“The Fruit Bowl Project” by Sarah Durkee

“The Fruit Bowl Project” by Sarah Durkee is an unusual book about a class writing project motivated by a famous rock star.

When the kids in Ms. Vallis’ eighth grade writer’s workshop learn that rock superstar Nick Thompson is come to speak with them they are thrilled.  Suddenly writing seems a lot more exciting.

When the day finally comes and Nick Thompson actually walks in the classroom door it seems too good to be true. Of course the kids have a lot of questions about Nick’s music career and other subjects, and Nick answers them.  But then he guides the kids back to the subject at hand: writing. Read the rest »

“Welcome Home or Someplace Like It,” by Charlotte Agell

“Welcome Home or Someplace Like It,” by Charlotte Agell is a realistic fiction novel about a young girl who finds herself living with her grandfather in a small town in Maine.

Aggie B. Wing and her brother Thorne aren’t particularly excited about moving to Maine. After living in Port Chester, New York they are sure that Maine will be rather dull in comparison. But their famous mother, a writer of romance novels, is determined to drop them off for the summer to live with their ninety-one-year-old grandfather.

Ludwig, Maine has a population of 159 and one general store with a sign that says “Ardis’s Quikstop.” Read the rest »

“The Tale of Despereaux,” by Kate DiCamillo

“The Tale of Despereaux,” by Kate DiCamillo is a Newbery Award Medal winning tale about a young mouse who is in love with a human princess. From the day he was born his parents knew that something was wrong with Despereaux. Most mouse babies are born with their eyes closed, but Despereaux was born with his eyes wide open. He was also the runt of the litter, much smaller than all the other mice. And his ears were ridiculously large! Despereaux’s parent were sure that he would die soon after birth. But to their surprise Despereaux does survive, though he grows up to be very different from other mice. Read the rest »

“The Kind of Friends We Used to Be” by Frances O’Roark Dowell

“The Kind of Friends We Used to Be” by Frances O’Roark Dowell is the story of two twelve year old girls and their changing friendship as they go through middle school.

Kate and Marylin had been best friends for years. They knew everything about each other, and felt that they shared a history because of the time they spent together. But last year they had a dramatic falling out and Marylin gave Kate the silent treatment all year long. This year those feelings are left behind and Kate and Marylin want to be friends again, but it is proving to be more difficult than both girls had originally thought. Read the rest »

“Millions,” by Frank Cottrell Boyce

“Millions,” by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a riveting tale about two boys who suddenly find themselves millionaires, but the problem is that they have no way to spend their money.

Damien and Anthony live in England with their father.  Their mother died some months ago.  The two boys and their father have recently moved to a new home where they hope to start a new life away from the sorrow and memories of their old house.  Damien has a great interest in saints and angels, because he wonders what might have happened to his mother after she died.  Anthony, Damien’s older brother, is deeply interested in money and real estate. Read the rest »