Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

"Most people like to talk in their own language."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: Jason, a twelve-year-old autistic boy who wants to become a writer, relates what his life is like as he tries to make sense of his world.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 195 pages

Carolina Harmony by Marilyn Taylor McDowell

"Carolina ran, a hot sharp pain stabbing at her side."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: In the summer of 1964, Carolina is a runaway hiding out at Harmony Farm in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Harmony's, Mr. Ray and Miss Latah treat Carolina as their own and wait for her to reveal her secret. But Carolina doesn't want to reveal the accident that claimed her parents and her younger brother and the surrogate grandmother who cared for Carolina until illness forced Carolina to go to a foster home. Russell, a troublemaker who runs away from the foster home where Carolina was, comes to Harmony Farm. Then something so terrible happens that Carolina must run away again.

Publisher: Delacorte Press; 323 pages

Twilight Prisoner by Katherine Marsh

This book was suggested for inclusion on our blog but I do not have a copy of it in hand to jot down the first sentence. If anyone has a copy and wants to let me know the first sentence, I'll be happy to jot it down here, otherwise -- be patient -- I'll put it in as soon as our Library receives the book or the ARC is returned.

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: In an effort to impress a female classmate, high school sophomore Jack Perdu endangers both of their lives by taking her to New York City's Underworld, where those who died in New York reside until they are ready to move on.

Publisher: Hyperion; 246 pages

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams

This book was suggested for inclusion on our blog but I do not have a copy of it in hand to jot down the first sentence. If anyone has a copy and wants to let me know the first sentence, I'll be happy to jot it down here, otherwise -- be patient -- I'll put it in as soon as our Library receives the book or the ARC is returned.


Publisher: HarperCollins; 336 pages

Wings by Jason Lethcoe

"Edward Alistair Macleod had an itch that he couldn't scratch."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: In 1921, fourteen-year-old Edward gets caught up in a conflict between the Guardians of Woodbine--the place of the dead--and the Groundlings, the Jackal's agents of corruption on Earth, and sets out on an important quest using his newly-sprouted wings.

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap; 214 pages

Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace

"They're barefoot, moving silently along the carpeted hallway, searching for some clue to which hotel room might be Jenna McNultys."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: Brothers Zeke and Randy participate in an important chess tournament, playing against each other while also trying to deal with their father's intensely competitive tendencies.

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf; 112 pages

The Kids Are Starting to Read! (Are YOU?)

The 1st Mock Newbery for Kids program we held earlier this year was wildly successful. The kids liked reading the new books throughout the year. They loved getting access to ARCs before the books were published. They enjoyed commenting on the blog. And they were enthusiastic about discussing the books in person and deciding on their Mock Newbery winner.

Many of these kids have already started to read books for THIS YEAR'S Mock Newbery. In the coming weeks and months, you'll find their comments posted on this blog.

If they (or you!) want to comment on a title which is not yet posted on the blog, just drop me a note via email with the title and author, as well as any comments you'd like to make about it. I will try to verify that it is eligible for Newbery consideration, and -- if it is -- I will get it posted asap for our Mock Newbery program.

We love everyone's participation! And remember, once you've registered for the Mock Newbery program, you are welcome to borrow Advance Reader's Copies (ARCs) which some publishers (Thank YOU!) have so graciously given us. Just register for the program (grownups can register here and kids can register here) and then stop in to Children's Services to borrow the ARCs. We look forward to your participation and your comments.

Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia

"Zero Period."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: The lives of Leticia, Dominique, and Trina are irrevocably intertwined through the course of one day in an urban high school after Leticia overhears Dominique's plans to beat up Trina and must decide whether or not to get involved.

Publisher: HarperTeen; 168 pages

Melonhead by Katy Kelly

"Yesterday I was a regular ten-year-old boy."

The abstract is hidden because it may contain spoilers. If you would like to read the full summary, simply use your cursor to highlight the next few lines and it will magically appear.

Abstract: In the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Capitol Hill, Lucy Rose's friend Adam "Melonhead" Melon, a budding inventor with a knack for getting into trouble, enters a science contest that challenges students to recycle an older invention into a new invention.

Publisher: Delacorte Press; 210 pages