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Kenny & the Dragon


Tony DiTerlizzi - 2008
    When the simple folks in the sleepy little village of Roundbrook catch wind that there's a dragon running loose in the countryside, they get the wrong idea and the stage is set for a fight to the death. So it's up to Kenny to give his neighbors front-row seats to one of the best-known battles in history -- the legendary showdown between St. George and the dragon -- without losing a friend in the fray.

The Palace of Laughter


Jon Berkeley - 2006
    There's a strange beast called The Null and an array of sinister-looking clowns, and when an unusual little girl with wings falls from a tower during the performance, Miles's life is changed forever. As Miles and Little embark on an extraordinary journey to rescue two friends who have been captured at the Palace of Laughter, they discover nothing less than the power of friendship and the gift of family.

The Wind in the Willows


Kenneth Grahame - 1908
    Toad, Badger, and Ratty--have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories are among the most charming in all English literature.

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes


Jonathan Auxier - 2011
    One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher—a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to travel to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom and rescue a people in need. Along with his loyal sidekick—a knight who has been turned into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat—and the magic eyes, he embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to discover his true destiny.Be sure to read the companion book, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard.

Rascal


Sterling North - 1963
    Rascal is only a baby when Sterling brings him home, but soon the two are best friends, doing everything together--until the spring day when everything suddenly changes.Rascal is a heartwarming boyhood memoir that continues to find its way into the hearts of readers fifty years later. This special anniversary edition includes the book's classic illustrations restored to their original splendor, as well as a letter from the author's daughter, and material from the illustrator's personal collection."Everyone should knock off work, sit beneath the nearest tree, and enjoy Rascal from cover to cover."—Chicago Tribune

The Magician's Elephant


Kate DiCamillo - 2009
    With atmospheric illustrations by fine artist Yoko Tanaka, here is a dreamlike and captivating tale that could only be narrated by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. In this timeless fable, she evokes the largest of themes — hope and belonging, desire and compassion — with the lightness of a magician’s touch.

Gregor the Overlander


Suzanne Collins - 2003
    This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.

The Incredible Journey


Sheila Burnford - 1960
    And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all time—and has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)


Ellen Raskin - 1971
    Leon Carillon sets off to meet the husband she hasn't seen since he was five, she doesn't know what to expect. She certainly doesn't bargain for the storm that knocks their boat overboard, or the fact that her husband will disappear, leaving only one very waterlogged clue. She also doesn't know that while she searches for Leon (or is it Noel?) she will have to find the answer to these important questions: Were Tony and Tina really Siamese Twins? Why does the crossword puzzle expert wear a helmet during dinner? And what do the glub blubs mean?

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery, a Very Strange Adventure


Lissa Evans - 2011
    Horten as his name isn't bad enough, now 10-year-old Stuart is forced to move far away from all his friends. But on his very first day in his new home, Stuart's swept up in an extraordinary adventure: the quest to find his great-uncle Tony--a famous magician who literally disappeared off the face of the earth--and Tony's marvelous, long-lost workshop.  Along the way, Stuart reluctantly accepts help from the annoying triplets next door… and encounters trouble from another magician who's also desperate to get hold of Tony's treasures.A quirky, smart, charming page-turner, Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms will enchant young readers--as well as teachers, librarians, and parents.

Podkin One-Ear


Kieran Larwood - 2016
    But how did he become such a mighty fighter? The answer may surprise you... When a travelling bard arrives at Thornwood Warren on Midwinter night, he is warmly welcomed. In return for food and lodging, he settles down to tell of how Podkin One-Ear - and soon the rabbits are enthralled to hear the story of how one lost little rabbit overcame the cruellest enemy imaginable, and became the greatest warrior their land has ever known.

The Diary of Janie Ray - Books 1-5 Box Set


Lila Segal - 2013
    When I first got this diary from my mom, I didn't think I'd have all that much to write about - except for the usual stuff about my little brother RJ (who ALWAYS messes up my things, and never gets in trouble!) and my best friend Sheila. But then really strange things started happening. Like this medallion I found when I was seven turned out to have an inscription on it - in a secret language I made up with Sheila just THIS YEAR! Let's just say my life isn't so boring anymore. And that's an understatement. Join me as I explore the hidden mysteries of the medallion, while figuring out how to deal with Marcia the Snob, my little brother RJ, and even my mom - who always looks nice and doesn't understand how hard things can be when you're eleven!!! Books 1-5 of The Diary of Janie RayBook 1: The Impossible Medallion (a FREE introductory preview) Book 2: The Day My Mom Got Grounded! Book 3: A Star is Born Book 4: A Letter to My Fifth Grade Self Book 5: Baking with Frenemies! The Impossible Medallion and The Day My Mom Got Grounded: Eleven year old Janie Ray just got a new diary from her mom. At first, she writes all about the private jokes she shares with her best friend Sheila, and the grief she gets from her little brother RJ. But then, one morning, she realizes that the mysterious inscription on the old medallion she found when she was seven is written in her secret language! Join Janie as she explores the hidden mysteries of the medallion, while figuring out how to deal with Marcia the Snob, RJ, and even her mother - who always looks nice and doesn't understand how hard things can be when you're eleven. A Star is Born: Kellie Allen is the most unpopular girl in Janie's fifth grade class. She doesn't have any friends, and she brings sardine sandwiches for lunch! Janie can't believe her rotten luck when she gets stuck with Kellie as her science project partner. But she soon realizes that Kellie isn't as weird as she seems. And she has the best singing voice Janie has ever heard! How can Janie get the other kids to see Kellie for who she really is? And will she really be able to use the medallion to help save Kellie from the class bullies? A Letter to my Fifth Grade Self: Things are going pretty well for Janie. Between hanging out with Sheila, Kellie and Alexis and trying to get her homework done, she barely has time to think about the medallion. And even MTS seems to be minding her own business. But all that changes one day, when Janie gets a mysterious note from the future. Baking with Frenemies!: Travelling through time is strange enough, but now something even stranger has happened - MTS, otherwise known as Marcia the Snob, wants to be Janie's friend! Or does she? With the fifth grade baking contest coming up, and Kellie's Starbright Showdown just around the corner, Janie barely has time to write in her diary. And as if all that weren't enough, Janie and Sheila realize it's time to find Grandpa Charlie's key and unlock the mysteries it seeks to protect. Join Janie as she tries to figure out how to deal with Marcia, while discovering what it truly means to be Bearer of the Medallion.