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.