Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Clara Caterpillar began as an egg laid on a cabbage plant...one that was very late hatching.  The snotty, scoffing Catisha is naturally sweet Clara's enemy, while kind Cornelius becomes her best friend.  As they grow up, all the caterpillars form cocoons and when they hatch they are beautiful butterflies.  The most beautiful of all is Catisha.  When Catisha's bright colors attract a hungry crow, Clara saves her.  This story about friendship is sure to be touching.  It has beautiful pictures and a good story that young children will love.
By Payne N.

One of Each by Mary Ann Hoberman

Oliver Tolliver lived all alone.  He lived in his own house that had one of each. He had everything he needed and no more.  Everything was fine until he met Peggoty Small and invited her over to his house.  But he did not have enough to share with her because he just had one of each.  Peggoty teaches Oliver that sharing is fun and it is much better to have many friends than none.  This book has a great rhythm and is fun to read.  Kindergarteners and first-graders will enjoy this book and the unique illustrations.
By Payne N.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

A long time ago on an island far away, there was the tiny town of Chewandswallow.  Chewandswallow was not a normal town.  Food fell from the sky three times a day.  Then a strange weather front makes the food fall in greater amounts and all of the time.  Chewandswallow becomes an unsafe place and the townspeople must evacuate on stale pieces of giant bread and sail across the ocean.  This is a great book for the younger grades and is funny and interesting.  The pictures are entertaining and it teaches about weather!
By Payne N.

Dear Dumb Diary, Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jamie Kelly

This is the first in the eight book Dumb Diary series.  The main character is a 6th grade girl named Jamie, and the book is written as her diary.  Jamie's best friend is Isabella, and they both have the same enemy...Angeline.  Angeline is the prettiest girl in school with the best of everything.  The problem is that she and Jaime both like the same boy, Hudson Rivers.  I like how this book and all the other books in this series teach you about real life and how things don't always happen like you want them to.  If you are a 4th-6th grade girl, you would enjoy this series.
By Camille N.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book #1, The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson is not a normal boy.  His father disappeared before he was born, and he moves around a lot and is troubled with ADHD and dyslexia.  He eventually discovers he is a demi-god, the son of Poseidon (god of the sea)!  Upon arriving at a safe haven for demi-gods, Camp Half-Blood, Percy defeats the Minotaur.  In the process he loses his mother to Hades (god of the Underworld).  Percy finds that Zeus is accusing Percy of stealing his master bolt and threatening to start a war with Poseidon.  Percy and his friends set out on a quest to prevent a war of the gods and get Percy's mother back.  This is a great story about friendship, magical powers and adventure.  It is a long book, but is an interesting and quick read.  Kids who are interested in Greek mythology may enjoy this first book in Rick Riordan's epic series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
By Payne N.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rules is a touching story about a 12-year-old girl named Catherine whose younger brother David has autism.  The main storyline explores the frustrations and joys of having a sibling with special needs.  The secondary storyline is about Catherine's special friendship with Jason, a wheelchair bound fourteen-year-old who cannot speak.  This book helped me imagine life from the perspective of someone who is perceived as "different."  If you are between the ages of 10-12 and you like to read feel-good stories that touch your heart and expand your view of the world, this book is for you!
By Mrs. Norton