DCF Nominee - Taking Wing by Nancy Graff

DO NOT JUDGE THIS BOOK BY ITS COVER!! To be honest I didn't have much interest in this book because it looked kind of "lame" and I really didn't want to read another book about someone's pets dying. However, I ended up enjoying this book tremendously. Yes, I'll warn you, the pet ducks don't fare that well, but most of the story is about what life was like during World War II in rural Vermont. Gus ends up spending a summer and fall with his grandparents when his father is sent off to fight and his mother is too sick to care for him. What looks like it might be a REALLY boring summer, turns into something unexpectedly interesting. I especially liked the fact that all of the characters in this book seemed like real people with both good traits and bad. Though it's not a happy ending kind of story, it doesn't get so depressing that you don't want to read it. I especially like books that talk about life in our favorite state. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC/GRA.

DCF Nominee - The Giant Rat of Sumatra by Sic Fleischman

The giant rat in the title of this book stands for the carved figure on the prow of Captain Gallows' pirate ship. Unlike most pirate stories, this one takes place primarily on land and follows the Captain's efforts to become the wealthiest landowner in southern California during the days of the Mexican American War. By luck, or misfortune, depending on your point of view and what the latest developments are, Shipwreck ends up as the cabin boy aboard this notorious ship and helps the captain escape bandits and death and find his long lost love, Candalaria. Not your typical pirate story at all! I'd like to know what the story was with Shipwreck's mother - maybe we'll find out if there's a sequel. (Submitted by Jane) Available on the Dorothy Canfiel Fisher display under FIC/FLE.

DCF Nominee - Hidden Child by Isaac Millman

Isaac Millman talks about his life in France just before and during World War II when he and his parents were persecuted for being Jewish and were forced to live under the harsh rules of the Nazis. After his parents were sent to concentration camps, Isaac was rescued from the street and sent to live with a Christian family. Risking their own lives, they helped Isaac survive the war. He was later adopted by an American family and now, fifty years later, using photographs and illustrations, he shares his memories of those terrible years with us. It seems almost unimaginable to us that these shocking things could have happened and may still be happening in other parts of the world. Millman helps to remind us of how vigilent we need to be. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under 940.547/MIL.

DCF Nominee - By These Ten Bones by Clare Dunkle

So what happens when you fall in love with a werewolf? One of the things you do is blame the mysterious "Water Horse" for the bad behavior of your boyfriend. The other thing you must do is decide whether or not you have the courage to go through with what you've been told is the only way to cure him. Set in medieval times, when people still believed in witches and life was so difficult that anyone who didn't contribute to the life of the community was subject to death, this book is anything but cheery. However it IS very interesting and keeps you wondering what will happen next. What would you have done in Maddie's shoes? (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC/DUN.

DCF Nominee - Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Well, you don't have to like chickens to enjoy this book, son. But you might change your mind about them once you're through with it. You do have to admire a kid like Tobin McCauley whose grandmother is crazy and whose dad and brothers and sister are too wrapped up in their own lives to even have food to eat in their pigsty of a house. Lucky for Tobin another boy in school, Henry, pegs him as a fellow chicken lover and sets out to rescue him from himself. The real surprise in this book is what Tobin's grandmother does. What do you think about that? (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC/DOW.

DCF Nominee - Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins

This is the third book in the Underland Chronicles series and I highly recommend reading the first two, "Gregor the Overlander" and "Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane." In all of these books Gregor and his two-year-old sister, Boots, visit the Underland, a kingdom that exists within the earth beneath our own world. Each time they are reluctant participants in fulfilling a series of mysterious prophecies concerning the various warring groups in the underground world. Not only are these great adventure/fantasy stories but you really get to know the characters as the series progresses. Gregor isn't what you'd call a typical hero. He's just an ordinary kid who finds himself in incredible situations and tries to do what he thinks is right. Sometimes he can get a little grouchy in the process! I can't wait to read the next book in the series. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC/COL.

DCF Nominee - Gorilla Doctors by Pamela S. Turner

If you are interested in endangered species and efforts to save them, this is the book for you. The subject is the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project and their work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda. Great pictures accompany lots of information about the dangers these animals face and how people are trying to help them. One bit of good news is that the population of these animals seems to be slowly increasing, so the effort appears to be working. It's not always easy for the people who live near gorilla habitat, either. Can you imagine looking out of your house and seeing a family of gorillas eating your garden? (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under 333.9 TUR.

DCF Nominee - Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

Following a career path not often offered in school - that of psychic investigator - Gilda Joyce has been honing her detective skills around town with her best friend Wendy. However, during the summer after 8th grade, Wendy abandons her for camp and Gilda is left to her own devices. Making the most of what looked to be a bad situation, Gilda somehow manages an invitation to visit relatives in San Francisco. Not knowing what to expect, Gilda finds herself in a haunted house investigating the story behind a mysterious suicide. It's the perfect situation for honing her psychic skills! Sometimes I found Gilda to be a bit much, but I definitely won't forget her. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC ALL.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

This is a great book full of pirates, mermaids, and magical mysteries. For lovers of adventure and mystery this is a must read! This epic tale of an old fairy tale with a twist upgrades the imagination to a whole new enchanted world. Don't miss the adventures of Peter and Molley and the ship the "Neverland." (Submitted by Turtle) Available in the TA Library at FIC BAR.

Fruits Basket, Vol. 10 by Natsuki Takaya

Tohru and the Sohmas spend time at the Sohma's summerhouse. But, it's not all fun in the sun on this little trip. Akito, head of the Sohma family, pays a surprise visit, causing a commotion for the rest of the family. Shigure, the enigmatic mischievous novelist, takes a stroll down memory lane with an old friend, remembering the days when Hatori, the family doctor to the Sohmas wasn't so aloof. Meanwhile, Tohru is the ever-optimistic hero of the story. An orphan who arrived at Yuki and Kyo's doorstep, begins to wonder,"What must life be like for the loved ones of a cursed member of the Sohma family? Can life with this family truly be happy while bearing such a burden?" Yuki is soft-spoken and has self-esteem issues. Kyo is the cat who was left out of the Zodiac and hates Yuki. What will happen next? (Submitted by Rae). Available in the TA library in the graphics collection under GF FIC TAK.

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz

In the fifth book of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, Alex Rider goes undercover at a school for killers. He learns about a program nicknamed "Invisible Sword" that will kill all of the school children in London where Alex lives. This book has so many twists and turns that when you've finally found out what happened, the whole story line changes. If you want excitement, thrills and suspense, read Anthony Horowitz's "Scorpia." (Submitted by IWash1). Available in the TA library under FIC HOR.

Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz

In this book, Alex Rider finds himself kidnapped and almost killed by an evil, famous pop singer's real live video game. Alex later finds himself on Air Force One trying to stop the singer from firing missiles at places all over the world. Get ready for more nonstop action in the fourth book of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider Adventures." (Submitted by IWash1) Available in the TA library under FIC HOR.

Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz

This is the third book in the "Alex Rider Adventure" series by Anthony Horowitz. In this book, Alex goes undercover as a ballboy for Wimbledon, and ends up almost eaten by a shark, almost murdered a few times, and he finds himself a girlfriend that will make things grow stranger and stranger throughout the book. Get ready for nonstop action and an exciting time with "Skeleton Key." (Submitted by IWash1). Available at the TA library under FIC HOR.

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

This is the second book of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider Adventure" series. This story is about Alex Rider, a 14-year-old spy working for MI6, when he goes undercover at a school in France called Point Blanc. Some "strange behavior" is taking place there, where rich people's boys go to the school if they've been bad, and they come back like a completely different person. The nonstop action in this story will keep you on the edge of your seat in excitement. (Submitted by IWash1). Available in the TA library under FIC HOR.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

This book is the first of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider Adventure" series. It is about a 14-year-old boy that is forced to work for MI6 (the British Military Intelligence agency). He goes undercover at a computer company to find out what is going on. This book keeps you in suspense, making you also wonder what is going on along with Alex. (Submitted by IWash1). Available in the TA library under FIC HOR.

DCF Nominee - Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams

Have you ever done something that you thought was a good idea at the time but that turned out to be totally the wrong choice? That's what happens to Ingrid when her parents are late picking her up at the orthodontist's and she decides to find her own way to soccer practice. Before she knows it, she's in the seedy side of town and involved in a murder! I actually could not stop reading this book. One mystery that is not solved at the end of the story is what is going on with Ingrid's brother, Ty. He's definitely acting strangely. I'm hoping I'll find out in the next book in this series, Behind the Curtain. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC ABR.

DCF Nominee - Bodies from the Ash by James M. Deem

When I was in high school my family traveled to Italy and I had a chance to visit the ruins of Pompeii in person. It was unbelievable and I'll never forget that trip. This book is the next best thing to actually going there. It's filled with photographs from the site and of all the artifacts that have been found over the centuries. It offers really interesting details about the history of what happened and how archeologists created the famous molds of the people that were buried during the volcanic eruption that happened there in 79 AD. I didn't realize that Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum so long ago is still active! (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under 937 DEE.

DCF Nominee - Song of the Water Boatman by Joyce Sidman

This is a great book to read during a Wednesday silent reading time (which is what I did!) It's a collection of poems about the life in and around a pond. Even if you're not a big poetry fan, it's still very interesting because it includes a lot of factual information about the plants and animals mentioned in the poetry. Also the book is filled with great woodblock print art by Becky Prange which should give any artist some good ideas for their own work. All I know is that if I had a choice of what to be in the pond - it wouldn't be algae! (Submitted by Jane). Available on the special Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under 811 SID.

DCF Nominee - Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty Birney

Eben's father challenges him to discover seven wonders in his own home town after Eben complains about the boring life he leads in Sassafras Springs. Lured by the promise of a trip out west, he starts interviewing everyone he knows in hopes of coming up with something that might qualify as a "wonder." Though perhaps not on the same scale as the pyramids of Egypt, Eben does uncover some pretty unusual items in his own back yard while also learning rather amazing stories about the people he sees every day. Uncle Alf's carved village was especially interesting - in an Alfred Hitchcock sort of way! (Submitted by Jane). Available on the special Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC BIR.

DCF Nominee - Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

This book is part of the new "history-mystery" genre and I really enjoyed it. The mystery involves a missing diamond from a necklace once owned by Anne Boleyn. In the process of searching for the stone, Hero (named for a character in one of Shakespeare's plays) and Danny, the police chief's son, also search for the answer to the question of who Shakespeare really was AND for the answer to who Danny's mother really was! It sounds complicated, but it isn't when you read the book. There are so many secrets hidden in the story that when I finished the book, I was wondering which secret the author meant when she gave the book its title. (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher special display under FIC BRO.

DCF Nominee - Second Sight by Gary Blackwood

This is a historical novel set during the end of the Civil War in Washington, D. C.. Joseph and his father have worked up a mind-reading act that is quite popular in the local theaters. However, another boarder at their rooming house, Cassandra, is the person who can REALLY read minds and she foresees coming trouble for President Lincoln. I have to confess, I didn't think the ending to this book was "fair." What did you think about it? (Submitted by Jane). Available on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC BLA.

DCF Nominee -Spacer and Rat by Margaret Bechard

When Earth's resources run low, humans are forced to move out into the universe and populate space stations and new colony worlds. In a universe where oxygen is a precious commodity, everyone is fighting for their own airspace and forming their own cliques. Jack, having grown up on a space station, shares his friends' hatred of "Earthies" until he meets Kit and finds himself caught up in her life. What I liked best about this great futuristic adventure story is the way the author has created a whole new slang - some of it definitely not appropriate for school! (Submitted by Jane) Available in the Dorothy Canfield Fisher special dispay under FIC BEC.

DCF Nominee -The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

I thought this was a fun story about the adventures of 4 sisters during their vacation at a summer house in the Berkshires. They befriend Jeffrey, the lonely son of the owner of the estate where they are staying and manage to get involved in all sorts of trouble in a short amount of time. I was especially interested in Rosalind's crush on the gardener - I wonder what he thought about that? Her sisters were a bit embarrassed for her, especially when Jeffrey's mother started making snide comments about the situation! (Submitted by Jane). Available in the TA library on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher display under FIC BIR.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

If you love at least two of the following, check out Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke:


* Harry Potter
* really LONG books
* the novels of Jane Austen
* magic mirrors
* the novels of Patrick O'Brian
* British folklore, especially elves & fairies


Yes, all this and more in one book. It took the author ten years to research and write (and it's her first book). The world she creates is so convincing that after a short while you lose track of what's history and what's fantasy. Was there actually a Raven King who ruled the north of England by magic for three centuries? Did the English win the Napoleonic Wars with the aid of magical illusions? Just when did practical magic really disappear from everyday life?
At more than 800 pages, this is a book that can keep you company for a long time. It's even illustrated, in an old-fashioned way that adds to the charm. I'm hoping for a sequel. (Submitted by Martha Rich) Available in the TA library at FIC CLA.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

The book Eragon is an excellent and in-depth book about the teenager Eragon as he adventures with his young, and new, friend: Saphira the Dragon. In Eragon's world, dragons are thought to be extinct, their race being destroyed by the greed and corruption of the Dragonriders. (The dragons and the riders used to work with each other long ago to bring peace and carry out the law). Then one day when young Eragon is hunting in the mountains, he discovers what looks like a large jewel. Eragon returns home with this "stone," only to have it hatch into the small saphire-colored dragon, Saphira. Saphira grows large quickly, and unknown to both Eragon & Saphira, word has spread to "others" who seek to brainwash Saphira to do their bidding. Eragon is luckily out hunting with Saphira when the "others" come, and not finding Eragon or Saphira, they destroy Eragon's house, killing his father in the process. This starts a chain of events in which Eragon fights for peace and justice, journeys to magical lands, learns powerful fighting techniques, and encounters dangerous enemies. In order to find out the rest of this amazing book, you need to check it out for yourself. (Submitted by The Master of Many Mushrooms) Available in the TA library at FIC PAO along with the sequel to it, Eldest, in the same location.

Building Blocks by Cynthia Voigt

Did the father meet Brann first? Or did Brann get named Brann first? Or is it just an endless (or beginningless) cycle? (Submitted by a) Available in the TA library at FIC VOI.

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

If, as this book suggests, we are living with a food supply and attitude toward food that are dangerous in some cases and unhealthy for us and the environment, is there a practical way to change where we get food from and how we eat it? Is it the government's responsibility to change our production and eating habits? (Submitted by Ms. Z) Available in the TA library at 394.1 SCH.

The Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book "The Rocket Boys." This book is about a boy and his friends who help him build model rockets for fun and enter them in the science fair. If you are in confusion about what to have for a hobby, or if you're just bored and looking for inspiration, this is the book for you. (Submitted by IWash1) This book and its sequel, "Sky of Stone," are available in the TA library at 629.1 HIC.

Miriam's Song by Miriam Mathabane

This gut-wrenching book follows the childhood of a young black girl in South Africa and life under apartheid. It is a true testament of courage and hope coupled with terror and oppression. The story left me marveling once again at the strength of the human spirit. (Submitted by MANJED) Available in the TA library at 968.06 MAT.

Judgment Ridge by M. Zuckoff & D. Lehr

This book was disturbing. It's actually made me a little paranoid, too. Set in Chelsea, it tells the story of the Zantop murders, an incident I remember well. I'm afraid that I now know more about these murders than I would like... (Submitted by Joe Deffner) Available in the TA library at 364.15 LEH.