Ally wears a meteorite around her neck, and her dream is to discover a comet. Bree spends all her time with the A-Clique, and her dream is to become a model. Jack keeps his love of drawing and reading to himself, and he's failing science. He dreams of flying. These three lives are set to collide around the time of a rare solar eclipse at the Moon Shadow Campground, and all of their lives will be transformed as a result.

Similar books: 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass; Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/1/2011

ISBN-10: 9780316002578

ISBN-13: 9780316002578

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Abby visits her grandmother at the same time as her cousin Cleo. At first, Abby is jealous of Cleo. Read the book to find out the rest!

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 2/13/2010

ISBN-10: 0439353696

ISBN-13: 9780439353694

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In Book Two of The Gatekeepers, Matt discovers that he is one of five gatekeepers and that when the five join forces, they will be able to defeat the Old Ones. Yet Matt does not know who the other four are, nor how to find them. A mysterious organization, Nexus, promises to assist him however someone there also works for the Old Ones and Matt's life is once again in danger. Finding a second gatekeeper is of utmost importance and when one is discovered, the stakes get even higher. The series began with Raven's Gate and continues with Evil Star, Nightrise, and Necropolis.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 9/11/2010

ISBN-10: 0439679966

ISBN-13: 9780439679961

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Growing up in Texas with six brothers and the name Calpurnia is tough enough, but then it is summer and it is hotter than hot. Calpurnia is very curious about the world around her and with the guidance of her grandfather, she explores the river and the natural world around her. She learns to sharpen her observation skills and fills her notebook with interesting facts. Through the year, we share in Calpurnia's fascinating world of 1899 and all the discoveries that were taking place at the turn of the century.

Similar books: The Penderwicks The Penderwicks on Garden Street

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012

Awards won: Newbery Honor 2010

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 2/1/2010

ISBN-10: 0805088415

ISBN-13: 9780805088410

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Abby is on the verge of repeating sixth grade. Her only hope is to get good grades the rest of the year and complete a special assignment. The assignment she chooses is to be a pen pal to a student in Afghanistan. The letters from a farm in Illinois to a mountainous region near Kabul become very personal and the friendship crosses their cultural differences. But it is these same differences that cause unrest in Sadeed's village and his life is threatened. At Abby's school, the flag of Afghanistan is taken off her bulletin board and she is told she cannot replace it. Their simple letters of friendship have to stop to avoid conflicts. Is this fair?

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012 and Bluestem Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 7/1/2011

ISBN-10: 1416949313

ISBN-13: 9781416949312

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