Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool is the Newbery award book of 2011 about a young girl named Abilene who lived in Kansas during the great Depression.  But the book is less about the Depression or history, and more about a young girl who is living in a strange place, without the comforting presence of her father.  Abilene misses her dad and looks for signs of him in the town where he grew up.  The story line jumps back and forth between Abilene's experiences meeting new friends and her search for a mysterious ghost-like character called the "Rattler", and the story of the people who lived during the town's past when her father was just a boy.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman is a sequel to Swindle, which I know some of you enjoyed a couple of years ago in 2007.  Here's a link to listen to Korman talking about Swindle and how he became a writer http://www.gordonkorman.com/.  In Zoobreak, the same children continue to take matters into their own hands.  Griffin, the planner of the group, jumps into action when his friend Savannah, spots her missing monkey at a sleazy small animal zoo.  I love how Griffin breaks down their problems and plans a solution.  Except of course, it's not that easy because the problems keep multiplying.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a story that mixes family, cars and art.  The main character's name is Dylan and he lives in a small town that could be called a dead-end.  His family runs a gas station, but they run into financial trouble because the people that live in the town are moving away for more excitement and opportunities elsewhere.  Dylan's family is falling apart and things are looking bleak until almost by accident, Dylan manages to rejuvenate the town.  Read the book to find out how he does it.