Unfortunate circumstances leave Stanley Yelnats at the mercy of the warden of Camp Green Lake, where he, and other inmates, are forced to dig five-foot deep holes all day, every day, to 'build character.' After hearing rumors of hidden treasure, and a bandit named Kissin' Kate Barlow, Stanley tries to dig up the truth. Can he untangle the mess of clues before he sweats to death, or the yellow-spotted lizards kill him? This book won the Newbery Medal in 1999 and the Rebecca Caudill Award in 2002.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal, Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0374332657

ISBN-13: 9780374332655

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Twelve-year-old Roy Eberhardt, and his family have moved to Florida, where he's the new kid again. When the school bully smashes Roy's face against the school bus window, he sees a strange, barefoot boy streaking by, and he follows. The boy seems to be on a mission. Just who is this boy, and why is he running? What does Beatrice Leep know about him, and what is going on at the site of the new Mother Paula's Pancake House? Confused? To figure it out, and see how alligators in port-o-potties, burrowing owls, and cottonmouth snakes with sparkly tails fit in, read Hoot.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0440421705

ISBN-13: 9780440421702

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian for his birthday. When an old wooden cupboard and a special key bring the toy to life, he finds himself involved in adventures when the Indian in the cupboard befriends him. Series includes: Return of the Indian, Secret of the Indian, Mystery of the Cupboard, Key to the Indian

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0380600129

ISBN-13: 9780380600120

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Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. This is the first book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.

Similar books: The Stoneheart Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 064172344X

ISBN-13: 9780786856299

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Commenter: Matt, grade 4

Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Maniac Magee is a legend in Two Mills. He can run faster, kick farther, and untie knots better than anyone. But Maniac has no home. He's adopted for a while by a family, but leaves when his white presence in their all black neighborhood brings trouble to the family. His next home is with an old, minor league baseball player, but he is soon on the move again. There are so many stories about Maniac Magee, it's hard to separate the truth from the myth. Maniac Magee won the 1991 Newbery Medal and the 1993 Rebecca Caudill Award.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal, Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0316807222

ISBN-13: 9780316807227

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