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Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Third Wheel

Tween Read Book Fest

Lois Lowry in Houston

I don't know about you, but I am so excited for Lois Lowry's new book, Son!  She will be here in Houston this Sunday reading and signing books.  Maybe I'll see you there!

The Ghost of Graylock

Every town has it's secrets, and Hedston is no exception.  Everyone know the story of Graylock Hall, the mental hospital hidden in the woods outside of town.  Everyone knows about the kids who died there and Nurse Janet who killed them.

It's no surprise that ghost hunter Neil discovers the story soon after moving to town.  One of the first things he does is venture into the forest to investigate the abandoned building.  Once they are inside, though, Neil and his sister sister Bree have some ghostly experiences that seem all too real.

Bree wants to put this behind her and move on with her summer, but Neil wants to investigate.  As they unravel the mystery of Graylock Hall, it is clear they are in danger from forces both natural and supernatural.

And the ghost of Graylock isn't going to let them go so easily.

Visit author Dan Poblocki's website for more information about him and his books.

The One and Only Ivan

Ivan is a gorilla who lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.  His life isn't so bad.  He has his friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog to talk to, and he has his art.  Ivan loves to draw with the crayons and paper his friend Julia passes through the hole in the glass of Ivan's cage.

One day a new baby elephant named Ruby arrives, and Ivan begins to see his world through her eyes.  All the things that seemed not so bad for 27 years suddenly seem broken and sad.  But Ruby does more than help Ivan see his the darkness of his life at the Exit 8 Mall, she also helps him remember his life before when he lived in the jungle with his family.

Now Ivan knows he has to help Ruby.  He can't let her grow up to be sad and broken.

Go to author, Katherine Applegate's, website to find out more about her and the real Ivan who inspired the story!

I love this book!  It broke my heart and put it back together again.  I hope you will read this book and think about who you are and how you fit into this world.

The Apothecary

It's 1952, and Janie Scott and her parents have moved to London from California.  It's hard enough moving to a new place, but when that new place is the exact opposite of sunny Los Angeles, Janie is frustrated by everything.  Things start to change when Janie goes with her father to visit the apothecary, think pharmacist, and he gives her a cure for homesickness.

She is soon swept up into a world of magical transformations and dangerous Russian spies.  When the apothecary disappears, Janie and his son, Benjamin, travel across London and the freezing ocean to save themselves and the world.

Read Maile Meloy's first book for young adults and join the journey.