Scott loves football, but all the other kids notice him for is his brains. New in town, he's eager to make friends, but no one pays any attention to him. Then Chris, the best football player in the sixth grade, steps in when another kid is picking on Scott. Chris and Scott become fast friends, and that helps Scott on the football field. But Chris has a secret that could get him kicked off the team. Can Scott help Chris, or will the team lose Chris's talent forever? Will Scott ever succeed on the football field?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/30/2009

ISBN-10: 0399247157

ISBN-13: 9780399247156

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Cleo expects that this will be a day like any other until an accident flips her day upside down. What will happen when Cleo has to visit the hospital? After Stitches Saturday, she will never expect an ordinary day again: anything can happen. This is a great story about a girl who has to summon everyday courage when the unexpected occurs, and she does so with the help of her amusing, supportive family.

Similar books: Alice's Birthday Pig by Tim Kennemore

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 10/29/2010

ISBN-10: 0399246711

ISBN-13: 9780399246715

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Ever since Annie Richards' brother died in a freak hockey accident, Annie has been aware of all the dangers that surround her. She never rides her bike without a helmet (or elbow pads, knee pads and ace bandages on each ankle). Her mother worries about Annie's worries, but is too deep in her own grief to help her. Her father barely notices that Annie is even there. Her best friend turns on her when Annie gets upset and runs home at her hamster's funeral and Doug Zimmerman just won't take the hint to get lost. Her only comfort is the very helpful book she found at the neighbor's garage sale, The Everyday Guide to Preventing Illness. It helped her avoid all sorts of dangers like Ebola, Malaria and Salmonella. Then she meets her new neighbor, Mrs. Finch. Mrs. Finch is working through her own grief. Can Gin Rummy, chocolate chip cookies, and Charlotte's Web really help them both back to a sense of normality? Grab a box of tissues and read Umbrella Summer.

Similar books: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 9/11/2009

ISBN-10: 0061431877

ISBN-13: 9780061431876

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Joe is turning fourteen, and he is determined to get the best birthday present ever: a thousand-dollar black and chrome motorbike just like the one his friend is getting. Then, he will finally have his summer to himself, able to go where he pleases. When he asks, his dad flat out refuses, saying Joe doesn't know the value of money. His father says that he can have the bike if he earns the money himself, working on his dad's farm with the laborers. He's determined to prove to his father that he knows what hard work is. As the summer continues, though, Joe finds out there's a lot more going on at the farm than he knew, and some of the people he works with may be in trouble.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 4/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0374380325

ISBN-13: 9780374380328

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When Zoey visits a grandmother she's never met, she finds a beautiful china doll. When the doll comes to life, Zoey couldn't be more shocked, especially when the doll turns out to be rather rude! The doll believes she's a princess. How will Zoey cope with the doll's demands when she also has to deal with her family fighting? Will Zoey ever find someone who cares about what she needs?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/6/2011

ISBN-10: 0375956913

ISBN-13: 9780375956911

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