Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen (2010)

Plot Summary:  13 year old Samuel has to find his parents and rescue them.  They have been kidnapped by the British and are being taken to British Headquarters in New York City.  Living in Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War is not easy and although Samuel has the skills necessary to hunt and survive, safely tracking his parents is an almost impossible task.  Will Samuel make it to New York City undetected?  Throughout this journey he will be placing himself in the midst of many dangerous enemies, but will also find allies along the way.

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Subjects/Themes:  Revolutionary War, heroism, soldiers

Reviews:  Booklist

Age Group:  Grades 5-8

Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Popular Party Girl by Rachel Renee Russell (2010)

Plot Summary:  Nikki Maxwell seems like your average eighth grader.  She has her two best friends Chloe and Zoey, and don't forget a crush on Brandon that takes up a lot of her time.  When she gets a chance to sign up to help out at the school Halloween Dance with her friends, she thinks that life is great.  Until Mackenzie, a classmates who exists to ruin Nikki's life, does whatever she can to make things difficult.  On top of that, Mackenzie is the chairperson for the dance, so now Nikki and her friends are under her control-ugh!  Nikki is definitely Wimpy Kid's female counterpart, since she has you rooting for her all the way-- through mean girls, embarrassment and tough decisions.  The pictures and story will entertain and amuse all readers.

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Reviews:  Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal

Subjects/Themes:  middle school, fitting in, friendship, crushes

Age Group:  Grades 5-8

Series: 

Book One:  Dork Diaries:  Tales from a not-so-fabulous life

Book Two:  Dork Diaries:  Tales from a not-so-popular party girl

Book Three:  Dork Diaries:  Tales from a not-so-talented pop star

13 Curses by Michele Harrison (2011)

Plot Summary:  In this follow up to the 13 Treasures story, Tanya's friend Red (Rowan) is in need of help.  Red's brother has been stolen by the fairies and in order to get him back she must try to bargain with them.  The only object that seems to interest the fairies is the charm bracelet that Tanya's grandmother has given her that has thirteen charms.  There's only one problem-the fey that live within Elvesden Manor have enchanted the charms and cursed them.  A large part of this story takes place within the realm of the fairies~the underground world which is magical and dangerous. 

Subjects/Themes:  Fairies, witches, magic

Genre:  Fantasy

Reviews:  Booklist and School Library Journal

Age Group:  Grades 5-8

Series:  13 Treasures, 13 Curses

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007)

Plot Summary:  The main character in this mystery is Hugo, clock keeper, who hides within the walls of a train station in Paris, trying to hide his secrets.  He is an orphan, left in the care of his uncle who has now been missing for a while.  Hugo must keep things going so that he is not discovered to be alone.  Hugo is also left to try to solve the mystery of a drawing and notebook, as well as a curious message that was left by his father.  Once Hugo becomes involved with an old man who runs a toy booth and the young girl his life changes and he has to solve this mystery.  The many drawings in this book make it a work of art in itself.

 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Subjects/Themes:  Orphans, cinema, Paris, train station

Awards & Reviews: This book received the 2008 Caldecott Medal, the 2008 KY Bluegrass 3-5, and has received a *Starred review* from both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, as well as a review in Booklist.   This book was also a National Book Award Finalist and the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007.

Age Group:  Grades 4-9

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (2011)

Plot Summary:  Kate, Michael and Emma have been orphans for as long as they can remember.  They have spent ten years of their lives being shuffled from one orphanage to another.  They are told that there last name is simply "P."  What they want most is to stay together and to find out what has happened to their parents.  Kate, being the oldest, vaguely remembers her mother asking her to promise to take care of her younger brother and sister until her parents can return.  Now they have arrived at what seems to be the worst possible orphanage ever and have stumbled upon a book that appears to be a portal to a magical world.  Unusual things begin to happen and before they know it, Kate, Michael and Emma are pulled into a battle between good and evil.  Who is Dr. Pym, the man who is the master of their new home?  Will they ever figure out what happened to their parents?  This book is the beginning of an adventurous trilogy, and once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down!

Subjects/Themes:  Orphans, siblings, time travel, wizards, witchcraft

Genre:  Fantasy

Reviews:  Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist

Age Group:  Grades 4-8

Series:  Books of Beginning



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