Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
Written by Peggy Gifford
Illustrated by Valorie Fisher
Ages 7-11, $5.50

It wasn't as if Moxy Maxwell hadn't tried to do her summer reading. She and Stuart Little had been inseparable all summer, like best friends. But now it's the end of August—the day before fourth grade. And if Moxy doesn't read all of Stuart Little immediately, there are going to be "consequences." Of course our heroine does manage to finish her book, falling so in love with it that she finds herself reading under the covers with a flashlight, late into the night. Read more

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
Written by Lenore Look
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Ages 6-10, $15.99

Alvin Ho is an Asian American second grader who is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.

From the author of the ALA Notable Ruby Lu series comes a funny and touching chapter book—perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers— that introduces a truly unforgettable character. Read more

Cool Zone With the Pain and the Great One
Written by Judy Blume
Ages 5-9, $12.99

The Pain and the Great One hardly agree on anything. But deep down, they know they can count on each other, especially at school, where it often takes two to figure things out. Like when that first baby tooth falls out on the school bus. Or when an unwanted visitor on Bring Your Pet to School Day needs to be caught. Or worst of all, when a scary bully says you’re burnt toast. On days like these it can feel good not to go it alone. (And don’t forget Fluzzy the cat, who knows a thing or two himself.) Read more

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
Written by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages 8-12, $15.99

The Penderwick Sisters are home on Gardam Street and ready for an adventure! But the adventure they get isn’t quite what they had in mind. Mr. Penderwick’s sister has decided it’s time for him to start dating—and the girls know that can only mean one thing: disaster. Enter the Save-Daddy Plan—a plot so brilliant, so bold, so funny, that only the Penderwick girls could have come up with it. It’s high jinks, big laughs, and loads of family warmth as the Penderwicks triumphantly return. Read More

A Dog Called Grk
Written by Joshua Doder
Ages 9-12, $6.50

When Tim is followed home by a dog on the street, he's determined to find out who the friendly stray belongs to. But with a little investigating, Tim discovers that Grk's owners don't live in his town, or even in his country. Max and Natascha Raffifi, Grk's owners, have been kidnapped with their ambassador parents by the evil Colonel Zinfandel and taken to a prison in Eastern Europe! Tim knows he's about to undertake a mission his parents wouldn't exactly approve of. Together he and Grk will have to break into a high-security prison, pilot a helicopter, and make a nail-biting run for the border in this high-octane, international adventure. Read more

Young Twig lives in the Deepwoods, among the Woodtrolls, but he isn’t one of them. In a brave attempt to find out where he belongs, Twig wanders into the mysterious, dangerous world beyond the Deepwoods. He meets a collection of odd companions, such as his wise guardian, the Caterbird; the Slaughterers, a peaceful race who butcher animals for their livelihood; and the vicious, bile-swilling Rotsucker. Always watching out for the horrible Gloamglozer, whose presence haunts the thoughts of all the inhabitants of The Edge, Twig steadfastly pursues his quest until he discovers his roots, not among the trees, but in the skies. . . Read more

Ghost Ship
Written by Kim Wilkins
Illustrated by D. M. Cornish
Ages 9-12, $5.99

Ever since Emperor Flood drowned their kingdom and overthrew their parents, Asa and Rollo have been hiding out in Two Hills Keep. Then a mysterious stranger tells them their baby sister wasn’t killed along with their mother and father. Instead, she was kidnapped by Flood’s half-sister and secreted away in a castle to the north. If Una is still alive, there’s only one thing for Asa and Rollo to do. They must take Northseeker, an invisible ship built of mist and shadows, and cross the danger-filled sunken kingdom. Read more

Conrad the Good serves as court jester to a most unworthy master: Lord Otto “the Witless,” who rarely appreciates jesting and acrobatics and more often rewards his good fool with a good whipping. So one night, Conrad flees, leaving Otto’s realm in search of a more enlightened master—taking with him only his noble horse, Blackspur, and his beloved, the servant girl Christa the Fair. As they take to the road, they soon learn that along with their quest comes hardship. And always, their destination lies before them: somewhere, a sanctuary where they’ll have the freedom to be together and be themselves. Read more

Time Surfers 1: Space Bingo
Written by Tony Abbott
Ages 7-10, $4.99

Ned Banks is miserable. He's the new kid in school--and he sticks out like a sore thumb. His life is going downhill fast. Until something happens. Ned's not sure how he did it--but he beamed two kids from the year 2099 into his bedroom closet! Roop and Suzi are Time Surfers--cool kids who travel through time. And they want Ned to join them! Of course Ned says yes. He's ready for excitement! Action! But he might get more than he bargained for. Read more