The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner   

Gianna Z has less than one week to collect, identify, and creatively display 25 leaves for her science project or else she won't be able to compete in the upcoming cross-country race.  As the deadline for her project draws near, life keeps getting in the way.

   Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

When push comes to shove, two Kentucky girls find strength in each other.  Ivy June Mosely and Catherine combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools.  The girls will stay at each other's homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals

   Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's dad is shipped off to Iraq, along with the rest of his reserve unit, Brother must help his grandparents keep the ranch going.  He's determined to maintain it just as his father left it, in the hope that doing so will ensure his father's safe return.  The hardships Brother faces will not only change the ranch, but also reveal his true calling.

   Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford

Newt Newman's two best friends take him out for Halloween to get his mind off his comatose brother.  using some of his brother's old clothes, Newt creates his best costume ever - Captain Nobody, and soon he assumes the role of a hero.

 Storm Chaser by Chris Platt

Jessica Warner, 13, plans to spend the summer helping out on her family's Nevada ranch, riding her faithful old horse, Rusty, and spending time with her friend Marybeth.  When a fierce storm hits, the old barn catches fire.  Rusty survives, but he can no longer be ridden.  Jessica disobeys her father and begins working with a wild paint filly she has dubbed Storm Chaser.

   Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta

Welcome to Moundville, where it's been raining for longer thant Roy McGuire has been alive.  Most people say the town is cursed. Right in the middle of their big baseball game against rival town Sinister Bend, black clouds crept across the sky and it started to rain.  That was 22 years ago, and it's still pouring.

   The Potato Chip Puzzles by Eric Berlin

When a local potato chip tycoon invites area kids to an all-day puzzle hunt, Winston Breen is psyched. However, the teacher is being overly competitive.  The puzzles are hard (even for Winston), and someone in the contest is playing dirty.

   Secret of Zoom by Lynne Jonell

Deep within the forest is the laboratory where Christina's father works -- and where her mother was killed years ago.  After an orphan boy neamed Taft tells her of a secret tunnel, she finds it and helps him escape the orphanage.  Soon she and Taft discover there id far more to the myster of ther mother's supposed death.

   Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret

Sunny Skyland longs to be reunited with her twin sister, Starr.  With only an old photograph to guide her, Sunny begins the cross-country journey that she has dreamed of during her 10 years in various foster homes.  Sunny manages to locate her twin, only to be faced with a whole new challenge.

  Love, Aubrey by Suzanne M. LaFleur

Eleven-year-old Aubrey's father and sister have died in a tragic car accident.  Her mother, who was driving the car, runs away, leaving Aubrey all alone.  This deeply affecting novel about loss, love, friendship, and family introduces a remarkable new writer

   Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

Nate Brodie is nicknamed Brady, not only for his arm, but also because he's the biggest Tom Brady fan.  When he wins the chance to win a million dollars by throwing a pass throught a target at a Patriot's game, Nate should be excited, but all he feels is pressure to succeed.

  11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited, after all, 11 is so different from 10.  But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together.  When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day.  Or is it?  Her birthday seems to be repeating itself.  What is going on?  And how can she fix it?  Only time, friendship, and a little luck will tell.