Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee.

Yee, Lisa. Millicent Min, Girl Genius. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2003.

You thought the normal eleven year old girl had problems, but try being eleven and taking a class in college. Millicent Min is that girl, however her social skills lack more than the average eleven year old. As summer roles around, Millicent finds herself taking a volleyball class that will lead to a new friend, and tutoring her worst enemy, Stanford. The summer will be full of surprises including Emily finding out the secret that Milli and Stanford were hiding from her. Yee writes a humorous page turner for her first novel.

So B. It by Sarah Weeks

Weeks, Sarah. So B. It. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2004.

Heidi, a twelve-year-old girl, lives with her mentally disabled mother named So B. It, who survives life with the help of her next door neighbor. However, to make matters worse, the neighbor, Bernadette, is an agoraphobic. Living with these two different women, Heidi will grow up in a world different from many other children; however just like everyone she will soon start asking questions about her past and about her mother. Especially, when Heidi finds a role of film that doesn’t answer anything, but just adds to her curiosity. To learn about who she is she must travel by bus by herself to her mother’s previous home to find the answers. Several weak spots throughout, but the reader's love for Heidi makes it worth continuing on. The book is well written and will keep you wanting to know the secret of her life. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy, because Weeks will have you crying, but satisfied with the turn out of this book.

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald

McDonald, Megan. Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2005.

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Stink, the little brother of Judy Moody series, will get his turn in the spotlight. This new series will have Judy Moody fans and attract others as well with the humor that James Moody can bring to these books. In this adventure, James, stresses over being so short, but finds support in the president James Madison, the shortest president ever. He will also encounter his bossy sister Judy, and even take care of his class pet newt. Peter Reynolds adds his touches in with black and white illustrations. Plus, adding in a few comic strips with Stink being various superheroes throughout the book gives extra humor that all will enjoy.

Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher's House by Louis Sachar

Sachar, Louis. Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher's House. New York: Random house, Inc., 1994.

Illustrator: Barbara Sullivan

Sachar’s fourth chapter book remains as funny as the rest. Marvin is asked to take care of his teacher's aging dog, Waldo, while she is out of town. Now Marvin will face being in Mrs. North’s house and learning to do what's right from wrong. With pressure from his friends to let them in the house to learning how to deal with things when they go wrong, Sachar will teach a good lesson using humor throughout. Barbara Sullivan adds her touches in the book with pencil drawings that are done in black and white. Plus, good facial expressions allow the story to be reiterated with the reader’s thoughts. A good combination of writing and illustrations with great humor will make reader’s love this addition to Marvin Redpost.

Judy Moody Gets Famous! by Megan McDonald

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody Gets Famous!. New York: Candlewick Press, 2001.

Illustrator Peter Reynolds

In this sequel to Judy Moody, McDonald does a fantastic job maintaining the humor in Moody’s quest to be famous. This Judy Moody book portrays Judy in a jealous mood as she continues to witness others find their fame moment as she has nothing. Moving from one crazy idea to another, like having George Washington’s cherry pit, she will do her best to find away to get her “famous” moment. In the midst of trying hard, she manages to find her fame just by helping others. Children will enjoy this chapter book and come out with a good feeling. Peter Reynolds has black and white drawings that are simple but descriptive, and it gives just enough to get a good image in your head. The drawings scattered throughout are both small and large. Also, the book starts off with a Who’s Who at the beginning that gives a picture and description of each character. The continuation of this series is one that all will love and laugh at.

¡Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes selected by Alma Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy

Ada, Alma Flor, and F. Isabel Campoy. ¡Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2003.

Illustrated by Viví Escrivá

English Adaptions by Alice Schertle

The twenty-nine nursery rhymes and songs selected makes this book a wonderful read. Each one presented in Spanish, and poetic recreations in English for all to enjoy. The rhythmic flow in both languages is simple and will have children reading to a great beat. The illustrations throughout the book are done in detail with vibrant colors that add much style to the book. This book can be a great use for teachers and parents both, and a must carry for all libraries.

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury selected by Jack Prelutsky

Prelutsky, Jack. The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999.

Illustrated by Meilo So

Jack Prelutsky creates an outstanding book of poetry by selecting 211 different poems to complete this creation. Using a variety of authors like Shel Silverstein, Nikki Grimes, and even himself, he puts together groups of poems in double page spreads that have closely related content. From weather, to months, or poems about school, readers can a find a wide range of poetry for any age. The watercolor illustrations created by Meilo So add to the selection of poems by using characteristics that fit the tone of each poem or the collection of a page from pictures that are silly to serious. A poetry book that can be read in one sitting or piece by piece in several days depending on the reader.

Eureka! Poems About Inventors by Joyce Sidman

Sidman, Joyce. Eureka! Poems About Inventors. Brookfield: The Millbrook Press, 2002.

Illustrated by K. Bennett Chavez

Using a free verse style, Sidman creates sixteen poems in a chronological order to honor many different inventors. From a prehistoric woman to the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sidman presents each person and what they achieved. She also includes a short biographical note after each set of poems to tell a little more of the person’s history. Each page comes with attractive paintings created by K. Bennett Chavez that helps create this book. The print used within the book is quite small and makes it a little harder to read, but the information presented is well worth it. The book is great for students who are studying a particular time period and want a creative way of learning about a person. The poems can be read all at once or in sections as needed, and a definite good tool for teachers in their classrooms.

Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems by Kristine O'Connell George

O'Connell George, Kristine. Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 2002.

Illustrated by Debbie Tilley

Kristine O’Connell George does a remarkable job with an unnamed character about a girl and portraying her first year of middle school for readers. Using short rhymed poems that are free verse the book easily flows from page to page. With poems covering “Each Class,” the school’s “SNOB,” and “Growth and Development” O’Connell George gives a vivid idea of what it is like to be in middle school for the first time or again as an adult. To bring out this delightful read, Debbie Tilley, uses full page illustrations that are found periodically throughout the book that help create images for readers that will have them smiling at the scenery in a middle school. Although, the illustrations add to the read, the book could easily stand on its own. This is definitely a must read for any one in middle school, or those who interact with students in middle school. However, any one looking for a quick glance in the days of their middle school this one is for you and it even ends with a happy ending.