by Jarett Pumphrey

When is an old truck something more?  On a small, bustling farm, a resilient and steadfast pickup works tirelessly alongside the family that lives there, and becomes a part of the dreams and ambitions of the family’s young daughter. 

by Kenneth Kraegel

On a cold winter’s eve, deep in the woods, a mother shrew frets about her sick young son.  His head is cold and his feet are hot, and there is only one thing that can cure him: wild honey from the moon.  Mother Shrew does not stop to wonder how she will make such an impossible journey.  Instead, she grabs her trusty red umbrella, gives her darling son a kiss, and sets out into the unknown. 

by Randi Sonenshine

In the rhyming style of “The House That Jack Built,” this poem about the care and specificity that Carolina wrens put into building a nest is at once tender and true to life.  

by Patricia MacLachlan

Grace’s aunt Lily is a writer.  She works with words every day and teaches Grace interesting words like “melancholy” and “delirious.”  But Lily is often “flummoxed” by her own writing.  Her stories don’t go anywhere, her desk is a mess, and her writer’s group can’t help.  So Lily posts and ad for assistant. 

The next day, Grace opens the door, and there is Rex: a Labrador Retriever who will change Grace’s life, and Lily’s.  The word “amazing” is an everyday word for Rex, who inspires Lily, and helps Grace find the words to write her own story. 

by Sara Pennypacker

Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”–dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone.  but then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do.  

On his first day Ware meets Jolene a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to camp.  Soon he starts skipping rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot.  When their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights “Code of Chivalry” and vows to save the lot. 

by Gillian McDunn

Meg has been best friends with Beatrix forever.  Everyone at school wants to be like confident decisive Beatrix, and Meg has always felt the same.  But this year, Meg wants to take a science course instead of dance class.  She’d rather do what makes her happy–not what Beatrix wants.

When a quirky girl named Hazel moves to town, Meg is partnered with her on a science project about bees.  Meg learns a lot about being Queen Bee–in a hive and in middle school.  As Beatrix is less than welcoming to Hazel, Meg feels her loyalty fraying.  Choosing Hazel could mean ending her oldest friendship–a choice more difficult than Meg ever expected. 

by Marthe Jocelyn

Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England in 1902.  Adventurous and imaginative but deeply shy, Aggie hasn’t got much to do since the death of her beloved father…until the fateful day when she crosses paths with twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and discovers a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room!

As the number of suspects grows and the murder threatens to tear the town apart, Aggie and her new friend will need every tool at their disposal–to solve the case. 

by Liz Climo

When a carefree bunny is approached by a voracious bear in the woods, Bunny has just one request:  “Please don’t eat me.  But the bear has a never-ending list of requests, and Bunny realizes maybe Bear isn’t as hungry as he’d let on…Maybe he just wants his new friend’s company for a while. 

by Gary D. Schmidt

Eager for maple syrup, Ethan can’t wait till sugaring time rolls around.  And he can’t wait till his loose tooth falls out.  But his father keeps telling him it’s not time yet, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make time pass more quickly.  

by Jamie Michalak

Frank likes peace and quiet.  He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean likes noise.  He likes his bus, his trumpet–toot, toot!–and making music.  Loud music.  But Bean is missing something: he does not have words.  What will happen if Frank shares his words with Bean?