The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt

"Jake Kincaid was known as the dowser."

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Summary: Traces the hard life, filled with losses, adversity, and adventure, of Amos, son of a trapper and dowser, from 1833 when his mother dies giving birth to him until 1859, when he himself has grown up and has a son of his own.

Henry Holt and Company; 309 pages

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

"I'm in fourth grade."

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Summary: Although Jeff and Tad, encouraged by a new friend, Lindsey, make a deal to help one another overcome aftereffects of their cancer treatments in preparation for eighth-grade graduation, Jeff still craves advice from his older brother Stephen, who is studying drums in Africa.

Scholastic Press; 260 pages

Star in the Forest by Laura Resau

"There is a forest behind my trailer, through the weeds and under the gate and across the trickly, oily ditch."

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Summary: After eleven-year-old Zitlally's father is deported to Mexico, she takes refuge in her trailer park's forest of rusted car parts, where she befriends a spunky neighbor and finds a stray dog that she nurses back to health and believes she must keep safe so that her father will return.

Delacorte Press, 149 pages

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

"I am eleven years old, and I am invisible."

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Summary: It's 1962, and it seems everyone is living in fear. Twelve-year-old Franny Chapman lives with her family in Washington, DC, during the days surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Amidst the pervasive threat of nuclear war, Franny must face the tension between herself and her younger brother, figure out where she fits in with her family, and look beyond outward appearances. For Franny, as for all Americans, it's going to be a formative year. (Summary from ecampus.com)

Scholastic Press; 377 pages