'I have a secret. Do not be afraid.' This is written on the note 12 year old Gabe Pace discovers in his mail box the day after his uncle and sole guardian dies. For Gabe, the death of his uncle, a crusty Vietnam vet, could have devastating consequences. Most of Gabe's life has been spent in foster care and now that he has experienced what love and security family life can bring, he fears going back more than ever. He decides to try to manage on his own for as long as he can. The mystery writer also leaves Gabe a big loving dog so he won't be totally alone. This book has some great characters: both friends of Gabe and his uncle. Through these many people, Gabe learns that the strength of love and commitment doesn't necessarily have to be limited to families.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 4/14/2010

ISBN-10: 0385733445

ISBN-13: 9780385733441

Check the library catalog

Mallory, eight years old, is crushed to be moving away from her best friend, Mary Ann. They've been neighbors all their lives, and they do everything together, like painting their toenails, making scrapbooks, and saying important things three times. When Mallory moves away, she promises not to make friends with any boys who live next door to her. When she arrives in her new house on Wish Pond Road, though, the only cool kid in her neighborhood is her next door neighbor, a boy! Will making a wish on the wish pond in her neighborhood help her save her friendship with Mary Ann? Look for other books about Mallory by Laurie Friedman including Back to School, Mallory and Mallory vs. Max.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/10/2009

ISBN-10: 1575055384

ISBN-13: 9781575055381

Check the library catalog

Mallory's older brother Max gets a dog. The dog is then lost, but Mallory's cat finds him. This is a very funny book- trust me!

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/19/2009

ISBN-10: 1575057956

ISBN-13: 9781575057958

Check the library catalog

I loved the story of The Little Red Hen when I was a child, and this story puts a whole new twist on the old fable. Follow Iguana as she tries to get her friends to help her prepare for a great fiesta (party) on sabado (Saturday). With each new day, Iguana becomes more frustrated with her friends' excuses. Conejo (co Nay ho - Rabbit) is much too fast to help, Tortuga (tor TU gah - tortoise) is much too slow, and Culebra (cu Lay brah - snake) will have to try to grow arms tonight so that maybe he can help Iguana manana. Sabado arrives, and the fiesta begins, but Iguana whips her tail around in angry circles when her friends think they can attend the party. The lazy friends can only watch from afar as Iguana and her party guests enjoy their evening. But the story is far from over: read Manana, Iguana to see what her friends do to surprise Iguana on domingo (Sunday).

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0823418081

ISBN-13: 9780823418084

Check the library catalog

Maniac Magee is a legend in Two Mills. He can run faster, kick farther, and untie knots better than anyone. But Maniac has no home. He's adopted for a while by a family, but leaves when his white presence in their all black neighborhood brings trouble to the family. His next home is with an old, minor league baseball player, but he is soon on the move again. There are so many stories about Maniac Magee, it's hard to separate the truth from the myth. Maniac Magee won the 1991 Newbery Medal and the 1993 Rebecca Caudill Award.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal, Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0316807222

ISBN-13: 9780316807227

Check the library catalog