The Pet War

Eleven-year-old Otto wants a dog, and his twelve-year-old sister, Lexi, wants a cat.  Their mother wants neither.  Pets are expensive, and who is going to care for the pet when the children visit their father? 

Otto has a great idea.  He can get a job and earn enough to pay for his pet.  Then, Lexi proposes that whichever sibling can raise enough money first will decide which pet they get.  Their mom agrees to this plan and the race is on to earn money. 

Enjoy the laughs as some of Otto's ideas don't quite work out the way he planned.  The rivalry is intense and battle lines have been drawn.  Let the pet wars begin!

Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff

It's 1944, and World War II is raging. Jayna's big brother, Rob, is her only family. When he is called to duty on a destroyer in Japan, Jayna is left in the care of their landlady. Right before he leaves, Rob shares a secret with Jayna. They may have a grandmother in Brooklyn that they have never heard about. Rob found a blue recipe book with a name and an address for a bakery in Brooklyn. He tells Jayna that they will check it out when he returns. When Jayna finds out that Rob is missing in action, she decides to go to Brooklyn to search for the bakery on the recipe book. Along with her turtle, Theresa, the recipe book, and an encouraging ghostly voice as her guide, Jayna sets out in hopes of finding the family she so desperately needs. Does the recipe book hold a clue to her past and a key to her future?

The Quilt Walk by Sandra Dallas

It's 1864 and Emmy Blue's father has just told his family that he is selling their farm in Quincy, Illinois, buying a covered wagon, and moving them to Golden, Colorado to provide a better life for the family.  Ten-year-old Emmy is both excited and sad to be leaving her friends, and grandparents behind.  Before the family leaves, Grandma Mouse gives Emmy fabric pieces to make a quilt.  She is determined that Emmy learn to sew, which is something Emmy is not at all interested in doing.  During the long and trying trip, Emmy pulls out the fabric and turns her journey into a quilt walk.  If you like historical fiction read this book to be transported to a time of adventure and excitement in our country's history.

Hideout by Gordon Korman

Griffin Bing, his friends, and Luthor, the 150-pound Doberman are back for another zany adventure.  S. Wendell Palomino, or "Swindle" as he was called by the friends in the first book, tries to regain ownership of Luthor.  Swindle not only wants Luthor back, he wants revenge.  Griffin devises a plan to keep this from happening.  The plan involves hiding Luthor at the different summer camps the kids are attending, but problems begin and the efforts to stay ahead of Swindle's plans provide plenty of adventures and laughs.  For those who haven't read the previous four books in this series, the author provides a short recap at the beginning.  However; after reading this book, I'm betting that you'll become a fan and will want to go back and read the first four books.

Stranded by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts

In an effort to bond, new stepsiblings, Carter, Jane, Vanessa, and Buzz, are going on a five-day sailing expedition off Hawaii with their uncle and his first mate.  During a storm, the Lucky Star runs into a rocky shoal and begins to take on water.  The two adults are blown away on the Lucky Star's only lifeboat before the kids can get on.  The four kids end up stranded on an unknown island in the South Pacific.  If you like adventure and survival books, this novel co-authored by Survivor host, Jeff Probst, will keep you turning the pages as the kids struggle to survive and hope for rescue.

Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook by Beverly Patt

The year is 1942, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor has brought the United States into World War II.  Louise and her Japanese friend, Dottie, are separated when the United States requires all Japanese American families living on the west coast to relocate to internment camps.  These camps take away the rights, freedom, property, and dignity of the Japanese families.  Dottie and Louise keep in touch by writing letters which are presented in this book in scrapbook format, and include many historical pictures. 

This book is based upon a story the author's mother told her about a family she knew during her own childhood who was relocated to an internment camp.  Though this is a fiction book, the author's research provides much information about what life was like for both girls during this time time of war.

Melonhead and the Undercover Operation- by Sarah Weeks

In this third book about ten-year-old Adam "Melonhead" Melon and his friend, Sam, the laughs abound as the two go undercover to catch one of the FBI's Most Wanted. Having earned "Junior Special Agent" status from their many visits to FBI headquarters, the boys get caught up in their spy mission. They decide a woman they meet on the bus is The Chameleon, master of disguise and wanted by the FBI. Despite their good intentions, things don't work out as they anticipate. Enjoy this fun-loving book as the boys blunder from one hilarious situation to another.