Joel is looking forward to moving in with his new step family. He'll have two brothers now instead of just his know-it-all, older sister, who thinks their family is just fine the way it is. She calls her new stepbrothers and father 'the intruders.' And she just hates the huge old, house her mother and stepfather have bought to refurbish. Slowly, the family comes to realize this house is never going to seem like a 'home.' One by one, the four children start witnessing strange events, have horrifying nightmares, and sense an evil presence. What is the connection of their family to the family who lived in the house fifty years ago? Is Joel's family in danger? What chances will they take to survive 'The Intruders?'

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0552552615

ISBN-13: 9780552552615

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Hugo Cabret is the son of a clockmaker. He was being raised by his father until his father died in a fire. Hugo's uncle Claude then took Hugo to live with him in an apartment located in a train station. Uncle Claude's job at the train station is to maintain all of the clocks in the station. Hugo becomes Uncle Claude's apprentice but when Uncle Claude doesn't come home for several days (or ever again), Hugo continues to take care of all the clocks by himself. Hugo becomes intrigued with a toy shop in the train station and keeps a stash of toy parts that he pilfers from the shop. From these parts, he is able to rebuild the broken automaton machine that he found in the wreckage of a museum fire. He is convinced that the automaton holds a message for him from his father. The inventor of the automaton surprisingly ends up being someone that Hugo knows. The one hundred and fifty eight illustrations in this book are spectacular and tell the story with as much power as the words do. So what is the invention of Hugo Cabret? You will be amazed when you find out!

Awards won: Caldecott Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0439813786

ISBN-13: 9780439813785

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Billie has no privacy because her mother watches her like a hawk. When she finds a magic makeup kit that makes her invisible, she sets off on a day of freedom. Can she turn back to normal before her mother realizes she is missing?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0141306416

ISBN-13: 9780439155755

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The only unusual thing about Henry, Janie's Great Dane with the striking black-and-white markings, is that he's invisible. But eventually circumstances, and perhaps a little magic, conspire to bring Henry to life.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0517594250

ISBN-13: 9780517594254

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Unemployed after high school in the highly robotic society of 2054, Lisse and seven friends spend their time in their 'Designated Area' eagerly waiting for the government to send them their invitation to play The Game.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0671742361

ISBN-13: 9780671742362

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