Best of
Middle-Grade

2003

Into the Wild


Erin Hunter - 2003
    But the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger, and the sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying-- and some deaths are more mysterious than others. In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary house cat named Rusty . . . who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

Deltora Quest: Special Edition, Books 5-8


Emily Rodda - 2003
    Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must recover the lost gems of the Belt of Deltora at any cost. This will not be easy -- beasts, traps, and terrors stand in their way. From the underwater lair of the ferocious Glus to the deadly mists of the Valley of the Lost, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must summon up their deepest courage -- and their greatest strength.Book 5: Dream Mountain / Book 6: The Maze of the Beast / Book 7: The Valley of the Lost / Book 8: Return to Del

The Tale of Despereaux


Kate DiCamillo - 2003
    It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Amelia Rules! Volume 1: The Whole World's Crazy


Jimmy Gownley - 2003
    She's nine years old, a former New Yorker who's now living in a small town after her parents decided to get divorced, and dealing with everything from being the new kid in school to getting her first kiss. But you know what? She's got her mom and her aunt Tanner (who happens to be an ex-rock star) and her friends Reggie, Rhonda, and Pajamaman, and everything's going to be okay. Except, of course, when it isn't. In this first book of Amelia's adventures, Amelia and her friends take on bullies (and Santa!), barely survive gym class, and receive a disgustingly detailed explanation of the infamous Sneeze Barf.

Escaping the Giant Wave


Peg Kehret - 2003
    Kyle's perfect vacation becomes a nightmare while he's babysitting his sister, BeeBee. An earthquake hits the coast and starts a fire in their hotel. Can Kyle and BeeBee outwit and outrun nature's fury to save themselves from tsunami terror?

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy: A Reader's Guide


Claire Squires - 2003
    A team of contemporary fiction scholars from both sides of the Atlantic has been assembled to give a thorough and readable analysis of each of the novels in question.The books in the series all follow the same five-part structure: a short biography of the novelist; a full-length study of the novel, drawing out the most important themes and ideas; a summary of how the novel was received when it was first published; a summary of the novel's standing today, including any film or television adaptations and a helpful list of discussion questions, suggestions for further reading, and useful websites.

The Sisters Club


Megan McDonald - 2003
    Playfully weaving Stevie’s narration with Alex’s scripts, Joey’s notebook entries, and hilarious elements such as "How to Swear in Shakespeare" and "Dear Sock Monkey" letters, this hugely engaging novel showcases Megan McDonald’s ear for dialogue, comic timing, and insight into the ever-changing dynamics of sisterhood.

Maya Angelou


Patricia Kirkpatrick - 2003
    Includes a selection of her poetry.

The Three Vests: The New Brilliants


Robert Bowman - 2003
    Bestowed with uncontrollable powers, they must learn quickly how to use them if they are to survive what's coming. There are Dark Vests; those who wish to destroy all those who stand for justice . . . the Brilliants. But can they learn fast enough before the Dark Vests take control and it's too late?

They Too Were Heroes


Joanne Mattern - 2003
    They Too Were Heroes, tells true stories of dogs that have saved lives.

The Quiz Book 3: Three Times the Fun!


Brette McWhorter Sember - 2003
    Quiz Book 3 includes 26 all-new quizzes to help girls learn even more about themselves. Content is fun, upbeat but not too old (like Teen and Lizzie books would be). Sample of Quizzes: What do your dreams mean? What is your friendship style? What were your parents like when they were your age? What would you do for a million dollars? Do you mope or cope? Boy Barometer. And More!