After spending a happy summer with his new beagle, Lucy, Bobby is not looking forward to the start of school. He wonders if third grade will be a better year, or will he continue to feel shy and out of place? To his relief, he's put in the same class as his two new friends. Bobby discovers that even giving an oral report to the class is not so bad when he talks about Lucy and how she did at the Spokespet contest. Lucy won the first round of the contest sponsored by the Pet-O-Rama petstores. Will she win the final? If she does win, will Bobby want to be in TV commercials? If you enjoy this book, be sure to read the first two books about Lucy: Absolute Lucy and Lucy on the Loose.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 2/4/2010

ISBN-10: 0375955585

ISBN-13: 9780375955587

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With his parents in India, sixteen-year-old Ben Jepson is in charge of Los Coyotes Preserve, a refuge for big cats near Los Angeles, when two powerful groups try to shut it down by intimidation, murder, and kidnapping the largest tiger in captivity. Sequel to Sniper.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0439559561

ISBN-13: 9780439559560

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The journey of wizard Nevery Flinglas and apprentice Conn continues in the city of Wellmet as darkness turns to urgency when 'Shadows' haunt the streets and turn all they touch to stone. An elusive locus stone, experiments with explosives, banishment, a powerful sorcerer King, and those 'Shadows' lead Conn on a deadly quest. The trilogy begins with The Magic Thief and continues with Lost.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 9/4/2009

ISBN-10: 0061375918

ISBN-13: 9780061375910

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Aliens can be walking among us every day, even now! In this book they are. Klatu, Lek and Ploo, three siblings from the planet Loogl, wander the desert toward Las Vegas from their wrecked spaceship. They were told to look for Jo Jo, who is the expert who can repair their ship. When they arrive in Las Vegas, they are surprised to find a pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, and the Empire State building, which they were certain belonged in other cities. To blend in, they have morphed into a boy, a girl and an old man, modeled from pictures in very old books. To stay at a hotel, they must convince the manager that they are big bettors. Soon, they run afoul of the casino boss, who is sure they have been cheating to win at roulette, when they only want to rid themselves of the money they won. Will they find Jo Jo and fix their ship before they are caught?

Similar authors: Daniel Pinkwater

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 11/5/2010

ISBN-10: 037593345X

ISBN-13: 9780375933455

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Aubrey is 11 years old when the accident happens. Her mom can't handle the loss, so Aubrey is on her own. She walks to the store for spaghettios, milk, cereal and vegetables. She and her fish Sammy will be fine. But her grandmother doesn't think so, and Aubrey rides the train with her to Vermont. Grandma's house looks empty and plain without all the aunts and cousins. Slowly, Aubrey begins to face the tremendous loss and hurt she holds inside. Her new friend, her grandmother, and the school counselor all help. So does writing letters. This is a very honest story about a girl who must learn to face terrific hardship and find her own kind of peace and happiness.

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 6/18/2012

ISBN-10: 0385906862

ISBN-13: 9780385906869

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