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PEC
Secrets at Sea (age 8-11)
by Richard Peck
fantasy ... adventure ... humor
Publisher comments: In the beloved tradition of The Borrowers, The Tale of Desperaux, and The Cricket in Times Square, here is an irresistible adventure story of the tiny individuals who secretly live among us humans. Helena is the oldest of four mouse siblings who live in the walls of the Cranston estate. It is 1887 when the nouveau riche Cranstons decide to take a cruise ship to England in search of a husband for their awkward older daughter. The Cranston mice stow away in the luggage . . . and so begins the time of their lives, as they meet intriguing, cosmopolitan mice onboard and take it upon themselves to help the human Cranston daughters find love. They might just find perfect futures for themselves as well!
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FRE
Fourth Grade Weirdo (age 8-11)
by Martha Freeman
humor ... mystery ... school
Publisher comments: Dexter is like a square peg in a round hole: he just can't fit in. All the kids in his class enjoy the zany things their teacher Mr. Ditzwinkle does to make learning fun. All except Dexter, the weirdo who prefers the same routine. But when things start disappearing from school, Dexter is surprised that his teacher is suspected. Dexter thinks Mr. Ditzwinkle is odd, but he knows he's not a crook. Can Dexter the weirdo prove it by catching the real thief?
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CON
Mishmash Series (age 8-11)
by Molly Cone
humor ... animals
Publisher comments: Mishmash is a very friendly dog. When he moves like a cyclone into Pete's heart, his family's new house, and the neighbor's gardens, life will never be the same! But when Mishmash's well-intentioned enthusiasm leads to messy garages and ruined gardens, it's too much for the grownups to tolerate. Pete realizes Mish must go. How he finds a new home for Mish and gives his favorite teacher a wonderful gift all in one accidental gesture makes for a hilarious, lovable story.
title: Mishmash
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KES
Philippa Fisher Series (age 8-11)
by Liz Kessler
humor ... identity ... fantasy
Publisher comments: Philippa Fisher would like nothing more than to summon a fairy. Still, she is taken aback when Daisy, the new girl at school, announces that she is Philippa's fairy godmother — or godsister, since they're both the same age. Though the fairy is none too pleased with her mission, she is obliged to see it through and grant her human charge the customary three wishes. Now, if only Philippa would wish for something that makes her life better, not worse! With warmth and whimsy, the creator of Emily Windsnap whisks a traditional theme into a contemporary setting to tell a story of friendship, luck, and how we decide what we really want.
title: Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister
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OCO
The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis (age 8-11)
by Barbara Oconnor
realistic ... adventure ... humor
Publisher comments: Nothing ever happens in Fayette, South Carolina. That's what Popeye thinks, anyway. His whole life, everything has just been boring, boring, boring. But things start to look up when the Jewell's Holiday Rambler makes a wrong turn and gets stuck in the mud, trapping Elvis and his five rowdy siblings in Fayette for who knows how long. Popeye has never met anyone like Elvis Jewell. Hes so good at swearing he makes Uncle Dooley look like a harp-strumming angel, and he says "So what?" like he really means it. Then something curious comes floating down the creek, a series of boats with secret messages, and it sends Popeye and Elvis into the big world on the hunt for a small adventure.
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PET
The Sub (age 8-11)
by P. J. Petersen
humor ... identity ... school
Catalog: Two friends switch seats when their class has a substitute teacher and find that it isn't so easy to be someone else.
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HOR
The Trolls (age 8-11)
by Polly Horvath
family ... fantasy ... humor
Publisher comments: Aunt Sally is beyond any of Melissa, Amanda, and Pee Wee's expectations. She has come all the way from Vancouver Island, Canada, to take care of the children while their parents are away, and right from the start Aunt Sally enchants them with tales of her childhood with their father. Odd characters figure largely in the stories, like Maud, a hunter rumored to have killed eighty cougars; Great-uncle Louis, a health nut who insists everyone should gnaw on sticks for extra fiber; and Fat Little Mean Girl, the star of a cautionary tale involving witchcraft and candy. All of Aunt Sally's reminiscences lead up to a crucial story about trolls, sinister creatures who supposedly lurked along the shore at night. The trolls had the power to change Aunt Sally's life forever, and their legacy may change the lives of the three present-day children as well.
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TAS
My Life As a Book (age 8-11)
by Janet Tashjian
humor ... mystery ... school
Publisher comments: Summer's finally here, and Derek Fallon is looking forward to pelting the UPS truck with water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and conducting silly investigations. But when his parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, Derek's dreams of fun come to an end. Ever since hes been labeled a "reluctant reader," his mom has pushed him to read "real" books; something other than his beloved Calvin & Hobbes. As Derek forges unexpected friendships and uncovers a family secret involving himself (in diapers! no less), he realizes that adventures and surprises are around the corner, complete with curve balls.
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VER
Dragonbreath Series (age 8-11)
by Ursula Vernon
humor ... fantasy ... school
Publisher comments: It's not easy for Danny Dragonbreath to be the sole mythical creature in a school for reptiles and amphibians - especially because he can't breathe fire like other dragons (as the school bully loves to remind him). But having a unique family comes in handy sometimes, like when his sea-serpent cousin takes Danny and his best iguana friend on a mindboggling underwater tour, complete with vomiting sea cucumbers and giant squid. It sure beats reading the encyclopedia to research his ocean report.
title: Dragonbreath
title: Attack of the Ninja Frogs
title: Curse of the Were-Wiener
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EDW
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (age 8-11)
by Julie Andrews Edwards
adventure ... humor ... magic ... fantasy
Publisher comments: The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals — the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun" — apart from and forgotten by people. But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland. With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king. Only by skill and determination were the four travelers able to discover the last of the really great Whangdoodles and grant him his heart's desire.
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PEI
Big Nate Series (age 8-11)
by Lincoln Peirce
humor ... school
Publisher comments: Aspiring cartoonist Nate Wright is the star of Big Nate, the daily and Sunday comic strip distributed by Newspaper Enterprise Association since 1991. Nate is eleven years old, four-and-a-half feet tall, and the all-time record holder for detentions in school history. He's a self-described genius and sixth grade Renaissance Man. Equipped with only a #2 pencil and the unshakable belief that he is #1, Nate fights a daily battle against overzealous teachers, undercooked cafeteria food and all-around conventionality. He's the original rebel without a clue, alternately abrasive and endearing to classmates and teachers alike. Nate blazes an unforgettable trail through the sixth grade at P.S. 38, earning straight A's in laughs along the way.
title: Big Nate Strikes Again
title: Big Nate in a Class by Himself
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MAN
Be a Perfect Person In Just Three Days! (age 8-11)
by Stephen Manes
enterprise ... humor
One day at the library, a book falls off the top shelf and hits Milo on the head. It's called Be a Perfect in Just Three Days! The book's author, Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish, doesn't look too perfect himself, In the picture on the back cover he's wearing a clown nose, and mustard is dripping down his chin. Milo figures the boor is worth a try anyway. Perfect is obviously the perfect thing to be! But who's ever heard of wearing a stalk of broccoli around your neck for twenty-four hours? And that's only the first day....
sequel: Make Four Million Dollars By Next Thursday!
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SIN
Tarantulas on the Brain (age 8-11)
by Marilyn Singer
humor ... animals
Lizzie's scheme for getting a pet tarantula leads her into adventure, and misadventure.
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PAR
The Wedding Planner's Daughter Series (age 8-11)
by Coleen Murtagh Paratore
family ... humor ... friendship
Publisher comments: Twelve-year-old Willa Havisham is a classics reader, a cherry-cordial eater, and quite possibly the world's worst wisher. But when she and her glamorous single mother, Stella, move to Bramble, Cape Cod, Willa's wishes begin to come true: She makes her first-ever best friend, Tina. She bonds with her hip, candy-making Nana. And best of all, steely Stella is falling for Willa's English teacher, Sam — he's perfect dad material! But before Willa can marry off her mother, or dance with her adorable crush, Joseph, a pit gets stuck in the wishing well.... Can Willa undo the damage before Stella misses her chance to say "I do"?
title: The Wedding Planner's Daughter
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AVI
Don't You Know There's a War On? (age 8-11)
by Avi
growing up ... school ... historical ... war ... humor
Publisher comments: World War II is on everyone's mind and in every headline, and Howie Crispers has a hunch that his school principal is a spy. With a little snooping around, Howie finds out something even more alarming. Principal Lomister may not be a spy, but he is plotting to get rid of Howie's favorite teacher. Howie's dad is fighting Nazis overseas, and his mom is working hard to support the war effort, so Miss Gossim is the only person Howie can depend on. With the help of his friends, and a plan worthy of radio show superhero Captain Midnight, Howie intends to save Miss Gossim!
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KLI
The Dragon Keepers Series (age 8-11)
by Kate Klimo
humor ... adventure ... fantasy
Publisher comments: Ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy have always wanted something magical to happen to them. So it's a wish come true when Jesse's newly found thunder egg hatches and a helpless, tiny, but very loud, baby dragon pops out. Soon the two kids are at the dragon's beck and call, trying to figure out what to feed her. An Internet search leads them to the library, which leads them back to the Internet, where they find a very strange Web site called foundadragon.org. Here the cousins discover that the dragon's hatching has designated them "Dragon Keepers." Not only do they have to feed the dragon, whom they named Emmy, but they also have to keep her safe from the villainous Saint George, who has kept himself alive over centuries by drinking dragons' blood!
title: The Dragon in the Sock Drawer
title: The Dragon in the Driveway
title: The Dragon in the Library
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BEN
Dear Dumb Diary Series (age 8-11)
by Jim Benton
letters/journal ... school ... humor
Publisher comments: Read the hilarious, candid (& sometimes mean) diaries of Jamie Kelly, who promises that everything in her diary is true...or at least as true as it needs to be. In the first book, Jamie contends with Angeline, the school's prettiest, most popular girl (who Jamie thinks is a goon!) and the impending visit of her troll-like little cousin. Will Jamie survive? Will she go mad? Will she send her mom's nasty casserole to starving children in Wheretheheckistan? You'll just have to read the first installment of Dear Dumb Diary to find out!
title: My Pants Are Haunted: By Jamie Kelly
title: Am I the Princess or the Frog?: Jim Benton's Tales From Mackerel Middle School
title: Never Do Anything, Ever: By Jamie Kelly
title: Can Adults Become Human?
title: The Problem With Here is That it's Where I'm From: By Jamie Kelly
title: Never Underestimate Your Dumbness: By Jamie Kelly
title: It's Not My Fault I Know Everything: By Jamie Kelly
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CAB
Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Series (age 8-11)
by Meg Cabot
realistic ... family ... humor ... friendship
Publisher comments: When nine-year-old Allie Finkle's parents announce that they are moving her and her brothers from their suburban split-level into an ancient Victorian in town, Allie's sure her life is over. She's not at all happy about having to give up her pretty pink wall-to-wall carpeting for creaky floorboards and creepy secret passageways-not to mention leaving her modern, state-of-the-art suburban school for a rundown, old-fashioned school just two blocks from her new house. With a room she's half-scared to go into, the burden of being "the new girl," and her old friends all a half-hour car ride away, how will Allie ever learn to fit in?
title: Moving Day
title: Best Friends and Drama Queens
title: Stage Fright
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CLE
Lost and Found (age 8-11)
by Andrew Clements
humor ... identity ... school
Publisher comments: Although it's a drag to be constantly mistaken for each other, in truth, during those first days at a new school, there's nothing better than having a twin brother there with you. But on day one of sixth grade, Ray stays home sick, and Jay is on his own. No big deal. It's a pretty nice school, good kids, too. But Jay quickly discovers a major mistake: No one seems to know a thing about his brother. Ray's not on the attendance lists, doesn't have a locker, doesn't even have a student folder. Jay almost tells the school (almost) but then decides that this lost information could be very...useful. And fun. As Ray and Jay exploit a clerical oversight, they each find new views on friendship, honesty, what it means to be a twin, and what it means to be yourself. Entertaining, thought-provoking, and true-to-life, this clever novel is classic Andrew Clements times two: twins!
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ENS
Cinderella (As If You Didn't Already Know the Story) (age 8-11)
by Barbara Ensor
family ... humor ... folklore
Publisher comments: I know, I know. You've heard the story a million times before. Mean stepmother. Lots of sweeping. Fancy ball. You remember. Or do you? Did you remember that Cinderella was such a nice girl, so smart and funny? You probably would've liked her. Did you know that "Cinderella" was just a nickname? And that her handsome prince loved Jell-o and was a wonderful dancer? Readers will delight in following Cinderella through all the usual happenings, presented in a most unusual way. And they’ll finally see what becomes of her after she marries the prince. So maybe you should hear the story one last time. Because it's actually way different than you might have thought.
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HAL
Here Comes Zelda Claus, and Other Holiday Disasters (age 8-11)
by Lynn Hall
short stories ... traditions ... humor
Each short story in this book featuring the irrepressible Zelda centers on a different holiday, progressing through the school year.
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MAS
Princess School Series (age 8-11)
by Jane B. Mason
princesses ... friendship ... school ... fantasy ... humor
Publisher comments: With her feet bare (those glass slippers don't fit) and her second-hand gown splattered with mud (thanks, evil stepsisters), Ella's first day of Princess School is off to a lousy start. If she can only find her fairy godmother before the first class begins, Ella is sure she'll put things right. But her FG is off at a convention and Ella is on her own--she'll have to get through the first weeks of Princess School without any bobbity-boo. Ella is terrified--until she meets silly Snow, spunky Rapunzel, and beautiful, sheltered Rose. She begins to realize that with these friends, Princess School could be a LOT of fun.
title: If the Shoe Fits
title: Let Down Your Hair
title: Apple-y Ever After
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ROB
My Brother Louis Measures Worms: and Other Louis Stories (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
short stories ... humor
How is it that Louis has been driving his mother's car around town if he's only eight years old? Where did the cat go to have her kittens? Who won the free wedding? Whether it's costume parades, mysterious paint allergies, or bicycle disasters, there's never a dull moment when the Lawson family is around!
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WAL
Snot Stew (age 8-11)
by Bill Wallace
humor ... animals
It's not easy being a kitten. Don't get me wrong. I love being scratched behind the ears, chasing Butch the dog, and eating Mother's stew. My brother Toby and I learned about "people things" when we were adopted by Sarah and Ben. The only problem with kid-people is the games they like to play, like "Dress the Cat", and "Snot Stew". It's not stew! But what is it? It's making a bully out of Toby and a wreck out of me!
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PAR
Skinnybones (age 8-11)
by Barbara Park
friendship ... sports ... humor
For the smallest kid on the baseball team, Alex “Skinnybones” Frankovitch has a major-league big mouth! But when he brags his way into a pitching contest, this might be one mess that not even Alex can talk his way out of.
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FLE
Jingo Django (age 8-11)
by Sid Fleischman
adventure ... humor
An orphan boy resolves to follow a treasure map he finds inscribed on a whale's tooth.
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GRE
Give Us a Great Big Smile, Rosy Cole (age 8-11)
by Sheila Greenwald
humor ... the arts ... authorship
Uncle Ralph's books about Rosy's two older sisters, a dancer and an equestrian, made them famous. Now it is untalented, 10-year-old Rosy's turn, and when Uncle Ralph gets out his camera determined to make Rosy and her violin his next book, Rosy's troubles begin.
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HEI
Banana Twist (age 8-11)
by Florence Parry Heide
humor
Relates the attempts of Jonah D. Krock to elude his oddball neighbor who thinks Jonah has a banana fixation.
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WOO
The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother (age 8-11)
by Elvira Woodruff
action ... humor ... fantasy ... magic
When aspiring scientist Nelly Brown uses a magic chemistry set to make her grandmother young again but is unable to stop the alteration, the seventy-year-old woman becomes a baby and Nelly fears that she may shrink into nothing.
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HUR
Baseball Fever (age 8-11)
by Johanna Hurwitz
humor ... family ... sports
Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base?
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HUR
The Hot and Cold Summer (age 8-11)
by Johanna Hurwitz
humor ... friendship
Two inseparable ten-year-old boys discover there is room in their friendship for another person and it really doesn't matter that she is a girl.
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KEH
The Richest Kids in Town (age 8-11)
by Peg Kehret
humor ... friendship ... enterprise
New to town and homesick for his old life, fourth-grader Peter teams up with a classmate to earn money for a trip to his old hometown but all their moneymaking schemes have unexpected results.
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LEV
For Biddle's Sake (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
humor ... fantasy ... folklore
The young maiden, Parsley, will eat nothing but parsley, which in Snettering-on-Snoakes grows only in the fairy Bombina's garden. All is well, until Bombina is released from the fairy queen's dungeon. Her crime? Failing to get along with humans. And turning them into toads! Meanwhile, twin princes Randolph and Rudolph are causing trouble at Biddle Castle and pinning everything on their younger brother, Tansy. Prince Tansy cares about Biddle. Randolph and Rudolph don't. But one of the twins will be king, unless Prince Tansy accepts help from a green Biddlebum Toad!
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LEV
The Fairy's Return (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
princesses ... humor ... fantasy ... folklore
Boy meets princess, and it's love at first sight. Both laugh at the same jokes. Both are named after birds. His name is Robin, hers is Lark. Could there ever have been a more perfect match? But alas! King Harrumphrey won't let Lark marry a baker's son. And Robin is betrothed to someone else. Now toss in Robin's nonsense-talking brothers, Nat and Matt, their versifying father, and Ethelinda, the fairy who wrought havoc in The Fairy's Mistake, and you've got a "nutcrazical" situation!
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LEV
The Princess Test (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
princesses ... humor ... fantasy ... folklore
King Humphrey has decided its time for his son, Prince Nicholas, to marry. But he must make sure the bride is a real princess. So he devises a series of princess tests, designed to weed out the phonies and the fakes. Meanwhile, Nicholas has fallen in love with Lorelei, a mere blacksmith's daughter. She's no princess, but he wants to marry her all the same--but how will she ever pass the terrible tests?
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WAL
The Barrel in the Basement (age 8-11)
by Barbara Brooks Wallace
fantasy ... folklore ... humor
This is a story about furkens, descendants of a branch of genus elf, who have lost their elfin powers of being able to vanish and now hide fearfully in human houses. They are sadly often mistaken for mice, although don't smell like mice. They smell like warm apricot jam!
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BUR
Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain (age 8-11)
by Robert Burch
family ... historical ... humor
Tough times in rural Georgia during the Depression take a lively turn when spirited Ida Early arrives to keep house for the Suttons. This tall tale will keep you on the edge of your seat.
sequel: Christmas With Ida Early
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WAR
The Emma Series (age 8-11)
by Sally Warner
humor ... friendship ... school
Emma Mcgraw is slowly making friends at her new school. But when Cynthia calls her weird, emma is shocked. They are supposed to be best friends! In response, Emma decides that Cynthia's new name should be bossy pants, and she tells everyone in the class. Now the entire third grade is trading nicknames. And while it starts out being funny, Emma begins to see the downside of name-calling. But just when she decides it's time for apologies, her teacher makes the most dreaded call of all, the one to everyone's parents.
title: Best Friend Emma
title: Not-So-Weird Emma
title: Only Emma
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STE
Tales from Gizzard's Grill (age 8-11)
by Jeanne Steig
humor ... poetry ... folklore ... short stories
Presents three tall tales from the Old West town of Fiasco, where the lady sheriff keeps the peace and friends, old and new, enjoy the treats at Gizzard's Grill.
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STE
Far-Flung Adventures (age 8-11)
by Paul Stewart
math/science/technology ... adventure ... fantasy ... humor
Fergus Crane has an almost ordinary life, having lessons taught by rather odd teachers on the school ship Betty Jeanne and helping his mother in the bakery. But then a mysterious flying box appears at the window of his waterfront home and Fergus is plunged headlong into an exciting adventure! The box is followed by a winged mechanical horse that whisks him off to meet his long-lost uncle and his penguin helpers, Finn, Bill, and Jackson. Fergus finds out that his teachers are not quite what they seem: they're actually pirates! Can Fergus and his winged horse save his schoolmates on the far-off Fire Island? And who else will he find there?
title: Corby Flood
title: Hugo Pepper
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SNI
The Owlboy Series (age 8-11)
by Tom Sniegoski
action ... humor ... adventure
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 quick-thinking, 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?
title: Billy Hooten, Owlboy
title: The Girl with the Destructo Touch
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SIM
Secret of the Three Treasures (age 8-11)
by Janni Lee Simner
mystery ... action ... humor ... adventure
Move over, Indiana Jones. Eleven-year-old Tiernay West is ready to take over in this hilarious middle-grade adventure novel. When Tiernay hears of possible Revolutionary War gold buried in her own town, little does she expect that its pursuit will have her running for her life.
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ROB
The Best Halloween Ever (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
traditions ... school ... humor
The Herdmans plus Halloween have always spelled disaster. Every Halloween, the six Herdman kids steal candy, spray-paint other kids, and take everything that isn't nailed down. And this year promises to be the same, until the Mayor decides to up and cancel Halloween. True, that means there'd be no Herdman trouble to contend with, but that also means no candy, no costumes, and no trick-or-treating! Is it possible that the Herdmans themselves could make what looks like a horrible Halloween into the best one ever?
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REI
The Golden Hamster Saga (age 8-11)
by Dietlof Reiche
humor ... adventure ... brilliant protagonist
Freddy is not happy with his boring treadmill life at the pet store. He continaully embarrasses himself in an attempt to get adopted. Freddy believes he will have a more civilized and exciting life as soon as he has a home. After a series of funny misadventures (including encounters with a fierce tomcat and two guinea pigs who speak in Shakespearean couplets) he teaches himself to read and write. He then pens his witty and heartwarming autobiography that tells of his journey to self discovery. A hamster has never been smarter or funnier in telling the tale of his exceptional life.
title: I, Freddy
title: Freddy in Peril
title: Freddy to the Rescue
title: The Haunting of Freddy: Book Four in the Golden Hamster Saga
title: Freddy's Final Quest: Book Five in the Golden Hamster Saga
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ORR
Nim's Island (age 8-11)
by Wendy Orr
humor ... friendship ... adventure ... nature ... survival
A girl. An iguana. An island. And e-mail. Meet Nim: a modern-day Robinson Crusoe! She can chop down bananas with a machete, climb tall palm trees, and start a fire with a piece of glass. So she's not afraid when her scientist dad sails off to study plankton for three days, leaving her alone on their island. Besides, it's not as if no one's looking after her; she's got a sea lion to mother her and an iguana for comic relief. She also has an interesting new e-mail pal. But when her father's cell-phone calls stop coming and disaster seems near, Nim has to be stronger and braver than she's ever been before. And she'll need all her friends to help her.
sequel: Nim at Sea
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MCA
Digory and the Lost King (age 8-11)
by Angela McAllister
fantasy ... humor ... adventure ... knights/castles/dragons
King Widget has vanished, and once again Digory must give up his simple life of writing poetry and playing his lute to set off on a quest to find the beloved King. As usual, Digory’s journey is not without hazard, and Digory must find his courage in order to save the day. With some mud-slinging, a short stay in a dungeon, and (of course) dragons, Digory and the Lost King is a delightful companion to Digory the Dragon Slayer.
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MCA
Digory the Dragon Slayer (age 8-11)
by Angela McAllister
fantasy ... humor ... adventure ... knights/castles/dragons
Nothing much ever happens to Digory during his walks through the forest. He mostly plays his lute and writes beautiful songs to sing. But one day, he finds a dragon’s tooth and his village assumes he’s slayed a dragon! They immediately make him a knight and send him off in search of other dragons to slay. Will Digory be able to face a snarling dragon but live to be an ordinary boy again?
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KUR
Leon and the Spitting Image (age 8-11)
by Allen Kurzwell
magic ... humor ... school
"Leon and the Spitting Image" is about a hotel full of animals. It's about an evil ice maker. It's about glass eyeballs and human catapults. It's about really old panty hose and Possibly Fake Hair. But mostly it's about Leon Zeisel and his epic quest to survive fourth grade. What's stopping him? Two things. First, there's Miss Hagmeyer. She's a supernaturally strict teacher with ears that resemble giant rotting mushrooms. And then there is Leon's archenemy, Lumpkin the Pumpkin, a human tank with a deadly dodgeball throw known to all as the sidewinder. Luckily, Leon has two friends, Lily-Matisse and P.W., who will stand by him no matter what, even if his magical, mysterious plans for rescue and revenge involve . . . SPIT!
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KRU
Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo Series (age 8-11)
by Nancy Krulik
humor ... magic
A magic wind turns Katie into other people, helping her see things from a different perspective, in these hilarious escapades.
title: Anyone But Me
title: Free the Worms!
title: Girls Don't Have Cooties
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HOW
Tales from the House of Bunnicula (age 8-11)
by James Howe
authorship ... humor ... mystery
Dear possible reader of this book: I want to be a writer, just like my uncle Harold, who wrote a bunch of books about our friend Bunnicula. So I wrote this story. And boy! Did I ever get into trouble! My friend Delilah stopped speaking to me because I put her in my book. Uncle Harold stopped speaking to me because I didn't put him in my book. A writer's life isn't easy! But back to my story: It's about how a talented and lovable (not to mention smart) wirehaired dachshund puppy named Howie saves the world from a disgusting, evil menace named...oops, that would give away the story. But trust me, this menace is disgusting and evil, all right!!! Your friend, Howie
title: It Came From Beneath the Bed!
title: Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6!
title: Howie Monroe and the Doghouse of Doom
title: Bud Barkin, Private Eye
title: The Amazing Odorous Adventures of Stinky Dog
title: Nighty-Nightmare
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HOR
Diamond Brothers Mysteries (age 8-11)
by Anthony Horowitz
humor ... mystery
What would Tim Diamond, the world's worst private detective, do without his quick-thinking brother Nick? The bumbling detective and his kid brother are at it again in these hilarious, fast-paced mysteries. Find out if Nick can get to the bottom of these mysteries before Tim messes everything up, or worse, gets them both killed.
title: Public Enemy Number Two: a Diamond Brothers Mystery
title: South by Southeast: a Diamond Brothers Mystery
title: The Falcon's Malteser
title: Three of Diamonds: Three Diamond Brothers Mysteries
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FLE
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School (age 8-11)
by Candace Fleming
humor ... school
An unlikely teacher takes over the disorderly fourth-grade class of Aesop Elementary School with surprising results.
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DOW
From the Highly Scientific Notebooks of Phineas L. Macguire (age 8-11)
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
humor ... friendship ... math/science/technology
Here's what you need to know about Phineas L. MacGuire, boy-scientist extraordinaire, aka Mac: 1. He's allergic to purple, telephone calls, and girls, and can prove it. 2. He's probably the world's expert on mold, including which has the highest stink potential. 3. He does not have a best friend. He does, however, have an un-best friend, who he does not ... repeat, not ... want to upgrade to best friend status. But disaster strikes when his teacher pairs Mac and his un-best friend together for the upcoming science fair. Worse, this un-best friend wants the project to be on dinosaurs, which is so third grade. Worse still, it seems as though everyone else in his class finds the un-best friend as unlikeable as Mac does. But, being a boy-scientist, once Mac notices this, he just might have to do some investigating....
title: Phineas L. Macguire -- Erupts! The First Experiment
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DIS
The Sloppy Copy Slipup (age 8-11)
by DyAnne DiSalvo
authorship ... humor ... school
Brian does not have his sloppy copywriting assignment ready to turn in, and it takes all of his imaginative powers and storytelling techniques to prevent him from getting a zero.
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DAV
Garfield Collections (age 8-11)
by Jim Davis
humor
Comics chronicling the hilarious antics of Garfield the cat, his canine friend Odie, and their owner Joh.
title: Garfield Goes to Waist
title: Garfield Hits the Big Time
title: Garfield Keeps His Chins Up
title: Garfield Takes His Licks
title: Garfield Worldwide
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CAT
The Chocolate Touch (age 8-11)
by Patrick Skene Catling
folklore ... humor
John Midas loves chocolate. He loves it so much that he'll eat it any hour of any day. He doesn't care if he ruins his appetite. He thinks chocolate is better than any other food! But one day, after wandering into a candy store and buying a piece of their best chocolate, John finds out that there might just be such a thing as too much chocolate....
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CAM
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet (age 8-11)
by Eleanor Cameron
voyages/journeys ... humor ... science fiction
A mystery man inspires two boys to build a space ship which takes them to the planet of Basidium to help the Mushroom people.
sequel: Stowaway to the Mushroom Planet
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CLE
No Talking (age 8-11)
by Andrew Clements
friendship ... realistic ... humor ... school
The fifth-grade girls and the fifth-grade boys at Laketon Elementary don't get along very well. But the real problem is that these kids are loud and disorderly. That's why the principal uses her red plastic bullhorn. A lot. Then one day Dave Packer, a certified loudmouth, bumps into an idea ... a big one that makes him try to keep quiet for a whole day. But what does Dave hear during lunch? A girl, Lynsey Burgess, jabbering away. So Dave breaks his silence and lobs an insult. And those words spark a contest: Which team can say the fewest words during two whole days? And it's the boys against the girls. How do the teachers react to the silence? What happens when the principal feels she's losing control? And will Dave and Lynsey plunge the whole school into chaos? This funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness...with or without a bullhorn.
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BOS
Series: The Name of This Book Is Secret (age 8-11)
by Pseudonymous Bosch
mystery ... adventure ... action ... humor
Publisher comments: Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.
title: The Name of This Book Is Secret
title: If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
title: This Book Is Not Good For You
title: This Isn't What It Looks Like
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BAK
The Tales of the Frog Princess (age 8-11)
by E. D. Baker
princesses ... humor ... folklore ... magic ... fantasy ... action
After reluctantly kissing a frog, an awkward, fourteen-year-old princess suddenly finds herself a frog, too, and sets off with the prince to seek the means--and the self-confidence--to become human again.
title: The Frog Princess
title: Dragon's Breath
title: No Place for Magic
title: Once Upon a Curse
title: The Salamander Spell: A Prequel to the Tales of the Frog Princess
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SOT
Off and Running (age 8-11)
by Gary Soto
humor ... school
When they learn that Rudy Herrera and Alex Garcia, two fifth-grade class clowns, plan to run against them in the school elections, Miata and her friend Ana know that they face a difficult race.
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YOL
Hobo Toad and the Motorcycle Gang (age 8-11)
by Jane Yolen
humor ... friendship
During their stop at a roadside diner, Hobo Toad and Mac the truck driver are taken prisoner by a motorcycle gang.
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KIN
Pigs Might Fly: a Novel (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
enterprise ... humor ... growing up
Daggie Dogfoot, the runt of the litter, is in danger. The pigman, who takes all runts from their pens, is coming for him! But Daggie is a pig of remarkable qualities, and he's not about to let the Pigman get him. Instead, he runs away and decides to learn how to fly. But when he tries leaping off a cliff, he discovers another talent, a talent he'll need to save the entire farm.
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MAN
Chocolate-Covered Ants (age 8-11)
by Stephen Manes
enterprise ... humor
Max and his little brother Adam make a bet about eating chocolate-covered ants.
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SMI
The War With Grandpa (age 8-11)
by Robert Kimmel Smith
family ... humor
Peter is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves right into Peter's room, forcing him upstairs. Peter loves Grandpa but wants his room back and has no choice except to declare war.
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KIN
Martin's Mice (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
friendship ... humor
A farm cat who doesn't want to catch mice keeps a family of them as pets in the barn; but then he is given away to a townswoman and acquires a new perspective.
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EST
The Witch Family (age 8-11)
by Eleanor Estes
traditions ... humor ... fantasy
Old Witch, Little Witch Girl, Weeny Witch, and two real girls in a fantasy that blends the worlds of reality and imagination. A Halloween classic about the power of make-believe.
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HUR
A Llama in the Library (age 8-11)
by Johanna Hurwitz
growing up ... humor
Fifth-grader Adam Fine thinks that his two llamas will be a hit at the grand reopening of the town's library.
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KIN
Mysterious Miss Slade (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
humor ... animals ... friendship
When eight-year-old Patsy and her younger brother befriend their old neighbor and her many animals, the children help the mysterious lady change her life. All the village children think Miss Slade is a witch. Perhaps it's the patch on her eye. Or maybe it's the ancient caravan she lives in, surrounded by six dogs, six cats, several goats, and a lot of chickens. But Jim and Patsy Reader know better. To them, Miss Slade is the eccentric neighbor who lets them ride her donkey, shares her lunch of chips and cookies, and makes them laugh out loud. But Miss Slade is still a mystery to Jim and Patsy. Why does she speak like an aristocrat? And where did she get that gold sovereign? It turns out Miss Slade does have a secret after all...one that brings trouble when discovered. Luckily, she has some friends...human and canine...who can help.
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FLE
The Whipping Boy (age 8-11)
by Sid Fleischman
folklore ... humor ... adventure ... growing up
A Prince and a Pauper. Jemmy, once a poor boy living on the streets, now lives in a castle. As the whipping boy, he bears the punishment when Prince Brat misbehaves, for it is forbidden to spank, thrash, or whack the heir to the throne. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like one another. But when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other.
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LEV
The Fairy's Mistake (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
fantasy ... humor ... folklore
In this humorous retelling of a Perrault tale, the fairy Ethelinda rewards one twin sister for good behavior and punishes the other for bad, only to discover that her punishment is more pleasing than her reward.
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LEV
Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
princesses ... fantasy ... humor ... folklore
A spiteful fairy. A beautiful princess. An outstretched finger. A spindle. A hundred-year snooze. A charming prince. A kiss. All the familiar ingredients. But wait! Where did that extra prince come from? And those fairy gifts that were never there before? And what does a flock of balding sheep have to do with anything? Gail Carson Levine has waved her magic wand over the old standby of "Sleeping Beauty" and presto! It reappears, transformed, sparkling and hilarious.
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LEV
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
princesses ... fantasy ... humor ... folklore
In this humorous retelling of a Perrault tale, a lonely young farm lad uses his unusual inventive ability to pass a nearly impossible test and win the hand of the neighboring princess.
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LEV
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
fantasy ... humor ... voyages/journeys
Fairy Haven is abuzz with news about its latest arrival, Prilla. It's bad enough that she has no idea what her special talent is, but some of her behavior is remarkably, well, human. Prilla is heartbroken that she does not seem to fit in. She desperately needs help from Mother Dove, the most important creature in Neverland, who created and cares for the magical egg that prevents all who live in Neverland from growing old and dying. But tragedy strikes as the island is hit by a hurricane, and the Never egg is destroyed. Mother Dove must pick three fairies to set out on a dangerous quest to repair the egg. She chooses Rani, the best water-talent fairy; Vidia, the most selfish, but fastest fast-flying-talent fairy; and, to everyone's surprise ... Prilla. The three embark on a journey filled with danger, sacrifice, and adventure. The fate of Neverland ... and their world as they know it ... rests on their shoulders.
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IBB
Not Just a Witch (age 8-11)
by Eva Ibbotson
fantasy ... humor ... magic
Heckie, a graduate of one of the best witch schools, settles in the town of Wellbridge, determined to find evildoers and turn them into animals. But Heckie's do-gooding lands her in big trouble.
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IBB
The Great Ghost Rescue (age 8-11)
by Eva Ibbotson
humor ... adventure ... spooky
Humphrey is a small ghost with a big problem. His family has lost their home, and they're off to find a new haunting ground. But soon Humphrey and his parents discover that ghosts all over the country are being turned out as dank castles are converted to cheerful tourist hotels. Humphrey knows something must be done to help the homeless ghosts. And with the help of a sympathetic schoolboy named Rick, maybe he can do something to aid all the ghosts of England after all. . . .
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MAC
No More Nice (age 8-11)
by Amy MacDonald
humor ... identity
Eleven-year-old Simon has been raised to be extremely well-behaved, but when he goes to visit his unconventional great-aunt he discovers that not everyone has the same ideas about good manners.
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WIN
Hank Zipzer Series (age 8-11)
by Henry Winkler
school ... friendship ... humor
Life (and school) isn't easy for Hank, but he always finds a way out of the hilarious situations he finds himself in.
title: Niagara Falls, Or Does It?
title: I Got a D in Salami
title: Day of the Iguana
title: The Zippity Zinger
title: The Night I Flunked My Field Trip
title: Holy Enchilada!
title: Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?
title: My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat: a Halloween Tail
title: The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down
title: Barfing in the Backseat
title: Who Ordered This Baby? Definitely Not Me!
title: The Life of Me: Enter at Your Own Risk
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STE
Fergus Crane (age 8-11)
by Paul Stewart
voyages/journeys ... science fiction ... school ... humor ... adventure
Fergus Crane has an almost ordinary life, having lessons taught by rather odd teachers on the school ship Betty Jeanne and helping his mother in the bakery. But then a mysterious flying box appears at the window of his waterfront home and Fergus is plunged headlong into an exciting adventure! The box is followed by a winged mechanical horse that whisks him off to meet his long-lost uncle and his penguin helpers, Finn, Bill, and Jackson. Fergus finds out that his teachers are not quite what they seem ... they're actually pirates! Can Fergus and his winged horse save his schoolmates on the far-off Fire Island? And who else will he find there?
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COW
How to Train Your Dragon Series (age 8-11)
by Cressida Cowell
growing up ... humor ... knights/castles/dragons
Meet Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, heir of the Viking chiefdom, but a boy with one very big problem: a hero he is not. How to Train Your Dragon is the riotous story of Hiccup's quest to hunt down the fiercest dragon, bring it into submission, and (hopefully) pass his initiation. Instead, he ends up with the smallest, most ornery dragon ... it's even toothless! Thus begins the hijinx of the world's most lovable, unlikely hero and a most reluctant "beast."
title: How to Train Your Dragon
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COV
I Was a Sixth Grade Alien (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
science fiction ... school ... humor
The aliens have finally made contact! But when the first ambassador from another planet arrives, he insists that his son, Pleskit Meenom, be treated like any other citizen on Earth. Which is why Pleskit has become the first purple kid in Ms. Weintraub's sixth grade class. For Tim Tompkins, who has been waiting his entire life to meet an alien, this is like a dream come true. But when Pleskit invites Tim back to the embassy and they stumble across a plan to sabotage the alien mission, Tim's dream becomes a life-threatening nightmare.
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TRA
Mary Poppins Series (age 8-11)
by P. L. Travers
growing up ... magic ... humor ... fantasy
An extraordinary English nanny blows in on the East Wind with her parrot-headed umbrella and magic carpetbag and introduces her charges, Jane and Michael, to some delightful people and experiences.
title: Mary Poppins
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FIT
The Great Brain Series (age 8-11)
by John D. Fitzgerald
adventure ... humor ... brilliant protagonist ... enterprise
The best con man in the Midwest is only ten years old. Tom, a.k.a., the Great Brain, is a silver-tongued genius with a knack for turning a profit. When the Jenkins boys get lost in Skeleton Cave, the Great Brain saves the day. Whether it's saving the kids at school, or helping out Peg-leg Andy, or Basil, the new kid at school, the Great Brain always manages to come out on top ... and line his pockets in the process.
title: The Great Brain
title: More Adventures of the Great Brain
title: Me and My Little Brain
title: The Return of the Great Brain
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CLI
Help I'm a Prisoner in the Library (age 8-11)
by Eth Clifford
humor ... mystery ... adventure
Catalog: Two girls spend an adventurous night trapped inside the public library during a terrible blizzard.
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DEL
Kitty From the Start (age 8-11)
by Judy Delton
humor ... friendship ... school
Kitty moves to a new neighborhood and eventually makes a successful transition into her new third grade.
sequel: Kitty in High School
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BRO
The Freddy The Pig Series (age 8-11)
by Walter R. Brooks
adventure ... humor
Adventure and misadventure are in the air when Freddy the Pig joins the action.
title: Freddy and the Baseball Team From Mars
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SER
Stinker From Space (age 8-11)
by Pamela F. Service
humor ... adventure ... science fiction
Catalog: An agent of the Sylon Confederacy, fleeing from enemy ships, crash lands on Earth, transfers his mind to the body of a skunk, and enlists the aid of two children in getting back to his home planet.
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RYL
Gooseberry Park (age 8-11)
by Cynthia Rylant
friendship ... humor
When a storm separates Stumpy the squirrel from her newborn babies, her animal friends come to the rescue.
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ROB
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
traditions ... humor
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.
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PUL
The Scarecrow and His Servant (age 8-11)
by Philip Pullman
adventure ... humor
A scarecrow and his boy servant, Jack, set off on a dangerous adventure as they try to outwit the crooked Buffaloni family and stake their claim to valuable Spring Valley.
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NAP
The Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known as De Fawg Pin (age 8-11)
by Donna Jo Napoli
fantasy ... humor
Having been turned into a frog by a hag, a frog-prince makes the best of his new life as he mates, raises a family, and instills a new kind of thinking into his frog family.
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NAP
Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace (age 8-11)
by Donna Jo Napoli
fantasy ... humor
Jimmy, the froglet son of an enchanted frog-prince, tries to save his pond from the evil hag and in the process finds himself transformed into a human boy.
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HOW
The Celery Stalks at Midnight (age 8-11)
by James Howe
spooky ... mystery ... humor
Chester the cat is more than ever convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire when there is a harvest of white vegetables on the morning after the night that Bunnicula was probably wandering through the neighborhood.
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HOW
Howliday Inn (age 8-11)
by James Howe
humor ... mystery ... spooky
Harold and Chester are sent to the Chateau Bow-Wow when the Monroe family goes on vacation. When a French poodle involved in a messy love triangle disappears, Chester and Harold enter the crime-detection business.
sequel: Return to Howliday Inn
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GIL
Hobie Hanson, You're Weird (age 8-11)
by Jamie Gilson
humor ... friendship ... school
With his best friend away at computer camp, Hobie reluctantly shares adventures with a girl classmate the summer after fourth grade.
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LAW
Ben and Me (age 8-11)
by Robert Lawson
humor ... historical
The true story of Ben Franklin, as told by his closest friend and advisor, Amos the mouse. According to Amos, it was really he who was responsible for Ben Franklin's inventions and discoveries.
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COD
Sahara Special (age 8-11)
by Esme Raji Codell
growing up ... humor ... authorship ... school
Struggling with school and her feelings since her father left, Sahara gets a fresh start with a new and unique teacher who supports her writing talents and the individuality of each of her classmates.
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CLE
Socks (age 8-11)
by Beverly Cleary
humor ... realistic ... friendship ... family ... animals
Socks is one happy cat. He lives with a nice young couple called Brickers who play with him, pet him, feed him treats, and always have a warm lap for him to sit in. Then a new baby joins the family Suddenly, the Brickers are sharing their laps and love with Charles William, and Socks is getting into trouble. He runs from a phantom dog, wrestles with Nana's best wig, and fights Old Taylor the tomcat for his territory. But as Charles William grows, Socks discovers that he has a new friend and a new way to be a part of the family.
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ATW
Mr. Popper's Penguins (age 8-11)
by Richard and Florence Atwater
enterprise ... humor
Mr. Popper starts out with one penguin in his house, but before he knows it there are twelve.
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AND
M. T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales (age 8-11)
by M. T. Anderson
mystery ... adventure ... humor ... science fiction ... authorship
What sort of madman would unleash an army of stilt-walking, laser-beaming, thoroughly angry whales upon the world? Who cares! All that matters is that his dastardly plan be foiled. Lucky for Lily Gefelty, her two best friends are the intrepid stars of their own middle-grade series novels: Jasper Dash (better know as the Boy Technonaut) and Katie Mulligan (beloved by millions as the heroine of the Horror Hollow series). It's going to take all their smarts to stop this insane, inane plot from succeeding. Start with the first thrilling tale, Whales on Stilts.
title: Whales on Stilts
title: Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware
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LOW
Sam Krupnik Series (age 8-11)
by Lois Lowry
growing up ... realistic ... humor ... family
Sam Krupnik enters school with some very strong ideas about what he wants to be and how. Fans of this series will enjoy the same author's books about Anastasia, his big sister, as well.
title: All About Sam
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PEN
Dumbstruck (age 8-11)
by Sara Pennypacker
adventure ... family ... humor
When ten-year-old Ivy's parents disappear on the darkest night of the year, she tries to find them with the help of an orphan and her eccentric Aunt Zilpa.
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NAY
The Grand Escape (age 8-11)
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
humor ... adventure ... animals
It's a scary world out there. If only Marco hadn't read a newspaper article about a ranch and become determined to see one. If only Polo hadn't found himself longing for the mother he barely remembered as a soft-warm-wiggle-purr-milk-tongue. Then the two tabbies might have been content to remain pampered house cats forever. But when their owners leave a door open, Marco and Polo can't resist the temptation to escape to the outside world.
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MOS
The Amelia Series (age 8-11)
by Marissa Moss
realistic ... humor ... letters/journal ... growing up
Like spending recess with your best friend, Marissa Moss keeps us up to date with everything that's going on in Amelia's life.
title: Amelia Hits the Road
title: Amelia Takes Command
title: Amelia's Notebook
title: Amelia's Boredom Survival Guide: First Aid for Rainy Days, Boring Errands, Waiting Rooms, Whatever!
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KLI
Trial by (Jury) Journal (age 8-11)
by Kate Klise
humor ... mystery ... letters/journal
Get ready for a trial unlike any Tyle County has ever seen. Sixth-grader Perry Keet is missing, and Bob White, his co-worker at Tyle Park Zoo, will stand trial for the alleged murder. But Keet's disappearance is only the beginning of this legal thriller.
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HOW
Bunnicula (age 8-11)
by Deborah and James Howe
humor ... mystery
This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell the full story of what happened in the Monroe household after the rabbit arrived. Was Bunnicula really a vampire? Only Bunnicula knows for sure.
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HIL
The Year of Miss Agnes (age 8-11)
by Kirkpatrick Hill
humor ... school
Ten-year-old Frederika (Fred for short) doesn't have much faith that the new teacher in town will last very long. After all, they never do. Most teachers who come to their one-room schoolhouse in remote, Alaska leave at the first smell of fish, claiming that life there is just too hard. But Miss Agnes is different. For the first time, Fred and her classmates begin to enjoy their lessons and learn to read and write, but will Miss Agnes be like all the rest and leave as quickly as she came?
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FLE
Jim Ugly (age 8-11)
by Sid Fleischman
adventure ... mystery ... animals ... humor
Twelve-year-old Jake is thrown into an uneasy alliance with proud, one-man dog, Jim Ugly, when the dog's owner, Jake's father, suddenly disappears. Confident that Jim Ugly can pick up Jake's father's trail, boy and dog set out on the adventure of their lives.
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VAN
Shredderman Series (age 8-11)
by Wendelin Van Draanen
math/science/technology ... school ... humor ... mystery
Bubba has been the bane of Nolan's existence for five long years. So when Mr. Green asks the class to become reporters, Nolan decides he'll write an expose... on Bubba. He doesn't want to sign his name to it (that'd be suicidal), so Nolan creates a secret identity for himself... on the Internet. He launches Shredderman.com as a place where truth and justice prevail... and bullies get what's coming to them. This hilariously triumphant story is for any kid who's ever dreamed of unleashing their own inner superhero!
title: Enemy Spy
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COV
Magic Shop Series (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
fantasy ... friendship ... magic ... humor
Problems of the real world are nothing compared to the problems stirred up in Mr. Elives' Magic Shop, where young customers leave with more than they bargained for.
title: Jennifer Murdley's Toad
title: The Skull of Truth
title: Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
title: The Monster's Ring
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BLU
Freckle Juice (age 8-11)
by Judy Blume
growing up ... humor
If Andrew had an amazing number of freckles like Nicky, his mother would never know if his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew works up enough courage to ask Nicky where he got his freckles. When know-it-all Sharon overhears, she offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe, for fifty cents. It's a lot of money, but Andrew is desperate. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...
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SCI
The Time Warp Trio Series (age 8-11)
by Jon Scieszka
knights/castles/dragons ... fantasy ... humor
In the first installment, Knights of the Kitchen Table, Joe, Fred, and Sam are sent back in time by a magic book, they find themselves face-to-face with giants, dragons, wizards, and the Knights of the Round Table. Each book finds our trio in another wacky time travel adventure.
title: Knights of the Kitchen Table
title: The Not-So-Jolly Roger
title: The Good, the Bad, and the Goofy
title: Your Mother Was a Neanderthal
title: 2095
title: Tut, Tut!
title: Summer Reading is Killing Me!
title: It's All Greek to Me
title: See You Later, Gladiator
title: Sam Samurai
title: Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci
title: Hey Kid, Want to Buy a Bridge?
title: Me Oh Maya
title: Viking It and Liking It
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SAC
Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School (age 8-11)
by Louis Sachar
humor ... short stories ... school ... math/science/technology
Sideways math teasers are Buried in this hilarious collection of stories from Wayside School.
sequel: More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School
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SAC
Sideways Stories From Wayside School (age 8-11)
by Louis Sachar
humor ... school
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways.
sequel: Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger
sequel: Wayside School is Falling Down
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ROC
How to Eat Fried Worms (age 8-11)
by Thomas Rockwell
realistic ... friendship ... school ... humor
Billy makes a bet, then has to make good on it...fifteen worms in fifteen days. As hilarious as it is disgusting, Billy stands up for what's right in his own way.
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ROB
The Best School Year Ever (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
humor ... school
The Worst Kids in the History of the World! When anything goes wrong at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, from the hexing of Bus Six to the mysterious disappearance of the kindergarten gerbil, it's sure to have a Herdman behind it. The Herdmans are more than famous-they're outlaws. They smoke cigars, lie, and set fire to things, and that's only when they bother to come to school! Then a school project forces the students to think of compliments for all their classmates-including the Herdmans. Is it possible that behind their outrageous pranks there may be something good about this crazy clan after all?
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MCC
Homer Price (age 8-11)
by Robert McCloskey
math/science/technology ... humor ... enterprise ... brilliant protagonist
Six episodes in the life of Homer Price including one in which he and his pet skunk capture four bandits and another about a donut machine on the rampage, pushing out donuts just as regular as a clock can tick.
sequel: Centerburg Tales
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KIN
Babe: The Gallant Pig (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
brilliant protagonist ... enterprise ... humor
A piglet destined for eventual butchering arrives at the farmyard, is adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success.
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KIN
Ace: The Very Important Pig (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
enterprise ... humor
Ace is an intelligent, lovable, unlikely pig hero.
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HAL
The Chet Gecko Mystery Series (age 8-11)
by Bruce Hale
humor ... mystery
In these hilarious mysteries, Chet Gecko can't think of anything but eating and sleeping. Nevertheless, he's called upon to foil sinister plots, catch wiley thieves, and take on vicious monsters.
title: The Big Nap: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Farewell, My Lunchbag: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Give My Regrets to Broadway: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: The Hamster of the Baskervilles: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Key Lardo: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: The Malted Falcon: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Murder, My Tweet: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: The Mystery of Mr. Nice: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: The Possum Always Rings Twice: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: This Gum for Hire: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Trouble Is My Beeswax: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko
title: Hiss Me Deadly
F
GAR
Top Secret (age 8-11)
by John Reynolds Gardiner
science fiction ... humor ... school
Despite the disapproval of his parents and his formidable science teacher, nine-year-old Allen determines to do his science project on human photosynthesis.
F
ERI
Hank the Cowdog Series (age 8-11)
by John Erickson
humor ... mystery
In the first installment, Hank the Cowdog, head of ranch security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes.
title: The Case of the Double Bumblebee Sting
title: The Case of the Fiddle-Playing Fox
title: The Case of the Halloween Ghost
title: The Case of the Haystack Kitties
title: The Case of the Hooking Bull
title: The Case of the Kidnapped Collie
title: The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
title: The Case of the Black-hooded Hangmans
title: The Case of the Burrowing Robot
title: The Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog
title: The Case of the Deadly Ha-ha Game
title: The Case of the Measled Cowboy
title: The Case of the Missing Bird Dog
title: The Case of the Vampire Vacuum Sweeper
title: The Case of the Midnight Rustler
F
DOY
The Giggler Treatment (age 8-11)
by Roddy Doyle
fantasy ... humor
Catalog: A talking dog, the Mack children and the small elf-like Gigglers themselves must try to stop the prank that the Gigglers have mistakenly set in motion to punish Mr. Mack for being mean to his children.
F
DAH
The Witches (age 8-11)
by Roald Dahl
fantasy ... humor
Publisher comments: Would you know a real witch if you saw one? They don't ride on broomsticks. They don't wear black capes or pointy hats. In fact, they don't look like witches at all. But one thing is certain: A real witch is the most dangerous of all living creatures. So you'd better learn to know one when you see one!
F
DAH
Matilda (age 8-11)
by Roald Dahl
identity ... brilliant protagonist ... school ... humor
Publisher comments: Matilda is a genius. Unfortunately, her family treats her like a dolt. Her crooked car-salesman father and loud, bingo-obsessed mother think Matilda's only talent is as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in their miserable lives. But it's not long before the sweet and sensitive child decides to fight back. Faced with practical jokes of sheer brilliance, her parents don't stand a chance.
F
DAH
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (age 8-11)
by Roald Dahl
enterprise ... humor
Publisher comments: Candy for life and a tour of Willie Wonka's top-secret chocolate factory was the prize for buying a candy bar containing a Golden Ticket. Here is the exciting, hilarious, and delicious story of the five prizewinners.
sequel: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
F
DAH
The BFG (age 8-11)
by Roald Dahl
humor ... fantasy ... friendship
Publisher comments: When orphan Sophie is snatched from her bed by a Giant, she fears that he is going to eat her. But as he explains in his unique way of talking, "I is the only nice and jumbly Giant in Giant Country! I is THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT! I is the BFG." The BFG tells Sophie how he mixes up dreams to blow through a trumpet into the ears of children.
F
COV
My Teacher is an Alien (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
humor ... fantasy ... school ... science fiction
Publisher comments: Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn't know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face ... and she realizes that "Mr. Smith" is really an alien!
sequel: My Teacher Flunked the Planet
sequel: My Teacher Fried My Brains
sequel: My Teacher Glows in the Dark
F
COV
Bruce Coville's Alien Adventures (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
humor ... fantasy ... science fiction
They're out of this world!
title: Aliens Stole My Body
title: Aliens Ate My Homework
F
CLE
Beezus and Ramona (age 8-11)
by Beverly Cleary
humor ... realistic ... family
Publisher comments: It is not that Ramona deliberately sets out to make trouble for other people. She simply has more imagination than is healthy for any one person. In this first book of the Ramona series, our heroine establishes herself as one of the strongest and funniest characters in print.
sequel: Ramona the Pest
sequel: Ramona the Brave
sequel: Ramona and Her Father
sequel: Ramona and Her Mother
sequel: Ramona Forever
sequel: Ramona Quimby, Age 8
sequel: Ramona's World
F
BAU
A Cat of a Different Color (age 8-11)
by Steven Bauer
humor
Catalog: An orphan girl and a strange cat save the villagers of Felicity-by-the-Lake from the proclamations of a greedy, selfish and mean mayor.

Ohlone Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:33 2012
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