Mrs. Frisby is a field mouse who runs into a problem when she needs to move her family's home out of the path of the farmer's plow. Normally, this is not a big deal, but this year, one of her children is too sick to be moved. When her situation becomes desperate, she turns to the rats of NIMH: rats, who were imprisoned in a laboratory, which made them wise. This won the Newbery Medal in 1972. Two sequels are: Racso & the Rats of NIMH and R-T, Margaret & the Rats of NIMH, both by Jane Conly.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0689206518

ISBN-13: 9780689206511

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Elmer runs away with an old alley cat to rescue Boris, a flying baby dragon being held captive on a faraway island. Just how do two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, help Elmer get past the wild animals guarding Boris on Wild Island? Sequels include: Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland.

Awards won: Newbery Honor Book 1949

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0394914386

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Winner of the 2003 Caldecott Medal, My Friend Rabbit tells the story of Mouse's friendship with Rabbit. 'My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows.' What ensues is one such instance of trouble, where Rabbit loses Mouse's toy plane in a tree. When Rabbit calls out, 'Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea,' we know that the proper response is to worry. Rabbit's idea involves piling all the wild animals on top of one another to retrieve the plane. You can guess what happens next! Most of the meaning of the story is apparent in the illustrations, and a few well-chosen words make clear that Rabbit is the classic troublesome, yet likable, character many of us have encountered.

Awards won: Caldecott Medal

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/26/2010

ISBN-10: 031236752X

ISBN-13: 9780312367527

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Meet Nate the Great and his dog Sludge. Together they work as a team to solve all types of mysteries. But what happens when Sludge, a very important member of this team, goes missing? How will Nate solve the case of Sludge's disappearance when Sludge isn't there to help? Follow Nate as he discovers clues in the big department store to find his trusted friend. This is a heart warming and humorous story of the love between a boy and his dog.

Similar authors: David A. Adler

Similar books: Young Cam Jansen and the Spotted Cat Mystery by David A. Adler

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/10/2009

ISBN-10: 0385900201

ISBN-13: 9780385900201

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Other people may think that Norton the pony is being bad, but his owner Molly thinks he's perfect. If you enjoy reading about Norton's antics, be sure to check out the other books in this series.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 10/20/2011

ISBN-10: 1404855041

ISBN-13: 9781404855045

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