Jake, by Audrey Couloumbis, has ten-year-old Jake going to live with his grandfather while his widowed mom recuperates from a broken leg. This ex-military man (who was his father’s dad) doesn’t know how to relate to Jake and neither does Jake know how to reciprocate. But through the kindness of a neighbor, this relationship begins to grow.  The story is well written with much heart, but is never too sappy.  And the joys and love of family abound.  The entire family will gather around to hear this novel!

The Flint Heart, by Katherine and John Paterson, and magically painted by John Rocco and adapted from Eden Phillpott’s 1910 story, is an exciting foray into magic, fairies and adventure.  A very old relic that possesses powers of control and greed is suddenly unearthed after being hidden deep in the ground for thousands of years.  A farmer, and loving family man, is completely changed for the worse when this talisman is found, and so the adventures into the realm of magic begin. The colorful pictures sprinkled throughout are a perfect match to the story. This book would be a perfect bedtime story by reading a chapter every night.

Pie, by Sarah Weeks, is a story rich in language, family and – pies. It’s 1955 and ten-year-old Alice is saddened from the death of her beloved Aunt Polly, the “Pie Queen of Ipswich”.  Her aunt has mysteriously bequeathed her piecrust recipe to her cat, Lardo, and has left her cat for Alice.  And so begins the story of Alice and her family and the tale of her friendships, family relationships and what happens with her labored relationship with her own mother. The fourteen recipes found throughout are mouthwatering yummy pie concoctions.

The Dagger Quick, by Brian Eames, will have you on the edge of your seat. The year is 1678 and Kitto is living a life on land with a daily schedule of helping his family make ends meet even with his disability – a clubfoot.  When his seafaring uncle visits him, life changes for Kitto.  His father dies and his stepmother and brother are kidnapped by a ruthless pirate who is in search of a treasure that he believes Kitto’s Uncle William Quick has knowledge of the whereabouts. Hold on tight as this page-turner will keep you adrift to the end!

The Dragon’s Tooth, by N. D. Wilson, has siblings Cyrus and Antigone getting ready to leave their home, an old motel that has just burned to the ground, in search for their older brother (and guardian) who has just been kidnapped.  A peculiar little man will help them find their brother – but they must leave at once.  Evil is lurking all around their now burned home and they need to escape.  But where they are taken, and the many exciting events that occur, will have you turning the pages as fast as you’re able.

Okay For Now, by Gary D. Schmidt, is told through the eyes of young Doug during the 1960’s. Doug has just moved to a new town and feels alone with no friends. His father is somewhat abusive due to his temper and his drinking problems. His older brother is mean to him and his oldest brother is serving in Viet Nam. The only person whom he truly looks forward to being with is his mom.  But he befriends a patient librarian and a girl, who both help open his world to hope and happiness. There are many subtle nuances and symbolism that bring Doug’s life into the reader’s emotional ties.  This is a definite Newbery candidate.

The Romeo and Juliet Code, by Phoebe Stone, is a look into disrupted British children as parents sent them to safety and away from the bombing in London during World War II.  Felicity has been sent to live with her father’s family while her parents go to Portugal on secret business. She soon discovers that her uncle and other relatives seem very mysterious and she’s about to set out to solve these mysteries, as well as discover why her parents are in Portugal.  She also becomes friends with an eccentric cousin who’s recovering from polio. There are lessons to learn about the value of family, as well as mysteries to solve.

Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick, has two stories running simultaneously throughout.  One story is written about a young boy in 1977 who has to live with his aunt after losing his mom in a car accident. He’s unhappy with his aunt and decides to go search for his dad he’s never known and who lives in New York City.  The other story takes place in 1927.  This wordless story is shown completely through black and white drawings of a girl sneaking out of her house to also go to New York City.  Another similarity with these two children is that they both are deaf.  These stories brilliantly converge at the American Museum of Natural History. This book’s sure to be a Newbery winner!

Young Fredle, by Cynthia Voigt, and illustrated with pencil etchings sprinkled throughout by Louise Yates, has a young mouse, Fredle, dealing with many dangers after he is thrown out into the world after leaving his house. This wonderfully written story deals with lessons of friendship, freedom and home.

Shooting Kabul, by N. A. Senzai, begins with a family’s flight from Afghanistan. As they board a truck that’s about to flee the area, with the Taliban close behind, they somehow leave six-year-old Mariam behind. This book is a fascinating look at how this family begins their adjustments in America as well as locating Mariam and bringing her to back to their family.

The Clockwork Three, by Matthew L. Kirby, is a story rich with suspense, mystery and adventure. It begins with Giuseppe, an orphan, who has to play his violin for a tyrant of a master. But he soon discovers a wonderful violin. Hannah is a hard working maid as she is trying to help her family due to her father’s recent stroke.  She learns about a hidden treasure in the hotel where she works. Now if she can just locate it.  Frederick works as a clockmaker’s apprentice. If he can get his automation to work, it will change his life. These three characters finally meet midway through the story, turning their adventures into one as they strive to achieve their goals and ultimately discover the magic and importance of friendship.

Into The Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and Air, by Stewart Ross, and illustrated by the ingenious Stephen Biesty, is my only non-fiction on this list.  It takes fourteen of history’s greatest explorers and covers the events that led up to their discoveries. The text is kid-friendly and each expedition has an incredible unfolding map signifying the route to their destination.

The Dragon’s Tooth, by N. D. Wilson, is the first in a planned series and that is a very good thing!  Siblings Cyrus and Antigone are about to leave their home, an old dilapidated motel that has just burned to the ground, in search for their older brother (and guardian) who has just been kidnapped.  Their father is dead and their mother is in a coma and they have no choice but to go with a peculiar little man who will help them find their brother – but they must leave at once.  Evil is lurking all around their now burned home and they need to escape.  But where they are taken, and the many exciting events that occur, will have you turning the pages as fast as you’re able. This book is as exciting as it gets!

The Viscounti House, by Elsbeth Edgar, is part mystery and part realistic fiction and will enrich the reader to life down under with a summer atmosphere during school and Christmastime.  Laura feels like an outcast in her new school where she doesn’t know anyone.  She lives in an old Italian manor, the Viscounti House, where parts of the house are in great need of repair.  Her artist parents are a bit different from the norm which also makes her feel odd.  When a boy, Leon, moves into his grandmother’s house, he seems to be ostracized from the rest of the school kids, but she ignores him.  However, as she delves into the mystery of why this huge house was built, she befriends Leon and together they set out to solve who built the house – and why. This is the author’s first book but it is so well written that all ages will immediately become engaged!  Also, you’ll find the inspiration of how this book was written at the back of the book.  I wish other authors would write a brief note at the back of their books as to why they wrote it because it just might ignite future story writers.

Chronicles of the Red King:  The Secret Kingdom, by Jenny Nimmo, is the first book in a planned series that expands the author’s story about “Charlie Bone”. This Red King series however is about Charlie’s ancestor: the Red King of Africa. Timoken (the Red King) and his sister are in search of a new home after their kingdom has come under attack.  Timoken has been given a magical red cloak, made by the last moon spider’s web, and the depraved sorcerers desire it and will stop at nothing to get it.  The story spins an adventure that welcomes more books to tell more of this tale.  The protagonist will endear the reader as he is kind, respectful and values family and friends.

Pie, by Sarah Weeks, is a story rich in language, family and pies. It’s 1955 and ten-year-old Alice is saddened from the death of her beloved Aunt Polly, the “Pie Queen of Ipswich”.  Her aunt has mysteriously bequeathed her piecrust recipe to her cat, Lardo, and has left her cat for Alice.  And so begins the story of Alice and her family and the tale of her friendships, family relationships and what happens with her labored relationship with her own mother. Aunt Polly would be richly rewarded in heaven knowing how this tale turns out. The fourteen recipes found throughout are mouthwatering yummy pie concoctions.

Icefall, by Matthew J. Kirby, may well prepare you for winter, but this story makes for a long, cold and traitorous season.  Solveig and her siblings are waiting out a long and hard winter far away from their castle as their father, the king, has sent them away from the impending war in order to protect them.  But as the cold permeates their skin and food becomes scare, they begin to wonder where the assailants really are.  Could they be right in their midst? This well-written book, by “The Clockwork Three” author, keeps the pace going all the way to the frozen tundra finish.

Circle of Secrets, by Kimberly Griffiths Little, has eleven-year-old Shelby having to go live with her estranged mom after her father has to work overseas for several months.  Her mother left her father and her a year earlier and Shelby is full of bitter hurt and wants nothing to do with her mom.  But moving into her grandmother’s old Louisiana bayou cabin and living once again with her mom, forces her to rethink her attitude towards her mother.  Shelby becomes friends with a mysterious girl, Gwen, and soon discovers that perhaps Gwen may be a ghost. Gwen’s life becomes entangles in her life as well as her mom’s past and she learns some mysterious events from the past. This is a ghost story that is less scary and with more overtones of friendship and resolution.

Wild Wings, by Gill Lewis, and with illustrations wonderfully drawn by Yuta Onoda sprinkled throughout, is a story about hope and the fragility of the lifespan of animals.  Two children living in Scotland become friends when they save an injured osprey that is tangled in a fishing line. The naturalist they call upon to save the bird’s life, tags her and allows the children to follow its flight from Scotland to Africa on-line. This fascinating story explores friendship, wildlife and cultural differences.  Be sure to check out the note to the reader found at the back of the book that gives more information and ways to track ospreys in Scotland.

That Pup!, by Lindsay Barrett George, is a simple picture book painted with full color gouache that has a small pup locating, and then counting, acorns behind a wheelbarrow full of leaves, in a pumpkin patch and so on. This book would be a good beginning reader and is good for ages four to six.

The next six picture books are good for ages four to nine. The Leaves on the Trees, by Thom Wiley, and illustrated by Andrew Day, is a paperback picture book that can be read or sung to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”.  But what I like best about this inexpensive book is the easy way it shows of how to identify the type of a tree by the distinctive shape of the leaves.

What if Everything had Legs?, by Scott Menchin, is a clever picture book that explores the many unique possibilities when a young girl is walking home with her mother. As she tires, she wishes her house had legs and could walk to them. And so begins the game of imagining the possibilities of many items with legs such as leaves, cars, rocks and more.  The ending opens up a new discussion when the girl asks her mom, “What if everything has arms?” The mixed media pictures on a one-color scheme page makes the images pop out.

Apples and Pumpkins, by Anne Rockwell, and illustrated with bright watercolors by Lizzy Rockwell, is the perfect story about what happens in the fall.  A young girl and her parents head to an orchard where they pick the reddest apples. From there, they head to the pumpkin patch where they find the perfect pumpkin they carve for the holiday.  It ends with trick-or-treating.

Tucker’s Spooky Halloween, by Leslie McGuirk, has this little dog attempting to be scary this year since he wasn’t last year as a pumpkin. After many attempts to find the right costume, he finally finds the perfect scary costume. The pictures are done in a gouache.

And Then Comes Halloween, by Tom Brenner, and illustrated in watercolor and collage by Holly Meade, is the perfect picture book for ages four to nine that culminates the month of October.  Children are enjoying the last days of cool outside play before the blustery chilly days set in. Then as the days progress, they begin preparations for Halloween and making costumes and ending with the last day of the month by pouring their collected candy onto the floor to categorize and enjoy them.

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot, by Margaret McNamara, and illustrated with images drawn by hand and gendered digitally using collage techniques by Mark Fearing, is a space-age rendition of “The Three Little Pigs”. These three little aliens are sent on their way out in space to find their own home, but mama reminds them to beware of the “Big Bad Robot”.  Each alien locates a planet in our solar system but one builds a much safer home. The story is great fun to read-aloud and the inside pages have the solar system along with more facts found in the author’s notes.

The next two picture books are good for ages seven to twelve. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, by Adam Rex, is a hilarious collection of poems about a collection of monsters that will tickle your funny bone and make you think twice about your perception of each. Some of the poems include “The Lunchsack of Notre Dame”, “The Creature from the Black Lagoon Doesn’t Wait an Hour Before Swimming” and “Count Dracula Doesn’t Know He’s Been Walking Around All Night With Spinach in His Teeth”. The oil paintings are as hilarious as the poems! This book can be enjoyed by all ages.

The Hungry Ghost of Rue Orleans, by Mary Quattlebaum, and beautifully painted with a flair of Louisiana by Patricia Castelao, is a ghostly story with a friendly twist. Fred, the ghost, is quite upset when a father and daughter show up to clean up his dusty old house and turn it into a restaurant. He is about to vacate the place when he is quite surprised that the owners want him to stay. This would be a fun read-aloud and don’t forget to check out the author’s note found at the back about her choice of foods served in this bayou city.

The last three books are non-fiction thrillers good for ages seven and up. Monster Hunt:  Exploring Mysterious Creatures, by Jim Arnosky, investigates six unknown creatures and explores the many possibilities. These include Big Foot, The Loch Ness Monster and the Giant Shark. By reading and seeing the somewhat frightening paintings by the author, this fascinating book may just spark the beginnings of a cryptozoologist.

Here There Might Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid, by H. P. Newquist, takes the mythical belief by early settlers and using scientific data, leads the readers to what is believed to be the giant squid.  Actual photos and maps found throughout make this a very interesting read.

In Search of Sasquatch, by Kelly Milner Halls, has the author compiling all of the information and blending the legends with what she calls facts. This book is a fascinating read and demonstrates how science has to be backed with facts, even though her facts are a bit of a stretch.  There are photos, drawings, charts and maps found throughout.

Silly Milly and the Mysterious Suitcase, by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, is a beginning reader series that cleverly includes wordplay. In this case, Silly Milly has baseballs but no bats and hotdogs and not buns because she’s only packing compound words.

There’s a Mouse in the House, also by Lewison, is a funny emergent reader about everyone in the house being upset about the mouse in the house – except the kids.

Wolf Pie, by Brenda Seabrooke, and illustrated by Liz Callen, has the wolf frustrated that the pigs won’t let him in. So as he waits by the door, he hears much fun and gaiety going on inside. This book’s a riot!

Flying Feet, by Patricia Reilly Giff, and illustrated by Alasdair Bright, is a new series of early chapter books geared for ages six to nine. Charlie is the inventor in the ZigZag group of kids and he just invented shoes with suction cups. But will they work?

Clubhouse Mysteries: The Buried Bones Mystery, by Sharon M. Draper, and illustrated by Jesse Joshua Johnson, is another new series of early chapter books.  When the kids in the Black Dinosaur club begin digging to prepare their new clubhouse, they discover bones. But whose bones are these?

Kickers:  Benched, by Rich Wallace, and illustrated by Jimmy Holder, makes an illegal play in this soccer series and gets benched. But he ends up learning some valuable life lessons that winning isn’t everything.  This book is a bit longer making it better for ages seven to ten.

The Golden Ghost, by Marion Dane Bauer, and illustrated by Peter Ferguson, is also a bit longer of a mystery making this also good for ages seven to ten. Two friends decide to check out an old abandoned house and find much more than they bargained for in this search.

I Survived:  The Shark Attacks of 1916, by Lauren Tarshis, is a great non-fiction book that’s part of the “I Survived” series.  While a boy is swimming, he comes face to face with a shark. This is best for ages eight to twelve.

These next four books are good for all ages.  How Did That Get Into My Lunchbox:  The Story of Food, by Christine Butterworth, and illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti, is the story describing the process of foods from farm to grocery store to your home.

Orangutans Are Ticklish:  Fun Facts From An Animal Photographer, photographed by Steve Grubman, and written by Jill Davis, is an informative, up-close picture book filled with fascinating facts. Like this one: Did you know that when a hippo looks like it’s yawning, it actually may be ready to attack.

All the Water in the World, by George Ella Lyon, showcases water in all forms with words that seem to drip off the page. You’ll guzzle this book up!

Mr. Elephanter, by Lark Pien, has a sweet man who has a round little face and body and takes care of tiny elephants at the elephantry. I love this book!

When Martha’s Away, by Bruce Ingman, shows what pets might do when the owners are away. Martha is the pet cat owner and doesn’t have a clue of what her cat, Lionel, does while she’s gone. He takes full advantage of finally being left home alone by working out, fixing himself a delicate lunch and catching up on current events. Hilarious!

The Zoo, by Suzy Lee, is a wordless story that has parents and their little girl visiting the zoo. When she gets lost, the colors on the parents’ pages fades, but the little girl’s pages are rich with color. Parents and child are finally reunited, but the little girl doesn’t realize she was lost because she was enjoying the animals.

The last two books are good for ages nine and up.  Dust Devil, by Anne Isaacs, and illustrated by Paul Zelinsky, is a very tall tale about a very tall Swamp Angel who moves from Tennessee to Montana where there’s more room for her to move about. She conquers a dust devil and finds a very large horse which she makes her own. But not before she and the horse create some very large canyons, including the Grand Canyon. This book’s great fun to read aloud!

Lilly and the Pirates, by Phyllis Root, and illustrated by Rob Shepperson, is another great read aloud about little Lilly who’s been left behind at her uncle’s house while her scientist parents go exploring the other side of the world. When a seagull drops a note in her hand indicating her parents are in trouble, she heads off to far away lands.

Firebird, by Saviour Pirotta, and beautifully painted by Catherine Hyde, is an old Russian folktale that’s been retold in this gorgeous picture book. The king sends his sons in a quest to find the gorgeous Firebird who has stolen the king’s golden apples. The youngest son finds answers from a gray wolf which helps him locate the Firebird – and win the heart of the beautiful princess.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel: Travel Activity Kit, by Virginia Lee Burton, is still as good a read as when it was first published back in 1939.  Mike Mulligan is going to prove that his trusty steam shovel can preserve and dig through the most difficult situations. This edition includes the paperback book, an activity book and crayons.

And here’s another classic that’s 60 years old and Caldecott winner from the same author:  The Little House. This cozy little dwelling survives seasons and cities as it grows old.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very  Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, and cleverly illustrated by Ray Cruz, was first published in 1972 and showcases a boy who deals with gum in his hair, friendship problems, no dessert packed in his lunch for school and this is just the beginning. The ink and pencil drawings accent Alexander by coloring him in every picture.

Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow, a classic story retold by Robert D. San Souci, and beautifully painted with watercolors by E. B. Lewis, retells the story of how Robin Hood cunningly tricks the Sheriff of Nottingham with an archery contest.

Imogene’s Antlers, by David Small, is a hilarious and fun story that would be a terrific read aloud. It was first published in 1985 and is about a young girl who wakes up with antlers growing on her head. What takes place and how people react will bring smiles to all who hear or read the book.

The Little Prince: Deluxe Pop-Up Book, by Antoine De Saint-Exupery, is a delightful unabridged tale about a pilot who, after crashing, meets a most interesting little prince who retells his journeys from planet to planet. The pop-up engineering makes this book most captivating and unique!

The Wheels on the Bus: With Movable Parts, adapted and brilliantly illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, celebrates 20 years of this fun story that youngsters love to sing. The pull tabs and flaps that lift make the bus move with wipers and babies and more. This book is great fun!

Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, and illustrated sporadically by Robert Lawson, is a charming story about a house painter who suddenly receives a package. And guess what’s inside? This is the perfect read aloud story that won the Newbery Honor award back in 1939.

The Enormous Egg, by Oliver Butterworth, and illustrated by Mark Crilley, was first published in 1956 and still holds an enormous interest for all ages. When a hen lays a huge egg, Nate is surprised when a baby triceratops pops out.  And the adventure begins!

The Phoenix and the Carpet, by E. Nesbit, and illustrated by H. R. Millar, and an introduction by Bruce Coville, is a magical story in the tradition of the author that continues the sequel “The 5 Children and It”. When these same 5 children discover a magic carpet, their adventure begins.

The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles, by Padraic Colum, and illustrated by Willy Pogany, and an introduction by Rick Riordan, was first written back in 1920’s. This classic story is about Jason as he searches for the Golden Fleece.

The following books are part of Candlewick’s illustrated classics series.  Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Naomi Lewis, and illustrated by Joel Stewart, has 13 of his most enchanting tales which includes “The Princess and the Pea”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Snow Queen”. Be sure to check out the forward giving an insightful look at the author.

The Jungle Book:  Mowgli’s Story, by Rudyard Kipling, and illustrated by Nicola Bayley, tells three stories about how Mowgli was raised by wolves.

Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, translated by Emma Rose, and illustrated by Sara Fanelli, tells the story of a puppet becoming a real boy.

The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, and illustrated by Inga Moore, brings to life Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad and their adventures on the banks of the river.

Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver, retold by Martin Jenkins, and illustrated by Chris Riddell, has to be one of the oldest American classics as it was first published back in 1726. The amazing travels of Gulliver as he travels to four different lands stays true to the original story.

Classic Poetry, selected by Michael Rosen, and illustrated by Paul Howard, is a rich perfect anthology with our poetic language geared for kids.

The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan, is the beginning of a new series but with the return of Camp Half-Blood, except the new heroes have to deal with Greek and Roman Gods. This spin-off from The Olympian series revisits mythological chaos and will have you devouring the book when reading the first exciting page. Riordan has the recipe for page-turners and this first book in this new series won’t disappoint you!

The Wide-Awake Princess, by E. D. Baker, is a delightful new take on the traditional Sleeping Beauty tale. When Princess Annie was born she wasn’t placed under the sleeping spell that her older sister and entire castle were stricken with. The story takes Annie throughout the land, incorporating other fairytales, as she searches for available princes to come back to the castle to rescue her family. This well developed story incorporates values, principles and heroism and Annie will, most likely, become embedded in your heart.

Moon Over Manifest, by first time author, Claire Vanderpool, won the Newbery Medal award and deserves all of the accolades it’s now receiving! This historical fiction takes place in 1936 in the tiny town of Manifest, Kansas.  Twelve-year-old Abilene has to spend her summer there while her father is away working on a railroad job.  She decides to search out more about what her father’s childhood was like and what emerges is a story of life in Mid-America back in the earlier part of the last century.  A story that’s filled with interesting characters, encounters and even a mystery. What really strikes a chord with the reader is the authentic dialogue and expressions of the times. I greatly anticipate more of this author’s tremendous work!

Alienated, created by David O. Russell, and written by Andrew Auseon, is a hilarious story about two friends, Gene and Vince, who create their own newspaper and write about extraterrestrials. What their classmates don’t know is that these aliens are actually real. They are about to discover that they are in the middle of an intergalactic conflict and they are the ones who need to resolve it – and soon!

The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game, by my favorite sports mystery author, John Feinstein, continues with the same teen sportswriters, Stevie and Susan, as they set out to write about the big upcoming rivalry game. As they spend time in both Annapolis and West Point to learn about the teams they begin to uncover a mystery that will keep readers spell-bound throughout the book to the very end. And, check out Feinstein’s 4 other great sports mysteries.

Kingdom Keepers III:  Disney in Shadow, by Ridley Pearson, is the third installment that takes place at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since I’ve not read the other two books, I worried that this might be difficult to follow. However, it flows like a first in a series and the introduction to the same five protagonists as in the previous books instantly become familiar. The action takes place at night as the Imagineers have developed hologram guides to take guests through the park. A mystery develops when the head Imagineer has suddenly disappeared. I’m anxious to read the previous books in this series. Pearson and his co-hart, Dave Barry, have another fantastic series about Peter Pan.

The Red Umbrella, by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, is an insightful look into a difficult time for Cubans during the early 1960’s. Castro was changing the peaceful lives of the citizens by taking away freedoms, livelihoods and lives.  Fourteen-year-old Lucia is sent to America, along with thousands of other children, without her parents in order to survive the revolution. She ends up in Nebraska with a foster family and her experiences throughout will keep you turning to the end. There’s a most helpful Spanish glossary at the end of the book.

The Dragon of Trelian, by Michelle Knudsen, will thrill even the most reluctant reader as it involves Calen, who is about to learn of his tremendous gifts in magic, and princess, Meglynne, who is hiding a dragon in a cave. The combination of both protagonists and all they must do to survive and bring their kingdom together will keep you engaged to the very last page!

Half Upon a Time, by James Riley, will take you on a ride you won’t want to get off. Jack’s father has been missing ever since the problems with the beanstalk and the giant. And now he must go out and find a princess to rescue!  Furthermore, he’s about to encounter many well known fairy-tale characters that aren’t anything like in the stories. This enlightening, and humorous, book is great fun. But, be sure to give yourself enough time in the day once you begin because chances are you won’t stop!

The Day Ray Got Away, by Angela Johnson, and illustrated by Luke LaMarca, is a creatively picturesque book about a bright, yellow balloon as he and other large balloons get ready for a balloon parade.  But he states at the beginning that “This is the day”. He is ready to break free of his ropes as the parade gets underway. The brilliant acrylic paintings fill the pages and Ray’s gleaming smile will likely become the reader’s smile as well.

Animal House, by Candace Ryan, and brightly painted by Nathan Hale, is a fun word play about a boy who is told by his teacher, Mrs. Nuddles, that he belongs in a zoo due to his wild imagination.  He states that he lives in a “gorvilla” and that he has a “vulchair” “drooling ever since Mrs. Nuddles came into the room.” The pictures, ingenious illustrations and word usage may spark some ingenuity on your own – which continues on both inside covers.

The Gentleman Bug, by Julian Hector, celebrates the love of reading as Hector, a bookworm,  enjoys reading everywhere he goes. He’s about to meet another bug, the librarian, who also loves reading. The wonderful detailed pictures give the ambiance of yesteryear.

Mr. Elephanter, by Lark Pien, is elephant-chanting and a most delightful and wistful story about a smiling Mr. Elephanter who goes to the “elephantery” where he takes care of the cutest tiny elephants. He makes, bakes and plays with these adorable little critters and when they need discipline, he does so with a gentle hand. The pencil and watercolors are a perfect fit, and don’t forget to check out the inside covers where the story begins and ends.

Disappearing Desmond, by Anna Alter, has young Desmond, a cat, who doesn’t like to be noticed ever:  not in school, not at recess, not even while on a field trip. But it’s all about to change when an insightful rabbit notices him reading her favorite book and asks to join him.  Now he likes being noticed and he sets out to find other disappearing students. The message is clear here with the importance of helping others feel part of a group. The vibrant acrylic pictures fill each page.

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea, by Michael Ian Black, and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, will have you pondering how these paltry pigs parade when in reality they eat their uniforms, stomp on their horns and much, much more. Hawkes’ hilarious renderings of these pinkish pigs doing all sorts of unwilling things will have you pontificate what would be better. I especially like the cover showing a large drum with a pig’s snout breaking through!

Clever Jack Takes the Cake, by Candace Fleming, and illustrated by G. Brian Kars, will surely inspire a tale or two of your own after reading this invigorating story.  Jack is too poor to take the young princess a present so he decides to bake her a cake.  He cleverly trades ingredients that he needs to make a most succulent cake.  But as he travels along the way, animals and a troll eat it almost completely.  He sadly tells the princess what became of her cake and how she responds will have all who read or listen adoring this story. The gouache and pencil drawings adeptly add imagination to each page.

Don’t Slam the Door!, by Dori Chaconas, and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, has a puppy running through a door setting off pandemonium. This action sets off a cumulative reaction as it wakes up the cat that unravels Ma’s knitting yarn and on and on. Will the house ever be the same? This fun rhyming tale begs to be read aloud. The expressions of each person or animal affected are most comical.

Too Pickley!, by Jean Reidy, and illustrated by Genevieve LeLoup, is a simple story about simply being too picky. The fun rhyming text has a variety of two word phrases that describes how a fussy little boy feels about his food. “Too crunchy, too licky, too stringy, too sticky!” Each vibrantly colored page has a different background color making items discussed pop-out at you.

Little Gorilla, by Ruth Bornstein, is a reissue that was first published back in 1976.  Young Gorilla is loved by all, but as he grows and changes he wonders if he’ll still be loved. This cherished classic is loved by all, especially the colored pencil drawings of the animals in the jungle.

And lastly, Speckle the Spider, by Emma Dodson, is filled with maps, flaps and pull-outs for tiny hands to enjoy while reading about a spider who is ready for an adventure.  The more he travels, the more he receives attention, but is this what he wants?  The acrylic and ink illustrations, along with the interactive flaps, make Speckle’s adventure a great one.

The Silence of God, by Gale Sears, is an historical fiction book that is well researched and documented. But more than the tremendous research Ms. Sears delved into, it’s a fascinating story about two friends and their families.  It details how their friendships and lives are challenged when the over-throw of their Imperial Russia is changing the lives of all who live there. One of the friends, Agnes, is a member of the Church, but Natasha isn’t. The events of their lives are based on a true account, but readers beware: once begun, you won’t be able to put this book down.  This book is best for ages 12 through adult.

The Fourth Nephite, by Jeffrey S. Savage, is a teen novel about a high school football star, Kaleo, who is cutting his seminary classes and beginning to get in with the wrong crowd. His seminary teacher decides it’s time to take matters into his own hands and sends Kaleo to meet with someone who has him open a door which alters his live forever. What’s behind that door? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Eliza’s Field of Faith, by Rachelle Pace Castor, and illustrated by Dixon Leavitt, is a picture book based on an actual account of a late planting of wheat and the miracle that occurred in the area now known as the City of Lehi. The oil paintings are glorious and set the scene of pioneer life and the devastation that besets this community.

Far World:  Land Keep (book 1) and Far World:  Water Keep (book 2), both by J. Scott Savage, is an exciting fantasy series with book 3 on the way about Marcus, who is from Earth, and Kyja, who is from Farworld.  They work together, with their magical gifts, to deal with great difficulties and then triumphs in these thrilling reads.  These books are best for ages 9 through adult.

The Last Waltz:  A Novel of Love and War, by G. G. Vandagriff, is the intriguing story of Amalia living in Vienna and the year is 1913 and her country and the world is about to go to war. It tells of her struggles and love of family and the men who fall in love with her. This gripping novel sets the tone of one of the worst wars of our time. It is best for ages 12 through adult.

The Hourglass Door (book 1) and The Golden Spiral (book 2), both by Lisa Mangum, is a time travel series with four friends who go back in time with characters so real that you’ll feel a part of the book. Both of these books should have a disclaimer: give yourself time to read them because once you begin, you won’t be able to stop! These are best for ages 11 through adult.

Imprints, by Rachel Ann Nunes, is another great mystery by this brilliant author and readers will not be disappointed. When a young woman ends up missing, a uniquely talented Autumn can help. She can read imprints off of objects and detect emotions. But can she help this family? This book is best for teens through adult.

Life of Jesus:  Seek and Ye Shall Find, by Val Chadwick Bagley, is a fun search and find book with a scripture theme that youngsters ages four to eight will enjoy and use to learn. Each page includes brightly painted pictures that completely fill the page.

Do What is Right:  52 Fun Motivators for LDS Families, by Douglas J. and Laurie H. Wilcox, is filled with fun activities, outlines, ideas and even checklists that will give families thought-provoking family home evening lesson plans. There is so much packed into this 200 plus page book that you will surely be inspired to come up with even more ideas emanating from this outstanding book. (Sunday school and Primary teachers: there are some great ideas here for innovative lessons.)

52 More Weeks of Family Night: Scripture Study Edition, by Diane Kirkpatrick, is another book packed with ideas to do together as a family – only this book emphasizes the scriptures. There’s even a CD-ROM included to allow printing activities to mix or match. Families will love this book!

Let’s begin with three books with longer stories. Fairies and the Quest for Never Land, by Gail Carson Levine, and illustrated by David Christiana, is filled with magic, adventure and the land of Peter Pan as Ms. Levine whisks the reader away to the land of make-believe.  Gwendolyn is taken to Never Land, a place she’s always wanted to see, and more than anything, she wants to meet the fairies. But she’s about to discover something about these fairies, as they are on the cusp of something very dangerous that’s headed their way. There are 32 exciting chapters with colorful pictures sprinkled throughout.

Tollins:  Explosive Tales for Children, by Conn Iggulden, and illustrated by Lizzy Duncan, is actually three stories about the Tollins rolled into one book.  Each story has short chapters which make this a perfect book for bed-time reading. Tollins are similar to fairies who have wings and live at the bottom of gardens, but they’re larger and seemingly tougher. Each story is light, humorous and ingenious, catching the imaginations of all who read or hear these delightful stories.

A Field Guide to Aliens, by Johan Olander, will surely get your creative juices going after reading through just a few of the aliens described here. The book is written like a scrapbook with sketches of amazingly out-of-this-world beings. And if the descriptions and illustrations aren’t enough, wait until you read the names of all 27 aliens.

The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon, by David Almond, and illustrated by Polly Dunbar, is a longer fable about an unimaginative boy who decides to go to the top of his apartment to touch the sky. What he discovers when he reaches the top floor, and who he meets along the way, will expand his horizon well beyond the sky.

Bink & Gollie, by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, and illustrated by Tony Fucile, is a new chapter book series about two unlikely friends who appear to be opposite, yet are the best of friends. The cartoon-like pictures are a perfect match for a book that’s light, fun and funny.

The rest of the books are picture books with short stories.  The Clever Stick, by John Lechner, knows that it’s very smart and knows mathematical equations, along with an appreciation of literature, but it can’t speak to all of the forest animals. Then it discovers that it can communicate by making designs and letters in the sand. This book is an inspiration to those silent geniuses in all of us!

Oh No! (Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World), by Mac Barnett, and illustrated by Dan Santa, is almost a wordless book with a powerful statement: “I should have done it another way”. When the heroine creates a robot who has now escaped, the digitally colorful illustrations stretch to the corners of every page. And don’t forget to check out the front and back inside covers!  I love this book!

Not All Animals Are Blue:  A Big Book of Little Differences, by Beatice Boutignon, is an outstanding book helping youngsters decipher small or unusual differences on each page.

Princess Hyacinth and the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated, by Florence Parry Heide, and illustrated by Lane Smith, is an unusual story with an unusual storyline: a girl who has anti-gravity as part of her make-up. She has to stay inside with her extra heavy crown that enables her to stay on the ground. But does she escape to the great outdoors? Read the book and find out.

The last of these picture books celebrate reading.  Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I Don’t), by Barbara Bottner, and illustrated by Michael Emberly, highlights the importance of the librarian and how her knowledge of the books in her library can help excite even the most reluctant reader.

Dewey:  There’s a Cat in the Library, by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, has Dewey, a small kitten, becoming the library pet who not only loves books but loves children also. The watercolors are breathtaking and go perfectly with the story.

Dog Loves Books, by Louise Yates, is a wonderful celebration of the magic of books. A small dog opens a bookstore, but no one comes. So he begins to read through his vast number of books and his imagination takes hold. The simple pencil and watercolor pictures seemingly take hold of the reader as well!

How Rocket Learned to Read, by Tad Hills, illustrates through oil paintings and words, how a

small dog and his teacher, a small bird, work together to capture the essence of stories and reading.

Fish, by Gregory Mone, is a swash-buckling adventure about twelve-year-old Fish, who ends up on a pirate ship. (He’s named Fish because he swims with incredible skill.)  One of the shipmates stole a valuable purse he was conveying for his uncle and Fish chases him onto the ship. The ship sets sail and Fish now finds himself at sea and working on this ship. He also discovers that this purse holds the key to finding hidden treasure. Complications arise when the crew attempts to mutiny and Fish saves the day with courage and wit by supporting the captain, and he does this without lifting a weapon or hurting anyone. He also saves lives at sea. Then they go about to discover that treasure. This page-turner might keep you and your family up late reading!

News for Dogs, by Lois Duncan, has two siblings, Bruce and Andi, who are starting a newspaper for dogs and Andi loves writing poems and recipes for dogs.  A mystery evolves when pets begin disappearing and Bruce and Andi have to figure out who is dog napping these dogs. The story celebrates good wholesome reading that showcases responsibility and family.

The 13th Reality:  The Hunt for Dark Infinity, by James Dashner, is a well written adventure that takes Tick and his friends into another reality. This is the second installment of “The 13th Reality” but the first book isn’t a necessity to be instantly drawn into the complex mystery as the protagonist attempts to save all from near disaster.  Every calamity they face will be as exciting as if the reader is involved as well!  Also, this edition has recently been published in paperback and the third installment has just been published.

The Cardturner, by Louis Sachar (who also wrote the bestseller “Holes”), might end up being one of my top favorites of this year.  Seventeen-year-old Alton has just been requested by his mom to become a cardturner for his blind Uncle Lester when his uncle plays bridge. This might sound like a boring subject to write a book about but this author has an uncanny talent to spin the most incredible tales, and make the reader become completely mesmerized.  Alton goes into this “job” with great reluctance as he knows nothing about the game and believes his summer is now going to be a disaster. But there are some amazing cards waiting to be dealt concerning Alton’s life and the book will most likely not be put down until the very end!

Any Which Wall, by Laurel Snyder, and pencil etchings sprinkled throughout by Leuyen Pham, is a wonderfully told story about magic and imagination. When 4 friends come upon a most unusual wall right in the middle of a cornfield, they don’t know what to think. But they soon discover that this wall is a wishing wall that will grant wishes to take any who find it to magical places and different periods of time. It doesn’t take long for each child to learn much from these wishes and grow up a little as well. This is a delightful and fun read for a hot summer afternoon!

The Dead in Indian Creek, by Mary Downing Hahn, is one of those great mysteries that readers will not want to stop reading until it’s solved. Matt and his buddy, Parker, just discovered a body in Indian Creek. Now they wonder if the new boyfriend of Parker’s mom has something to do with it. What they soon discover will have you reading clear to the end to figure out “who done it”.

Northward to the Moon, by Polly Horvath, will take you on a trip across your memories where you’ll see landscapes of hills and valleys full of trees and reflections and moonlight on darkened water. Thirteen-year-old Jane is on a road trip with her family because her step dad has lost his job in Canada. As they travel great distances to see a dying friend they learn much about each other – and life. This is a beautifully written story that celebrates strong relationships.

The Wish Stealers, by Tracy Trivas, has 6th grader Griffin unknowingly accepting 11 shiny pennies and finding that she now has a terrible curse bestowed upon her. These pennies were actually stolen from a fountain long ago and now all of her own good wishes don’t happen, just evil ones. But she ultimately overcomes all by reversing this curse and triumphantly overcoming the evil brought on by the curse.

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is also going to be right up on the top of my favorite books for the year.  This story reminds me of the “Country Mouse and the City Mouse” where each goes to the other’s home and finds it so different from its own. Ivy June is from a poor community in the Appalachian Mountains and Catherine lives in a rich area of town. Both girls are involved in a school exchange program where each will spend two weeks living at the other’s home. There is so much hope and faith to gleam from in this book that it may just make you cry!

Chasing Orion, by Kathryn Lasky, is another book to top my list. (Actually, all of these books are great which makes selecting the top ones really hard!)  Eleven-year-old Georgie has been told she can’t go anywhere where there are lots of people, including the swimming pool, for fear of catching the ever growing epidemic of polio. Her teenage neighbor, Phyllis, lies dormant in an iron lung and Georgie struggles with her difficulty. The year is 1952 and the serious questions raised, as well as the beautifully written story full of allegories and symbolism, make this a wonderful book!

Matisse on the Loose, by Georgia Bragg, is a funny story about eleven-year-old Matisse who tells the story from his vantage point. His mother is in charge of security for a local art museum. There is to be a painting exhibit of the famous Henri Matisse. It all turns into quite a fiasco when young Matisse trades the real painting for his own copy. What happens, and who is caught red-handed, will make you laugh out loud. Don’t forget to check out the author’s note found at the back with interesting background information about this great artist.

Born to Fly, by Michael Ferrari, is an exciting historical fiction based in World War II when eleven-year-old Birdie lives in a small Rhode Island town. She feels destined to fly a plane as she watches her father work on planes as a mechanic. Then, she sees an enemy submarine in the bay but no one will believe her. But she is about to become part of a mystery when she attempts to take a picture of it. There is much to learn about this period of time, but more interesting are the events that surround Birdie as she is about to save many lives due to her passion for flying.