The Sweetheart of Prosper County

by Jill S. Alexander

Summary: Ninth grader Austin Gray wants to be FFA (Future Farmers of America) Sweetheart, so she can ride on the hood of the car in the Christmas parade. In order to do that, she's got to first join FFA! She asks for a chicken for Christmas, and her mom lets her go pick one out from Lafitte Boudreaux, a local Cajun man rumored to involved in cock fighting. She picks a beautiful rooster and names him Charles Dickens. Her path to the parade is full of obstacles, though, including a boy who has been bullying her her whole life, a new friend, a new crush, and dealing with the death of her father three years earlier.

My thoughts: This book reminded me of my own childhood in so many ways, and anyone who is growing up in the south (especially Texas!) will be able to relate to Austin. She's awkward and funny and believable and sweet. You'll cringe at her mistakes, and cheer at her victories!

Box Out Book Trailer

If the video doesn't play, try this link.

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=140846&title=Box_Out__by_John_Coy

Jade Green

by Phillis Reynolds Naylor

Summary: After Judith's mother dies, her uncle agrees to take her in, on the condition that she never, ever brings anything green into her uncle's home. Unfortunately, the only item she has left from her mother is a photo in a green picture frame. Since no one ever told her why there is no green allowed, she figures her uncle just doesn't like the color, and that the frame would do no harm buried at the bottom of her suitcase. Boy, was she wrong!

My thoughts: While the ending was no real surprise, I still really enjoyed figuring it out, and all the creepy events leading up to the resolution. Just a good old fashioned ghost story!

The Magician's Elephant

by Kate DiCamillo

Summary: Peter, an orphan being raised by an old soldier who fought with Peter's father in wartime, is sent one day to the market with a single coin. He is meant to purchase bread with it, but instead spends it on a fortune-teller, in an attempt to get any information he can about his long-lost sister. He has been told his whole life that she died at birth, along with his mother. When the fortune teller tells him that he will find his sister if he follows the elephant, he is overjoyed that she might be alive, but can't figure out where he would possibly come across an elephant. Low and behold, a local magician conjures an elephant during a show, and crushes the legs of an audience member. The magician is imprisoned, and the poor elephant is tied up, far from home, with no idea how she got to this strange place. Peter must figure out how to help the elephant, the magician, and himself. It's an interesting, sweet, and magical journey.

My thoughts: This is classic DiCamillo. Something about the way she writes just makes you want to curl up and read through the night. Her stories are so comforting--the literary equivalent of mashed potatoes!