This book is for all girls who need heroes. The women portrayed here sometimes fought alongside the men we know from folklore and legends. More often, they fought for good on their own. The stories come from all over the world. Here you will find the story of Atalanta, the Greek huntress who was so fast and such a good huntress, she bested all the men she met. You'll cheer as Li Chi volunteers to be sacrificed to the giant serpent that terrorized the Chinese countryside, so that she can fight and conquer the serpent. From the United States comes the story of clever, pretty Penny, who fools a highwayman who would rob her, turns the tables and takes his horse and all the loot he has already gathered. Women are fast, strong, clever, and kind. They are all found in this book.

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 8/2/2010

ISBN-10: 0152020470

ISBN-13: 9780152020477

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Ant is convinced her mom and dad can't be her real mom and dad. After all, she doesn't belong in her family. She looks nothing like her sisters and her mom, and their personalities are worlds apart. She is not interested in being a ballerina, and she's always in trouble. At least she knows for sure that her dog Pistachio belongs with her. Her family doesn't understand her, so she lies when what they want to hear doesn't match up with what she chooses to do. When her lies start to catch up with her, Ant must find a way to be a part of her family and still be true to herself.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 3/25/2010

ISBN-10: 0399235914

ISBN-13: 9780399235917

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Alex Gregory makes a bad mistake one night. Angry at his father because of his parents' impending divorce, he drinks some vodka and borrows his mother's car. His plan is to drive to his dad's house, but things don't work out that way. After crashing the car (and decapitating a lawn gnome in the process) Alex is made to do community service. His sentence- visit the meanest resident at the local nursing home. Much to his surprise, Alex finds a friend in the most unlikely of places and learns a few things in the process. If you enjoyed Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie, you will like this book, and the main characters make brief appearances here.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 5/13/2010

ISBN-10: 0439757797

ISBN-13: 9780439757799

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Tim Daniels is elated when his parents tell him that he can go to basketball camp for his summer vacation. He imagines being starting point guard when he comes back to school in the fall as an eighth grader since NBA players are going to be at the camp to help the kids. Tim's best friend Billy decides to go to camp too-what could go wrong? First of all, Tim misses all of the shots that he puts up. Then at the first social dance with all of the campers, Tim gets extremely nervous dancing with a girl that he likes and has to leave the dance before he gets sick. Will things turn around for Tim or will they go from bad to worse? While reading this book, you will feel like you are in the bleachers cheering for Tim. This is part of Matt Christopher's Sports Fiction series.

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 8/18/2010

ISBN-10: 0316135852

ISBN-13: 9780316135856

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Ninth grader Philip Malloy's habit of humming along with 'The Star Spangled Banner' instead of standing 'at respectful, silent attention' during homeroom, winds up getting him a two-day suspension. Told through school memos, news clips, letters, and diary entries, this conflict between teacher and student escalates into a national news story about First Amendment issues.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 038071907X

ISBN-13: 9780380719075

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