Summer Reading Extravaganza 2007

Summer-themed titles, beach reads, and other books for vacation reading from CBC member publishers.

•  Picture Books and Younger Readers
•  Middle Readers
•  Young Adult
•  Download the entire list as a PDF (to come)

Middle Readers

Adam Canfield of the Slash Written by Michael Winerip Ages 8-12 ISBN: 9780763627942 Price: $5.99 Candlewick Press Adam Canfield has to be the most overprogrammed middle-school student in America. So when super-organized Jennifer coaxes him to be coeditor of their school newspaper, THE SLASH, he wonders if he's made a big mistake. But when a third-grader's article leads to a big scoop, Adam and his fellow junior journalists rise to the challenge of receiving their principal's wrath to uncover some scandalous secrets. From a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and NEW YORK TIMES columnist comes a funny, inspiring debut that sneaks in some lessons on personal integrity—and captures the rush that's connected to the breaking of a really great story. THE SLASH newspaper included

All the Cats of Cairo Written by Inda Schaenen Ages 10-15 ISBN: 9780976812654 Price: $8.95 Brown Barn Books Bastet, the cat-goddess of ancient Egypt, has awakened angry from her millennia-long sleep. Egypt in the modern world has become chaotic, and she must restore order and balance to her land. Is she mysteriously seeking the aid of Maggie through the goddess's small statuette that becomes warm in Maggie's hand? Or through her disciples, the myriad of cats wandering freely through the streets, cemeteries, markets and mosques of modern Cairo? They seem to be paying extraordinary attention to Maggie. But what can Maggie do? She doesn't speak much Arabic and she doesn't know her way around Cairo. With the aid of an Egyptian boy she befriends, Maggie must battle, in a spectacular climax, powerful enemies—some strange, some all too familiar—that are set upon destroying the very life force of Egypt and her children.

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker Written by Cynthia DeFelice Ages 10 and up ISBN: 978-0-374-40014-9 / 0-374-40014-8 Price: $6.95 Sunburst Paperbacks/Farrar Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers In this paperback edition of the ALA Notable Book, twelve-year-old Lucas becomes a doctor's apprentice in 1849, trying to discover a cure for consumption after the disease claims his family. In its Starred review, School Library Journal said, "Readers will experience a period when even a doctor's knowledge was very limited, and through Lucas's eyes, will come to realize how fear and desperation can make people willing to try almost anything." Cynthia DeFelice has written many acclaimed novels for children, including contemporary and historical fiction and mysteries such as Under the Same Sky and The Ghost of Cutler Creek.

Blue Lipstick Written by John Grandits Illustrated by John Grandits Ages 10 & up ISBN: 978-0-618-85132-4 Price: $5.95 Clarion Books A fifteen-year-old girl named Jessie voices typical—and not so typical—teenage concerns in this unique, hilarious collection of poems. Her musings about trying out new makeup and hairstyles, playing volleyball and cello, and dealing with her annoying younger brother are never boring or predictable. Who else do you know who designs her own clothes and writes poetry to her cat? Jessie's a girl with strong opinions, and she isn't shy about sharing them. Her funny, sarcastic take on high school life is revealed through concrete poetry: words, ideas, type, and design that combine to make pictures and patterns. The poems are inventive, irreverent, irresistible, and full of surprises—just like Jessie—and the playful layout and ingenious graphics extend the wry humor. Want more concrete poetry? Try John Grandits's Technically, It's Not My Fault, which chronicles the adventures of Jessie's younger brother, Robert.

Blue Schwartz and Nefertiti's Necklace Written by Betty Jacobson Hechtman Ages 10-15 ISBN: 9780976812630 Price: $8.95 Brown Barn Books Blue Schwartz's best friend, Yvonne, knows Blue couldn't have taken the necklace. But the man whose kids Blue babysits for thinks she did take it—and he's ready to call the police! Blue doesn't have a clue about who took the necklace. It's Egyptian, it's very old, it might have belonged to Queen Nefertiti, and it's priceless. She's got to find it—and fast. And what's more, Blue's big school project is due in a couple of days and she hasn't a single idea about that, either. What she does have a clue about is cooking, even while she's frantically trying to solve the mystery of the missing necklace. In the back of the book are some of Blue's best recipes that kids can make in no time—Oatmeal Cookies for People Who Don't Like Raisins, Nutty Popcorn Balls—and more. They leave plenty of time to solve mysteries. "This fast-paced mystery, set in the heart of Chicago, has well-developed characters . . . In the end, this smart creative girl is able to expose the real criminal and get the best of her teacher as well. Hechtman builds teenage frustration and helplessness into a story that readers will relate to from the start." Krista Tokarz, School Library Journal.

What Buttosaur is That? Written by Andy Griffiths Illustrated by Andy Griffiths Ages 9-12 ISBN: 0-439-92622-X Price: $5.99 Scholastic Paperbacks/Scholastic Inc. The internationally bestselling butts-gone-bad are back! Tyrannosore-arse Rex versus Tricerabutt: Who kicked more butt? Stenchtiles and Farthropods: Which smelled most foul? Exstinktion: How did the buttosaurs get wiped? This book will tell you everything you need to know but were too grossed out to ask about prehistoric butt-related life forms and the complex stenchology of their environment. Never again will you look like a fool when somebody asks, "What buttosaur is that?" A must-have for every kid with a butt!

Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen Written by M. T. Anderson Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus Ages 10 and up ISBN: 0-15-205407-3 Price: $5.95 Harcourt Paperbacks/Harcourt Trade Publishers After their last laser-beam-filled adventure, Lily, Jasper, and Katie have flown off for a restful stay at a distant mountain lodge. What a coincidence when they find the lodge teeming with characters from other middle-grade series novels, including the dashing Manley Boys and the boy-crazy Cutesy Dell twins. And when the Hooper Quints go missing, it looks like their vacation is over. Could this all be part of a nefarious plot involving duct tape and Bavarian folk pants? Katie, Jasper, and Lily might be the only ones around who have the chops to solve this challenging mystery!

Dangerous Skies Written by Suzanne Fisher Staples Ages 10 and up ISBN: 978-0-374-41670-6 / 0-374-41670-2 Price: $6.95 Farrar Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers Raised together like brother and sister, Buck (white) and Tunes (black) have come to trust that even in a place where race can mean so much, their friendship will endure. But when Tunes is implicated in the murder of a friend, Buck discovers that he cannot change the deeply ingrained prejudices of his family and community. In its Starred review, Publishers Weekly said, "Like To Kill a Mockingbird, this masterfully crafted story boldly conveys uncomfortable truths about society while expressing the innocence of children." The title was selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Suzanne Fisher Staples is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including Under the Persimmon Tree and the Newbery Honor Book Shabanu.

The Doll in the Garden Written by Mary Downing Hahn Ages 9-12 ISBN: 978-0-618-87315-9 Price: $5.95 Clarion Books "A ghost cat leads ten-year-old Ashley through a hedge—and back to the time when her fiercely disagreeable old landlady was an unhappy child who committed a wrong she still regrets. . . . Thoughtful, entertaining fare for the middle grades." —Kirkus Reviews, pointer review Winner of the following awards: Georgia Children's Book Award, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, Mark Twain Award, Missouri, Maryland Children's Book Award, Sequoyah Book Award, Oklahoma, South Dakota Prairie Pasque Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award, Kansas For more thrilling summer chills, try these titles by Mary Downing Hahn: DEEP AND DARK AND DANGEROUS, THE OLD WILLIS PLACE, TIME FOR ANDREW, WAIT TILL HELEN COMES, WITCH CATCHER

Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep Written by Liz Kessler Illustrated by Sarah Gibb Ages 8-12 ISBN: 9780763633011 Price: $5.99 Candlewick Press Picture an island set in a glittering blue sea, sparkling with white sand and palm trees, a secret place where humans and merfolk live together. To Emily Windsnap—half mermaid, half human—her new home is perfect. That is, until Emily ruins everything by waking a legendary sea monster known as the kraken from its hundred-year sleep. . . . An enchanting tale with a fabulous monster, engaging characters, and plenty of mermaid magic, this second fantasy about Emily Windsnap is filled with charm and warmth.

Exiled Written by Kathleen Karr Ages 10 and up ISBN: 9780761452911 Price: $6.95 Marshall Cavendish Ali is a young camel in Egypt when he is captured by humans. Determined to "work, but never surrender," he earns a reputation as a disobedient animal and is sold to an American colonel. The year is 1856 and Ali soon finds himself in Texas as part of the U.S. Camel Corps. Crossing the landscape of 19th century America, Ali learns to balance his pride with the needs of his new companions, and slowly matures into a noble creature. Compellingly written from the camel's point of view, this unusual book offers a fresh and unusual perspective on a little-known slice of American history.

Fiddle Fever Written by Sharon Arms Doucet Ages 10-14 ISBN: 978-0-618-77682-5 Price: $6.95 Clarion Books "A superb story of a boy's coming-of-age in the bayous of South Louisiana in the early days of World War I. In a first-person narrative, Félix Octave LeBlanc tells about the first time he heard his long-absent uncle, ‘Nonc Adolphe, play the fiddle at a get-together. . . . From that moment on, all Félix wants to do is play the fiddle, against his parents' wishes. He fashions a violin from an old cigar box, wood, and wire, and secretly teaches himself to play. . . . A book not to be missed." —School Library Journal, starred review

The Ghost in Allie's Pool Written by Sari Bodi Ages 10-15 ISBN: 9780976812661 Price: $8.95 Brown Barn Books Eighth grade goes from fun to disaster when Allie's best friend, Marissa, dumps her for the popular kids. Suddenly, Allie finds herself sitting alone in the middle-school cafeteria with no one to call on her new cell phone. Angry and frustrated, Allie flings Marissa's friendship necklace into her pool, and to her astonishment, the ghost of Dorothy May—the ancestor who sailed on the Mayflower and whom she's researching for English class—appears, maybe to offer a little help. But if Marissa and her new friends find out Allie's talking to a ghost, Allie will sit alone in the cafeteria for the rest of her life. But can Dorothy May's different point of view about stuff Allie takes for granted—baths, bikinis, computers, friendship—be just what Allie needs to navigate social life in the 8th grade? "Just wait until you meet Allie and her mysterious friend in this imaginative, satisfying story. Heart stopping and unusual, I couldn't put it down. You won't be able to either." Patricia Reilly Giff, author of Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods.

Keeper Written by Mal Peet Ages 10 and up ISBN: 9780763632861 Price: $6.99 Candlewick Press When Paul Faustino of LA NACION flips on his tape recorder for an exclusive interview with El Gato—the phenomenal goalkeeper who single-handedly brought his team the World Cup—the seasoned reporter quickly learns that this will be no ordinary story. Instead, the legendary El Gato narrates a spellbinding tale that begins in the South American rainforest, where a ghostly but very real mentor, the Keeper, emerges to teach a poor, gawky boy the most thrilling secrets of the game. A seamless blend of magic realism and exhilarating soccer action, this evocative novel will haunt readers long after the story ends.

Kiki Strike Written by Kirsten Miller Ages 10 to 14 ISBN: 1-59990-092-0 Price: $7.95 Bloomsbury Children's Books Welcome to the world of Kiki Strike. . . . Life will never be the same for Ananka Fishbein after she ventures into an enormous sinkhole near her New York City apartment. Ananka knows she has stumbled upon a big secret, but she has no idea exactly how big. Not only does she discover the Shadow City beneath Manhattan's bustling streets, she meets the mysterious Kiki Strike, a black-clad, Vespa-riding, café-au-lait-drinking girl who seems to appear and vanish like magic. A million rats, delinquent Girl Scouts, and a secret underground labyrinth combine in this remarkable novel about a darker side of New York City you have only just begun to know about . . .

Mad as a Wet Hen! Written by Marvin Terban Illustrated by Giulio Maestro Ages 8-11 ISBN: 978-0-618-83003-9 Price: $6.95 Clarion Books "Terban has collected more than 100 idioms to tickle the mind; divided by subject, each idiom is listed, defined, and in most cases, provided with derivations. Naturally, these phrases, which don't mean the same as their literal translation are fodder for Maestro's fertile imagination." —ALA Booklist Also try these paperback titles of wordplay by Marvin Terban: THE DOVE DOVE: FUNNY HOMOGRAPH RIDDLES, EIGHT ATE: A FEAST OF HOMONYM RIDDLES, IN A PICKLE: AND OTHER FUNNY IDIOMS, TOO HOT TO HOOT: FUNNY PALINDROME RIDDLES, YOUR FOOT'S ON MY FEET: AND OTHER TRICKY NOUNS

Not Exactly Normal Written by Devin Brown Ages Ages 9-13 ISBN: 9780802852878 Price: $8.00 Eerdmans Books for Young Readers He was always so normal! Todd Farrel attends tiny St. Luke's Episcopal School in rural New England. Each year the sixth graders finish winter term with their big social studies reports. Wanting to make his report something special this year, Todd finally decides to write about mystical experiences — something definitely not normal. After doing some research, Todd determines that he needs to have his own mystical experience. While practicing soccer with his best friend, Nitro, listening to an unusual teacher who encourages original thinking, and giving in to his curiosity about Leda, the intelligent but unusual (in Todd's opinion) girl from California, Todd discovers some pretty extraordinary aspects to life in his ordinary world. Not Exactly Normal is a book about being different and about fitting in, about accepting the differences of others and seeing ways that everyone is alike. It will challenge readers' assumptions and help them look at the world and their lives in new ways.

Princess Academy Written by Shannon Hale Ages 9 and up ISBN: 1-59990-073-4 Price: $7.95 Bloomsbury Children's Books High on the slopes of rocky Mount Eskel, far from the valleys where gardens are green and lush, Miri's family pounds a living from the stone of the mountain itself. But Miri's life will change forever when word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. All eligible girls must attend a makeshift academy to prepare for royal lowlander life. At the school, Miri finds herself confronting bitter competition among the girls and her own conflicted desires to be chosen. Yet when danger comes to the academy, it is Miri, named for a tiny mountain flower, who must find a way to save her classmates—and the chance for the future that each of them is determined to secure as her own. Experience the magic of the Newbery Honor and New York Times bestseller lauded for its lyrical language, strong female protagonist, and lush storytelling.

Tallahassee Higgins Written by Mary Downing Hahn Ages 9-11 ISBN: 978-0-618-75246-1 Price: $6.95 Clarion Books "Twelve-year-old Tallahassee Higgins, raised by her free-spirited single mother Liz, has lived a life without curfews, study times, and well-balanced meals. Except for curiosity about her father's identity, it is a life Tally loves and life she is about to lose. . . . This novel is memorable for its realistic portrayal of human vulnerabilities and the careful balance of humor and heartache. Hahn writes about contemporary issues with all of the necessary elements of good fiction—an interesting story with a beginning, middle, and end; sympathetic main characters who grow through experience; and a cast of well-rounded supporting characters. There are no weak links in this literary chain." —School Library Journal, starred review Can't get enough of Mary Downing Hahn? Try these titles: DAPHNE'S BOOK, THE GENTLEMAN OUTLAW AND ME, HEAR THE WIND BLOW, STEPPING ON THE CRACKS, THE WIND BLOWS BACKWARD

Time for Andrew Written by Mary Downing Hahn Ages 8-12 ISBN: 978-0-618-87316-6 Price: $5.95 Clarion Books "Staying, under protest, with his great-aunt Blythe and her father in their old Missouri house while his parents work in France for the summer, Drew, twelve, finds himself switched in time with his namesake Andrew, who lived more than eighty years before. . . . Assured work from a deservedly popular writer, who, while gifted with the instincts of a storyteller, doesn't let her narrative get away from her characters." —Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books Winner of the following awards: California Young Reader Medal, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, Vermont, Georgia Children's Book Award, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, Iowa Children's Choice Award, Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, Mark Twain Award, Missouri, Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award, Maryland Children's Book Award, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Utah Children's Book Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award, Kansas For more thrilling summer chills, try these titles by Mary Downing Hahn: DEEP AND DARK AND DANGEROUS, THE DOLL IN THE GARDEN, THE OLD WILLIS PLACE, WAIT TILL HELEN COMES, WITCH CATCHER

•  Picture Books and Younger Readers
•  Middle Readers
•  Young Adult
•  Download the entire list as a PDF (to come)

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