The Big Field by Mike Lupica

Hutch Hutchinson loves everything about baseball. He especially loves playing shortstop, a position his dad once played professionally until an injury ended his short career. Hutch has always played shortstop and has been the star until Darryl Williams joins the Cardinals and takes over the position. Hutch is moved to second base and feels "second best." He strives to remain a team player and wants desperately to have a closer relationship with his dad, who no longer shows an active interest in baseball. When Hutch sees his dad giving fielding tips to Darryl, he feels angry and betrayed. As the Cardinals advance to the summer league championship, Hutch battles his emotions to remain a good teammate and salvage the relationship with his dad. If you love baseball, you'll feel the excitement of the game within the pages of this book. "Take me out to the ballgame!"

The Potato Chip Puzzles by Eric Berlin

Potato chip tycoon, Dimitri Simon, invites local school teams on a puzzle hunt with the winners receiving a $50,000 prize for their school. Winston Breen and his friends can't wait to tackle the puzzles and bring home the prize money. However; the competition is tough and someone is trying to sabotage the other teams. Although Winston is a puzzle whiz who has proven himself in the past, can he figure out who is cheating and stop them before they win the contest?

You will enjoy trying to solve a variety of brain teasers yourself as you read this fast-paced mystery. Then, you'll want to check out The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, by the same author.

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?