Wonder by R.J. Palacio (J PALACIO)

August “Auggie” Pullman isn’t your typical kid. Born with a severe facial deformity, he hasn’t been able to attend “real” school until now. He’s about to start fifth grade—and he’s not sure how this is going to work out. He’s used to having people stare at him, but to be surrounded by so many other kids his age and as a new student is a scary endeavor. Auggie meets a few kids before school starts, thanks to a special meeting his new principal has set up. He makes it through September, but it’s not easy. He has a couple of friends: Summer, a girl who made the bold move to sit with him at lunch; and Jack, one of the boys the principal introduced him to. Some of the kids are mean to Auggie, particularly on Halloween when he overhears Jack (who he thought was his friend) saying bad things about him to other kids. Does Auggie make it through the whole school year, or does he give up?

Wonder isn’t all about Auggie. Many of the chapters are from his perspective, but we also hear from his older sister Via, Via’s boyfriend, Summer, and Jack—their lives are also affected by Auggie’s condition in both small and big ways. If you’re looking for a sad yet inspiring story, then take a Wonder-ful journey with Auggie.

Review submitted by Dana

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #6: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney (J KINNEY)

Cabin Fever starts out with Greg bemoaning how difficult the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is. The belief that Santa is always watching him stresses him out, plus he has his mom’s creepy “Santa’s Scout” doll to worry about, too. As Christmas nears, Greg reminisces about past years, including the Christmas he got a “Baby Alfrendo Realistic Doll for Boys.” As much as Greg hates to admit it, he LOVED Baby Alfrendo (and the grapefruit that was a stand-in when Baby Alfrendo was lost).

Greg attempts to make some money this season by shoveling snow (with a lawn mower), requesting cash from the Giving Tree at church, and holding his own Holiday Bazaar as an alternative to the school’s bazaar, which overcharges for Greg’s favorite Drummies (“chicken leg thingies”). Things really take a turn for the worse, though, when Greg’s bazaar signs he hung on the school get wet and damage the school bricks. Fortunately he and Rowley manage to escape undetected, but now Greg is paranoid about the police finding him. And with the blizzard and subsequent basement flooding at his house, Greg isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

Cabin Fever is just as funny (if not funnier) as the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Lots of sketches add to the novel’s humor, and fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Review submitted by Dana

Princess Posey and the Perfect Present by Stephanie Greene (JE GREENE)

Posey is a cheerful, playful girl who loves school and her first-grade teacher Miss Lee. When Miss Lee announces that tomorrow is her birthday, Posey has the perfect gift for her: fresh-cut roses that Posey grew herself. But Posey’s friend Nikki has the same idea, and when Posey arrives at school to see the huge bouquet Nikki gave Miss Lee, Posey secretly stashes her roses in her backpack, embarrassed and sad. She acts out toward her friends and doesn’t want to participate in the birthday celebration. At home, Posey talks to her mom about what happened and puts on her special pink tutu and pink veil, which always make her feel better. When she sees that another rose has bloomed, she comes up with the perfect present for Miss Lee’s “after-birthday.”

Princess Posey and the Perfect Present is the second book in the popular Princess Posey series. With illustrations scattered throughout and a larger font, this beginning chapter books is great for children (especially girls) who need something harder than beginning readers. The end of the book includes instructions for making your own princess wand out of foil and cardboard.

Review submitted by Dana

Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt (J VOIGT)

With all the stories about mice that have been written, it’s a wonder people are afraid of them. There is nothing at all scary about mouse Fredle, although scary things do happen to him. At the start of Young Fredle, everything is safe and cozy for the mouse and his family. They live on a shelf behind the kitchen pantry, forage for food, and try to stay clear of Patches the cat. One night, however, curiosity gets the best of Fredle and he eats too much chocolate, becoming very sick. In Fredle’s world, when a mouse gets too sick, they get pushed out to “went.” Although the mice don’t really understand went, they know you don’t come back from it.

Fredle doesn’t exactly go to went, though. He is scooped up in a container by “Mrs.” and taken outside—another unknown world for the mice.  This is where Fredle’s real adventures begin. He quickly finds a place to sleep under the porch and makes acquaintances with a couple of field mice, who tell Fredle what to watch out for (raccoons, raptors, snakes) and where to find food (the compost pile). Although there are many scary things outside, Fredle is taken aback by wonderful new sights, too—the moon, stars, flowers, and all the bright colors the sun makes things. But he longs to be home with his family in their nest behind the wall. Fredle’s journey back to the kitchen is a long one and even includes getting carried away to the wild by raccoons and visiting the carefree and playful cellar mice.

When Fredle makes it back home, he is surprised by his family’s reactions. Are they even glad to see him? Why don’t they want to hear about his outside adventures? And why is it so bad to break the rules when doing so results in so many good things? Young Fredle is the story of a courageous mouse who—with the help from some unexpected friends—manages to find his way outside and into readers’ hearts.

Review submitted by Dana

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (J NEWBERY SHELF PATERSON)

Meet Jess Aarons. He’s been waking up early every day of his summer vacation to practice running so that he can be the fastest kid in fifth grade. He also has chores to do and sisters to deal with—none of which he enjoys too much. When school starts again, Jess’ dreams are quickly shattered by someone faster than he is—his new neighbor, Leslie. She’s a bit of an outcast and a tomboy, which is fine with Jess but not the other kids in his class. They like to pick on her, and neither she nor Jess has many other friends. They become close and invent their secret world of Terabithia—a special place just across the creek where they can go to hang out and be king and queen. This sacred place, although it brought Jess and Leslie many happy times, is also the scene of a horrible accident that changes Jess’ life.

Bridge to Terabithia is a great friendship story, but it also deals with the struggles many children face: bullies, family dynamics, and fears. If you’re looking for a story that might make you cry, this one’s for you.

Note: Winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal, Bridge to Terabithia was also made into a movie in 2007.

Review submitted by Dana

Greetings from Nowhere by Barbara O’Connor (J CAUDILL SHELF O’CONNOR)

Poor Aggie owns the run down Sleepytime Motel by herself ever since Harold died.  Her only companion is Ugly, a one-eyed pathetic looking black cat. No one has stayed at the motel in three months and Aggie is having trouble keeping up with the bills and repairs. Things couldn’t be bleaker until unusual circumstances lead three different families to arrive at the motel within hours of each other. This group of unique characters unknowingly gives Aggie the help and hope she so desperately requires and in return her guests discover needed friendships that transform add joy to their lives too.

The award winning Greetings from Nowhere is a charmingly enjoyable read.

Review submitted by Susan

Beginning Readers

What’s Bugging Pamela? by Michael Dahl (E READER 2 DAHL)

A rhinoceros named Pamela is having a hard time, she has never smiled. She is crabby, mad and does not want to play with her friends. One day a strange bird lands on her back and refuses to leave.

What’s Bugging Pamela? is a story your child will enjoy reading. Zachary Trover’s bold illustrations add to the mood of the story.

Emily’s Pictures by Terri Dougherty (E READER 2 DOUGHERTY)

Emily is having a hard time drawing well. She tries but she is not satisfied with what she sees. As she is getting ready to give up, she makes a discovery.

Ronnie Ronney’s illustrations of Emily in her curly pig tails and glasses are adorable. Your beginning reader might see a little of themselves in Emily’s Pictures.

Review submitted by Uma