Fourteen-year-old Tao, a Cro-Magnon, prehistoric boy, longs to become a cave painter. Due to a bad foot, and his social status, he is forbidden to do so, and eventually becomes an outcast. Will his friendship with an artistic shaman help him realize his dream? Also look for the sequel, Return to the Painted Cave.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 039921559X

ISBN-13: 9780399215599

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A novel based on the true story of Helmuth Hubener, a 17-year-old member of the Hitler youth. In the beginning, everything about Hitler was new and full of promise and hope for Germany. Then, the rights of people were diminished, Jews were threatened, and the world was turned upside down. Helmuth discovers that Germans are being lied to and he is driven to spread the truth. Helmuth's story unfolds in a series of flashbacks as he awaits his fate in a jail cell.

Similar books: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 6/18/2009

ISBN-10: 0439680131

ISBN-13: 9780439680134

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Commenter: Ewl, grade 62

Is it possible the only thing that can save a city is a little league baseball game? In the city of Dillontown, this is the case. Developers want the Dillontown land, so the valley towns can expand into the beautiful hill country. Standing in their way is Doc Altenheimer who owns the land, which includes Lucky Strike Field, the little league baseball field. Doc begins to think he wants to sell his land and the field, but his 12-year-old friend, Tom Gallagher, doesn't want him to sell. Tom plays on the Dillontown Wildcats at Lucky Strike Field and doesn't want the famous old field to become a lake. Doc decides to let the Wildcats decide the fate of Dillontown. If the Wildcats beat the team from the valley, the Vikings, Dillontown lives. Tom and his team, however, have never beaten the Vikings.

Similar books: The Desperado Who Stole Baseball Similar books: Shoeless Joe & Me: a Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman; Stealing Home by Matt Christopher and Paul Mantell

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0399236228

ISBN-13: 9780399236228

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Abaguchie mania! Caroline Malloy shivers in anticipation when her on-again, off-again enemy, Wally Hatford, tells her that a strange animal, known as the abaguchie, has been spotted in their area. You won't be able to keep up with all the tricks and traps the boys and girls plan for each other in this hilarious story! This is the third in the series about the war between the Hartfords and the Malloys.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0440411238

ISBN-13: 9780440411239

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Accidentally, Emily makes enemies of the most popular girls in school, the Daisies. Soon, she's their target, and she finds 53 posts on the online forums ridiculing her. After that, it gets much worse. Then, by mistake, Emily discovers a secret that could end the career of one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Colby Summers. His public relations firm will do anything to keep the knowledge from leaking, so in exchange for her silence, the firm takes on Emily as their new client. Next thing she knows, Emily is sporting a new image, 'Brand Em,' and she's on her way to being the most popular girl in school. Her 'brand' is turning into the hottest thing around, and there are rumors that she's dating Colby Summers. Can her popularity last?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/4/2010

ISBN-10: 1582462690

ISBN-13: 9781582462691

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