Young Reader's Choice

Junior Division
4th-6th

The Day Joanie Frankenhauser Became a Boy by Francess Lin Lantz
Joanie's mom wants her to act more "like a girl," but who can play basketball in a skirt and cute plastic sandals?  When Joanie's family moves to a new town, a typo on the school records makes her "John" instead of "Joan," and she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself. How long can she keep pretending?

A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M.Martin
Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world.

Double Identtiy by Margaret Peterson Haddix
As Bethany approaches her thirteenth birthday, her parents begin acting more oddly than usual: Her mother cries constantly, and her father barely lets Bethany out of his sight. Then one morning he hustles the entire family into the car, drives across several state lines--and leaves Bethany with an aunt she never knew existed. Bethany has no idea what's going on.  She's worried that her mom and dad are running from some kind of trouble.

Listening For Lions by Gloria Whelan
Africa is the only home Rachel has ever known. But when influenza strikes down her missonary parents, she is left vulnerable prey to her family's wicked neighbors. Surrounded by greed and lies, Rachel is entangled in a criminal scheme and sent to England, where she is forced into a life of deception. Like the lion, she must be patient and strong, awaitng the moment when she can take control of her own fate and find her way home again at last.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
The story begins in the mountainous region of Mount Eske, a place where miners remove linder, a sought-after stone.All the young women in the village must train in a hastily constructed Princess Academy so that one can be chosen to marry the prince. Miri knew lowlanders would never allow a crown to sit on a mountain girl's head. But what if she were chosen? She could have a better life for herself and her family in the rich, green valleys of the lowlands. That would be any girl's wish-wouldn't it?

The Scarecrow and His Servant by Philip Pullman
A tattered scarecrow stands in the middle of a muddy field, taking no notice of the violent thunderstorm around him. But when a bolt of lightning strikes him, fizzing its way through his turnip head and down his broomstick, the Scarecrow blinks with surprise and comes to life.  So begins the story of the Scarecrow, a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant. As the valiant Scarecrow plunges them into terrifying dangers-battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands-he never realizes he's being followed by the one family who desperately wishes he'd never sprung to life.

Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach
When Hero starts sixth grade at a new school, she's less concerned about the literary origins of her Shakespearean name than about the teasing she's sure to suffer because of it. But that's just the thing; suddenly connections are cropping up all over. There;s a million-dollar diamond hidden in her new house, a curious woman next door who seems to know an awful lot about it, and then, well, then there's Shakespeare. It is all in keeping with her namesake's origin -just much ado about nothing? Hero is determined to figure it out.

Whales on Stilts by Eva Ibbotson
Lily Gefelty's father  works for a mad scientist who wears a sack over his head. When she overhears him say that he wants to take over the world, her oblivious father assures her, "Honey, sometimes adults use irony." Nonetheless, the 12-year old calls on her two best friends to investigate. The trio soon learns that Larry does indeed plan to conquer the world using mind controlled whales on stilts with laser-beam eyes. No adult will believe them, so it's up to the kids to save the Earth.

Intermediate Division
7th-9th grades

Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Alice Macleod, Realist at Last by Susan Juby
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld