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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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CLE
Troublemaker (age 8-11)
by Andrew Clements
identity ... humor ... school
Publisher comments: There's a folder in Principal Kelling's office that's as thick as a phonebook and it's growing daily. It's filled with the incident reports of every time Clayton Hensley broke the rules. There's the minor stuff like running in the hallways and not being where he was suppose to be when he was supposed to be there. But then there are also reports that show Clay's own brand of troublemaking, like the most recent addition: the art teacher has said that the class should spend the period drawing anything they want and Clay decides to be extra "creative" and draw a spot-on portrait of Principal Kellings, as a donkey. It's a pretty funny joke, but really, Clay is coming to realize that the biggest joke of all may be on him. When his big brother, Mitchell, gets in some serious trouble, Clay decides to change his own mischief making ways, but he can't seem to shake his reputation as a troublemaker.
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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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GRE
Max and Me and the Wild West (age 8-11)
by Gery Greer
humor ... fantasy ... adventure
Catalog: Steve and his friend Max use their time machine to return to the richest, roughest boom town in the old Wild West where they pursue Gentleman John Hooten, the Rhyming Robber of the Rockies.
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GRE
Max and Me and the Time Machine (age 8-11)
by Gery Greer
humor ... fantasy ... adventure
Publisher comments: When Steve brings home a time machine he bought for $2.50 at a garage sale, Max is suspicious. "There' s no such thing as time travel. Or time machines." Then they both end up in the year 1250 in medieval England -- Steve as Sir Robert Marshall and Max as his horse! -- and Max must admit the machine works. Sir Robert soon finds himself in the midst of a duel to the death with the Hampshire mauler, defending not only his honor, but his life. Can Max rescue him? Will the machine return him in time to spare his life? The 20th century never looked so good.
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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
title: Philippa Fisher and the Fairy's Promise
title: Philippa Fisher and the Dreammaker's Daughter
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KOR
Radio Fifth Grade (age 8-11)
by Gordon Korman
authorship ... school ... humor
Catalog: Mayhem breaks out in the fifth grade when the Venice Menace bullies his classmates into letting him become a regular guest on "Kidsview," the school's radio program.
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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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ROB
Wendy and the Bullies (age 8-11)
by Nancy Robinson
friendship ... school ... humor
Publisher comments: Wendy and Karen are so afraid of bullies that they have a Bully Log which charts bullies' descriptions and behavior patterns, a Bully Map which shows where the bullies hang out, and a Strategic War Room where they dream up fanciful plans to rid themselves of bullies forever.
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STR
Help! I'm Trapped! Series (age 8-11)
by Todd Strasser
spooky ... humor
Jake Sherman has a normal life...until his body is switched!
title: Help I'm Trapped in My Sister's Body
title: Help I'm Trapped in Obedience School
title: Help I'm Trapped in an Aliens Body
title: Help I'm Trapped in the First Day of School
title: Help I'm Trapped in My Teacher's Body
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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
title: Lair of the Bat Monster
title: No Such Thing as Ghosts
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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 on a Roll
title: Big Nate in a Class by Himself
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HIC
The Alvin Fernald Series (age 8-11)
by Clifford B. Hicks
math/science/technology ... adventure ... humor ... brilliant protagonist
Alvin Fernald: politician, environmentalist, television personality, inventor. Alvin Fernald: 12 year old kid. Watch his ``Magnificent Brain'' get him, his sister, and his best friend into trouble, action, and fun.
title: Alvin's Secret Code
title: Alvin's Swap Shop
title: Alvin Fernald, Superweasel
title: Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day
title: The Wacky World of Alvin Fernald
title: Alvin Fernald, TV Anchorman
title: The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald
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CRE
Pleasing the Ghost (age 8-11)
by Sharon Creech
illness/loss ... humor ... spooky ... family
Ever since his father died, Dennis has been seeing ghosts. Lots of ghosts. They blow in on the breeze, visit for a while, and fly off again. But one night the ghost of his Uncle Arvie floats in the window. And Arvie wants to do more than chat. Together, they find a lost love letter, finish a special painting, and dig up buried treasure...all for Arvie's widow, Julia. Dennis loves having his uncle around again, but there's still one ghost he's longing to see. Perhaps on the next ghost wind . . .
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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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VAN
The Great Cheese Conspiracy (age 8-11)
by Jean Van Leeuwen
adventure ... humor
Fed up with the slim-pickings in their movie-theater home, Merciless Marvin the Magnificent and his mouse gang decide to hit the big time and pull a heist at a cheese store.
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WIL
The Danny Dunn Series (age 8-11)
by Jay Williams
humor ... adventure ... math/science/technology
Danny Dunn: inventor, technological wizard, headstrong kid... Join Danny and his friends on adventure after adventure.
title: Danny Dunn, Invisible Boy
title: Danny Dunn, Scientific Detective
title: Danny Dunn, Time Traveler
title: Danny Dunn and the Automatic House
title: Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine
title: Danny Dunn and the Smallifying Machine
title: Danny Dunn and the Universal Glue
title: Danny Dunn and the Voice From Space
title: Danny Dunn on the Ocean Floor
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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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BAN
The Adventures of King Midas (age 8-11)
by Lynne Reid Banks
adventure ... humor ... folklore ... magic
King Midas' obsession with gold takes some unexpected turns in this fun retelling of the classic Greek myth.
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COR
The Trick Series (age 8-11)
by Scott Corbett
humor ... fantasy ... magic
A mysterious potion from Kerby's chemistry set yields surprising results for Kerby and his friends.
title: The Black Mask Trick
title: The Hairy Horror Trick
title: The Hockey Trick
title: The Home Run Trick
title: The Limerick Trick
title: The Mailbox Trick
title: The Turnabout Trick
title: The Disappearing Dog Trick
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ANG
A Word From Our Sponsor: or, My Friend Alfred (age 8-11)
by Judie Angell
humor ... family ... enterprise
When a 12-year-old boy tries to protect consumers from a dangerous drinking mug, he discovers he must challenge his father's advertising agency.
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AMA
The Riot Brothers Series (age 8-11)
by Mary Amato
short stories ... adventure ... humor ... school
Orville and Wilbur Riot have no shortage of daily adventures. Sometimes they are undercover detectives. Other times they challenge each other to see who can get the most underwear on his head in exactly thirty seconds. Having trouble keeping up with Wilbur and Orville? Follow the Riot Brother Rule Number 4: Run, do not walk, whenever possible.
title: Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Brothers Tell All
title: Drooling and Dangerous: the Riot Brothers Return!
title: Take the Mummy and Run: The Riot Brothers Are on a Roll
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BAR
The Never Land Series (age 8-11)
by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
princesses ... war ... adventure ... magic ... humor
Little Scallop should be happy. She's a princess of the Mollusk tribe, rulers of beautiful Mollusk Island. And she has two fun friends, Aqua and Surf, who just happen to be mermaids. But Little Scallop is bored. Her warrior brothers are allowed to do exciting things, and Little Scallop longs to have a real adventure, too. So late one night, she sneaks off into forbidden waters with Aqua and Surf. That's when the trouble starts. The question is: can she and her friends get out of it?
title: Escape From the Carnivale: a Never Land Book
title: Cave of the Dark Wind: a Never Land Book
title: The Bridge to Never Land
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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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BAR
Brixton Brothers Series (age 8-11)
by Mac Barnett
humor ... mystery
Publisher comments: Steve Brixton always wanted to be a detective... until he found out he already was one. It all starts here: The thrilling story of Steve Bixton's first case. Our hero has a national treasure to recover, a criminal mastermind to unmask, and a social studies report due Monday — all while on the run from cops, thugs, and secret-agent librarians. Since when can librarians rappel from helicopters? Does Steve have any brothers or sisters? If not, then why is this series called The Brixton Brothers? You will solve all these mysteries and many more by the time you finish The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity.
title: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
title: The Ghostwriter Secret
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WOO
Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place (age 8-11)
by Maryrose Wood
humor ... mystery
Publisher comments: Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies. But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
title: The Mysterious Howling
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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
title: The Dragon in the Volcano
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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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COV
Monster of the Year (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
humor ... spooky
Catalog: Michael and his friend Steve decide to launch a "Monster of the Year" contest, setting the stage for one of the creepiest beauty pageants ever.
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DYE
Ibby's Magic Weekend (age 8-11)
by Heather Dyer
humor ... mystery ... magic
Publisher comments: When straight-arrow Ibby visits her two troublemaking cousins in their chaotic country house, she learns of an old box of magic tricks they found hidden in the attic. Ibby thinks magic is nothing but sleight of hand...until her cousin Francis shrinks to the size of her thumb! The trio gets into all sorts of hijinks, from levitating to turning invisible. Then they uncover the mystery of Uncle Godfrey, a professional magician who disappeared years ago. After some sleuthing, the kids decide Godfrey's Vanishing Act must have gone wrong. Now it's up to Ibby to be the magician-- and find him!
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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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GUT
Nightmare at the Bookfair (age 8-11)
by Dan Gutman
humor ... adventure ... action
Publisher comments: Trip Dinkleman hates to read. Hates, hates, hates it. All he wants to do is play lacrosse. So when the president of the PTA asks Trip to help her out on his way to tryouts, he is not happy. He is even more not happy when a stack of books tumbles onto his head and knocks him out cold. And he is even more not happy when he wakes up and has absolutely no idea where he is. Now all he wants to do is get home. But after encountering a haunted house, aliens, talking animals, and much, much more, he realizes getting home might be just a little bit harder to do than he thought.
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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: Who's the Fairest
title: Let Down Your Hair
title: Beauty is a Beast
title: Princess Charming
title: Apple-y Ever After
title: Thorn in Her Side
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YEP
Cockroach Cooties (age 8-11)
by Laurence Yep
school ... humor ... action ... realistic
Teddy and his little brother Bobby devise strategies using bugs to defeat the school bully.
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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.
sequel: Almost Starring Skinnybones
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ANG
In Summertime it's Tuffy (age 8-11)
by Judie Angell
humor ... spooky
Eleven-year-old Tuffy and her friends make a voodoo doll at summer camp and use it to put a spell on the Head Counselor.
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AVI
The History of Helpless Harry: To Which is Added a Variety of Amusing and Entertaining Adventures (age 8-11)
by Avi
historical ... adventure ... humor
Harry is far from helpless, despite what his parents think. When they leave for a few days, it is up to Harry to protect the family fortune from the evil town constable, a slick con man, his guardian Miss Trowbridge, and her strange visitor. Harry's skewed sense of judgment leads to many near-disasters and hilarious moments in this 19th century farce.
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CHR
Goody Sherman's Pig (age 8-11)
by Mary Blount Christian
humor ... historical
In Massachusetts in 1636, Goody Sherman begins a legal battle over her pig that ends up dividing the legislative department of the colony into two independent branches.
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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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GIF
Have You Seen Hyacinth Macaw (age 8-11)
by Patricia Reilly Giff
humor ... friendship ... mystery
Abby and her friend Potsie work on several mysteries: a mysterious new neighbor, a missing person, a theft, and the unusual actions of Abby's brother.
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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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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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COT
Millions (age 8-11)
by Frank CottrellBoyce
enterprise ... adventure ... humor
It was a one-in-a-million chance. A bag crammed with cash comes tumbling out of the air and lands right at Damian's feet. Suddenly the Cunningham brothers are rich. Very rich. They can buy anything they want. There's just one problem: they have only seventeen days to spend all the money before it becomes worthless. And the crooks who stole the cash in the first place are closing in, fast. A funny, brilliantly clever and utterly thrilling novel that is, quite simply, unforgettable.
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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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EIS
The Lexie Series (age 8-11)
by Lisa Eisenberg
friendship ... humor
Whether she's figuring out what to do for the girl scout talent show or planning a birthday party, Lexie is a fourth grader dealing with all the problems and fascinations of everyday life.
title: Lexie on Her Own
title: Happy Birthday Lexie!
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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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BYA
The Computer Nut (age 8-11)
by Betsy Byars
growing up ... math/science/technology ... science fiction ... humor
Ten-year-old Kate begins a communication exchange on a computer with someone purporting to be from outer space, who says he is going to pay a visit to Earth soon.
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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
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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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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LIN
The Year of the Dog (age 8-11)
by Grace Lin
realistic ... growing up ... humor ... identity
This funny and profound novel tells the story of young Pacy who, as she celebrates the Chinese New Year with her family, discovers this is the year she is supposed to "find herself."
sequel: The Year of the Rat
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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: Camp Rules!
title: Girls Don't Have Cooties
title: Oh, Baby!
title: On Thin Ice
title: Out To Lunch
title: A Whirlwind Vacation
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JON
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls (age 8-11)
by Lynne Jonell
adventure ... fantasy ... friendship ... humor
Publisher comments: Emmy Addison is an ordinary girl...almost. If you don't count the fact that her parents are rich (very), her best friend is a boy (and a soccer star), and she can talk to rodents (and they talk back), she's very ordinary indeed. But she hasn't been that way for long. It was only a few weeks ago that Emmy and her friends Ratty and Joe got rid of the evil Miss Barmy, the nanny who had nearly ruined Emmy's life, and the lives of five other girls who went missing. Miss Barmy is now a rat. How much harm can she do?
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JON
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat (age 8-11)
by Lynne Jonell
adventure ... fantasy ... friendship ... humor
Publisher comments: Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossible to keep quiet, some days. She really was a little too good. Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat. The Rat was not good at all . . . Hilarious, inventive, and irresistably rodent-friendly, this is a fantastic first novel from acclaimed picture book author Lynne Jonell.
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JOH
The Eidolon Chronicles (age 8-11)
by Jane Johnson
humor ... adventure ... fantasy
Ben wants a Mongolian Fighting Fish more than anything. But when he goes to Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium with his hard-earned savings, he buys a cat instead. He didn't have a choice, really. The cat insisted. Iggy (as the tabby likes to be called) has been kidnapped from his home, a parallel world known as the Secret Country. And as the two soon discover, Iggy is not the only animal to fall victim to the pet-store owner's devious scheme: Mr. Dodds is stealing the Secret Country's magical creatures and selling them to England's rich and curious. Away from their homeland, the imported dragons, wood sprites, unicorns, and saber-toothed tigers are rapidly becoming sick. The welfare of every creature with any connection to the Secret Country is under immediate threat. What's more, it seems Ben's mother is their long-lost queen. With his mother's life hanging in the balance, it's up to Ben to play his part in an ancient prophecy and prove he's worthy of the title Prince of Eidolon.
title: The Secret Country
title: the Shadow World
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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!
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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
title: The Greek Who Stole Christmas: a Diamond Brothers Mystery
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HOL
Piper Reed: Navy Brat (age 8-11)
by Kimberly Willis Holt
humor ... family
It’s not easy being the middle child, especially when your dad is a Navy Chief. Meet Piper Reed, a spunky nine-year-old who has moved more times than she can count on one hand. From Texas to Guam, wherever Piper goes, adventure follows, inspired by her active imagination, free-wheeling spirit, and a bit of sister magic. Unlike her older sister, Tori, Piper loves being part of a Navy family, and unlike her little sister, Sam, Piper is no prodigy genius. Piper is Piper, fearless and full of life.
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GIF
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (age 8-11)
by Peggy Gifford
school ... authorship ... humor
It wasn't as if Moxy Maxwell hadn't tried to do her summer reading. She and Stuart Little had been inseparable all summer, like best friends. If Stuart Little wasn't in her backpack, it was in her lap . . . or holding up the coffee table . . . or getting splashed when Moxy went swimming. But now it's the end of August, the day before fourth grade. And if Moxy doesn't read all of Stuart Little immediately, there are going to be "consequences." It may look like Moxy is doing nothing, but actually she is very busy with a zillion highly crucial things, like cleaning up her room (sort of) and training her dog and taking a much-needed rest in the hammock. Just look at the pictures her twin brother Mark takes to document it all (they're scattered throughout) and you'll see why it's so difficult to make time for a book about a mouse. Of course our heroine does manage to finish her book, falling so in love with it that she finds herself reading under the covers with a flashlight, late into the night.
sequel: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-You Notes
sequel: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano (but She Does Love Being in Recitals)
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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
title: Phineas L. Macguire Gets Slimed
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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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BYA
The Cybil War (age 8-11)
by Betsy Cromer Byars
friendship ... humor
Simon learns some hard lessons about good and bad friendships when his good friend Tony's stories involve him in some very troublesome and complicated situations.
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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
title: You Have To Stop This
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BON
The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy (age 8-11)
by William Boniface
science fiction ... adventure ... action ... humor
YIKES! Professor Brain-Drain is on the loose! This supervillain menaces the fine supercitizens of Superopolis, concocting evil-genius schemes and draining everyone's brainpower! (And in this town, there's not a whole lot of that to begin with.) NEVER FEAR! The AMAZING INDESTRUCTO will save the day! He is indestructible! He cannot be harmed by anything! He is the town's greatest superhero! Collect all sixty-four of his trading cards! BUT WAIT! A mystery is afoot in Superopolis. Why is it so hard to get a complete set of the collectible cards? Where is the last card hiding? Who is the real mastermind behind this sinister plot, and what is he planning? Forget the regular superheroes. In a city where everyone is extraordinary, this might just be a job for . . . ORDINARY BOY.
title: The Hero Revealed
title: The Return of Meteor Boy?
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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
title: Dragon Kiss
title: The Dragon Princess
title: A Prince Among Frogs
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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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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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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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HIC
The Peter Potts Book of World Records: a True Account of the Astounding Feats of Peter Potts and Joey Gootz as Witnessed and Sworn to by Me, Peter Potts (age 8-11)
by Clifford B. Hicks
humor ... enterprise ... family
Although he is angry and confused because of the impending arrival of his older sister's baby in a family he thinks is already perfect, twelve-year-old Pete finds a welcome distraction in his best friend's disastrous attempts to set several new world records.
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GRE
Eating Ice Cream With a Werewolf (age 8-11)
by Phyllis Green
humor ... fantasy ... magic
A wacky baby sitter and her book of spells keep a twelve-year-old and his little sister guessing while their parents are away.
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GIL
Do Bananas Chew Gum? (age 8-11)
by Jamie Gilson
humor ... school
Able to read and write at only a second grade level, sixth-grader Sam Mott considers himself dumb until he is prompted to cooperate with those who think something can be done about his problem.
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FUN
Ghosthunters Series (age 8-11)
by Cornelia Funke
humor ... spooky
Nine-year-old Tom Tomsky can't catch a break: He's a klutz, his sister Lola pretty much hates his guts, and--this is a big "and"--he just found a ghost camping out in his cellar. Lucky for Tom his grandma's best friend just happens to be the world's foremost ghosthunter. Under her expert tutelage, Tom learns the tools of the trade--which just happen to include buckets of graveyard dirt--and soon finds he has to face down not just the ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost) in the basement but the IRG (Incredibly Revolting Ghost) in town. All while keeping the nettlesome Lola off his trail....
title: Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost
title: Ghosthunters and the Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost
title: Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness
title: Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom!
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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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GRA
The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool (age 8-11)
by Margaret Gray
princesses ... growing up ... magic ... humor ... folklore
Can a seafaring fairy godmother, a wise fool, and an enchanted hairstyle keep Princess Rose out of trouble? "A very long time ago, when all the countries you've ever heard of were in different places on the map, a princess was born who was not beautiful. She wasn't even remotely pretty, and the whole kingdom was in deep shock about it." Princess Rose doesn't get any prettier as she grows up, but the kingdom does get over its shock. Everyone adores the skinny, buck-toothed princess, and she doesn't mind her appearance-until the handsomest prince in the world comes looking for a bride. Despite warnings from her seafaring fairy godmother and a wise fool named Jasper, reckless Rose wishes for beauty. She gets her wish, and the prince, but finds neither is as nice as she had expected.
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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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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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GUT
The Get Rich Quick Club (age 8-11)
by Dan Gutman
humor ... friendship ... enterprise
We, the members of the Get Rich Quick Club, in order to form a more perfect summer, vow that we will figure out a way to make a million dollars by September. We agree that neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night will prevent us from achieving our stated goal, till death do us part. Gina Tumolo and her Get Rich Quick Club are determined to make their summer pay off. They're going to make a pact and hatch a scheme, and their small-town life will never be the same again.
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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
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
Fairest (age 8-11)
by Gail Carson Levine
folklore ... humor
The fairy Lucinda has once again given a dreadful gift. This time it's a mysterious magical mirror. The gift is disastrous when it falls into the hands of Aza, who never looks in a mirror if she can help it. In the Kingdom of Ayortha, Aza is most definitely not the fairest of them all. Many spurn her. Many scoff at her. She keeps out of sight. But in a land of singers, Aza has her own gift, one she's come by without fairy intervention: a voice that can do almost anything, a voice that captivates all who hear it. In Ontio Castle, merry Prince Ijori is drawn to it, and vain Queen Ivi wants to use it for her own ends. Queen Ivi would do anything to remain the fairest in the land.
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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.
sequel: Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand
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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 Night I Flunked My Field Trip
title: Holy Enchilada!
title: Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade!
title: Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?
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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CUY
Invisible in the Third Grade (age 8-11)
by Margery Cuyler
traditions ... humor ... magic
Alex has fun fooling his family and his fellow third graders when he finds a brand of bubble gum that turns him invisible, but his pranks get out of hand on Halloween night.
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COW
How to Be a Pirate (age 8-11)
by Cressida Cowell
adventure ... humor
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is now a pirate in training. The Hairy Hooligan tribe is off on another spine-tingling adventure, to find the long-lost treasure of his ancestor Grimbeard the Ghastly. Braving death, indentured servitude, and the ire of his shipmates, Hiccup proves himself the true heir of Grimbeard.
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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
title: How to Speak Dragonese
title: How to Twist a Dragon's Tale
title: A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons
title: How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse: the Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
title: How to Break a Dragon's Heart: the Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup the Viking
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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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COV
How I Survived My Summer Vacation (age 8-11)
by Bruce Coville
humor ... spooky
Spending the summer at Camp Haunted Hills should be full of adventure, right? Well, the campers get more than they bargained for when very spooky things start happening. Is the place really haunted, or is all the funny business created by the filmmaker who owns the camp?
sequel: Some of My Best Friends are Monsters
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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
F
CLI
Scared Silly (age 8-11)
by Eth Clifford
humor ... mystery
Catalog: Sensible eleven-year-old Mary Rose, constantly at odds with her imaginative seven-year-old sister Jo-Beth, finds that they need to work together when an unplanned visit to a strange shoe museum and house of magic illusions involves them in the disappearance of a Chinese emperor's shoes.
F
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.
F
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.
F
CLE
Lunch Money (age 8-11)
by Andrew Clements
humor ... friendship ... authorship ... school ... enterprise
Catalog: Twelve-year-old Greg, who has always been good at moneymaking projects, is surprised to find himself teaming up with his lifelong rival, Maura, to create a series of comic books to sell at school.
F
CLA
Barney and the UFO (age 8-11)
by Margaret Goff Clark
humor ... family ... science fiction
Catalog: Barney is afraid to tell his foster parents that he has seen a UFO behind the house even when a hasty promise to a space boy leads him into trouble.
F
BUT
The Trouble With Jenny's Ear (age 8-11)
by Oliver Butterworth
math/science/technology ... friendship ... humor ... enterprise
Catalog: Two boys experiment with electronics, and meet with extraordinary results. Jenny can hear people's thoughts!
F
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.
F
CUR
The Flint Future Detectives Series (age 8-11)
by Christopher Curtis
brilliant protagonist ... mystery ... enterprise ... humor
In the first book, Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Mr. Chickee, the genial blind man in the neighborhood, gives 9-year-old Steven a mysterious bill with 15 zeros on it and the image of a familiar but startling face. Could it be a quadrillion dollar bill? Could it be real? Well, Agent Fondoo of the U.S. Treasury Department and his team of Secret Government Agents are determined to get that money back! But Steven and his best friends, Russell and Zoopy the giant dog, are more than a match for the Feds. After all, Steven is the president of the Flint Future Detectives Club, and the inventor of fantastic spying and detecting equipment such as the Snoopeeze 9000!
title: Mr. Chickee's Funny Money
F
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 Dragon
title: Freddy and the Ignormus
title: Freddy and the Space Ship
title: Freddy Goes Camping
title: Freddy Goes to the North Pole
title: Freddy Plays Football
title: Freddy the Cowboy
title: Freddy the Detective
title: Freddy the Pilot
title: Freddy Rides Again
title: Freddy and Simon the Dictator
F
DEC
Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade (age 8-11)
by Barthe DeClements
friendship ... school ... humor
It isn't easy to be the new kid, as the fifth graders soon discover.
F
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.
F
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.
F
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.
F
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.
F
SPI
Fourth Grade Rats (age 8-11)
by Jerry Spinelli
school ... humor ... realistic ... friendship
Suds faces the transition to fourth grade with a bit of uncertainty, but soon finds that he has what it takes in this funny and touching school story.
F
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.
F
GUT
Virtually Perfect (age 8-11)
by Dan Gutman
humor ... science fiction
Yip Turner spends more time playing computer games than with other kids. For him, virtual reality usually beats reality! So when his dad, a movie special-effects designer, brings home new software for creating virtual actors, Yip is psyched. He and his sister create "Victor," a boy who is smart, handsome, and charming--perfect in every way. But when Victor leaves cyberspace and invades their world, Yip realizes that there are bugs in the virtual-actor software. Now his family--and possibly the whole country!--may be in danger.
F
FLE
Mr. Mysterious and Company (age 8-11)
by Sid Fleischman
humor ... family ... voyages/journeys ... magic
The adventures of a family of magicians traveling across the western deserts and plains in the 1880s.
F
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.
F
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.
F
CLE
Otis Spofford (age 8-11)
by Beverly Cleary
humor ... school ... realistic ... friendship
There was nothing Otis Spofford liked better than stirring up a little excitement, particularly at school. A less resourceful teacher than Mrs. Gitler would have found him pretty hard to take. But even Mrs. Gitler did not entirely relish the bullfight at the fiesta arranged for the P.T.A. meeting. Otis was disappointed at not being the toreador, but as the front half of the bull he managed to steal the whole show, to the annoyance of his classmates and his teacher. It was then that Mrs. Gitler suggested that Otis might someday get his comeuppance.
F
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.
F
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.
F
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: The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen
title: Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware
F
CHI
Utterly Me, Clarice Bean (age 8-11)
by Lauren Child
mystery ... school ... humor
It's not easy to concentrate at school when mysterious things are happening all around you. In fact, Clarice Bean is starting to feel just like her favorite heroine: Ruby Redforr, schoolgirl detective. Clarice and her utterly best friend, Betty Moody, are planning to ace their book project about Ruby and win the class prize, until Betty disappears into thin air, and horrible teacher Mrs. Wilberton teams Clarice up with the naughtiest boy in school. Will her new partner ruin everything? Will Betty ever come back? And what on earth happened to the silver trophy everyone's hoping to win?
sequel: Clarice Bean Spells Trouble
sequel: Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now
F
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
title: See You Around, Sam!
F
YEP
Later, Gator (age 8-11)
by Laurence Yep
humor ... family
Teddy finds that his imagination has gotten him into trouble once more, when he buys his younger brother Bobby an alligator for his birthday.
F
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.
F
PEC
The Teacher's Funeral: a Comedy in Three Parts (age 8-11)
by Richard Peck
family ... humor ... school
In 1904 Indiana, 15-year-old Russell Culver is raring to leave his small town. But he has a particularly eventful season of school ahead of him, led by a teacher he never expected--his sister, Tansy.
F
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.
F
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: The All-New Amelia
title: Amelia Hits the Road
title: Amelia Lends a Hand
title: Amelia Takes Command
title: Amelia Works it Out
title: Amelia Writes Again
title: Amelia's Family Ties
title: Amelia's Notebook
title: Oh Boy, Amelia!
F
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.
F
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?
F
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.
F
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
F
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...
F
SMI
Chocolate Fever (age 8-11)
by Robert Kimmel Smith
humor
Henry Green eats so much chocolate he comes down with chocolate fever. How will he get out of this sticky situation?
F
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: Oh Say, I Can't See
title: Viking It and Liking It
F
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
F
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
F
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.
F
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?
F
MER
The Toothpaste Millionaire (age 8-11)
by Jean Merrill
humor ... math/science/technology ... enterprise ... brilliant protagonist
Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower doesn't set out to become a millionaire. He just wants to save on toothpaste. Betting he can make a gallon of his own for the same price as one tube from the store, Rufus develops a step-by-step plan with help from his friends, classmates, and math teacher. By the time he reaches the eighth grade, Rufus makes more than a gallon - he makes a million!
F
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
F
MAC
Arthur, For the Very First Time (age 8-11)
by Patricia MacLachlan
family ... humor
Arthur Rasby is ten years old and having the worst summer of his life. But when he goes to stay with his eccentric Great Aunt Elda and Great Uncle Wrisby on their farm, his world is turned upside down. Arthur's aunt and uncle do things his parents would never do, like singing to their pet pig, and speaking French to a pet chicken. Arthur soon realizes there's a whole world just waiting to be discovered.
F
KLI
Regarding the Fountain (age 8-11)
by Kate Klise
mystery ... letters/journal ... humor ... school
The Dry Creek Middle School drinking fountain has sprung a leak, so principal Walter Russ dashes off a request to Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc. We need a new drinking fountain. Please send a catalog. Designer Flo Waters responds: ``I'd be delighted...but please understand that all of my fountains are custom-made.'' Soon the fountain project takes on a life of its own, one chronicled in letters, postcards, memos, transcripts, and official documents.
sequel: Regarding the Sink: Where, Oh Where, Did Waters Go?
sequel: Regarding the Trees: a Splintered Saga Rooted in Secrets
sequel: Regarding the Bees: a Lesson, in Letters, on Honey, Dating, and Other Sticky Subjects
F
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.
F
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: 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
F
EST
The Moffats (age 8-11)
by Eleanor Estes
humor ... family
Meet the Moffats. There is Sylvie, the oldest, the cleverest, and-most days at least-the responsible one; Joey, who though only twelve is the man of the house...sometimes; Janey, who has a terrific upside-down way of looking at the world; and Rufus, who may be the littlest but always gets in the biggest trouble.
sequel: The Middle Moffat
sequel: Rufus M
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 Kidnapped Collie
title: The Case of the Vampire Cat
title: The Curse of the Incredible Priceless Corncob
title: Every Dog Has His Day
title: Faded Love
title: The Fling
title: The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
title: Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business
title: Hank the Cowdog: The Wounded Buzzard on Christmas Eve
title: It's a Dog's Life
title: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
title: Hank the Cowdog: Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest
title: The Mopwater Files
title: Murder in the Middle Pasture
title: The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
title: The Case of the Missing Bird Dog
title: The Case of the Missing Cat
title: The Case of the Shipwrecked Tree
title: Lost in the Blinded Blizzard
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: The Search for Snout
title: Aliens Ate My Homework
title: I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X
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

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