Jules, Chris, and Corey get the ride of their lives, when they make a raft out of a fallen maple tree and set sail down the ravine, facing natural dangers, meeting unusual people, and stumbling into wild parties along the way.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/25/2009

ISBN-10: 0887768229

ISBN-13: 9780887768224

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Graphic Novel: Into the Volcano by Don Wood Two brothers, Duffy and Sumo, are called out of school by their father to be sent on trip to the island of Kocalaha while their parents are away doing research. On the island, they meet 'Aunt LuLu' who sends them on an expedition which leads to an action-packed adventure through an erupting volcano and underground lava tubes. Duffy is the one who likes to adventure and Sumo is a bit reticent. During their adventure, Sumo finds he needs to become the leader. Do you think good will triumph over bad?

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 3/29/2010

ISBN-10: 0439726719

ISBN-13: 9780439726719

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Joel is looking forward to moving in with his new step family. He'll have two brothers now instead of just his know-it-all, older sister, who thinks their family is just fine the way it is. She calls her new stepbrothers and father 'the intruders.' And she just hates the huge old, house her mother and stepfather have bought to refurbish. Slowly, the family comes to realize this house is never going to seem like a 'home.' One by one, the four children start witnessing strange events, have horrifying nightmares, and sense an evil presence. What is the connection of their family to the family who lived in the house fifty years ago? Is Joel's family in danger? What chances will they take to survive 'The Intruders?'

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0552552615

ISBN-13: 9780552552615

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Hugo Cabret is the son of a clockmaker. He was being raised by his father until his father died in a fire. Hugo's uncle Claude then took Hugo to live with him in an apartment located in a train station. Uncle Claude's job at the train station is to maintain all of the clocks in the station. Hugo becomes Uncle Claude's apprentice but when Uncle Claude doesn't come home for several days (or ever again), Hugo continues to take care of all the clocks by himself. Hugo becomes intrigued with a toy shop in the train station and keeps a stash of toy parts that he pilfers from the shop. From these parts, he is able to rebuild the broken automaton machine that he found in the wreckage of a museum fire. He is convinced that the automaton holds a message for him from his father. The inventor of the automaton surprisingly ends up being someone that Hugo knows. The one hundred and fifty eight illustrations in this book are spectacular and tell the story with as much power as the words do. So what is the invention of Hugo Cabret? You will be amazed when you find out!

Awards won: Caldecott Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0439813786

ISBN-13: 9780439813785

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Billie has no privacy because her mother watches her like a hawk. When she finds a magic makeup kit that makes her invisible, she sets off on a day of freedom. Can she turn back to normal before her mother realizes she is missing?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0141306416

ISBN-13: 9780439155755

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