Discovering Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Through the telling of events from his own life, Wes Moore (author of the bestselling adult title The Other Wes Moore) explores
the issues that separate success and failure. He also counterpoints his
story with another man, someone who shared the same name, was almost
the same age, grew up fatherless in a similar Baltimore neighborhood,
but is serving a life sentence for murder. Compelled to write to the
other Wes, the author was surprised to receive a reply. And so began a
friendship, as letters turned into visits and the two men got to know
one another.
This compelling story about the challenges of growing up
and the responsibility for the choices we make, is sure to inspire.
Two Crafty Criminals by Philip Pullman
Benny Kaminsky and
Thunderbolt Dobney lead a rag-tag gang of neighborhood rowdies. Their
territory is the New Cut on London's South Bank—a place bristling with
swindlers, bookies, pickpockets, and the occasional policeman. And their
aim is to solve crimes.
When counterfeit coins start showing up
in their neighborhood, Thunderbolt fears his own father may be behind
the crime. But his friends devise a way to trap the real culprit. Then
the gang takes on the case of some stolen silver. They have just two
clues—a blob of wax, and an unusually long match. But even this slippery
thief is unmasked by the determined kids of the New Cut.
Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis
Teenage twins Ysabel
and Justin Nicholas are lucky. Ysabel's jewelry designs have already
caught the eyes of the art world and Justin's intelligence and drive are
sure to gain him entrance into the most prestigious of colleges. They
even like their parents. But their father has a secret—one that
threatens to destroy the twins' happy family and life as they know it.
Over
the course of spring break, Ysabel and Justin will be forced to come to
terms with their dad's new life, but can they overcome their fears to
piece together their happy family again?
Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong
An adventurous new work from Newbery Honor-Winning author, Alan Armstrong.
In
the spring of 1947, outer space was an unexplored realm. But eleven
year-old Alexis (Alex) Heart and her impulsive brother, Chuck, believe
that the stars are within reach. In the midst of building their own
rocket, Alex befriends Captain Ebbs, and an army scientist who is
working to create food for future space travelers, and who is also a
descendent of Captain John Smith. Alex soon introduces Chuck to her new
friend, and the trio's shared interest in space travel sets off a series
of adventures that the three will never forget. From meeting pioneering
German rocket scientist Dr. Wenher von Braun, and a thrilling sailing
trip down the Potomac to an island on the Chesapeake where a top secret
rocket launch is about to take place, Alex and Chuck are about to have
their lives forever changed.
Empire of Ruins by Arthur Slade
Secret agent Modo's
next assignment? Find ancient Egyptian ruins hidden deep in the
Australian jungle and the mysterious God Face, rumoured to be a powerful
weapon—anyone who looks upon it will be driven mad. And he must find
the God Face before the evil Clockwork Guild does!