Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Originally published in 1993, one of Zafon’s earliest works has finally been published in English. A suspenseful tale about a dark and mysterious presence in a small Spanish costal town; Zafon does not disappoint with this thrilling, dark and adventurous tale. Realistic relationships, brilliant writing and vivid details make The Prince of Mist another Zafon triumph.

Siblings, Max and Alicia Carver and their family move into a house once inhabited by the Fleischmann family; sadly the house has a tragic past as young Jacob Fleischmann drowned on the beach just meters from his home. Almost immediately, young Max experiences a dark sense of foreboding… something evil is lurking in the sleepy costal town and it’s only a matter of time before danger strikes and the mysteries of years past are revealed.

As Max, Alicia and their friend Roland explore the town and the ominous Orpheus, a ship that sank off the coast 25 years ago questions arise and the sinister feeling about the town intensifies. The three friends feel that answers lie with Roland’s grandfather, Victor, who is unwilling to explain all he knows about the ship and the person known as the Prince of Mist. Unanswered questions, eerie statues hidden in the mist, tragic deaths, and the lure of a dangerous magician, set the friends on a perilous and deadly path.
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Time of the Witches by Anna Myers

Ever wonder how the Salem witchcraft hysteria started? What were the real reasons the entire town was caught up in the accusations, trials and executions? Time of the Witches explores the household of Mistress Putnam who was troubled by the deaths of many of her infants. She had one healthy daughter but was unable to truly run her household and care for her family. In this book the story is told by an orphan who lives in the household as a companion to the daughter. Through her eyes we see the role Mistress Putnam plays in influencing events in the community. Her motivations and relationships with neighbors are portrayed as an important key to understanding what really happened. Compare this book with Beyond the Burning Time by Kathryn Lasky
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13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Tanya is being bullied by fairies that only she can see.  Far from being sympathetic, her irritated mom sends her to live with a cranky grandmother in a dark and gloomy English manor house. Tanya is warned against entering the equally gloomy forest that surrounds the house, but  of course, she has to enter the forest . . . where she encounters Fabian (the caretaker's son), a long dead ghostly girl, and even more fairies; who all seem to know who she is -- even though she can't tell a goblin from a pixie. This is one of those atmospheric, gothic fantasy stories that make you want to curl up, read, and let the whole world disappear.  Originally published in England, this book won the independent bookseller's Waterstone award for children's books, and will most likely show up on many 2010 best-of-year lists, an honor that this absorbing modern-day fairy tale well deserves.
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Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam, an unusually tall twelve year old, fakes his way onto a space rocket, the ultimate thrill ride, posing as the dad of a classmate. Not a problem, until things don't go as planned, and Liam is supposed to be the grown-up in charge.  Yikes!   Think Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, but without any adults, and  flying out of control through space.  Good thing Liam has trained for this very situation with his extensive background in online gaming. 
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The Cookcamp by Gary Paulsen

A short quick read, memories of a 5 year old who spent some time, maybe several months with his grandmother. She was a cook for a road crew building a road in rural Minnesota during WWII. Before and after this visit he lived with his mother while his father was away in the war.

From the road crew he learns to enjoy being a boy who will become a man. He is befriended by the 9 man crew and warmly looked after by his grandmother.
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Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

Fun read with the continuing story of Grandma Dowdel. We learn more about her through her new neighbors, the preacher's family. She is up to the task of helping a neighbor and helping the town deal with the area bullies and their families.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

I just finished Hatchet a book I should have read ages ago.
It lived up to its reputation as a good read and a good adventure. It seemed as though Brian, the main character figured out more that could be expected to survive in the wilderness. However, the themes of patience, listening, awareness and appreciation were well represented and good ones for any coming of age story. I especially identified with his appreciation of the openness and quiet of the setting when looking toward the western sky and the setting sun.

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Herbert's wormhole

A wormhole is a connection to time travel in the future. Herbert and Alex travel through their video grame's wormhole to a future ruled by aliens.Herbert meets his future self who along with Sammi the girl next door, are instrumental in them defeat the aliens in a ball game and return home.

Freaky Monday

The model president

Brian Tacang has written a story about true friendship in the format of candidates for election to school council. The fashion design and modeling school in town has closed temporarily for renovationsand the student will be attending the regular school in town. Of course the 2 groups don't mix or even get along and when it looks like the fashionable Fiona might win the election to class president,ordinary Millicent needs to find a way to be herself and win the election. Her true friends come through and help. Fortunately, the renovations are completed quickly and Fiona and friends can return to their own school.

Poppy and Ereth

Avi has written the last book in the Poppy series. In this book Poppy's husband, Rye, dies unexpectedly, Poppy and Ereth both mourn him in their own ways. But Poppy's grandson Spruce is able to bring the family and friends together and look forward to new life in Dimwood forest.

Crows and Cards by Joseph Helgerson

I was interested in reading this because of a review which compared it to Mark Twain. the review was right on! The book takes place on the Mississippi river, riverboat, gamblers, and runaways all included. The main character, Zebulon Crabtree, age 12, is sent downriver by his parents to apprentice with a great uncle in a tannery. He falls under the influence of a riverboat gambler, Chilly, and never makes it to his great uncle's place. Instead he learns alot about who he is and life in general from the gamblers, a runaway slave and a blind Indian chief and his daughter. At the end he decides of course that gambling is not for him. The fun is watching the tale unfold and seeing how Helgerson puts it all together. Wonderful characters and lots of fun.

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Umbrella Summer

great read - http://library.minlib.net/record=b2670456

Freaky Monday by Mary rodgers

Like Freaky Friday, this time the English teacher and a student trade places when they read a passage from a book together. this creates chaos for both in their ordinary days, and confusion for classmates and fellow teachers. but in the end they both have a greater appreciation for the others viewpoint.

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls

Fun story about a girl and her brothers who are moving to a new house in the middle of the school year. Allie isn't happy about the move and tries to stop her parents' plans. Chaos results but the move turns out OK thanks to Uncle Jay's words of advice.