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A Drowned Maiden's Hair
Laura Amy Schlitz
Synopsis: "People throw the word 'classic' about a lot, but A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR genuinely deserves to become one." — WALL STREET JOURNAL

Maud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence. So when the charming Miss Hawthorne chooses her to take home, the girl is pleased but baffled, until it becomes clear that she’s needed to help stage elaborate séances for bereaved patrons. As Maud is drawn deeper into the deception, playing her role as a "secret child," she is torn between her need to please and her growing conscience – until a shocking betrayal shows just how heartless her so-called guardians are. Filled with fascinating details of turn-of-the-century spiritualism and page-turning suspense, this lively novel features a feisty heroine whom readers will not soon forget.
Publication Date: 04/08/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Misspelled
Julie E. Czerneda
Synopsis: strange magic...in 17 Fascinating tales of spells gone awry

When it comes to magic, skipping the directions, changing the ingredients, or garbling the words of a spell can lead to unusual consequences-sometimes dire, sometimes comical. Included in these stories are just a few of the possible results: a cybermancer has her spell disk corrupted by some unexpected input; two students brewing up spells outside the curriculum forgo a critical ingredient; a young woman orders a fairy-tale life, but forgets to read the fine print. Now they're really spellbound...
Publication Date: 04/01/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Blue Like Friday
Siobhan Parkinson
Synopsis:

NOT EVERYONE SEES THE WORLD THROUGH THE SAME LENS.  From the author of Something Invisible comes this funny and poignant novel about the hues of friendship.

Spunky Olivia and eccentric Hal are an unlikely pair. While Hal suffers from a neurological condition called synesthesia that causes him to associate things with colors, Olivia tends to see the world in black and white. Still, these two are friends through thick and thin, through rose-colored days and blue days, even when Hal’s plan to get rid of his mother’s boyfriend backfires by driving his mother away. Olivia’s honest, funny and always-opinionated voice tells this story with colorful perception. 

Publication Date: 03/18/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Claire and the Bakery Thief
Janice Poon, Janice Poon
Synopsis: Claire has moved to the country, where her parents have opened an organic bakery. Although Claire says she'd rather move to Mars, she soon falls in love with her pretty bedroom and their big creaky house. Claire hardly thinks about the city any more after she and her dog, Bongo, discover the natural wonders in the surrounding woods. And Claire has made a "best friend forever" -- the brave and headstrong Jet. To make things just about perfect, the bakery is a success ? so why are her parents always arguing? ("Why do they want a bakery when all they do is argue about it? They should open a bickery instead," writes Claire in her diary.) When Mom suddenly leaves with the Artificial Flavoring Salesman, Claire can't believe it -- why would she run off with that creepy guy? "Operation: Rescue Mom" takes Claire back to the big city with Jet and Bongo. The excitement bubbles over when the friends stumble into a quick-rising plan for global domination through artificial baking. Claire and the Bakery Thief is an irresistible treat for middle readers. And don't miss the recipes in the back!
Publication Date: 03/01/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Mystery
Tobbi's Amazing Adventures  in Cloudland
Mark Seliger, Ilya Simakovsky
Synopsis: Trouble! His daydreaming was out of control. But how could Tobbi Sontag resist flying on his newly invented bionic wings or racing his car at 200 miles an hour, or scoring a spectacular basket over the heads of helpless NBA stars. Yet, how could he do anything when for the past three months he has been stuck in a wheelchair? And things were getting worse, much worse! A Voice haunted him, a deep, gruesome Voice; it called for him more and more, even now.... Tobbi s familiar world crumbles around him. I know something is going to happen, but what, what? he asks himself. When the moment comes, however, Tobbi makes a difficult but critical decision and the adventure of his life begins! Tobbi transforms into something else, and a whole new world opens up to him, a whole new life. Welcome to Cloudland! In the mountains of South America thrives an artistic society of sentient clouds. It is led by the enormous Cloud Maker, the owner of the Voice. After many adventures there, Tobbi learns of the grave threat to Cloudland and even the whole Earth; he chooses to join their fight. The Evil Spoiler intends to conquer the skies and drown the world in storms. In his lair inside Gray Mountains he is ready to unleash his gray army and the monstrous Shadow Eater to poison the skies of the world. The War! Tobbi and his chosen troops fail in their desperate, all out assault. Horrifying events unfold and finally only Tobbi is left. He fights alone but he fights for everything he cares for and for everyone he loves. Will he win? Will he be able to get back? Will he get well? Will he lose everything, even his life? You, the reader, will be with him in his final fight against tremendous odds, and win or lose his courage will warm your heart and lift your spirit. This is a book for all ages.
Publication Date: 02/15/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Un Lun Dun
China Miéville
Synopsis: What is Un Lun Dun?

It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.

When twelve-year-old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of London and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong.


From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 01/29/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Thank You, Lucky Stars
Beverly Donofrio
Synopsis: It’s the first day of fifth grade, and Ally is psyched. She and her best friend, Betsy, are in the same class, and have already planned on singing in the annual talent show together. But it’s not long before she sees that Betsy has made a new best friend, and Ally is no longer on her radar screen. Not to mention that the weird new kid, Tina, has glommed on to Ally. In this phenomenally accurate and readable portrayal of the trials and tribulations of fifth grade, readers will watch a quirky, sensitive, and extraordinarily likeable girl try to survive. Narrated in Ally’s distinctive first person voice, Thank You, Lucky Stars beautifully illustrates that it is possible to be unpopular, individualistic, nice, and still have fun.
Publication Date: 01/08/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Kandide The Secret of the Mists
Diana S. Zimmerman
Synopsis:
Publication Date: 01/01/08
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Buggy Crenshaw and The Deadwood Principle
Synopsis:
Publication Date: 05/05/25
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Norman & The Stinking Space Goo
Synopsis: Norman Flinch is a pretty average kid, until he is splattered all over by an alien space orb. The unsettling gunk leaves him with a rancid aroma that keeps everyone around him gagging. He turns to Wendell Higgins, the school science geek for help. Together they unlock the awe-inspiring secret of the Stinking Space Goo.
Publication Date: 09/28/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
The Lycan Journal
Chad Long
Synopsis: In The Lycan Journal, Gordo Gates, a thirteen-year-old boy, makes a startling discovery, concerning the history of werewolves, and a hidden treasure of silver, which needs to be exposed no matter what the personal consequences are to the fretful narrator of the story.
Publication Date: 08/29/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Real Princesses
Valerie Wilding
Synopsis: Can any girl become a princess?
 
Are all princesses rich?
 
Where do they get their dresses and jewelry?
 
Do all princesses become queen one day?
 
Discover the answers to these questions and many more while reading about the privileged lives of princesses. You'll get the scoop with real-life examples of what princesses' lives are like, how they dress, what special events they attend, where they go to school, and whether there are any downsides to being royal. 
 
Packed with stunning photographs, chic illustrations, and fascinating facts about princesses from the past and present--such as Caroline of Monaco, Diana of Wales, Beatrice of York, Francina Ndimande of the Ndebele in Africa, and Sayako of Japan--this is a true gem for every girl who wants the real story behind the fairy tale.
Publication Date: 08/21/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Educational
Punished!
David Lubar
Synopsis:

Logan and his friend Benedict run into the wrong guy at the library--literally. When Logan slams into the reference guy in the basement and gives hima little lip, Logan gets punished, really and truly punished. He has three days to complete three tasks before Professor Wordsworth will lift the magical punishment that keeps getting Logan in even more trouble.

Publication Date: 08/01/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: For Reluctant Readers
Billy Hooten: Owlboy
Eric Powell, Tom Sniegoski
Synopsis: Billy Hooten is a weird kid. He gets beat up a lot, and spends the rest of his time doggedly trying to build a robot. One day, Billy Hooten hears a cry for help coming from the cemetery that borders his backyard. Against his better judgment, he runs toward it. And after that, everything changes for Billy Hooten. Because Billy Hooten, you see, is Owlboy. A quickthinking, goggle-and-feather-wearing superhero who protects the bizarre and monstrous citizens of Monstros City, a city that exists under Billy's hometown of Bradbury, Massachusetts. But is Billy truly worthy of the moniker Owlboy?
Publication Date: 07/24/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
The King of Mulberry Street
Donna Jo Napoli
Synopsis: In 1892, nine-year-old Dom’s mother puts him on a ship leaving Italy, bound for America. He is a stowaway, traveling alone and with nothing of value except for a new pair of shoes from his mother. In the turbulent world of homeless children in Manhattan’s Five Points, Dom learns street smarts, and not only survives, but thrives by starting his own business. A vivid, fascinating story of an exceptional boy, based in part on the author’s grandfather.
Publication Date: 07/10/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Al's World: Monday Morning Blitz
Synopsis: AL'S WORLD IS ABOUT TO BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN!

Al's world revolves around school, his best friend, Keith, and... well, not much else. Al and Keith aren't what one would consider the smartest kids in school, but they do okay. Then one Monday morning while Al's waiting for the school bus, he gets blitzed by some guy in a suit. Now Al has a sore rib, an encrypted flash drive, and some very strange dudes running after him.
Publication Date: 06/26/07
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Mystery

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