"Skulduggery Pleasant" by Derek Landy

Stephanie's was always fascinated by her Uncle Gordon. He wrote magical horror stories and lived in a strange mansion. After her uncle dies, Stephanie is shocked to find he left her his estate, complete with hidden passageways and dark secrets. It turns out her Uncle Gordon had access to another world, one where an ancient weapon holds all power and control. Stephanie is being hunted by an evil sorcerer who is searching for this weapon. Uncle Gordon kept weird company while he was alive. His old friend, Skulduggery Pleasant, shows up at his house, surprising Stephanie. Skulduggery is wise, clever and has awesome detective skills....the only problem? He's a skeleton! Let the crazy adventure begin. This is the first book in a new series by Derek Landy. His website has awesome trailers for the books, check it out at http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com/us/

"Rapunzel's Revenge" by Shannon and Dean Hale

Rapunzel discovers her stepmother’s evil powers after sneaking over the village’s walls. As punishment, she is imprisoned in a tree tower, and must use her long locks to escape. Told in graphic novel fashion, this rebellious cowgirl is ready to take on the Wild West.

"A Map of the Known World" by Lisa Ann Sandell

Cora's older brother Nate was killed in a car accident, and her grieving family is falling apart. The teachers and students at Nate's old high school take pity on her and she is losing her best friend to the popular crowd. But art class is her escape. Cora has a passion is for making maps -- maps of places she's been and where she wants to go. Her parents don't approve of Cora hanging out with Damian. He was her brother's best friend, and was riding with him during the accident. But Damian seems sincere, so Cora continues to see him behind her parents' back. Her art teacher encourages her to apply for an art program in London and life appears to be improving. As their romance blossoms, Cora learns of a sensitive side of her brother she didn't know existed.

"Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

Brian's parents are in the middle of divorce. His dad lives in Canada, and Brian is on his way for a visit, traveling in a single-engine plane. The pilot dies of a heart attack, leaving Brian responsible for landing the plane. He manages a soft crash into a lake, only to find he's alone in the wilderness, surrounded by beauty and danger. The plane had gone off course for hours, making rescue seem impossible. Armed only with a hatchet his mom gave him, Brian builds a shelter, creates fire and forges for fish and berries. He uses his imagination and education to brace the elements and feed himself. Will he ever be found?

"Flipped" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Juli's got a big time crush on Bryce. Bryce is totally not interested.

Juli tends to live in her own universe, growing chickens, saving the planet, and speaking her mind.

Bryce falls in with the popular kids, follows their advice and tries to avoid Juli at all times.

It doesn't help things that Bryce and Juli have lived across the street from each other since the 2nd grade.

This book is one of my favorites, told in alternating chapters from both Juli and Bryce's perspective on the situation.

Someone is about to change their mind, and *flip* their thinking. Who's it going to be, and will they end up dating? Curious minds want to find out!

"Call of the Wild" by Jack London

Buck is pretty happy living the dog life in sunny California. Part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd, he's sturdy, dependable, and one of his master's favorites. A servant kidnaps Buck, and sells him to men heading north on a steam train. Hundreds of people are looking for something small, valuable and yellow....gold! It's the height of the Alaska gold rush, and Buck is put to work as a sled dog, hauling heavy equipment and being worked to the bone. Set among the rugged Klondike wilderness, this is an excellent story of animal instinct, survival and the spirit of the wilderness.

"Grayson" by Lynne Cox

Lynne Cox is a long distance swimmer. She's swam both the English and Catalina Channels and wrote an fascinating account of cold water adventures in her book, "Swimming to Antarctica." When Lynne was 17, she was doing a training swim off the coast of Seal Beach, California. She was wrapping up her workout when she discovered she was accompanied by something large and dark swimming beneath her. Terrified by the thought of sharks, she immediately headed for shore. Moments later, she realized it wasn't a shark at all, but a baby gray whale, who had lost its mother and was floundering around lost. Lynne spent the morning with the baby whale, hoping to reunite him with its mother. This is a touching story about the relationship between humans and animals and a must read for all marine mammal fans.