Sahara Jones is known as Sahara Special because she has to work with a special needs teacher in the hallway. When Sahara's mother objects to the arrangement, Sahara is held back to repeat the fifth grade.What will this year bring her? Her new fifth-grade teacher, Madame Poitier, better known as Miss Pointy, is full of surprises.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0786807938

ISBN-13: 9780786807932

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When a bright, talented, Jewish girl moves to the small town of LaMond, Iowa, her presence brings significant changes, and evokes subtle prejudices in the local inhabitants.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0689809492

ISBN-13: 9780689809491

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Last season, Rocky was the best catcher in the league, and he has a reputation for never giving up on a goal. Life throws him a curveball when a runner slides towards home and breaks Rocky's arm when Rocky tries to tag him. Rocky's arm finally heals, and he's excited to play ball again. Then, he discovers that though his arm is no longer broken, his reflexes are against him. For the life of him, he can't make his arm tag a player: it flinches away on its own whenever someone comes sliding towards home. He's afraid of injuring himself again, and the rival teams take advantage of it. Will Rocky be able to overcome his fear, or will his dream of being on the all-star team be the first goal he gives up for good?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 9/30/2010

ISBN-10: 1596432462

ISBN-13: 9781596432468

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Scarlett's in trouble at school, AGAIN. Since her parents' divorce 2 years ago, Scarlett Flynn has been expelled from 5 different schools. With black fingernails and dyed ketchup-red hair, Scarlett certainly is not your average 12 year old Londoner. So after Scarlett gets expelled once again for causing a food fight in the cafeteria, her mother decides to send her off to her father's cottage in Ireland. Realizing that she will have to learn Gaelic in a one-room schoolhouse and enduring a new stepmom and younger stepsister is JUST TOO MUCH. So Scarlett climbs out the window and tries to 'walk' back to London. After walking until twilight, she comes across a lough where she meets Kian and his horse, Midnight. Kian alone allows Scarlett to be herself and Scarlett finally finds someone that will accept her for who she is. Can Kian teach Scarlett to let go of the anger she harbors within herself because of her parents' divorce and become the loving child she used to be or will Scarlett continue to put a wall against everyone that she cares for?

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 5/4/2010

ISBN-10: 0670060682

ISBN-13: 9780670060689

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Commenter: Hap, grade 8

Nick Waters was not looking forward to his 3rd period Biology class. His teacher, Miss Bunny Starch, the most feared teacher in the school, had a habit of belittling students and calling on those who were most likely not ready to answer her questions. On top of that, his father, who was fighting in Iraq, hadn't been heard from in days. One thing he was looking forward to was the class field trip to Black Vine Swamp, where Nick hoped to spot the endangered Florida panther. The field trip was interrupted by a fire and the classmates hurriedly made their way to the bus, when one classmate realized that she had dropped her inhaler. The last thing Nick saw, as the bus pulled away, was Miss Bunny Starch bravely walking back to find the inhaler. The next morning, Miss Starch had still not returned and one of his classmates, 'Smoke,' was accused of setting the fire. Nick did not believe that Smoke was responsible and set about looking for clues. That was when he found himself dragged into the battle between a maverick ecologist and a big oil company.

Similar authors: Dave Barry

Similar books: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen and Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 6/21/2010

ISBN-10: 0375834869

ISBN-13: 9780375834868

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