Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck

Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck
Dial Books for Young Readers
2011
256p.

In 1887, the social-climbing Cranstons voyage from New York to London, where they hope to find a husband for their awkward older daughter, secretly accompanied by Helena and her mouse siblings, for whom the journey is both terrifying and wondrous as they meet an array of titled humans despite their best efforts at remaining hidden.

Dragon's of Silk by Laurence Yep

Dragon's of Silk by Laurence Yep
Harper Collins Children's Books
2011
339p.

Four generations of Chinese and Chinese-American girls, beginning in 1835, are tied together by the tradition of raising silkworms and the legacy of the legendary Weaving Maid.

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty
Harcourt Children's Books
2011
345p.

In early twentieth-century New York, Sacha Kessler's ability to see witches earns him an apprenticeship to the police department's star Inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf, to help stop magical crime and, with fellow apprentice Lily Astral, Sacha investigates who is trying to kill Thomas Edison, whose mechanical witch detector that could unleash the worst witch-hunt in American history.

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

Harper Collin's Children's Books

2011

320p.

 

A mix-up involving the greatest magic in the world has tremendous consequences for Liesl, an orphan who has been locked in an attic, Will, an alchemist's runaway apprentice, and Po, a ghost, as they are pursued by friend and foe while making an important journey.

Circle of Secrets by Kimberley Griffiths Little

Circle of  Secrets by Kimberley Griffiths Litlle
Scholastic Press
2011
336p.

A year after her mother has deserted the family, eleven-year-old Shelby goes to stay with her, deep in the Louisiana bayou, where they both confront old hurts and regrets.

Apothecary by Maile Meloy

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
G P Putnam Sons
2011
368p.


Follows a fourteen-year-old American girl whose life unexpectedly transforms when she moves to London in 1952 and gets swept up in a race to save the world from nuclear war.

Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
Scholastic Press
2011
336p.

Princess Solveig and her siblings are trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen fjord, along with her best friend and an army of restless soldiers, all awaiting news of the king's victory in battle, but as they wait for winter's end and the all-encompassing ice to break, acts of treachery make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Walden Pond Press
2011
320p.

A stunning modern-day fairy tale from acclaimed author Anne Ursu Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," "Breadcrumbs" is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

Ten Rules for Living With My Sister by Ann M. Martin

Ten Rules for Living With My Sister by Ann M. Martin
Feiwel and Friends
2011
228p.

Nine-year-old Pearl and her popular, thirteen-year-old sister, Lexie, do not get along very well, but when their grandfather moves in and the girls have to share a room, they must find common ground

With A Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo

With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo
Farrar Strauss Giroux
2011
249p.

Thirteen-year-old Olivene Love gets tangled up in a murder mystery when her itinerant preaching family arrives in the small town of Binder, Arkansas in 1957.

City of Orphans by Avi

City of Orphans by Avi
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
2011
351p.

In 1893 New York, thirteen-year-old Maks, a newsboy, teams up with Willa, a homeless girl, to clear his older sister, Emma, from charges that she stole from the brand new Waldorf Hotel, where she works. Includes historical notes.

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer
Dutton Children's Books
2011
294p.

Twelve-year-olds Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate Saviano meet at the Youth Scrabble Tournament where, although each has a different reason for attending and for needing to win, they realize that something more important is at stake than the grand prize.

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Dial Books for Young Readers
2011
360p.

A fictionalized look at the last twenty years of Thomas Jefferson's life at Monticello through the eyes of three of his slaves, two of whom were his sons by his slave, Sally Hemings.

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Harper Collins Children's Books
2011

A fearful sixteen-year-old princess discovers her heroic destiny after being married off to the king of a neighboring country in turmoil and pursued by enemies seething with dark magic.

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell
Alfred A. Knopf
2011
33p.

In late nineteenth-century Maine, isolated, eleven-year-old Clara Dooley gains a friend and uncovers a magical secret that changes her life when she learns to care for the once-feared birds in the aviary attached to the Glendoveer mansion where she lives.

Paintings From The Cave by Gary Paulsen

Paintings From The Cave : Three Novellas by Gary Paulsen
Wendy Lamb Books
2011
161p.

 "In these three novellas, Gary Paulsen explores how children can survive the most difficult circumstances through art and the love of dogs"--Provided by publisher.

Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins

Toys Come Home: Being the Early Experiences of an Intelligent Stingray, a Brave Buffalo, and a Brand-New Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins
Random House Children's Books
2011
132p.

When a little girl gets a plush stingray for her birthday, it makes friends with some of her other toys as they all try to navigate in the world of real people.

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban
Harcourt
2011
152p.

Mattie, a shy fifth-grader, wants to hide out at her new school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true friend.

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods
Penguin /Nancy Paulsen Books
2011
137p.

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach is enjoying life in New Orleans, playing clarinet for the tourists in his spare time, accompanied by Shadow, a local stray dog. When Hurricane Katrina approaches, Saint faces unexpected challenges in trying to rescue Shadow

Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes

Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes
Bloomsbury
2011
154p.

A series of poems describes all the baffling changes at home and at school in twelve-year-old Joylin's transition from tomboy basketball player to not-quite-girly girl.