Girl Overboard

Everyone thinks Syrah Cheng's got it all. After all, her father is a multibillionaire and Syrah's got everything any kid would ever want: her own art studio, beautiful room, hefty allowance, and custom-designed snowboards. But this privileged girl's life is definitely not perfect. It seems like her "friends" only want her for her parent's money. Her best friend in the whole world is ditching her for his girlfriend, and both are drawing farther and farther apart from each other. Her half-siblings can't stand her. Her mother is always disgusted by her unladylike habits. And, worst of all, after a tragic snowboarding accident, Syrah is too banged up to pursue her dream as a champion snowboarder. Can Syrah heal her heart and bruised body as she tries to break away from her former image as "daughter of Ethan Cheng" and find who she really is? Justina Chen Headley has created an interesting novel about family, friends, and finding the true meaning of being yourself. Although it's seemingly slow in the beginning, "Girl Overboard" proves to be a true treasure.

The Emerald Wand of Oz

Em and Dori (descendants of Dorothy Gale--yes, The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy) embark on a magical adventure to their great-aunt's world of Oz. Dori has always loved the "Oz" books, but her younger sister Em thinks that they're childish. So she doesn't believe that the snow globe left behind for them by Dorothy really is magical. But that's before the two sisters are swept off to Oz in a tornado--where unicorns have beauty pageants, flying monkeys guard a castle, and magic is a part of everyday life. Em and Dori both have to face a terrifying conclusion- they are definitely not in Kansas anymore. And it doesn't quite feel like the Oz in Dori's books, either. Dark storm clouds constantly fill the sky, Dorothy is lost (for good?), and the new Wicked Witch of the West, Bastinda, has cast a curse over cheerful Princess Ozma and her palace. Can the brave sisters find Bastinda's emerald wand and reverse the curse? And can they make Oz a happy place once again? Sherwood Smith has created a magical and intriuging novel that fans of L. Frank Baum-- and new readers, too--will enjoy.

The Year of the Dog

The Year of the Dog is definitely going to be a big year for Taiwanese-American girl Pacy. It's always been hard for herself and her sisters for her at school-they're the only kids of Taiwanese descent there. But that's before Melody moves to school, and she and Pacy become best friends. These two are totally going to have the best year ever! Readers will watch Pacy grow throughout the year-physically and mentally. This sweet coming-of-age novel will appeal most to children in grades 3-6. With cute child-like illustrations scattered throughout the novel, Grace Lin's The Year of the Dog is an important and wonderful multicultural novel about howe important it is to be who you really are.

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now

Clarice Bean is up to her head in worries! First off, her rickety house seems to be falling apart. And her parents have been arguing a lot lately. Not to mention the fact that there's always the worry you haven't even thought to worry about that should worry you the most (as her favorite heroine of her favorite girl's spy series, Ruby Redfort would say) lurking around the corner. Could it include the awful possibility of Clarice's best friend, Betty Moody, moving far, far away? And then there is the seemingly mean new girl...should Clarice like her or not? Clarice Bean, a humorous and amusing character is back in this 3rd book of the witty Clarice Bean series by Lauren Child. Don't look now, but this one might be the best yet!

Spin City

The summer (and the internship at Flirt) is finally coming to an end for Kiyoko Katsuda, but that doesn't mean that she has time to sit around and relax! In this fourth installment of the fantastic Flirt series by Nicole Clarke, Kiyoko is as busy as ever. There's a new department boss, new rules, and, of course, the strict editor-in-chief, Ms. Bishop keeping an eye on wild child Kiyoko. One false move for this spunky music-lover, and she's headed back to Japan for good! Bye-bye internship, bye-bye summer fun! Can Kiyoko pull it together and write a brilliant piece for the magazine? Will she be able to get through the summer with some romance, music, and friends? This fourth book of the Flirt series is a bit repetitive, but if you're a fan, you won't want to miss out on this latest installment by Nicole Clarke!

Clarice Bean Spells Trouble

Can funny and sweet Clarice Bean stay out of trouble for once? It's sure going to be hard, with this spunky and wise heroine trying to impress her grouchy hippopotamus of a teacher by winning the spelling bee. And--on top of that, she's vying for the lead role in her class play! Can Clarice Bean get to the tippity-top without getting in too much trouble? Watch out, because Lauren Child's enjoyable character is back for another round of humor and sticky situations that kids ages 8-10 will adore!

Utterly Me, Clarice Bean

Clarice Bean is a spunky, funny younger girl who just can't pay attention in class. And who can blame her when her teacher is a shouting hippopotamus and there are secrets all around her? Clarice is starting to feel like her favorite girl superspy from her favorite book series, Ruby Redfort, just trying to figure everything out! With help from her best friend Betty Moody, can Clarice Bean figure out how to create an awesome book report (even if she has to do it with her archenemy) and win the big prize? Author Lauren Child has created a funny and colorfully artistic story for younger children. Clarice Bean is utterly perfect for those who want a step up from the Junie B. Jones books, and everyone else, too!

SUBMITTED BY FRANCINE LARSSON