Missing Sisters by Gregory Maguire

Alice lives in an orphanage which is managed by the Nuns. Alice has lived there her entire life enduring being labeled as a slow child with speech and hearing problems. The only nun at the orphanage who seems to care about Alice is taken away from her due to an accident.

Alice learns the story of how she came to the orphanage discovering that she has a twin sister.

This story will keep you reading and wondering what will happen next.

The Grizzly Sisters by Cathy Bellows

This is a wonderful picture book for young readers. The Grizzly sisters are very full of life and love adventure! Their cheer is "We're big! We're bad! We're the Grizzly sisters!" Thus they go scampering through the woods scaring many other forest animals. The story takes a sudden turn when the sisters come upon humans!

Both the story and delightful illustrations are created by Cathy Bellows.

There are so many great books in our picture books section. Take some time to browse and select some favorites!

Janitor's Boy by Andrew Clements

Jack is going to a different school this year. The problem is Jack's dad is the school's janitor, a fact that Jack is trying desperately to hide from his friends. Jack is so embarrassed, he begins trying to make his dad's job more difficult.

This story has a little adventure, mystery, and tells a good family story.

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

This book is set during Hurricane Katrina. 12 year old Lanesha is an orphan who has been taken in by an old lady everyone calls Mama Ya-Ya. She and Mama Ya-Ya share a special bond because they both can see ghosts. This book becomes an adventure story about the survival of Lanesha and a friend during Hurricane Katrina. I listened to this story on CD which made the characters come more alive in my mind.

If you haven't tried listening to a book on CD or one of our Play Aways, you are missing a great way to read a book.

Best Friend Emma by Sally Warner

A new girl, Kry, has moved into Emma's third grade class. Emma is determined to be Kry's best friend. The problem is that Emma already has a best friend, Annie Pat. A second problem is that Cynthia wants Kry as a best friend too.This book is a fun read about friendship. If you like this book, we have several other Emma stories, found in our J Fiction section. (I particularly liked the fact that this book has some pictures scattered throughout the book.)

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Stage Fright

Allie's class is going to put on a play about recycling. Allie knows she is the perfect person to play Princess Penelope. Much to Allie's surprise, when her teacher announces the cast, Allie is given the role of the evil queen.

Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell

Sahara is a fifth grader who has struggled in school. Her mother decides Sahara will not be placed in a "special class" this year. Sahara has a secret ambition to become a writer. With the encouragement of her teacher and some classmates, this is going to be Sahara's year to blossom.

Doing Time Online by Jan Siebold

After joining in a neighborhood practical joke on an older neighbor lady, Mitch is given a punishment that his Dad hopes Mitch will learn a lesson from. Mitch will spend one month at the police department chatting online with an elderly resident from a nursing home. Mitch wonders what he and an old lady could possibly have to talk about for 30 minutes once a week for a month. The outcome is positive for both Mitch and his new elderly friend.

The Road to Home by Mary Jane Auch

Since her mother died, thirteen year old Mem has been left to care for her younger brother and baby sister. Their papa has good intentions of taking care of his family, but gets caught up in a new work adventure helping to build a canal. This leaves Mem and the children living alone in a boarding tavern all week long. So Mem decides to take her younger siblings and travel back to Connecticut. The real adventure then begins.

Crazy Lady! by Jane Leslie Conly

Vernon's mother died three years ago. His dad is a hard worker trying to keep the family of five intact. School is not a fun or easy place for Vernon. He and his friends get satisfaction from making fun of the town's "Crazy Lady", Maxine, and her mentally challenged son, Ronald.

The story takes a twist when Maxine connects Vernon with a neighbor who agrees to tutor him. Vernon learns to value people who are different.

This was a Newberry Honor book in 1994. What a great story!

Our House by Pam Conrad

Did you ever wonder who might have lived in your house many, many years ago? This book begins with the settlement of a small town, focusing in on one house, and then introducing the reader to each family who has occupied the house during specific years.

I loved the way Pam Conrad brought the story around full circle.

Theodore Boone kid lawyer by John Grisham

John Grisham is a master storyteller! He knows how to immediately engage his readers.

The main character is 13 year old Theo, who is the kid lawyer referred to in the title. Both of Theo's parents are lawyers, so Theo has grown up immersed in lawyer talk and surroundings. He knows many of the local policemen, judges, and lawyers.

As the story begins, in the small town where Theo lives, there has been a cold blooded murder committed. Theo becomes involved through some of his classmates. One of them was a witness to the crime, but is fearful to come forward with the information.

Theo becomes instrumental in justice being served. This book will keep you reading and wondering how will this story end.

Ivy + Bean Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows

Meet Ivy and Bean, two friends who are destined for adventure. In this story, Ivy and Bean decide they want to take ballet lessons. Neither of them have a clear idea what is in store for them. Bean's mother agrees to the lessons on several conditions: no quitting, one performance, and no complaining.

It isn't long before Ivy and Bean believe they have made a terrible mistake. Is this what ballet is really all about?

This is a fun filled early chapter book. There are several other Ivy and Bean books from which you can also choose.