The Magician's Elephant

Kate DiCamillo has created yet another wonderful fantasy book for you. This story is of Peter Augustus Duchene, a young orphan who lives with a senile old man who is determined to make a soldier of him. When a washed up magician mistakenly produces an elephant that falls on a noble woman of the town, he is imprisoned along with the elephant. Peter's life begins to tie in with the elephant when a fortune teller tells him an elephant will lead him to his sister, who has been gone since she was born. Secrets are discovered and Peter remains determined to reunite with her and get the lonely elephant back to its home. He needs the noble woman, the magician, and the help of a neighborhood policeman to accomplish that. It's a lot for a small boy to ask.

ZOOBREAK by Gordon Korman

Though it doesn't have to be considered a sequel to SWINDLE, having read it first will help you enjoy ZOOBREAK even more because you will be familiar with the characters and their personalities. Griffin gives in to Savannah's request to get her precious capuchin monkey, Cleopatra back from the greedy zookeeper running the floating zoo. The Man with the Plan seems to have everything covered, but when Darren is a No Show, Klaus, the humongous guard gets in the way, and animals are on the loose, their daring rescue seems to be foiled. If they can keep the forty other animals hidden until another home can be found for them, maybe the team can avoid an arrest. It's possible, but not likely!

Slam Dunk by Kate Jaimet

This book from the ORCA Sports series is a good realistic fiction for boys and girls alike. Whether you aspire to be a basketball coach, or just be the best player you can be, this book will be a good match. It even has some mystery added to give it punch! Slam - short for Salvador Luis Amaro - has to take over as coach for the high school girls' basketball team, while also trying out for a position on a select boys' team. It's a lot for a 17 teenager to take on, but becomes even more than he bargained for when the star player and her mother, the coach are missing. Slam takes on their disappearance as his mission, but will he be able to solve the mystery without risking his life or theirs? Luckily, this is a quick read because I couldn't put it down until I finished it!

Any Which Wall

The author, Laurel Snyder, has introduced me to the world of "Common Magic" in this interesting science fiction book. As you travel with four friends to the cornfield on the outskirts of their small Iowa town, you'll find yourself wondering where they should wish for the wall to take them, and perhaps where you would ask it to take you. Don't get caught up in wishing for outrageous places, and be careful how you make the wish as well! These four friends find themselves among pirates, a queen, and outlaws. Several close calls and interference from outsiders may keep the clan from staying together or ever getting back to their cozy homes. Will they get back, or are they destined to stay in the musty castle or deserted island? Sometimes you have to figure out what is important and why before you can travel safely. Let me know which of these friends accomplished that, if any.

When You Reach Me

Whether you are looking for realistic fiction, science fiction, or a good mystery, you'll enjoy this one! Miranda and Sal go through different levels of friendship throughout this page-turner, and all lead to another twist. While Miranda's mom is prepping for the $20,000 Pyramid Show she's been selected to play on TV, Miranda is busy translating a mysterious series of events, some that lead to the possibility of time travel. But how could that be? That's a phenomenon not yet proven to exist. The "laughing man" who sleeps under the mailbox may have the answer, but so could Marcus. You won't know until every page in this great book has been turned at least once! Let me know when you do!

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Rodman Philbrick's historical fiction book is a fun read with several colorful characters such as our main character, Homer P. Figg. He is on a quest to retrieve his older brother who was illegally sold into the Union Army by their money-hungry guardian. Homer has trouble sticking to the truth when giving his version of the situations he gets himself into along the way, but that only adds to the humor behind his many adventures. Other characters who add to the laugh-out-loud antics of an otherwise serious situation are Stink Mullins, Smelt, Mr. Webster B. Willow, and Professor Fleabottom. Even the wealthy Quaker gentleman, Jebediah Brewster provides plenty of comic relief when he provides shelter and hope for Homer. The snippets of Civil War history, The Underground Railroad, and prominent figures such as Abraham Lincon are presented throughout the book to give you a look into that historical time period. Will Homer find his brother, Harold, or will a kidnapping, playing "The Amazing Pig Boy", or an escape ride in a hot air balloon stop him from reuniting with him? Those events and many more will keep you on the edge of your seat, laughing and wondering what might happen next.