The Great Cheese Conspiracy

by Jean Van Leeuwen

In this fifth book of a series, Merciless Marvin the Magnificent is tired of small time heists involving popcorn machines and candy bars and decides his gang of mice is ready for the "Big Time". Can they leave the relative safety of the movie theater and pull off a foolproof plan to rob a nearby cheese shop? Van Leeuwen creates a lighthearted caper of short chapters and easily read text. Unfortunately, most of the movie humor will be lost on the targeted audience.

2 of 5 Stars. Recommended.

The Ball Hogs

by Rich Wallace

In the spirit of Matt Christopher, Wallace introduces younger readers to a new soccer series. Nine-year-old Ben knows he's a good athlete and is excited about playing on his first soccer team. But new classmate Matt is not only creating problems at school, but he's also hogging the ball during practice and during their first game. Wallace creates a likable character with believable emotions in this quickly paced easy chapter book.

3 of 5 Stars.  Recommended.

Red Bird Sings

Adapted by Gina Capaldi & Q.L. Pearce

A picture book biography of Gertrude Simmons Bonnin who left her native lands in South Dakota at the young age of eight in order to attend boarding school in Indiana. Although she greatly missed her mother and the quiet traditional life she rejoiced in music class, becoming an accomplished music teacher, performer and composer. She also grew to despise inequality and spoke out for the rights of Native Americans, fighting for citizenship and fair treatment. The authors adapt Zitkala-Sa's own words to create this simple and beautifully illustrated biography. Teachers will find this a positive addition to their curriculum and will appreciate the Teacher Resource Book available from the book's website.

4 of 5 Stars - Recommended.

Sally's Bones

by MacKenzie Cadenhead

Middle schooler Sally Simplesmith goes about her day unnoticed, both at school and at home by her absent-minded workaholic father. To make life more challenging Sally greatly misses her recently deceased mother. Sally is ready to give up and melodramatically asks for death upon her mother's grave. Instead, Sally finds a much needed friend and companion in a tail-wagging pooch made from bones. Life begin changing for Sally, but her new found happiness is put to the test when her pet is accused of a recent crime spree. Cadenhead creates an interesting character in Sally and does a fine job addressing the issues of grief and loneliness.

3 of 5 stars - Recommended.

School of Fear

by Gitty Daneshvari

Four twelve-year old phobic children travel to a remote Massachusetts summer school run by a wacky ex-beauty queen headmistress in an attempt to overcome their fears of bugs, confined spaces, death and water. Forced to follow strange rules and learn pageant etiquette the four must band together and face their individual fears after tragedy strikes the school. Daneshvari creates mildly believable characters with a strange setting for a story line reminiscent of the craziness of Lemony Snicket.  Readers may enjoy visiting the School of Fear website.

3 of 5 stars - Recommended.

The Adventures of Commander Zack Proton and the Warlords of Nibblecheese

by Brian Anderson

Book two of a three book series featuring a less than able space commander and a more highly intelligent monkey. In this wacky plot a band of space mice kidnap a busload of second graders as part of a grander scheme to destroy the Earth's moon (which of course is made of cheese). Although not as well written as many other current books, it will still find an audience among reluctant boy readers due to its easy chapters, multitude of illustrations, and silly humor.

1 of 5 stars.

The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941

by Lauren Tarshis

Eleven-year-old Danny Crane was not at all happy that his Ma moved him from the streets of New York to Honolulu. She took a job as a nurse on a military base to keep Danny away from danger. Little did she know that they lived exactly where the first bombs of World War II would fall. Tarshis writes an easily read plot with a nicely developed character. Scott Dawson adds some beautiful black & white illustrations for visual appeal.  A good choice for an easy historical fiction read.

4 of 5 stars. Recommended.