The Candymakers by Wendy Mass J MAS—Logan is the candymaker’s son and he, along with three others, are entering the candymaker’s competition to create a new type of candy. The book is told in alternating points of view between Logan, Daisy, Miles and Phillip, the contestants. It was a fascinating way to tell a story and I quickly grew very fond of the characters. But this book is not only about making candy, but about secrets and friendship.
Close to Famous by Joan Bauer J BAU —As always, Bauer’s books are wonderful. Close to Famous is no different. She deals with real life with all its joys and sorrows. Foster and her mom have moved to Culpepper, a small, small town, in order to escape from her mom’s scuzzy ex-boyfriend. Foster immediately finds her way into the hearts of the town with her scrumptious cupcakes. She is a very talented baker. But she is hiding a terrible secret—she can’t read. But with her new friends, perhaps she can overcome her fears and learn how to be happy. 
The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket E SNI—A murder has occurred in the orchestra hall! Follow the Inspector as he questions each of the instruments, and then be prepared for a punny, surprise ending. Listen to the CD that’s included for an awesome musical rendition of the story. 
Kringle by Tony Abbott J ABB—No one ever thinks of Santa being a boy, but long, long ago there was a young orphan boy named Kringle who fought for good at a time when things seemed to be at their darkest. Fantasy lovers and Narnia fans will eat this up as Kringle encounters elves, pirates, goblins and flying reindeer. 
It’s Christmas David! By David Shannon E SHA – My favorite character, David, is back, this time for Christmas! Follow his adventures as he learns what not to do during the holidays.
Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel J BRU—Another hysterical adventure of Bad Kitty! Join in the fun as Strange Kitty, Stinky Kitty and all the rest of the neighborhood pals get ready to party!
Frog Went A Courtin’ by John Langstaff E LAN—You can’t help but smile when you read this book and think of Uncle Pecos from Tom and Jerry singing his version of this folk song turned book. Amazingly enough, this classic story came straight out of Scotland more than 400 years ago and tells the unlikely love story between a frog and a mouse.Read this to your kids to show them what books looked like when their grandparents were younger, and then show them the Tom and Jerry Uncle Pecos clip on YouTube to get a laugh & show them how cartoons were when you were a kid. This book won a Caldecott Medal in 1956 for best illustration. 
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer E FEI—A mother dog tries to teach her pup how to bark, and when he’s unable to produce the right sounds, a visit to the vet is made ending with a surprising result.
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull J B FAR—A young genius sets out to invent something that will change the world. Philo Farnsworth was born in a time before refrigerators, cars, phones, or even indoor bathrooms, but his curiosity about how things worked, leads him to invent something we could not live without, the TV.
Crossing the Wire by will Hobbs JP HOB—Victor Flores is only 15 when falling crop prices threaten his family with starvation. He heads north to attempt to “cross the wire” from Mexico into the United States so he can find work and send money home. In Victor’s journey he must face danger, freezing cold, scorching heat, hunger and dead ends.
The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson E JOH—This is the perfect book to get your littlest friend to dream some wonderful dreams. Who doesn’t want to dream a “dreamy dream” every night? Sometimes you need a dream jar to fill up with happy thoughts to help you have magical dreams and not worry about sea monsters. This book offers beautiful, wistful illustrations that put you on a sweet path to dreamland. You may even want to make your own dream jar, just like the book. 
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume JP BLU—If you’ve ever had a younger brother or sister, you will enjoy this story of Peter and his demanding two-year-old brother, Fudge, and the ever increasing trouble he makes and becomes for his brother.
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric A. Kimmel E 398.2 KIM—Anansi the Spider uses a strange moss-covered rock to trick all the other forest animals into giving him whatever he wants until the day Bush Deer decides to teach him a lesson.
The Amazing Life of Birds: (the Twenty-day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) by Gary Paulsen J PAU— In this journal Duane Homer Leech describes his observations of a newly hatched bird, nesting in his windowsill while interweaving his own story and challenges he faces while confronting puberty.
Read about the secret life of worms, told from the point of view of a young worm - in diary format.
Olivia by Ian Falconer E FAL—Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. And she proves that time after time, from getting ready for the day to playing on the beach to going to bed. Just ask her mom!
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose J B COL—Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure, skillfully weaving her dramatic story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history.
