The Iron Giant – by Ted Hughes

When a towering giant made of iron appears out of nowhere, young Hogarth sees him not as a monster, but a friend. The townspeople are terrified of the giant and devise a plan to bring him down. But Hogarth believes in his friend, and rescues him when no one else will. Together, they teach the people of the village and beyond to conquer their fears, for beneath the giant’s rough armor there beats a mighty heart.

Mousenet – by Prudence Breitrose

Sent to live with her chef father and his wife in Oregon after having stayed with her inventor uncle and scientist mother in Cincinnati, ten-year-old misfit Megan is lonely until she starts working with some computer-savvy mice to try to save Mouse Nation–and the planet.

Vanishing Acts:  A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery – by Leslie Margolis

Life is confusing for seventh-grader Maggie, who must track down a missing person and find out who is behind a string of dog eggings at the local dog run, while also dealing with issues involving her brother and two of her friends.

Blackout – by John Rocco

When a busy family’s activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once.

The Little Bitty Bakery – by Leslie Muir

When an elephant pastry chef works straight through her birthday with no time for birthday cake, some industrious mice make good use of her kitchen and bake a delicious surprise.

Stuck – by Oliver Jeffers

Resolving to free his kite from a tree, young Floyd tosses his shoe into the tree to knock down the kite only to lose the shoe as well, a situation that compels him to try throwing an orangutan, his front door and many other outrageous objects.

Melonhead and the Undercover Operation – by Katy Kelly

Ten-year-old Adam “Melonhead” Melon and his fellow Junior Special Agent, Sam, investigate a fellow resident of Washington D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, believing that she is one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted.

Wildwood – by Colin Meloy

When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, seventh-grader Prue McKeel ventures into the forbidden Impassable Wilderness–a dangerous and magical forest at the edge of Portland, Oregon–and soon finds herself involved in a war among the various inhabitants.

Floors – by Patrick Carman

Ten-year-old Leo’s future and the fate of the extraordinary Whippet Hotel, where his father is the maintenance man, are at stake when a series of cryptic boxes leads Leo to hidden floors, strange puzzles, and unexpected alliances.

Happy Birthday, Hamster – by Cynthia Lord

Follows Hamster and his friend Dog as they prepare for a birthday party.

Home for Christmas – by Jan Brett

Rollo the troll is tired of chores, but after spending time on the tundra with various animal families, from owls to moose, he realizes that he wants to be home for Christmas even if that means behaving himself.

The Hanukkah Hop! – by Erica Silverman

Rhymed text and lively illustrations follow a family’s activities as they prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

Cabin Fever – by Jeff Kinney

Middle-schooler Greg Heffley is the prime suspect when it is discovered that school property has been damaged, but when a surprise blizzard hits and school is closed, Greg is stuck indoors with his family, unable to prove his innocence.

You Have To Stop This – by Pseudonymous Bosch

When a mummy disappears from the local history museum while Cass and her friends Max-Ernest and Yo-Yoji are there, they try to solve the case in order to clear their names and, they hope, discover the Secret they have been seeking.

Maggie and Oliver, or, A Bone of One’s Own – by Valerie Hobbs

Dismissed from her job as a lady’s maid for asking too many questions, young orphan Maggie examines her only possession, a locket containing a mysterious woman’s picture, and makes friends with an affectionate stray dog who helps both of them find a warm and loving home.

The Bridge to Never Land – by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Sarah and Aidan begin to decipher a mysterious document that refers to the origins of Peter Pan and are suddenly pursued by a being that can take any form and will stop at nothing to get what it wants from them.

A Web of Air – by Philip Reeve

In Mayda, a post-apocalyptic city off the coast of Portugal, a brilliant young engineer and a mysterious recluse race to build a flying machine, unaware that powerful enemies will kill to possess–or destroy–their new technology.

Mimi – by John Newman

Mimi is determined not to give up on anyone or anything, but since Mammy died, her father never smiles, her sister Sally is in a bad mood, brother Conor keeps to himself, and even Sparkler the dog does not want to go for walks.

Blue Chicken – by Deborah Freedman

An enterprising chicken attempts to help an artist paint the barnyard and accidentally turns the whole picture blue.

Bailey – by Harry Bliss

Although he is a dog, Bailey goes to school where his canine abilities enliven an ordinary day.

The Picky Little Witch – by Elizabeth Brokamp

Mama Witch tries to get her daughter to eat some Halloween soup before going out to trick-or-treat, but Picky Little Witch finds many reasons to refuse. Includes a recipe for soup.

School Days According to Humphrey – by Betty G. Birney

Humphrey the hamster is puzzled when unfamiliar students fill Mrs. Brisbane’s classroom at summer’s end, but he soon learns that his friends from last year are fine and that the new class needs his special help.

Spaceheadz – by Jon Scieszka

With only one hundred more Spaceheadz to sign up, Michael K.’s friends start planning an Earth-saving party but Michael fears the Brainwave might be used for a much more sinister purpose.

The Dagger Quick – by Brian Eames

Twelve-year-old Christopher “Kitto” Wheale, a clubfooted boy seemingly doomed to follow in the boring footsteps of his father as a cooper in seventeenth-century England, finds himself on a dangerous seafaring adventure with his newly discovered uncle, the infamous pirate William Quick.

Too Many Frogs! – by Ann and John Hassett

With rapidly increasing numbers of frogs coming out of her basement, Nana Quimby asks assorted neighborhood children for help, but finally it is up to her to come up with a solution.

A Birthday for Cow! – by Jan Thomas

Despite the objections of Pig and Mouse, Duck insists on adding a special ingredient to the cake they are making to celebrate Cow’s birthday.

Eddie Gets Ready for School – by David Milgrim

As young Eddie goes through his checklist to get ready for school, his mother does not agree with all of his choices.

The Ogre of Oglefort – by Eva Ibbotson

When the Hag of Dribble, an orphan boy, and a troll called Ulf are sent to rescue a princess from an ogre, it turns out to be far from the routine magical mission they expect.

Emmy and the Rats in the Belfry - by Lynne Jonell

Emmy was not an ordinary girl. She could talk to rodents. She could shrink to the size of a rodent. And just a few weeks ago, she had even become a rodent to defeat her evil former nanny, Miss Barmy.

Dogs in the Dead of Night – by Mary Pope Osborne

When the magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time to the highest pass in the Swiss Alps, they discover an ancient monastery filled with monks and Saint Bernard dogs. Annie can’t resist offering to train a wild young dog named Barry. Will Barry lead Jack and Annie to the mysterious flower they need to save a friend’s life? Or will he only lead them into danger? Before the night is over, Jack and Annie will be forced to use some crazy magic! Join everyone’s favorite brother and sister duo on an adventure that is scary and magical, and more fun than they’ve ever had!