Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen along with Hades helm of darkness. Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover must find the lightning bolt and the helm and return them to their owners to prevent the gods from starting World War III.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider's parents are both dead and he is living with his uncle, Ian Rider.  When Ian dies in a car accident, Alex discovers that Ian was murdered and that Ian was a spy for MI6, similar to the CIA, in England.  MI6 contacts Alex and forces him to take Ian's place on the mission he was investigating.  Alex is sent to investigate Stormbreaker, a new revolutionary computer that is being given to all of the schools in England.   Ian had discovered something wrong at the factory and Alex has to find out what it is.  When he goes to investigate, his life is also in danger.  With only seconds left, Alex stops the biohazard that is contained in the computers.  There are six more books in the series.  In each one, Alex works with MI6 to solve crimes and investigate unusual circumstances.  

Behind the Wheel by Janet S. Wong

Poems about driving.  Includes poems about a first wreck, first ticket, taking your driving test.  Poem to read: Need to Read, p. 24.

I am Phoenix by Paul Fleischman

One of the poetry books by Paul Flesichman that are meant to be read by two people at the same time.  One person reads the lines on the left, the other person reads the lines on the right.  These are all poems about birds.  Suggested poem to read with teacher: The Actor, p. 11.  It's about a mockingbird.  Joyful Noise is another book by the same author.  The poems in that book are about insects.

The Basket Counts by Arnold Adoff

Free verse poems about basketball from both boys and girls viewpoint.  Possible poems to read: The Basket Counts: Three: p. 14.

You Hear Me? ed. by Betsy Franco

Poems and writings by teenage boys.  Some have language and sexual references, also drugs.  Written by teenagers 12-19.  Very honest and forthright.  Strong emotions.  Suggested poems to read to middle school - Does My Mother Look Like This? p. 48 and Dear God, p. 100.  These are two of the poems written by younger boys.

Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Abby has just been kicked out of Middle School because she attacked Brett McAvery, the principal's son, with a Swiss Army knife.  She had good reason, but no one believes her.  Her parents send her to Catholic school where she has to attend religion classes.  She has to choose an elective and her father won't let her take art, so she enrolls in drama. In her drama class, she gets to know Chris.  Abby's family do not believe in God.  Her parents are both workaholics and never pay attention to her.  To get their attention, she tells them she wants to become a Catholic.  As she and Chris become friends, she meets Chris's mother who becomes her sponsor in the church.  Through her religion and drama classes, she makes some decisions about her life and is able to tell her parents how she feels about herself and their inattention.  She tells Chris about Brett McAvery and the problems she had in public school.  The drama, religion, and friendship help Abby to heal.
"A girl is being
bullied, so she brings a knife to school and cuts her bully in the
cafeteria in front of everyone. She is expelled and goes to a private
Catholic school where she struggles to develop a religious faith. It is
a very well written story, but my opinion is that it's too mature for
grades 3-4." Amy Brownlee

Darkwing by Kenneth Oppel

Dusk is the first of his kind - a chiropter that can fly - a bat.  The rest of his colony must climb and glide, but Dusk has wings and can fly like a bird.  He is thought of as an outcast and would not be accepted at all if not for his father, the leader of the colony.  Carnassial is another chiropter who has changed.  He has become carniverous and becomes a predator to the other chiropters.  In this novel showing the evolution of mammals during the extinction of the dinosaurs, the animals find that although they are no longer alike, their various powers give them different leadership abilities.  Dusk becomes a leader because of his ability to fly, see in the dark, and use echolocation.  He leads his colony to safety from the carnivores and finds them a new safe home.