Addison Addley hates math. He hates public speaking too. Actually, he hates anything that involves work, but he only has a couple of weeks to write and memorize his grade five speech. The problem is, he can't think of a single topic. When he finally comes up with an excellent idea for a speech, it almost writes itself, but it's his poor math skills that make speech day unforgettable.

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"McMillan's story touches on real aspects of grade five, from speech writing to dealing with math fractions, from bullies to stage fright...Readers will enjoy [Addison's] antics and I'm sure that many a student will be able to relate to Addison's take on life."

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"Addison is a likable character who manages to be both sweet and maddening at the same time...The author does a good job of twisting things at the end of the story."

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"An excellent read for young children...Young boys will be able to relate to Addison."

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"McMillan has aptly drawn on her teaching background to create a believable, imaginative boy who loves fishing and video games but is struggling with school...Her word choice and descriptive language blend to create a pleasurable read-aloud story for the classroom."

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Als Flora aus Brasilien nach Deutschland übersiedelt, fühlt sie sich fremd und ausgeschlossen. Nur die zarte, blonde Carina freundet sich mit ihr an. Die beiden sind bald unzertrennlich. Dann sieht sich Flora plötzlich einer schmutzigen Verleumdungskampagne ausgesetzt. Und als sie schließlich sogar des Mordes bezichtigt wird, will niemand an ihre Unschuld glauben.

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Berlin im Jahr 1919: Paul Bienmann findet den 13-jährigen Bruno, der verzweifelt neben der Leiche seines älteren Bruders kniet. Aus vorläufiger Fürsorge wird eine ständige Verantwortung. Als Bruno Jahre später die Spur des Offiziers entdeckt, der seinen Bruder erschossen hat, muss er sich entscheiden: für die ersehnte Rache oder für seinen Freund Paul und dessen Verlobte Franziska, deren gemeinsame Zukunft durch eine solche Tat zerstört würde.

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Laurel discovers her passion for investigative journalism when she writes an article for her school paper about a person experiencing homelessness who's been living at the school. Eager to write more articles with impact, she launches an investigation of a cheating scam at her high school. Laurel's efforts cause her classmates to turn against her. Nobody is interested in seeing her article go to print, not even her own brother. It is evident that the cheating is widespread, and Laurel, caught up in the thrill of the investigation, is willing to risk her reputation to get the story, but her ultimate discovery changes everything.

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"It was easy to get caught up in this book—enough suspense to keep the story moving briskly along. A good hi-low read for teens."

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"Well suited to its intended audience…With its succinct text, short chapters, and emphasis on contemporary teen issues, Cheat should be popular with reluctant young adult readers….Recommended."

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"Butcher's portrayal of high school cheating is believable, with actual consequences...The pacing will keep reluctant readers hooked until the very end."

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"A realistic portrayal of high school students' attitudes towards cheating…This is a well written narrative that will challenge readers to make a decision about what's right and what's wrong. Recommended."

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"Butcher offers an insightful look into the ethics and morals of high school students...The short book really lends itself to a good discussion."

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"Short, quick chapters are propelled by frenetic action…True to life, this book does not offer a tidy, Pollyanna-ish conclusion; Laurel comes to learn from this experience a difficult lesson at a great expense. A speedy read."

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Reg and Keely and Burt and Shawna are back, and ready for new adventures from hunting for treasure to sledding together and building fearsome creatures in the snow.

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Kate has decided on a pirate theme for her party. She thinks that seven is going to be the best age to be. Her friend Jake is going to teach her to ride a two-wheeler. And her party is going to be fabulous. That is, until Violet starts spreading stories. Kate goes right on with her planning, but she is worried. When Violet is the only one to show up on the big day, Kate thinks that her worst fears have come true.

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"An engaging story with which new readers can easily identify....School and public libraries, plus classroom collections, should add A Noodle Up Your Nose to serve the newly emerging independent reader who wants the challenge of moving on to chapter books."

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"Laliberte's cartoony illustrations ooze personality."

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"Will resonate with young readers, but parents will identify with the turmoil and energy as well."

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"Many young children will take great pleasure from Kate's perseverance and indomitable spirit as she plans a truly excellent pirate-theme party...A good choice for readers who are becoming confident with beginning novels."

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"Creating suspense around the eventual outcome and incorporating a clever twist into the story's resolution, Wishinsky affirms the value of friendship in resolving Kate's dilemma."

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The first flash mob Ian puts together himself is a sixty-plus person, four-minute pillow fight in a department store. His friend Oswald is thrilled with the event, but Julia, the one Ian really wants to impress, is still convinced that flash mobs are stupid. While Ian tries to prove Julia wrong by initiating flash mobs with political impact, Julia is busy waging war with the strict new principal at school. When Julia goes too far and gets herself suspended, Ian sees an opportunity for a relevant and persuasive flash mob.

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"This story challenges the reader to consider the power of a single person, or a few people, to make a difference, to change the status quo."

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"A good message...Young people do have the power to make things better if they work together."

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"This is a smart and tightly crafted story with appeal for reluctant as well as avid readers."

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"Highly recommended."

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"Snappy, realistic dialogue; multidimensional characters; and an unpredictable plot (not to mention a hip, contemporary phenomenon) will have both reluctant and struggling readers madly flipping the pages."

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"A fine book for challenged readers to use to practice and thus improve their reading. I plan to look for more titles in this series."

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Justine McKeen is back, and she’s on a deadline. With only days left before Earth Day, Justine enlists the help of her classmates to count flower buds, frogs, spiders and ants in their natural habitat as part of an environmental science project. But there’s a species right in her own classroom that she’ll have to tackle first--a class bully. Savannah Blue, aka the Queen of Mean, criticizes Justine’s secondhand clothes and calls being green a waste of time. Their teacher, Mrs. Howie, gives the girls a new assignment for Earth Day--they must present together to the class on why it’s important to care for the environment. In the sixth book in this bestselling series, Justine is up against her biggest challenge yet--can she convince the Queen of Mean to go green?

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"The story carries through conflict, misunderstandings, humorous moments, and some soul searching to a happy conclusion. Along the way, interesting nature tidbits are deftly inserted in the story...The illustrations by Dave Whamond are cartoonish and light-hearted and accent the humorous aspects of the story. This book is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. Although it is sixth in a series it can be read as a stand-alone story. However once readers are introduced to Justine

and her friends, they will want to read the other five books."

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"For her latest project, activist Justine tries to organize a student-run species count. But first she must

convince new student and bully Savannah that caring for the environment matters. The plot provides a

framework for explaining species interconnectivity, and the back matter includes links to apps and

websites for science observers...The abundant humor keeps the tale quick and readable. Short chapters, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and Justine’s indeterminate age make the book suitable for older, struggling readers."

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"In his series of Justine McKeen books, Sigmund Brouwer introduces readers to the likeable, determined character of Justine who is passionate about taking care of her environment...Illustrations by Dave Whamond every three to four pages help to confirm understanding for young readers. At the end of the book, author Brouwer suggests apps and websites for observing wildlife in its natural environment."

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Trevor has known since he was ten years old that he has Huntington's disease, but at sixteen he is informed that he has one year to live. One day while he's trying to figure stuff out, an old man named Plank finds him standing at a cliff by the ocean. It's the beginning of an odd but intriguing relationship. Both Trevor and Plank decide to live by Plank's Law, which is "just live." This means Trevor has to act on the things on his bucket list, like hanging out with real penguins, star in a science fiction movie and actually talk to Sara—the girl at the hospital who smiles at him.

With the aid of Plank and Sara, Trevor revises his bucket list to include more important things and takes charge of his illness and his life.

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"Plank's Law will appeal to a variety of young adult readers. The interesting and relatable subject matter and multidimensional characters are likely to engage both reluctant and experienced readers. The short page length, larger font, and fast-moving plot will appeal to both inexperienced readers and strong readers looking for a quick, yet realistic and interesting read. The book is apt to encourage readers to think about living life to the fullest. Plank's Law is a heartwarming read that covers serious topics whilst injecting doses of humour throughout."

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"While I didn't learn much about Huntington's disease, Choyce explored something more vital and universal through Trevor's story: what makes you want to live when you're facing death?…When I finished reading, I cried. While I have faced that question many times over the course of my life, I have never seen it put quite so succinctly. What made me cry most was how much I needed Plank's Law when I was a teen."

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"It is sweet but not overly sappy…With a strong male protagonist, plain and sometimes blunt language, and an opening in the style of The Catcher in the Rye, this short novel may hook reluctant readers."

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"This is a great book for anyone who is afraid to live life to the most. Life is short, enjoy it!"

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"An engaging story about two people living on what could be borrowed time and how they manage to make the most of it while maintaining a realistic (as opposed to nihilistic) view on their world. The maintenance of perspective here is what gives this book its strength…The overall tone of this latest novel from Lesley Choyce is really quite uplifting and for a story about a dying teenager, that is no mean accomplishment."

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"Choyce reminds readers that death is its own storyteller and there are always surprises along the way…The story offers fine comedic vignettes and playful dialogue, raising this well above standard illness fare."

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Sixteen-year-old Bailey is working at her first summer job, as a cabin girl at a fly-in fishing camp at Witch Lake. She struggles with the job at first but enjoys hearing the stories of the area, including the legend of a local ghost. Then April, an older waitress with street smarts, takes Bailey under her wing and the two girls become friends. It’s all good until another waitress burns her arm and has to leave. Bailey gets a sudden promotion, and April is asked to help clean the cabins. April becomes far from friendly and Bailey finds herself alone again and messing up on the job—and possibly seeing the ghost.

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"Appealing and approachable...offers readers a summer story succinctly told, complete with adolescent girl dynamics, first-job jitters, and even a resident ghost. This story of a balanced, relatable heroine respects its readers, giving them a novel serious in tone, smartly paced, and skillfully executed."

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"A well-structured and well-developed novel. The characters are fleshed out, the emotions are real and earned, and the plot holds well. I especially liked that Bailey grew stronger from April’s bullying and actually used the experience to gain confidence in herself."

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"Teens will enjoy this riveting tale of frenemies and root for Bailey's success."

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"A fast-paced read that will appeal not only to older, reluctant or struggling teen readers but also to stronger readers looking for a quick, engaging story. The subject matter and character conversation level is appropriate to older teens despite the use of simple, straightforward vocabulary."

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"Overt messages are presented engagingly for reluctant teen readers."

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