There are times when Penny (Bunny) wishes she knew the language that her Nonny and uncles were speaking. They are the Italian-American Catholic family of her father, who died during World War II. Now it is 1953 and Penny is eleven. Penny and her mother live with her mother's parents, Me-Me and Pop-pop. Penny visits her father's family often, but her mother never does. Her uncles take her to her father's grave in the Protestant cemetery and buy her expensive clothes. Frankie, her cousin and a trouble-maker, suggests activities that Penny reluctantly agrees to do. One activity has devastating results for Penny. Adding to her woes, her mother is seriously dating again�the milkman! Uncle Dominic's 'lucky bean,' Me-Me's cooking, the milkman, and butter pecan ice cream tell the story of Penny with thoughtfulness and humor. Why would no one tell Penny anything about her father? Does it have something to do with Uncle Dominic living in his car?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0375936874

ISBN-13: 9780375936876

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In this sequel to the City of Ember, the people of Ember go to a new place after getting out of Ember.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 2/25/2010

ISBN-10: 0375828249

ISBN-13: 9780375828249

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Lysandra's older sister, Gabriella, is obsessed with having good manners and being the perfect princess. Lysandra would much rather have adventures like she reads about in books than sit all day sewing. Lysandra has the brilliant idea to have auditions for a talent show as a secret way to find friends to share her adventures, but Gabriella almost ruins things. Will Lysandra find a way to defy her sister, or will she be stuck forever being a proper princess? Be sure to also grab The Charmingly Clever Cousin, the next book in the Princess Power series.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 8/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0060782994

ISBN-13: 9780060782993

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Hannah and her sister, Sarah, escape the plague in 17th century London. After the terror of the plague is over, they return to the city, only to be caught in the Great Fire of 1666. Will the sisters be able to escape the terror of the fire? This title is a sequel to At the Sign of the Sugared Plum.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 1582349363

ISBN-13: 9781582349367

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Did you ever wonder how Peter Pan got to fly or where Neverland really is? The answers unfold in Peter and the Starcatchers. Action-packed adventure with pirates, ships, mermaids, and a magical substance with the power to change the fate of the world, all come together in this exciting book. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson call their series a prequel to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 078684907X

ISBN-13: 9780786849079

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