I hate romantic comedies. I find them boring and I can’t keep from rolling my eyes constantly. In fact, I think the reason that I avoid most realistic fiction is because I’m afraid that the book will turn into a romantic comedy-in-writing. BUT. I really loved My Most Excellent Year. Which is definitely a romantic comedy. Which might mean I’m slipping.
T.C. Keller, Augie Hwong and Alejandra Perez are all 9th graders at a Boston high school, and each of them–without realizing it–is trying to figure out where they belong in life. T.C. is trying to stay a B+ student, in spite of his natural intelligence and love of politics; Augie is trying to reconcile himself to being both a sports star and a theater director of genius proportions; and Ale is trying to live up to her diplomat parents’ expectations, while also following her dream of performing in musical theater.
Do they figure it out? (And find love along the way?) Jeez, guys, come on–this is a romantic comedy! Of COURSE they do! But the process of finding their way is a wonderful read. Most reviews will probably point out that it’s heartwarming and poignant, descriptive terms that usually make me run screaming in opposite direction. BUT. It’s true: the book is heartwarming and poignant. More importantly, though, the book is also hilarious. (Also, I love musicals). My Most Excellent Year probably won’t make me reconsider my antipathy to romantic comedies, but I’ll definitely recommend it to any 9th and 10th graders who love realistic fiction.
Posted by: Sarah
Do you like playing imaginary games? Do you like suspense? Do you like thinking about Egyptian mythology and mummies and hieroglyphics and other intriguing stuff? If so, you can join April and Melanie and their group of assorted friends as they play their Egypt game. Then you can use your imagination to play your own Egypt game or Africa game or Indian game – the possibilities are endless.
Kitty Princess and the Newspaper Dress is a story about an ill-mannered kitty who learns that kind words go further than barked orders. When Kitty’s Fairy Godmouse can’t conjure up the right dress for Prince Quince’s ball, Kitty takes matters into her own hands and goes shopping. 
This picture book is a very fun and informative look at the people who are working while most people are sleeping. The illustrations are very appealing and done in a very child-like, maybe 4th or 5th grade boy style. The stories of each of the people working the night shift are all woven together by questions such as “Who does the road worker visit for a snack at 3:30 a.m.?”. We learn about donut bakers and tugboat captains and bridge painters and window dressers. There is a lot of good information that would appeal to teachers teaching about careers and occupations, but mostly it is was interesting to think of a whole world of activity happening that we might not often think about. I think boys would especially love this book, but I really liked it too!
Accomplished author Rosemary Wells writes her first short historical fiction chapter book for third graders and older in the book Wingwalker. Her story line is appealing because it is a slice of American life, probably not known about by our young contemporary readers, and has familiar family elements (like a peaceful, secure loving environment, but also parents losing jobs), and unfamiliar elements (the unusual way these parents work to survive their particular hard times).
How would you like the name of Wart for a nickname?
Though I don’t particularly care for the cover, this was a great book. Fans of Blue Balliett’s work will be equally pleased with Berlin’s. Winston Breen is a puzzle enthusiast. He looks for puzzles everything and loves nothing more than solving a good riddle. 
