Travis and his kid sister, Corey, are known throughout the family as 'high-spirited' kids that love to play tricks on unsuspecting people. When Travis and Corey are sent to the Fox Hill Inn to help their grandmother for the summer, they are both looking for adventure. After hearing that the Inn is supposedly haunted, Travis and Corey decide to 'make' a ghost appear at midnight. With the help of a flashlight, makeup, a filmy white scarf, and some well-timed screams, the kids awaken a real ghost - Ada Haggs, an evil and vengeful spirit, as well as all the lovely bad ones (the children she tormented when Fox Hill Inn was the county poor farm). Events soon spiral out of control, and Travis and Corey must discover a way to get rid of Ada and stop the haunting. Will they be able to put Ada and the children to rest, or will Fox Hill Inn be haunted forever?

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: blk

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0618854673

ISBN-13: 9780618854677

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The six horrible Herdmans are back in this sequel to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Be ready to laugh out loud, as the worst kids in the history of the world cause mayhem throughout the school year, including kidnapping a classmate's baby brother, drawing pictures on his bald head, and charging classmates a quarter to look at the Amazing Tattooed Baby.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0060230436

ISBN-13: 9780060230432

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Amy and her sister unravel the mystery surrounding a family secret, involving murders that took place years ago, with clues from a dollhouse they find in the attic of their family home. The dollhouse mysteriously fills with a ghostly light in the middle of the night, and the dolls move from where they had been placed.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0823404978

ISBN-13: 9780823404971

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Commenter: Grace, grade 5

Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside down. Between being terrified that friends at school will learn about Jeffrey, feeling ignored by his parents, and being scared for his brother, Steven takes refuge in his basement practice room. His English class journal becomes the place he records the burdens of his young life. Insightful, funny, and touching, this is a book for drummers, and those with little brothers.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0439755204

ISBN-13: 9780439755207

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

At birth, Ella was the unfortunate recipient of the 'gift' of obedience. She must obey any order given. Filled with princes, giants, ogres, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers galore, this is the story of Ella's quest to break this gift/curse once and for all.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0064407055

ISBN-13: 9780064407052

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Commenter: Pamela, grade 5

Commenter: Scpl Reader, grade 0