2004-2005 ERMA Brangwin High Tea
Reading List Book Descriptions
These books come from the Sasquatch Reading Award book nominees
from the Washington Library Media Association and from the Young
Readers Choice Award Nominees in association with the Pacific Northwest
Library Association.
 Crispin, by
Avi (2004 Newbery Award) RL 5.0
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Genre-jumping author Avi clocks in here with his 50th book, Crispin:
The Cross of Lead, an action-packed historical narrative that follows
the frantic flight of a 13-year-old peasant boy across 14th-century
England.
After being declared a "wolf's head" by his manor's corrupt steward
for a crime he didn't commit (meaning that anyone can kill him
like a common animal--and collect a reward), this timid boy has
to flee a tiny village that's the only world he's ever known. But
before our protagonist escapes, Avi makes sure that we're thoroughly
briefed on the injustices of feudalism--the countless taxes cottars
must pay, the constant violence, the inability of a flawed church
to protect its parishioners, etc. Avi then folds in the book's
central mystery just as the boy is leaving: "Asta's son," as he's
always been known, learns from the village priest that his Christian
name is Crispin, and that his parents' origins--and fates--might
be more perplexing than he ever imagined.
Providing plenty of period detail (appropriately gratuitous for
the age group) and plenty of chase-scene suspense, Avi tells a
good story, develops a couple of fairly compelling characters,
and even manages to teach a little history lesson. (Fortunately,
kids won't realize that they're learning about England's peasant
revolt of 1381 until it's far too late.) (Ages 10 to 14) --Paul
Hughes --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 Molly
Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism, by Byng, Georgia.
RL 5.5
Editorial Reviews Amazon.com
She might not be as photogenic as Harry Potter, but the charming
Molly Moon makes up the difference in pluck in this somewhat
similar story of a put-upon English orphan who finds that she
has abilities beyond her wildest imagining.
Georgia Byng's debut novel has already swept to such success that
it's due for translation in over 20 countries, with a movie version
following close behind (produced by Harry
Potter's David Heyman, natch). And with such a genuinely
likeable (if straightforward) story and heroine, it's not hard
to see why. Molly Moon struggles to survive in Hardwick House,
an orphanage apparently run by and for caricatures--the beastly
mistress Miss Adderstone and her bad-tempered pug, the muscly Gordon
Boils (who tattooed "KING GORD" on the fingers of his fists with
a compass and ink), creepy Roger Fibbin with his "sharp nose and
cold, spying eyes." But as all wish-fulfillment adventures must
go, Molly's life is changed one fateful day, as an arcane book
draws out her special talent--she can hypnotize anybody to do anything
she wants!
Byng makes good use of her otherwise mundane cast with plenty
of wry asides (like Molly's fixation on the transformative promise
of advertising), great running jokes (especially the metamorphosis
of the orphanage's hard-boiled cook into a proud Italian capocuoco),
some clever plot sleight-of-hand, and ample funny descriptions
(as when Molly finds herself in the Royal Suite at the Waldorf: "She
wasn't sure about the Jacuzzi. It was like ten monsters farting
in her bath all at once."). (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes
 Runt, by
Bauer, Marion RL 4.8
Book Description
In this beautifully written story set in the north woods of Minnesota,
four healthy wolf pups - Leader, Sniffer, Runner, and Thinker
- are born one spring. And then one final, undersized pup emerges
- Runt.
Despite his size, Runt manages to keep up with his brothers and
sisters and learn the ways of the pack. But he finds it impossible
to please his father, the pack"s leader, and gradually withdraws
from the others. When he ventures into forbidden human territory,
Runt at last comes to understand his mistakes and to recognize
his own worth.
Award-winning author Marion Dane Bauer combines her gift for
evocative writing with her in-depth knowledge of wolves to create
a compact tale that has the power of an epic. Like the best animal
stories, it reflects our own world and shows us what it means to
be alive. Afterword. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 Gloria
Rising, by Cameron, Ann RL 3.9
Book Description
Gloria is thrilled when she goes to the store to buy an onion and
meets Dr. Grace Street, an astronaut. It’s there that Dr.
Street tells Gloria to have confidence in herself and that the
big things aren’t always as big as they seem. But Gloria
doesn’t really understand Dr. Street’s advice. Right
now her problem seems gigantic. It’s the beginning of fourth
grade and Gloria can’t do anything to please her teacher,
Mrs. Yardley, who roars and hisses like the Dragon of Doom. When
Gloria writes a report about meeting Dr. Street, Mrs. Yardley
doesn’t believe her. Gloria knows she’s telling the
truth. How can she prove it?
 A
Week in the Woods, by Clements, Andrew RL 5.5
Editorial Reviews Amazon.com
Rich kids are snobs and slackers. They think they're too good for
anyone else, and that they don't have to work hard at anything.
That, at least, is the opinion of fifth-grade science teacher
Mr. Maxwell, and the super-rich new kid, Mark Chelmsley, is showing
no signs of transcending the stereotype. Or is Mr. Maxwell just
too anti-elitist or ego-driven to notice? Once again, the talented
Andrew Clements (Frindle, The
Janitor's Boy) allows adult characters to "come of age" right
along with his adolescent characters in the most refreshing and
insightful of ways.
Mark has low expectations of his new school in rural New Hampshire,
and he'll be there for less than four months anyway, so he can't
let himself get attached. It's the glory of the countryside around
him that shakes him awake--and the urban boy's first trek on snowshoes,
discovery of an old barn, and rediscovery of Jack London are exciting
to behold. For the first time in his busy, absentee parent-controlled
life, Mark discovers "his own sense of time--time present--and
he had discovered how much this time was worth."
As the reader starts to like this curious, resourceful, clearly
not lazy kid, Mr. Maxwell's preconceptions start to seem all the
worse. It all comes to a head at the school's annual camp out (called
A Week in the Woods), where Mr. Maxwell accuses Mark of breaking
a rule--without getting all the facts that would have proven his
innocence. Mark escapes into the woods before he can be driven
home: "If Mr. Maxwell wants to get rid of me so bad, then he's
gonna have to find me first!" Will Mark survive on his own in the
woods overnight? What will Mr. Maxwell do when he learns his own
prejudices have colored his judgment? What starts out as a school
camp out turns into a terrifically suspenseful survival story of
a man and boy who come head-to-head, and learn a few lessons while
they're at it. Readers will be on the edges of their seats! (Ages
9 to 13) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 The
Beloved Dearly, by Cooney, D. RL 4.5
Book Description. Ernie is a twelve-year-old tycoon, always on
the lookout for a fast buck. This time he stumbles onto a money-making
bonanza: pet funerals. He hires Dusty to decorate the burial boxes
and Tony to dig the holes, but his prize find is Swimming Pool,
a tomboy who can cry on cue.
Business goes through the roof -- until Ernie loses Swimming Pool
over a raise and the whole venture unravels. Here is a rollicking,
fun-spirited novel about friendship, loss, business -- and how
we learn to express our feelings.
 The
Secret Life of Owen Skye, by Cumyn, Alan
Book Description
Three brothers find fun - and puppy love -in this wise, witty novel
for young readers. Owen Skye lives in a small village with his
brothers Andy and Leonard, their parents, and their weird Uncle
Lorne. The Skye boys have a knack for turning innocent events
into full-blown escapades. An argument about girls and God leads
to a ruckus, and Leonard loses his glasses in the river. This
induces the boys to skinny-dip, and they are promptly discovered
by girls who chase them home. There they break out in a mysterious
rash that confines them to bed for a week and subjects them to
their mother's homemade poultices. Another time, the boys sneak
out on a winter night to listen for aliens on the crystal radio
in their snow fort, which necessitates a rescue by Uncle Lorne.
On another occasion, a plan to sell old comics leads to a melee
with bullies, a boxing lesson from their father, and an eerie
moment of truth at the site of a tragic train accident. Owen's
days are magical and full of adventures with his brothers as
they observe the curious world of adults and ponder the secret
mysteries of life, death, and love.
 United
Tates of America, by Danziger, Paula RL 4.4
Book Description
Skate Tate hates change. But her whole life is changing at once.
It's just not fair! Sixth grade is tough. Her new school is bigger,
the classes are harder, and Skate's group of close friends is
growing apart. Only her Great Uncle Mort (Gum for short) can
help her deal with it all. He's not afraid of anything. When
tragedy strikes, Gum sends Skate and her family on a road trip
that will change their lives forever--starting with Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Skate is taking it all down in her scrapbook,
but will she ever learnhow to handle what lies just around the
corner?
 The
Thief Lord, by Funke, Coraline RL 4.8
Book Description
Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy, where hidden
canals and crumbling rooftops shelter runaways and children with
incredible secrets... Prosper and Bo are orphans on the run for
their cruel aunt and uncle. The brothers decide to hide out in
Venice, where they meet a mysterious thirteen-year-old boy who
calls himself "the Thief Lord." Brilliant and charismatic, the
Thief Lord leads a ring of street children who dabble in petty
crimes. Prosper and Bo delight in being a part of this colorful
new family. Then the Thief Lord invites them on a magical adventure
to a land of forgotten mysteries that will change their lives
forever, This exciting tale of fun, flight, and freedom is sure
to enchant readers and keep them guessing up until a breathtaking
finale. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 Coraline, by
Gaiman, Neil RL 4.8
Book Description
The day after they moved in,
Coraline went exploring.... In Coraline's family's new flat are
twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open
and close. The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only
a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a
passage to another flat in another house just like her own. Only
it's different. At first, things seem marvelous in the other flat.
The food is better. The toy box is filled with wind-up angels that
flutter around the bedroom, books whose pictures writhe and crawl
and shimmer, little dinosaur skulls that chatter their teeth. But
there's another mother, and another father, and they want Coraline
to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to change
her and never let her go. Other children are trapped there as well,
lost souls behind the mirrors. Coraline is their only hope of rescue.
She will have to fight with all her wits and all the tools she
can find if she is to save the lost children, her ordinary life,
and herself. Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Neil
Gaiman will delight readers with his first novel for all ages.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 Hoot, by
Hiassen, Carl RL 5.2
The Barnes & Noble Review
Carl Hiaasen, bestselling author of Basket Case and other hilarious
Floridian capers, Thesite of Coconut Cove's future Mother Paula's
All-American Pancake House is experiencing a slight problem:
survey stakes removed, alligators in the port-a-potties, and
painted-over patrol cars. But who's behind the clever vandalism
and pranks? New Florida resident Roy Eberhardt isn't aware of
these goings-on, but he has often noticed a barefoot boy running
down the street faster than anything. His curiosity piqued, Roy
starts to inquire around and even follows the boy once, only
to be told by Beatrice Leep, a.k.a. Beatrice the Bear, to mind
his own business. Despite Beatrice's warning and plenty of bullying
from the lunkheaded Dana Matherson, Roy follows the boy, whose
name is Mullet Fingers, one day and winds up in the middle of
an ecological mission to save a parliament of burrowing owls
from being bulldozed. Full of colorful, well-developed characters,
Hoot is a quick-witted adventure that will keep readers hooked.
With down-to-earth Roy, dumbfounded Officer Delinko, and construction
site manager Curly -- along with other head-shaking morons and
uplifting heroes -- the author delivers an appealing cast of
characters that keep the plot twisting and turning until the
highly charged ending. Another zany trip to the Sunshine State
for Hiaasen fans, this rewarding ecological adventure should
keep readers young and old hooting with laughter. Matt Warner
 The
Stranger Next Door, by Kehret, Peg RL 4.7
Book Description
Two boys, one with a deadly secret, become neighbors. Shortly after
Rocky moves in, trouble comes to the development. Street signs
are cut down, and arson fires are set. While Rocky fears that
the destruction is aimed at his family, Alex wonders if Rocky
is to blame. Alex's cat, Pete, who understands English perfectly
but cannot speak, adds humor to this suspense-filled story about
how important friends, both human and feline, can be.
This thrilling novel with its surprising plot twists and a delightful
cat hero is sure to please Peg Kehret's devoted fans.
 George
Speaks, by King-Smith, Dick RL 3.9
From Publishers Weekly
King-Smith provides frothy fun with this blithe tale about a precocious
baby. Four-week-old George shocks his sister, seven-year-old
Laura, when he begins to converse in full sentences. George convinces
his sibling to keep his gift a secret from their parents, particularly
after a tentative test ("Yes, Mommy," he says at six weeks) produces
full-blown shock and the couple threatens to call a doctor ("We're
going to have to slow things down a bit. That's the trouble with
grown-ups something out of the ordinary happens and they panic.
Children are so much more sensible," George tells Laura). Meanwhile,
Laura finds it's useful having someone to help her with her multiplication
tables (her brother knows them all). Eventually, George finds
a way to wean his baffled parents from their incessant baby talk,
and they soon grow accustomed to his abilities. When he requests
an encyclopedia for his first birthday, "They did not even flinch." King-Smith
mines his entertaining premise, delivering a steady stream of
droll observations and snappy comebacks (" `But George,' said
Laura, `how do you know the English language?' `Well, I'm English,
aren't I?' "). Brown's impish line drawings of the round-headed
family provide the icing on the (birthday) cake, as all of the
one-year-old's party guests gape in wide-eyed wonder. Beginning
readers will eat it up. Ages 7-9.
 Journey
to the River Sea, by Ibbotson, Eva RL 5.6
Amazon.com
Sent in 1910 to live with distant relatives who own a rubber plantation
along the Amazon River, English orphan Maia is excited. She believes
she is in for brightly colored macaws, enormous butterflies,
and "curtains of sweetly scented orchids trailing from the trees." Her
British classmates warn her of man-eating alligators and wild,
murderous Indians. Unfortunately, no one cautions Maia about
her nasty, xenophobic cousins, who douse the house in bug spray
and forbid her from venturing beyond their coiffed compound.
Maia, however, is resourceful enough to find herself smack in
the middle of more excitement than she ever imagined, from a
mysterious "Indian" with an inheritance, to an itinerant actor
dreading his impending adolescence, to a remarkable journey down
the Amazon in search of the legendary giant sloth.
Eva Ibbotson won a Gold Award for this book in the 2001 Nestlé Smarties
Book Prizes. Likable heroines, loathsome villains, and splendid
adventures -along with Kevin Hawkes's appealing ink illustrations--make
Ibbotson's novels a must for every bookshelf. (Ages 9 and older)
--Emilie Coulter
 Saffy’s
Angel, by McKay, Hilary RL 4.5
Book Description
The four Casson children, whose mother, Eve, is a fine-arts painter,
have all been given the names of paint colors. Cadmium (Caddy),
is the eldest; then Saffron (Saffy); Indigo, the only boy; and
Rose, the youngest. When Saffy discovers quite by accident that
she has been adopted, she is deeply upset, though the others
assure her that it makes no difference at all. Saffy is the daughter
of Eve's twin sister, who lived in Siena, Italy, and died in
a car crash. Grandad brought Saffy, as a very small child, back
from Siena. At Grandad's death he leaves something to each of
the children. To Saffy, it is "her angel," although no one knows
its identity. How Saffy discovers what her angel is, with the
help of an energetic new friend, lies at the heart of this enchanting
story. Unforgettable characters come alive in often deeply humorous
and always absorbing events to be treasured for a long, long
time.
Card catalog description
Hoping to earn a trip to an amusement park, the three Morgan children
agree to take care of a chicken that their father plans to give
their mother as a birthday surprise. --This text refers to the School & Library
Binding edition.
 Midnight
for Charlie Bone, by Nimmo, Jenny RL 4.8
Book Description
The fabulous powers of the Red King were passed down through his
descendants, after turning up quite unexpectedly, in someone
who had no idea where they came from. This is what happened to
Charlie Bone, and to some of the children he met behind the grim,
gray walls of Bloor's Academy. Charlie Bone has discovered an
unusual gift-he can hear people in photographs talking! His scheming
aunts decide to send him to Bloor Academy, a school for genius's
where he uses his gifts to discover the truth despite all the
dangers that lie ahead.
 The
Same Stuff as Stars, by Paterson, Katherine RL 4.3
Book Description
Angel Morgan needs help. Daddy is in jail, and Mama has abandoned
her and her little brother, leaving them with their great-grandmother.
Grandma is aged and poor, and doesn't make any attempt to care
for the children - that's left up to Angel, even though she is
not yet twelve. The only bright spot in Angel's existence is
the Star Man, a mysterious stranger who appears on clear nights
and teaches her all about the stars and planets and constellations. "We're
made out of the same stuff as the stars," he tells her.
Eventually, Grandma warms to the children and the three begin
to cobble together a makeshift family. Then events in Angel's life
take yet another downturn, and she must once again find a way to
persevere.
Katherine Paterson's keen sensitivity and penetrating sense of
drama bring us a moving story of throwaway children, reminding
us of the incredible resilience of childhood and the unquenchable
spirit that, in spite of loss, struggles to new beginnings. --This
text refers to the Hardcover edition.
 A
Dance of Sisters, by Porter, T. RL 5.4
Book Description
I want to stretch to the moon, Delia thought. Far, far away. Twelve-year-old
Delia Ferri doesn't remember her mother or her family the way
it used to be. All she knows is that her sister, Pearl, and her
father are fighting more and more. Pearl is withdrawn and angry
and obsessed with witchcraft. Delia vows not to give her father
anything else to worry about. The only time Delia feels important
and alive is when she is dancing for Madame Elanova, a world-famous
ballet instructor who calls Delia "destined." Delia relishes
the hard work required to be a ballet dancer, but she doesn't
see the toll it is taking on her life. As competition for Madame's
approval takes over, Delia's weight drastically drops, her schoolwork
suffers, and she pulls away from her friends and family. Only
then does she begin to understand how fiercely her sister had
to fight to find her own truth. A Dance of Sisters is an intimate
portrait of the rigorous world of ballet, and a story of two
girls searching for connection. Tracey Porter's beautiful novel
explores the many dances of life, and the bond between sisters
that sometimes only experience can reveal.
 Doing
Time Online, by Siebold, Jan RL 3.9
Book Description
Twelve-year-old Mitchell got involved with the wrong kid this past
summer, and the prank they played led to an elderly woman’s
injury. Now he finds himself at the police station - his "sentence" is
to chat online with a nursing home resident twice a week for
the next month. Mitch isn’t thrilled; what could he and
some "old" person possibly talk about? But Mitch’s new
online friend has a personality all her own. Her name is Wootie
Hayes, and she has plenty to talk about: how she got her name,
how much she misses her own home, and how she detests bingo.
But she also wants to know about Mitch’s situation. Without
expecting it, they help each other face the truth and begin a
new friendship in the process. --This text refers to the School & Library
Binding edition.
 Loser, by
Spinelli, Jerry RL 4.3
Book Description
Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days,
and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also
raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own
feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." Other
kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too
busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else.
And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name
can someday become "hero."
 Surviving
the Applewhites, by Tolan, S. (Newbery Honor 2003)
RL 5.5
Book Description
Will anyone take on Jake Semple? Jake Semple is notorious. Rumor
has it he burned down his old school and got kicked out of every
school in his home state. Only one place will take him now, and
that's a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic and hilarious
family of artists. The only one who doesn't fit the Applewhite
mold is E.D. -- a smart, sensible girl who immediately clashes
with the unruly Jake. Jake thinks surviving this one will be
a breeze . . . but is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?
 Heir
Apparent, by Vande Velde, Vivian RL 5.6
Book Description
In Heir Apparent there are as many ways to win as there are to
get killed.
Giannine can testify to how many ways there are to die--it's
about all she's been able to do since she started playing. Now
all she has to do is get the magic ring, find the stolen treasure,
answer the dwarf's dumb riddles, come up with a poem for the head-chopping
statue, cope with the army of ghosts, outmaneuver her half brothers,
and defeat the man-eating dragon.
If she can do all of that, why, she just might save her own life!
 Goosed, by
Wallace, Bill RL 3.5
Book Description
One dog too many. T.P. is Jeff's dog. Jeff is T.P.'s boy. That's
the way T.P. likes it. Life is pretty good -- until a stinky,
thumping, yapping box turns up at the front door. Jeff's friend
Mandy has given Jeff a chocolate Lab puppy. They name her Mocha,
and everything changes for T.P. Mocha drives him nuts with her
endless chattering and questions. On top of all that, everyone
keeps telling him to "be nice to the puppy." If only things could
go back to the way they were before.... But when Mocha gets "GOOSED," will
T.P. have the courage and compassion to come to her rescue?
 Camp
X, by Walters RL 4.1
Book Description
It's 1943, and nearly-12-year-old George and his older brother
Jack are spending a restless wartime summer in Whitby, Ontario,
where their mom is working at a munitions plant while their dad
is off fighting the Germans. One afternoon, the boys stumble
across Canada's top-secret spy camp-and so begins an exciting
and terrifying adventure as George and Jack get caught up in
the covert activities of Camp X.
Fascinated by Camp X and its secrets, the boys begin to suspect
local townspeople of being spies.
Unable to resist the camp's allure, the boys keep going back to
find out more details of what's going on-they even meet William
Stephenson, the Man Called Intrepid himself. They also attract
the attention of a very sinister character, someone who is determined
to use George and Jack's knowledge against the Allies, no matter
the consequences . . . or the casualties.
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