Erin and Jilly have been best friends all their lives, so Erin is devastated when they're put on different tracks in seventh grade. She won't have any classes at all with Jilly. To make things worse, Serena Worthington is in Erin's track. When she accuses Erin of being Jilly's puppet, Erin can't take it, and she punches Serena before even thinking about it. Not only is Erin in trouble, but rumors spread around the school, and pictures of Pinocchio with Erin's face on them appear on the school walls. Erin writes on her secret web site to cope with everything that's happening. Can she turn her seventh grade year into something great?

Similar books: Access Denied: (And Other Eighth Grade Error Messages) by Denise Vega; The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez by Judy Goldschmidt

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 4/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0316985600

ISBN-13: 9780316985604

Check the library catalog

This series of girls and their Alpha, Massie Block, will keep you on the edge of your seat with boy troubles, shopping sprees, and OCD School (Octavian Country Day School). These drama queens will keep you coming back.

Reviewed by: Camp Read-a-Lot Reader

Date read: 5/21/2010

ISBN-10: 0316155772

ISBN-13: 9780316155779

Check the library catalog

Commenter: Getamac1998, grade 6

Foster and her mom leave their home suddenly with just a few things in the car to avoid harm from her mom's boyfriend. They find friendship and the help they need in the small town of Culpepper. The town itself is struggling with the problems created by the opening of a new prison. Foster loves to bake and she shares her cupcakes and muffins with everyone. But she can't read, so she memorizes every recipe that Sonny Kroll, a TV Chef, makes. Sonny has a serious accident and she uses him as inspiration to keep trying to read. With the help of a famous Hollywood actress, Miss Charleena, and the compassion of her friends, she overcomes her struggle with reading. You'll find it interesting how cupcakes become a solution for everything.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Nominee 2014

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 5/24/2013

ISBN-10: 0670012823

ISBN-13: 9780670012824

Check the library catalog

Mr. Merlin, the new third grade teacher, used to be a spy. When Amber Lee reveals she received an anonymous letter, Mr. Merlin challenges the class to solve the mystery. Will Noelle and Todd solve the mystery before Amber Lee solves it herself? This first entry in the Third-Grade Detectives series is great for readers new to chapter books who like to solve puzzles.

Similar books: A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy; Jigsaw Jones Mystery Series by James Preller; Encyclopedia Brown Books by Donald Sobol

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 9/29/2010

ISBN-10: 068986471X

ISBN-13: 9780689821943

Check the library catalog

Each student in Howie's fourth grade class has to start a business as a school project. The student who makes the most money will win the H. Marion Muckley Junior Business Person of the Year award. Howie throws himself into 'A Boy for All Seasons,' his lawn-care service. For extra credit, and to increase profits, he writes a book detailing the experience. Nothing goes exactly as planned. He has to pay his classmates for their services: advertising, photography, and business cards. His customers aren't pleased with his lawn-care, and they don't always pay. And, he has to hire help. Howie can't run a successful business, but he does finally have a great idea!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/1/2009

ISBN-10: 0823416429

ISBN-13: 9780823416424

Check the library catalog