Georgina and her mother and brother are living in their old car after being evicted from an apartment. They were left almost penniless when their dad/husband left. Georgina's mama is busy with two jobs while the kids are in school. Georgina wants to help mama and especially wants to quit living in the car; so she concocts a plan to do so. She plots all the steps to accomplish the plan but may have forgotten a step or two. This young girl is presented in a passionate way by the author. Will she develop a more keen sense of what's right when everything else seems wrong?

Awards nominated: Bluestem Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 7/12/2010

ISBN-10: 0374334978

ISBN-13: 9780374334970

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David is hoping for the best summer ever. He and his best friend Elliott are going to spend their days making videos to post on YouTube and building awesome creations with their Knex sets. Unfortunately, Elliott has other plans. They finally have a mega fight on the last day before they begin their first year in middle school. How will David survive the maze of classes, bullies, swirlies and girls when his best bud has turned into his worst enemy?

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 3/13/2012

ISBN-10: 038590701X

ISBN-13: 9780385907019

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Ernest is not exactly the most popular kid in third grade. In fact, it's just the opposite. Can he help it if he is small for his age, or if his mom insists on giving him weird haircuts? No. Third grade is going to be a tough year. There must be something he can do to make it better.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0671677136

ISBN-13: 9780671677138

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Wanda Petronski only has one faded blue dress that she wears to school every day. One day, Wanda boasts that she has 100 dresses at home in her closet. After that, Peggy and the other girls tease Wanda about her dresses. Maddie feels bad about the teasing, but does nothing to stop it. After Wanda disappears from school, Maddie regrets standing by while she was treated unkindly. The surprising ending shows that Wanda wasn't making things up, after all. This is a gentle book with a powerful message about kindness and accepting those who are a bit different.

Awards won: Newbery Honor book 1945

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 10/7/2010

ISBN-10: 0152051708

ISBN-13: 9780152051709

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In 1787, twelve-year-old Kate, and her family, move from Albany, NY to Canada. Unfortunately, Kate's mother and grandmother die, leaving her to raise her brothers on the Canadian frontier. Also look for the sequel, The Perilous Year.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 077376206X

ISBN-13: 9780773762060

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