Rule of Three by Megan McDonald

In this second book of the Sisters Club, Alex, Stevie, and Joey Reel return as three sisters with alot of love between them and just enough "sisterness" to spark normal sibling behaviors. As the youngest of five sisters, the author is well-prepared to write about this subject.

Alex, the oldest sister, has always been the actress in the family, and middle-sister, Stevie, has been content to stay behind the scenes. However; when her school plans a musical, Stevie decides that she wants to be in the spotlight for once. Only one of the sisters can play the lead role, and both sisters are in fierce competition. Youngest sister, Joey, is put in the middle of rivalry, tricks, and trying to remind her sisters that they are supposed to be "all for one and one for all." Find out who earns the starring role and how it affects the sisters' lives.

A Dog on His Own by Mary Jane Auch

Other dogs are K-9s, but K-10 is a cut above the rest. At least that's what his mother tells him when she gives him his name. K-10 is soon adopted, but returned because his new owners decide they want a smaller dog. After that, his days are spend running away from owners, only to be picked up by animal control and taken to a shelter. He has been in six different shelters and has learned not to trust humans. When another dog at the current shelter tells him her plan to escape, he decides to go with her. After his escape, he must search for food and avoid the dangers of being hurt or returned to a shelter. Life is hard for a loner, but he keeps telling himself he was meant to be a free and independent dog. Will he remain on the loose, or will he finally find a home with people who will love him and care for him?

Everything For a Dog by Ann M. Martin

In this book, a dog and two boys are connected in surprising ways. Bone and his sister are stray dogs, left homeless as puppies. They are soon separated, and Bone must go on alone. Charlie's brother has died, and he is healing with the help of his brother's dog, Sunny. Then another tragedy occurs which affects his life deeply. Henry's best friend has just moved away he is desperate for a dog to love. He just has to convince his parents to let him have one. If you've ever wanted a dog or you are just a dog-lover, you will love this heartfelt story and will be surprised at how the three characters' lives are interwoven.

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Jon Scieszka grew up the second oldest in a family of six boys. According to him, he was the nicest, smartest, best-liked, and the most humble. In typical "boy fashion," he and his brothers romped through childhood with many laughable adventures and misadventures, followed by alot of "Oh man, Mom is going to kill us" type of statements. From breaking the couch while wrestling to teasing younger brothers, this book will show much insight into the sense of humor this favorite author displays in his books for children. Read this book if you're ready for lots of laughs, but heed the Knucklehead warning. Do not try this at home...or anywhere else.

Lost and Found by Andrew Clements

Jay and Ray Grayson are twins who are moving to a new city and will start sixth grade in a new school. On the first day of school Ray stays home sick, and Jay is on his own. Jay quickly discovers a major mistake: no one seems to realize that he has a twin brother. Ray has no assigned locker, no school records, and no one is asking Jay about his absent brother. He considers telling the school about the mistake, but decides that keeping quiet might be useful and fun. How long can their secret last?

Two Bobbies:A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans on August 29, 2005, Bobbie the dog and Bob Cat are left behind when their owners are evacuated. The two friends await rescue, but no one comes. They finally set out on their own and wander the damaged city trying to survive. They eventually end up in a temporary animal shelter. While there, the volunteers discover something amazing about Bobbi. Read this book to find out what happens to the two Bobbies.

Time Spies: Secret in the Tower by Candice Ransom

When Alex Chapman and his family move to an old country house in Virginia he feels like he is doomed to a life of boredom. Then, one day he and his sisters find a hidden room and an old spyglass in the tower of the house. The spyglass has the magical power of sending them back in time. The only problem is they have been sent back to the time of the Revolutionary War and land land right in the middle of a battle. During this dangerous adventure they witness history first hand and even get to help a messenger deliver an important message to General George Washington.

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate DiCamillo

Mercy, the Watson's pig, is at it again. The Watsons decide to go to the drive-in movie theater to see the movie, When Pigs Fly. When the tempting smell of hot-buttered popcorn sends Mercy on a search for the source, she causes mayhem and chaos at the drive-in. With Animal Control Officer Poulet, Officer Tomilello, and others on her trail Mercy is having the time of her life. She loves a good chase! Read the book to see if the Watsons find their beloved pig and how the evening at the drive-in ends.

Melonhead by Katy Kelly

Adam Melon, nicknamed Melonhead by his friends, is an adventuresome nine-year-old who is a budding inventor with a knack for getting into trouble. When his class enters an inventing fair, each team must invent a new use for an old invention. As Adam and his friend, Sam, try to come up with a great "reinvention", they create chaos and trouble, like plaster all over the bathroom floor, and secretely harboring a snake and a mouse at Adam's house. All is well until the mouse and snake escape and are hiding somewhere in Adam's house. As Adam and Sam create dud after dud for the inventing fair, they begin to worry. Can they create a super "reinvention" before the contest?

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

Abby Carson would rather do almost any thing than her school work. When she finds out she is in danger of having to repeat sixth grade, she agrees to work extra hard and also to participate in an extra credit project. Her project is to become a pen pal with a student in another country and report to her class about the assignment. Her first letter arrives at a school in a small village in Afghanistan. Sadeed Bayat is the best student in the school and also knows the most English. However, in his village it is not appropriate for a boy to write to a girl. It is agreed that his sister, Amira, will dictate letters to Sadeed and sign them as if she is writing the letters. Sadeed eventually decides that Amira is not telling Abby what he wants to tell her, so he secretly sends Abby a letter confessing. Abby begins answering the letters to Amira, but including things that she knows Sadeed would like to hear. The exchange of letters soon becomes a problem in Sadeed's village as some people are fearful of the possible dangers of a student in Afghanistan writing to a student in America. Suddenly a simple extra credit project isn't so simple any more.

Storm Rescue by Laurie Halse Anderson

Sunita and her friends volunteer during the summer at Dr. Mac's veterinarian clinic. When a hurricane dumps heavy rains in their town and flooding occurs, the friends prove their love and dedication to the animals at the clinic. Their resourcefulness and bravery are tested when both doctors are out of the office on calls and an emergency arises. Do they wait for one of the doctors to return to the clinic, or take matters into their own hands to save a cat from a flooded area during an evacuation? You'll enjoy this fast-paced adventure and appreciate the helpful hints at the end of the book about having a pet emergency plan during a natural disaster.

Mary Margaret, Center Stage by Christine Kole MacLean

If you like Judy Moody, you will love this funny character who is constantly getting herself into messes. Mary Margaret is certain that she will get the part of Cinderella in the community play. When the director gives the part to "perfect" Ellie, Mary Margaret can't believe it. She tries to find a way to take over the part herself. Her plans range from secretly trying to infect Ellie with a cold, to trying to convince her that being the star of a play is so nerve-wracking that she just might forget her lines and ruin the play. There are several near disasters during the play. You'll have to read the book to find out how Mary Margaret saves the day.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

The kids from Gordon Korman's book Swindle are on another quest to right a wrong. Samantha's capuchin monkey, Cleo, is missing. After a school field trip to a floating zoo, Samantha finds Cleo among the animals aboard. The owner, Mr. Nastase, claims that the monkey's name is Eleanor, and he has a bill of sale to prove it. Samantha is certain that the monkey is Cleo, and is also upset at the horrible conditions in which the animals live. Griffin, who always has a plan, creates "Operation Zoobreak." It's simple. Each of the friends will use their particular talent to help rescue Cleo from the "floating dungeon." Can a group of eleven-year-olds sneak on board and rescue Cleo? Enjoy the humor and excitement as they try to pull off this mission.

Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade, by Henry Winkler

What's a guy to do if he suspects that at the next parent conference his teacher, Ms. Adolf, is going to suggest that Hank be kept back in fourth grade? Hank and his friends hatch a zany plan to keep his parents away from the conference. All he has to do is win a radio contest, the prize being an out of town rock concert on the same day as the parent conference. Can he win the contest? Can he convince his parents to go? Will he remain in fourth grade for another year? Full of fun and humor, the seventh book in the Hank Zipzer series will keep you laughing at Hank's everyday problems and how he copes with them.

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash, by Wendy VanDraanen

Thirteen-year-old Sammy Keyes lives illegally in the Senior Highrise with her Gram. While sneaking up the fire escape to Gram's apartment, she surprises an old man sneaking down the fire escape. Before the man dies of an apparent heart attack, he begs Sammy to get rid of a large amount of cash he is carrying. She doesn't exactly follow his directions, and becomes involved in another mystery.

Football Genius, by Tim Green

Troy White is a sixth -grader with an unusual gift. He is able to predict upcoming football plays with uncanny accuracy. He gets an opportunity to help his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons, who are experiencing a losing season. How can he convince the team to recognize his talents? If you love football, you will love this fast-paced book.