Amazing Faces by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet

I can't help myself, but I love poetry!  Amazing Faces is a fabulous collection of poetry that offers many different styles about many different people.  Just read it for the pleasure found in the lilting verse, and enjoy the beautiful illustrations by Chris Soentpiet.  (grades 2 and up)

Hopkins, L. B. (2010). Amazing faces. (C. Soentpiet, illustrator). New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.

Balarama: A Royal Elephant by Ted and Betsy Lewin

Fans of nonfiction are going to enjoy this book.  Ted and Betsy Lewin travel to India to see the elephants.  They are immediately intrigued by the Dasara, a centuries-old festival celebrated in the fall, and Drona, the royal elephant who leads the procession.  When they return to next year to see the parade, they are saddened to learn that Drona has died.  However, they now have the opportunity to see Balarama, the new royal elephant, lead his first procession.  Balarama is huge and majestic, but will he be able to lead the procession and not get distracted by the crowds of cheering spectators?  Read to find out more.  (grades 4-6).

Lewin, T. and B. (2009). Balarama: A royal elephant. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.

Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Louisa is a great biography that can be read quickly.  Yona McDonough tells the life story of the author of the classic book Little Women, Louisa May Alcott.  It provides insight into Louisa's stories as much of them were inspired by true life events.  It also tells about the struggles faced by women of the time period and the adversity and challenges her family faced to make ends meet.  The illustrations are done beautifully by Bethanne Anderson. (grades 4-6)

McDonough, Y. Z. (2009). Louisa: The life of Louisa May Alcott. (B. Anderson, illustrator). New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Imogene's Last Stand by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Imogene Tripp is a true history buff.  So she is thrilled when she discovers Liddleville's Historical Society housed in an old house.  She and her father clean up the place and invite the towns people to visit, but no one seems to be interested.  Then Imogene gets a notice that the Historical Society is scheduled to be torn down to make room for a shoelace factory.  Imogene cannot allow this to happen and makes her stand.  Who says a little girl can't make a difference?  With great illustrations by Nancy Carpenter and smatterings of historical quotes, Candace Fleming's story is sure to be a hit. (grades 2-5)

Fleming, C. (2009). Imogene's last stand. (N. Carpenter, illustrator). New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

The Books of Elsewhere volume 1: The Shadows by Jacqueline West

If you enjoyed the magical world of Harry Potter and Narnia, you will definitely enjoy Jacqueline West's first book The Shadows, which is volume one of what promises to be an exciting series.  Olive Dunwoody, whose family moves around quite a bit, has finally found a home where she feels she belongs.  It is a huge, old house with lots of dusty rooms to explore, and there are no kids around to judge her and make her feel like an outsider (well, it is summer, after all).  She meets some mysterious talking cats, and there is a sinister presence in the house that stays just out of sight.  It's almost like the house is keeping a secret.  Olive soon launches on a mission to solve the mystery and finds herself in quite a predicament.  Full of mystery, magic, and suspense, this is a thrilling read. Poly Bernatene masterfully illustrates this story. (grades 4-7)

West, J. (2010). The book of elsewhere: The shadows. (P. Bernatene, illustrator).
     New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this is a book that boys will enjoy.  The main character, Tommy, is trying to discover whether or not Dwight's Origami Yoda is magical.  Dwight, a strange kid, has created a Yoda through origami and has been using it to give advice and predict the future (sort of).  As Tommy investigates the matter, he learns about friendship and discovers the answer to a very important question: Does the girl of his dreams like him? (grades 4-6)

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books.

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy by Dori Hillestad Butler

Are you a dog lover? Do you enjoy a good mystery?  If so, then you will love Dori Hillestad Butler's book The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy. King is a goldern retriever who has lost his family and ends up in the pound.  He is adopted by Connor and his mom, and they call him Buddy.  King enjoyed solving mysteries with his original human, Kayla. So when Connor goes missing while they are out for a walk, King (aka Buddy) begins working the case.  You will enjoy this story of a dedicated dog who is a bit distracted by smells, food, and fun (but what dog isn't). The book is adorably illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau. (grades 2-5).

Butler, D. H. (2010). The Buddy files: The case of the lost boy. (J. Tugeau, illustrator). Chicago: Albert
      Whitman & Company.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise is an historical fiction story that takes place during the Great Depression in Key West, Florida.  Turtle's mom sends her to live with her aunt in Key West for a while where she learns about a family she did know she had.  She has some interesting adventures and even gets caught in a hurricane while on a treasure hunt.  Turtle learns the importance of family in this delightful tale smattered with historical facts about Key West and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.  The author includes facts and photos at the end explaining the facts behind the fiction.  Not only is the book nominated for the 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award, but it is also a Newbery Honor Book. (grades 3-6).

Holm, J. L. (2010). Turtle in paradise. New York: Random House.