DOGS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE IN SURPRISING WAYS!

Sugar Mae Cole has a father who's never there.  Her mom keeps taking him back, and then he just breaks her heart again and again. After her grandfather died, things have been getting worse for her and her mother, but at least Sugar Mae has a positive attitude and can let her thoughts flow in her writing.  The best day to come along is when Sugar Mae is given Shush, a shy puppy who's owner couldn't keep her. The worst day is when Sugar Mae, Shush, and her mother get evicted from their home and have to live in their car.  ALMOST HOME by Joan Bauer is an emotional story, with a lot of entertaining characters weaving in and out of Sugar Mae's life.  Despite all the things that go wrong, though, everyone tries to look on the bright side and make the best of things. 

For grades 4 and up.

MARCH 2013

MYSTERIOUS MANSION HAS LOUD DOG

TILL DEATH DO US BARK by Kate Klise is Book Three in the "43 Old Cemetery Road" series, and will keep readers on their toes! Seymour lives with an odd set of adoptive parents - both are writers, but one is a ghost! One day, a shaggy old dog shows up, and Seymour is thrilled to have a companion who's not consumed with writing all the time. But he barks all night! Seymour gets roped into doing what he can to ease the sadness of his new furry friend, and discovers that this dog, who's name is Secret, might have a few secrets of his own!

For grades 3-5.

A SURPRESENT FOR ANY READER

Delaware Pattinson, who goes by Delly, is always getting in trouble for one thing or another. She doesn't MEAN to get in trouble, but it seems to always find her. So when the principal and her parents threaten to send her off to reform school, she has to learn to straighten up - AND QUICK! TRUE (...SORT OF) by Katherine Hannigan is a dellylicious story about a girl coming to terms with being responsible, meeting new friends, learning patience, and feeling loved. The characters each have their own issues to deal with, and the author does a fantastic job of letting each one take the spotlight in some way. For grades 4 and up.

LIFE IS JUST CRUEL SOMETIMES

Being grounded by her mother saved Daralynn's life. Her brother, sister and father die in a plane crash the day Daralynn is forced to stay home because she doesn't listen. And now, even though she still lives with her mother, who's angry all the time, and her grandmother, who's just crazy, Daralynn feels completely alone. She helps her mother do hair for the local townspeople, and comes up with some inspiring ideas to keep the town lively, but a shady character comes to town and disrupts the lives of a family already disrupted, and a gullible town looking for progress. GROUNDED by Kate Klise is historical, sad, quirky, and creative, with a little mystery thrown in to boot! For 5th-8th grade.

ITALIAN ROYALTY OR A WICKED GYPSY?

Cowboys and Indians, and a wild west show! Caroline lives in a rural town with her father, just trying get by and put the the pieces about what her mother is really like. There are many stories about her mother, such as that she was a famous Italian princess, but some people think she's a travelling gypsy because she was in a wild west show. Caroline decides to join a show as well, especially when her father and a mean aunt begin to fight about what is best for Caroline's life. She learns many things about her family and her self. THE LAST RAINMAKER by Sherry Garland is a historical fiction story that kids in 5th through 8th grade will really enjoy!