A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together in Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning tale. Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow ...

Love and patience enable the young protagonist to reevaluate and accept the past, deal effectively with the present and hope for the future. Unique free verse presentation.

Beneath this comical adventure, quirky characters, and high-flying drama lies a beautiful unfolding of understanding. Kate DiCamillo has developed her characters so well that readers feel their pain when challenged to put aside their long-held beliefs about others. Wise Mrs. Meecham gently helps remove blinders and Flora's heart starts to hope while her squirrel, whose heart was open from the star ...

This conclusion to an outstanding series tells a story of self-discovery, courage, and family, and poses questions on how an individual becomes who he/she is intended to be and what can be accomplished as a result. Haddix allows this volume, as well as the entire series, to raise important and significant ideas that are as engaging to consider as the incredible adventures her time travelers exper ...

This story is a rare jewel in the world of young adult literature. Readers are treated to an extraordinary male protagonist who is honorable and inspires hope in all that is good. From unlikely partnerships to gut-wrenching choices, the plot grows to fit this amazing young man and his quest to reclaim his horse. Readers are not only entertained but fully engaged, emotionally and intellectually, an ...

Though the writing is a little difficult to follow in places, and some characters aren't as developed as others, the moral and judicial dilemma "kid lawyer" Theodore must address make this a valuable springboard for a quality discussion of justice and problem solving among middle school readers.

What happens when individuals discover the world they know is not reality, and that realization places them in a world-changing position? As usual, Haddix uses compelling storytelling to engage readers' minds with significant and fascinating questions, including who to trust and how to strategically discern a means for survival. Young adults, even reluctant readers in the age group, will be enthra ...

A mystery, a school story, and an adventure all wrapped up in one book. Great past-meets-present-and-influences-future plot!

Packed with realistic and endearing characters this fast moving book will capture readers and have them hanging on every word. As the action twists and turns, readers witness the characters learning and growing as quickly and unexpectedly as the game they are playing. A fun read, this book provides lessons in friendship, integrity, and the importance of team in an authentic and engaging way. Reluc ...

This tale has all the ingredients of a rewarding read: suspended reality (a bright blue mouse whose tap-dance keyboard messages forge a human-friend bond), heart-pounding adventure (of his 90+ siblings who escaped their lab-captors, Isaiah-the-bright-blue-mouse narrowly escapes recapture and plans a risky rescue), and rich vocabulary (urbane, dulcet, cowlicky, and so much more!). Every chapter beg ...

How does a man decide to ignore life-threatening consequences in order to attempt the rescue of others? When a hurricane batters and breaks not one tanker, but two in half the same night, it leaves 84 seaman at its mercy. Survival is against all odds, and this story's authors pay relentless attention to detail and perspective that places readers in the midst of split-second decisions that risk eve ...

Nielsen’s writing unfolds like a movie, using intrigue, suspense, drama, and emotion like brilliant-colored, textured paints that enliven a blank canvas. Readers feel the pain of impossible decisions, the darkness of misguided means for well-intended ends, and the victory of wisdom and perseverance. A masterful, breathtaking first in a trilogy. Content is best for middle-grade readers.

The fast-paced story captures the desperation some families experienced when the Berlin Wall was erected. As the protagonist and her brother face critical decisions, readers will explore their own thinking and possible choices given the story's extraordinary circumstances. The result is a reading-based thrill ride.

Young Livy returns to visit her grandmother in Australia after a five-year separation. Though she initially remembers little of the previous visit, her memories begin to return when she rediscovers her best friend, Bob, waiting in her closet. She soon realizes no one else can see Bob! Bob helps Livy begin to recover precious old memories as they make thrilling new ones together exploring the bush. ...

Florian and his ""Theory Of All Small Things,"" or ""TOAST,"" will remind readers of Sherlock Holmes and his ability to notice what others miss. It's enough of a theory to bring the FBI calling, seeking help in solving a major art heist. Both a mystery and an adventure, young readers will find the roller coaster ride of a plot engaging from start to finish. May be of special interest to reluctant ...

Grasping Mysteries imagines snapshots throughout the lives of seven high-achieving women of science using free verse poetry. From childhood, each woman had an inborn passion for mathematics. Each faced discouragement from family members, two from their own mothers. Each used grace and firmness to overcome barriers placed on their ambitions, their sex, and their race and went on to make groundbreak ...

Doors seem to close at every turn in this exciting basketball-based book. The Wasps' community center is closing. The team is disbanding. Money is gone. All these happen in the midst of a local championship tournament. Young sports fans will enjoy the play-by-play descriptions of the critical games while experiencing a story that illustrates that sometimes character overcomes resources.

Little Charlie is but a 12-year-old sharecropper’s son. When his father dies, Charlie is bribed to join a cruel slave catcher on a mission to Dee-troit for two runaways. The journey is bitter, and the Cap’n he accompanies is evil, lying to everyone along the way. Charlie desperately needs the money but does not trust the Cap’n. On his journey Charlie learns of the brutal punishments for slav ...