hilariously rotten adventures starring Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.

Publication Date: 08/04/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Dodger For President
Jordan Sonnenblick
Synopsis:

What would you do if your best friend was:

1. Still imaginary (and still an oversize blue chimp with major junk-food issues)?

2. Nominating you to run for class president - against the most popular kid in your grade?

3. In charge of your campaign posters…all blue, of course, including your face!?

4. Planning a magical secret weapon to help you win (not fair and square, right?)?

5. Driving you crazy?!?!

Now you have an idea of what Willie Ryan's life is like as his adventures with Dodger continue. The last thing Willie wants to do is run for class president, but both his running mate, Lizzie, and Dodger won't let him quit - and have their own ideas of how to run a campaign, especially against James Beeks, Mr. Popularity. In this second installment of the Dodger and Me series, the humor runs high, the friendships run deep, and Dodger continues to run on French fries and good intentions.

Publication Date: 06/23/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute: Lunch Lady #1
Synopsis: From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo.

Serving justice . . . and lunch!

Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered about their school lunch lady. What does she do when she isn’t dishing out the daily special? Where does she live? Does she have a lot of cats at home? Little do they know, Lunch Lady doesn’t just serve sloppy joes—she serves justice! Whatever danger lies ahead, it’s no match for LUNCH LADY!
Publication Date: 06/01/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Summerhouse Time
Eileen Spinelli, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Synopsis: Every year a rented pink cottage full of family, swapping stories, and riding waves mean Summerhouse Time for Sophie. Best of all is sharing a room with her favorite cousin and laughing and trading secrets like two happy peas in a cousin pod. Sophie can't wait! But when she asks the now-a-teenager Colleen if she's looking forward to their time together, Colleen just says "I guess so."

What? It's the best time of the year, the time they both love. In just a little bit, they will all be together in the cottage on the beach. Will this year be just as wonderful, just like always?

Accompanied by charming black-and-white illustrations, classic growingup experiences radiate throughout the pages of this sunny, anytime story.


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 04/14/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Manolito Four-Eyes
Emilio Urberuaga, Elvira Lindo
Synopsis: The unforgettable Manolito Four-Eyes is back. So are his equally unforgettable family and friends, including the Bozo (his favorite and only little brother), Big Ears (his best friend, even though he’s a dog traitor), Ozzy (the biggest bully in the worldwide world), and his grandfather (Manolito’s unconditional ally).
Publication Date: 04/01/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Emma Dilemma and the Camping Nanny
Abby Carter, Patricia Hermes
Synopsis: Instead of spending free time with Emma and her family, Annie the nanny chooses to spend it with Bo. They have signed up for Irish dance class on Sunday nights, and Bo seems to show up whenever Annie has an evening off. To make matters worse, Emma’s mother has invited "The boyfriend" to come along on a family camping trip. Emma has another problem, too. Her best friend, Luisa, has been spending time with her worst friend, Kate. No wonder Emma is feeling a bit lonely. Betrayed, even.

How is Emma going to solve both dilemmas? Will she come out on top and a little wiser, as she always has before?
Publication Date: 04/01/09
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
My Cousin, the Alien
Mike Gorman, Pamela F. Service
Synopsis: In this first book of the Alien Agent series, we meet Zack, a normal kid with a crazy cousin, Ethan, who thinks he's an alien. But is Ethan really crazy? And why do the same bald, odd-looking fat guys keep reappearing everywhere the boys go?
Publication Date: 09/01/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction

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