The schoolchildren in the Dutch fishing village of Shora wonder why storks no longer nest there. They work together to place a wagon wheel on the school roof so the birds will have a safe place to build nests, and in the process, the whole village comes together in a new way. This gentle story is a bit slow to get started, but as it progresses, life in a small fishing village comes alive.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 2/24/2011

ISBN-10: 0060215852

ISBN-13: 9780060215859

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As Miranda's mother is preparing to be a contestant on 'The $20,000 Pyramid,' Miranda is trying to come to terms with strange notes that have begun surfacing for her. The first note states, 'I am coming to save your friend's life and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.' Miranda and the reader end up having a lot to wrap their minds around once the author of the letters is revealed. This book is intriguing and thought provoking from start to finish! Also available on audiobook.

Similar authors: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Similar books: Found and Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 2/17/2010

ISBN-10: 0385906641

ISBN-13: 9780385906647

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'Fetch the whipping boy!' Jemmy, a young orphan is awakened. 'Ain't I already been whipped twice today Gaw! What's the prince done now?' It was forbidden to spank, thrash or whack the heir to the throne so Jemmy was chosen to serve as the whipping boy to the arrogant and spiteful Prince Brat. Jemmy dreams of running away, but to his horror, the prince is bored, and commands Jemmy to run away with him. Along the way, they manage to be kidnapped, and held for ransom. They escape from the kidnappers and make it to the city, where they hear the latest news. There's a reward for the whipping boy, who will be charged with selling the prince to gypsies. What a mess? How are they going to get out of this mess alive? This won the Newbery Medal in 1987.

Similar books: Hostage by Willo Davis Roberts; Jo and the Bandit by Willo Davis Roberts; Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0060521228

ISBN-13: 9780060521226

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This book is about a tesseract, three witches (not exactly witches) and three kids. A tesseract is a wrinkle in time. Meg and Charles' father went missing when studying the tesseract, so they try to figure out how it works.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/24/2009

ISBN-10: 0374386137

ISBN-13: 9780374386139

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Mary Alice, and her brother, Joey, have spent summers with their Grandma Dowdel in her small town in southern Illinois. This year, Mary Alice, a city slicker from Chicago, faces an entire year alone with Grandma - who strikes fear in the hearts of all the townfolk. The only thing that Mary knows for certain is this: when trying to predict how life with Grandma might turn out - better not! This is the sequel to A Long Way from Chicago. It won the Newbery Medal in 2001.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0803725183

ISBN-13: 9780803725188

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