AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE?

I don't know about this book. Granted, the girl is trying to keep herself and her brother from growing hungry, but she sure is selfish! THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY adapted by Dan Jolley is a graphic novel based on an original story written by O.T. Nelson in 1975. A virus has wiped out all humans over the age of 12, and it's up to these kids to figure out how to survive. Some are trying to take others' food by force, some merely ask. Well, Lisa's not sharing with anyone, and pretty much expects everyone to do their share of the work in order to maintain their existence. She forms a city, it's HER city, and she controls everything that happens in it. Read this to see if you agree.

For 4th grade and up.

A PAULSEN PAIR

Two companion stories by Gary Paulsen, Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Deception and Flat Broke: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed, tell the story of Kevin who tell a pile of lies in order to win the heart of a girl. He lies to everyone: his family, his best friends, his acquaintances. He couldn't lie to a little boy though and that's when the pile of lies came tumbling down. If you like Liar Liar, then you must read Flat Broke.

Two very short novels for readers in 6th-8th grade about the questionable act of lying and making amends in order to win back everyone's trusts and friendships.

SHOE ENVY

One day, a stranger comes to town and asks the cobbler to make a shoe using the most beautiful blue gems anyone has ever seen. Displayed in the cobbler's window, the shoe brings nothing but trouble for the cobbler, his young apprentice and the people of the village. This fantasy adventure brings together the worlds of human and trolls working along side each other to take down evil and greed to bring about a new world of harmony.
The Blue Shoe: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery and Shoes by Roderick Townley is for readers in grades 4th- 6th.

PEELING BACK THE LAYERS = INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

Hildy Biddle and the other reporters on her high school newspaper are young but not stupid. Knowing something rotten is going on with the town newspaper and the Ludlow property, the teen reporters are determined to get to the core of the "mysterious haunting" at the old abandoned house and reveal the truth before fear overtakes the whole town. A uplifting story of growth, determination and and justice in the face of daunting odds.

Peeled by Joan Bauer is an engaging story for 6th - high schoolers looking for something different yet inspiring to read.

BASHO AND THE RIVER STONES

The fox is a very tricky character indeed, and one can only expect certain tomfoolery and hijinks from the fox in this picture book for older readers. A poor poet lives near some delicious cherry trees that he shares with the foxes in the woods. It isn't long before one fox gets greedy and is surprised by the poet's reaction to his greed. BASHO AND THE RIVER STONES by Tim Myers was nominated for the 2007-2008 California Young Reader Award, and is bound to be a great rendition of a classic story. For 3rd grade and up.