CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ... SURVIVE ALL THIS

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen takes you on a trip through the Everglades of Florida where alligators, snakes and all sorts of wildlife are not just a great attraction but a matter of life and death.  Wahoo and his dad have been hired to provide animals (tame ones) as props for a reality show, Expedition Survival, but what they really have to do is make sure the show's star, Derek Badger, makes it through each scene without any mishap, mostly brought on by his own stupidity.  

Wahoo's classmate, Tuna, thinks Derek Badger is the most amazing adventurer, eating all kinds of stuff in order to survive as shown on his TV shows, but she comes to realize that's he's nothing but a fake.  If this wasn't all, she, Wahoo and his dad are trying to keep her away from her abusive, crazy and drunken father who is determined to bring her back home.  

This is one wild ride of a book with lots of adventure, and humor to boot.  For readers in grades 6th and older.   

IF YOU LIKE MATILDA ...

Then The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes is for you. "Libby" is misreated and hidden away from the world by her nasty parents. All she wants is to runaway to a boarding school, where, she dreams of books, learning and being with other children. Oh, everything looks so wonderful in the brochure for The Sullivan School, if only she could get there somehow.

And so begins the misadventure of Libby or rather, Liberty, as she wants to be called when she escapes the clutches of her evil father with the help of some comprehension ointment and a magic floating potion. But will Liberty get to the school before her father finds and catches her?

This Roald Dahl like book is for readers who love stories about abused children who triumph over the bad guys who have enslaved them. For 4th grade and up.

IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT

The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Gallante

A novel told by two intricately connected friends yet of completely opposite points of view. All Agnes wants is to live the life of a saint just like her namesake. Honey wants to get away from the religious commune they had been born into and live a life free of rules. Everyone's lives and relationships are tested when Agnes' grandmother drops by for a surprise visit and a serious accident compels her to take Agnes, her brother and Honey away to safety. Agnes, Benny, Honey and the adults must face up to their past and misdeeds.