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STA
Animal Rescue Team Series (age 8-11)
by Sue Stauffacher
humor ... realistic ... animals
Publisher comments: The squirrels at Mt. Mercy College are getting too friendly—they're frightening the students, making the nuns jumpy . . . and they're super messy. It's time to call the Animal Rescue Team! Meanwhile, Keisha's got a problem of her own. The Grand River Steppers jump rope team has a chance to win first place in their school district this year, but Keisha's so nervous, she keeps messing up! When she and Daddy go to the Veteran's Facility to check out their squirrel situation, Keisha meets Sergeant Pinkham, who's learning how to use his new prosthetic leg. Could Sarge be just the person to help Keisha stay calm, do well, and have fun at the competition?
title: Special Delivery!
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EPS
The Familiars (age 8-11)
by Adam Jay Epstein
animals ... adventure ... fantasy ... magic
Publisher comments: When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn't expect his life to change. But that's exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar. Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he's got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he's the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by a terrible evil, it will take all of Aldwyn's street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!
title: The Familiars
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STO
Cat Walk (age 8-11)
by Mary Stolz
adventure ... animals
Catalog: Yearning to be more than just a barnyard rat catcher, a young cat in search of a name embarks on a journey that finally leads him to a special place he can call a home.
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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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VAN
Smart Dog (age 8-11)
by Vivian Vande Velde
brilliant protagonist ... friendship ... school ... animals
Fifth grader Amy Prochenko is wildly unpopular. Then one day Amy meets Sherlock, a dog on the run from a university lab. Sherlock is not like other dogs: He can talk, he's smarter than most of Amy's classmates--and he needs Amy's help. Suddenly Amy's life is full of danger and excitement, and she finds she is becoming, of all things, popular. Best of all, she discovers in Sherlock the sort of friend she's always longed for--and one she must protect no matter what the cost.
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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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BAG
National Velvet (age 8-11)
by Enid Bagnold
animals ... enterprise
The timeless story of spirited Velvet Brown and her beloved horse has thrilled generations of readers, and will continue to captivate new fans. Fourteen-year-old Velvet is determined to turn her untamed horse into a champion and personally ride him to victory in the world's greatest steeplechase, the Grand National.
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BAL
The McGrowl Series (age 8-11)
by Bob Balaban
humor ... animals ... science fiction
When Thomas's loveable dog McGrowl is hit by a car, Thomas is heartbroken. But just when he thinks McGrowl will be lost to him forever, the mysterious vet Dr. Minderbender steps in to save the day. After a strange operation, McGrowl is alive, but he has been changed forever. McGrowl now has super speed, super hearing, and superpowerful sight, smell, and strength! Now Thomas and his bionic dog must take on the evil Dr. Minderbender and foil his sneaky plans. Can this one-of-a-kind canine superhero save the day?
title: Beware of Dog
title: Every Dog Has His Day
title: Good Dog!
title: It's a Dog-eat-dog World
title: It's a Dog's Life
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KIN
Lady Lollipop (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
princesses ... animals
Publisher comments: Lollipop is no ordinary pig. According to her young trainer, Johnny Skinner, she's the smartest pig in the entire kingdom. When people stare into Lollipop's bright, intelligent eyes, it somehow changes them for the better. But can Lollipop win over the spoiled Princess Penelope - and her not-so-pig-friendly parents, the King and Queen?
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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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DOT
The Monday Horses (age 8-11)
by Jean Slaughter Doty
animals
Her pony's accident provides Cassie with an introduction to show horses.
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DOT
Summer Pony (age 8-11)
by Jean Slaughter Doty
adventure ... animals
Disappointed with the half-starved and unkempt pony she has rented for the summer, Ginny hesitantly tries to help her.
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DOT
Winter Pony (age 8-11)
by Jean Slaughter Doty
adventure ... animals
Ginny is looking forward to a fun winter with her new pony Mokey, which includes learning to drive a sleigh under the close supervision of Michael, but when Ginny and her friend Pam decide to hitch up Mokey and take the sleigh out on their own, they find themselves in danger.
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HEN
White Stallion of Lipizza (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
animals
A baker's son, who dreams of becoming a riding master at Vienna's Spanish Court Riding School, is admitted as an apprentice and achieves his desire under the tutelage of both two-legged and four-legged masters.
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MUR
The Flight of the Fox (age 8-11)
by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
fantasy ... animals
With the help of his friends Rory, a wandering kangaroo rat, restores a model of a Fairey Fox airplane to fly on his travels and foils a flock of starlings that has overrun the town.
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HAL
Megan's Mare (age 8-11)
by Lynn Hall
friendship ... animals
Eleven-year-old Megan, daughter of a Yorkshire horse trainer, finding she has a special bond with the beautiful problem mare Berry, determines to help her overcome her fear of wooden bridges.
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JAM
Smoky the Cow Horse (age 8-11)
by Will James
adventure ... animals
Smoky knows only one way of life: freedom. Living on the open range, he is free to go where he wants and do what he wants. And being a smart colt, he learns what he must in order to survive. He can beat any enemy whether it be a rattlesnake or a hungry wolf. He is as much a part of the Wild West as it is of him, and Smokey can't imagine anything else. But then he comes across a new enemy, one that walks on two legs and makes funny sounds. Smoky can't beat this enemy like he has all the others. But does he really want to beat it? Or could giving up some of his freedom mean getting something else in return that's even more valuable?
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KIP
The Beginning of the Armadillos (age 8-11)
by Rudyard Kipling
folklore ... animals
A tortoise and a hedgehog combine their natural assets and transform themselves into armadillos to escape the hungry attention of a young jaguar.
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LIT
Different Dragons (age 8-11)
by Jean Little
family ... animals
Ben is apprehensive about staying over at his Aunt Rose's house while his parents are away. But with the promise of a big surprise, Ben reluctantly agrees to at least give it a try. Only, when the surprise arrives, it is not what Ben expects at all. At the door is a labrador retriever named Gully. The only problem is that Ben is afraid of dogs. Dogs jump at people, bite people, and even kill people! And even though Gully seems friendly, Ben decides he will never be friends with a dog. But when Ben finds himself alone with Gully in a scary situation, he starts to rethink his fear. Perhaps he will be able to survive the whole weekend at Aunt Rose's with Gully running around after all.
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PEV
Me, My Goat and My Sister's Wedding (age 8-11)
by Stella Pevsner
family ... humor ... animals
Doug and his friends keep their pet goat a secret from their families, but before long, sightings of the high-spirited animal occur at very inappropriate places.
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FAN
Swordbird (age 8-11)
by Nancy Yi Fan
fantasy ... adventure ... animals
The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have turned against each other. According to legend, only Swordbird, son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land. But is he real or just a myth? Can Swordbird arrive in time to save the forest . . . or will it be too late?
sequel: Sword Quest
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DRA
The Dragonsdale Series (age 8-11)
by Salamanda Drake
knights/castles/dragons ... fantasy ... animals
Imagine a stable full of dragons! A place where a group of young girls are busy grooming the beautiful beasts and getting them ready for competition--with all the ups and downs, all the drama that inevitably results! Dragonsdale is such a place. The stable is run by Cara's father, but, after a tragic dragon accident in which her mother lost her life, Cara herself is strictly forbidden to fly. Yet she cannot resist the lure of the magical fire-breathing creatures, and so in secret she trains Skydancer, her rare, wild Goldenbrow dragon, and dreams of the day when she, too, can take flight.
title: Dragonsdale
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BYA
The Midnight Fox (age 8-11)
by Betsy Cromer Byars
family ... animals
Tom is horrified when his parents tell him he is to stay on Aunt Millie's farm while they are away on a trip. When he arrives, he finds the farm every bit as strange and uncomfortable as he feared - that is, until the appearance of the black fox.
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BYA
The House of Wings (age 8-11)
by Betsy Cromer Byars
nature ... animals ... family
Left with his grandfather until his parents are settled in Detroit, Sammy learns to respect and love the old man as they care for an injured crane together.
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CHR
Favor for a Ghost (age 8-11)
by Matt Christopher
animals ... friendship ... spooky
When the ghost of his friend Billy returns to beg him to move the grave of his former dog next to his own, Lenny tries to find a way to fulfill the request despite the opposition of the dog's second owner.
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BAG
Dolphin Diaries (age 8-11)
by Ben M. Baglio
letters/journal ... animals ... adventure
Jody McGrath's dream adventure--a trip around the world with her family, studying dolphins--is threatened by unforeseen circumstances, including a surprise passenger and a sudden storm.
title: Chasing the Dream
title: Following the Rainbow
title: Dancing the Seas
title: Leaving the Shallows
title: Beyond the Sunrise
title: Dolphin Diaries
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KIP
How the Camel Got His Hump (age 8-11)
by Rudyard Kipling
animals ... folklore
Once upon a time, when the world was new-and-all, Man turned to the animals for help--to the horse for carrying, the dog for fetching, the ox for plowing. But the camel refused to do a lick of work, haughtily replying Humpf! to all requests. The other animals complained of the inequity to the Djinn of all the Deserts, who used his powerful magic to punish the lazy camel.
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WAL
Beauty (age 8-11)
by Bill Wallace
animals ... family
Unhappy about his parents splitting up and moving with his mother to Grandpa's farm, eleven-year-old Luke finds comfort in riding and caring for a horse named Beauty.
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KNI
Lassie Come-Home (age 8-11)
by Eric Knight
adventure ... animals
A collie undertakes a 1000-mile journey in order to once again meet her former master at the school gate.
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KIP
The Elephant's Child (age 8-11)
by Rudyard Kipling
animals ... folklore
Because of his "satiable curtiosity" about what the crocodile has for dinner, the elephant's child and all elephants thereafter have long trunks. One of Kipling's "Just So Stories".
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HEN
San Domingo: the Medicine Hat Stallion (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
historical ... animals
Peter Lundy has two joys in life: the rugged western plains where he has grown up and San Domingo, a Medicine Hat Stallion. The Indians believe such a horse is sacred ... that neither bullet nor arrow can harm its rider. As they explore the prairie together, a bond forms between Peter and San Domingo that can never be broken. But Peter's father, Jethro Lundy, knows only one love: bargaining. He trades San Domingo for a thoroughbred. How can Peter ever forgive his father? His only choice is to leave home forever!
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HEN
Black Gold (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
animals ... sports
No one thinks much of Black Gold because he is so small. But Jaydee sees something special in his eyes. He knows Black Gold would be great if he was his rider! Finally, Jaydee gets his wish. And Black Gold grows strong and fast under his careful hands. Soon it would be time for the most important race in America. Did they really have what it takes to win? Black Gold's inspirational story proves that the power of love and dedication can make any dream come true.
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ENR
Thimble Summer (age 8-11)
by Elizabeth Enright
historical ... adventure ... magic ... animals
When Garnet finds a silver thimble in the sand by the river, she is sure it's magical. But is it magical enough to help her pig, Timmy, win a blue ribbon on Fair Day?
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HOB
Sheep (age 8-11)
by Valerie Hobbs
adventure ... animals
After a fire destroys the farm where he was born, a young border collie acquires a series of owners and learns about life as he seeks a home and longs to fulfill his life's purpose of shepherding sheep.
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KIP
The Jungle Book: the Mowgli Stories (age 8-11)
by Rudyard Kipling
folklore ... animals ... short stories
Selected stories from Kipling's two "Jungle Books" chronicle the adventures of Mowgli, the boy reared by a pack of wolves in an Indian jungle. Also includes "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi."
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MAC
Mary Margaret and the Perfect Pet Plan (age 8-11)
by Christine Kole MacLean
family ... humor ... animals
Mary Margaret is desperate for a pet. But her father is allergic to almost everything, and her mother is too busy with the new baby coming to focus on finding a hypoallergenic pet for her precocious, nearly-nine-year-old daughter. So Mary Margaret takes matters into her own hands and comes up with some very interesting ideas about how to get a pet.
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KIN
Harry's Mad (age 8-11)
by Dick King-Smith
adventure ... animals
Harry's legacy from his great-uncle, a talking parrot, proves to be a much more exciting gift than he ever imagined.
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CLI
Harvey's Marvelous Monkey Mystery (age 8-11)
by Eth Clifford
humor ... animals ... mystery
Catalog: Harvey finds himself embroiled in a mystery when a monkey appears at his bedroom window in the middle of the night.
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CLI
Harvey's Horrible Snake Disaster (age 8-11)
by Eth Clifford
animals ... family
Catalog: When ten-year-old Harvey is visited by his cousin Nora, trouble is bound to ensue, and this year's episode with snakes is no exception.
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COU
Frankenbug (age 8-11)
by Steven Cousins
science fiction ... humor ... animals ... school
Inspired by the movie Frankenstein, bug-lover Adam Cricklestein decides to create a monster bug that will protect him from the school bully, Jeb McAllister.
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BAG
Animal Ark Hauntings Series (age 8-11)
by Ben M. Baglio
adventure ... animals ... spooky
Mandy and James continue their Animal Ark adventures, but with a spooky twist.
title: Cat in the Crypt
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BAG
Animal Ark Pets Series (age 8-11)
by Ben M. Baglio
adventure ... animals
Mandy and James don't just work with animals at the Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital, they love their pets, too.
title: Cat Crazy
title: Pony Parade
title: Ferret Fun
title: Guinea Pig Gang
title: Doggy Dare
title: Hamster Hotel
title: Dachshund in Danger
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BAG
Animal Ark Series (age 8-11)
by Ben Baglio
animals ... adventure
Meet Mandy, the daughter of two veterinarians who own the Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital. Whenever an animal is in trouble, Mandy and the vets at the clinic are there to help.
title: Kittens in the Kitchen
title: Sheepdog in the Snow
title: Ponies at the Point
title: Lamb in the Laundry
title: Kitten in the Cold
title: Bunnies in the Bathroom
title: Hamster in a Handbasket
title: Squirrels in the School
title: Shetland in the Shed
title: Tabby in the Tub
title: Mare in the Meadow
title: Cats at the Campground
title: Hound at the Hospital
title: Polars on the Path
title: Fox in the Frost
title: Beagle in a Backpack
title: Racehorse in the Rain
title: Stallion in Spooky Hollow
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WIS
Christopher Mouse: the Tale of a Small Traveler (age 8-11)
by William Wise
adventure ... friendship ... animals
After being sold to an unscrupulous pet store owner, a young mouse lives with several owners and has many adventures, before ending up with an appreciative family.
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WHI
Charlotte's Web (age 8-11)
by E. B. White
friendship ... animals ... enterprise
Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner, until his spider friend Charlotte comes up with a plan to save him.
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HEN
Brighty of the Grand Canyon (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
animals
Relates the adventures of a little burro who blazed trails through the Grand Canyon and met many famous people in the process.
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HEN
Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
animals
Molly wants a horse of her own, but when her father's mare gives birth to a mule, Molly changes her mind and raises the newborn.
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HEN
Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
historical ... animals ... nature
A fictional retelling, from the point of view of Annie Bronn Johnston, of how she fought to protect the American wild horse, the mustang, from extinction because of professional killers who chased the horses for personal gain.
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HEN
Born to Trot (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
enterprise ... animals
As he learns about the famous Hambletonian, sire of the American trotter, young Gib White dreams of some day having his own filly become a champion trotter.
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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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BAN
Harry the Poisonous Centipede (age 8-11)
by Lynne Reid Banks
animals ... humor ... adventure
Harry is a young centipede longing for adventure and excitement and burning with curiosity about the forbidden "Up-Pipe" and the "no-top" world it leads to. In spite of his mother's dire warnings, Harry and his friend George venture into the dangerous world above, where the dangerous "Hoo-mins" live. Harry's big adventure turns out to be even more terrifying than he thought, in this inventive and entertaining tale.
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WAL
Upchuck and the Rotten Willy (age 8-11)
by Bill Wallace
adventure ... friendship ... animals
Chuck the cat wants to save his friend Willy from getting caught by the dog catcher, but he is afraid that some new cats in the area will be upset when they find out his best friend is a dog.
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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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MOR
Kavik the Wolf Dog (age 8-11)
by Walt Morey
friendship ... nature ... survival ... adventure ... animals
Following instinct alone, a wolf-dog embarks on a fantastic journey over 2000 miles from Washington to Alaska to return to the boy who once saved his life.
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HAR
Star in the Storm (age 8-11)
by Joan Hiatt Harlow
adventure ... animals
All non-sheepherding dogs have been outlawed from the rocky coastal village where Maggie lives. Unwilling to give up her beloved Newfoundland, Sirius, Maggie defies the law and hides Sirius away. But when a steamer crashes into the rocks during a violent storm and starts to sink with a hundred passengers on board, Maggie faces a difficult choice. She knows Sirius can help rescue the people trapped on the ship, but bringing him out of hiding would put his own life in jeopardy. Is Maggie's brave dog a big enough hero to save the desperate passengers, and himself?
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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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CRE
Love That Dog (age 8-11)
by Sharon Creech
illness/loss ... animals ... authorship ... school ... poetry
Jack hate poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments, and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns he does have something to say.
sequel: Hate That Cat
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HEN
Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
animals
Movie men have come to Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning, and Paul and Maureen are thrilled ... until they learn that the producers want to buy their beloved Misty. Reluctantly, they agree to sell in order to send their uncle to college. But how will they ever fill the lonely place that Misty leaves behind? Finding an orphaned colt helps Paul and Maureen deal with their loss, and they soon discover that little Sea Star needs them just as much as they need him.
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HEN
Stormy: Misty's Foal (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
enterprise ... adventure ... animals
A raging storm slashes across Assateague and Chincoteague islands. Water is everywhere! The wild ponies and the people must battle for their lives. In the midst of the storm, Misty-the famous mare of Chincoteague-is about to give birth. Paul and Maureen are frantic with worry as the storm rages on... will Misty and her colt survive? This is the thrilling story of the hurricane that destroyed the wild herds of Assateague, and how strength and love helped rebuild them.
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HEN
Misty of Chincoteague (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
enterprise ... adventure ... animals
Nobody could capture the Phantom, the wildest mare on the island. Paul and Maureen had their hearts set on owning her. They worked hard to earn the money she would cost. On Pony Penning Day, Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but her newborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both?
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HEN
King of the Wind (age 8-11)
by Marguerite Henry
adventure ... animals
This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned Godolphin Arabian, whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior Thoroughbred. Sham's speed, like his story, has become legendary.
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GAR
Follow My Leader (age 8-11)
by James Garfield
realistic ... animals ... school
After being accidentally blinded by a firecracker, Jimmy learns to live a normal life with the help of Leader, his seeing eye dog.
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DIC
Because of Winn-Dixie (age 8-11)
by Kate Dicamillo
growing up ... family ... friendship ... animals
Publisher comments: Opal spends all one sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of her dog, Winn-Dixie, or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship and forgiveness can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.
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CLE
Henry Huggins (age 8-11)
by Beverly Cleary
adventure ... animals ... realistic
Publisher comments: Henry Huggins feels that nothing very interesting ever happens to him. But from the moment a stray dog in the drugstore begs for a taste of his ice-cream cone and downs it in one gulp, everything is different. Henry names the dog Ribsy and decides to keep him. Before Henry even reaches home with Ribsy he spends all of his money, gets kicked off three buses, and enjoys a hair-raising ride in a police car. And that's only the beginning of Henry's exciting new life! See also the rest of the Henry Huggins series.
sequel: Henry and Beezus
sequel: Henry and Ribsy
sequel: Ribsy
sequel: Henry and the Paper Route
sequel: Henry and the Clubhouse

Walter Hays Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:30 2012
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