Kids' Next List for Ages 9-12

"Dit Sims thinks it's 'the worst bad luck' when the new postmaster's child turns out to be a bookish 'colored' girl instead of the boy he expected. Dit and Emma Walker gradually form an unlikely friendship, and when blatant racism rears its head, they set out to save a black man unjustly sentenced to death. Set in a small Southern town in 1917, this coming-of-age story is believable and well-written, and Dit's personal growth is moving and remarkable." --Trish Brown, Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA

"Living in Hawaii with his mother and younger sister, 4th grader Calvin is supposed to be the responsible man of the house. But he's kind of a mess, his little sister doesn't really need his help anyway, and he's got his hands full keeping away from the school bully. The setting, the excellent writing, and the charming main character wrap everything up together in one neat, welcome package." --Melissa Posten, Children's Book World, Haverford, PA

"Who better to introduce children to the depths of an orchestra but Lemony Snicket? The Composer Is Dead is an entertaining murder mystery that gives each instrument a voice and more character than words can describe." --April Gosling, Horizon Books, Petoskey, MI

"With his father shipped off to Iraq, grandfather getting older, and his older brothers away at college, the fate of the ranch lies heavily on Brother, who is determined to take care of things just as his father would have. A beautifully written, simple book about not-so-simple things like faith and family." --Jennifer Laughran, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

"Emma Clayton tells the story of a future planet Earth that has to deal with cramped, dark, and wet living conditions and an unfair social order due to an animal plague. The characters are realistic, and you want to see the children, who are the story's heroes, defeat the evil and greedy governmental leaders. Be prepared for an interesting twist at the end. The Roar is juvenile science fiction done right, but the concept of death and cruelty is a continuous theme, so this book is better recommended to intermediate students of 4th grade or higher." --Sue Mason, Waucoma Bookstore, Hood River, OR

"Tales From Outer Suburbia is a story told in vignettes expressed in artistic renderings and text, which capture the experiences and stories heard, but not quite fully understood, of the impressionistic years of childhood. Not solely a picture book, nor just a graphic book or fictional tale, it's, rather, all of these combined -- perfect to share with young and old alike." --Jack Blanchard, Fairy Godmother, Washington, DC

"Daniel Pinkwater's latest follows the, well, odyssey of a girl named Yggdrasil Birnbaum. When all the ghosts in Los Angeles go missing, Yggy and her friends must travel to another plane of existence to find them. Full of Hollywood hijinks and hilarity, The Yggyssey is a pleasure to read." --Jennifer Laughran, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA