A Brooklyn eighth-grader nicknamed Antsy befriends the Schwa, an “invisible-ish” boy who is tired of blending into his surroundings and going unnoticed by nearly everyone.

Liz says:

“A schwa is actually a grammatical term that refers to a sound that is virtually unnoticeable. This is exactly how The Schwa is in this story – virtually unnoticeable. Through his friendship with Antsy and their connection with a disagreeable, somewhat shady, restaurant owner and his niece, The Schwa learns much about himself. There are lots of funny scenes and practical jokes which make this story fun and extremely entertaining.”

One by one, a number of people of varying ages and backgrounds transform a trash-filled inner-city lot into a productive and beautiful garden, and, in doing so, the gardeners are themselves transformed.

Liz says:

“This is a short and poignant book told from the different perspectives of neighbors who have no connection to each other until they get involved in a community garden. This is really more of a novella. It is so good that it was used as a school-wide read at my school, Scarsdale Middle School.”

When a fourteen-year-old baseball player catches mononucleosis, he discovers that keeping a journal and experimenting with poetry not only helps fill the time, it also helps him deal with life, love, and loss.

Liz says:

“This quick read is filled with laughs and tears. This can be enjoyed by anyone and I always recommend it to boys who are into sports! Please don’t miss this one.”

Liz says:

“I had the honor of having Gennifer visit Scarsdale Middle School last May. Not only was she an awesome presenter and an amazing person to hang out with, she also gave me an unedited proof (galley copy) of this book. I devoured it immediately. Lots of great fun, tough moments and interesting history about life on Alcatraz make this a winner. Don’t be disappointed when you finish this one, there’s a third one coming in this planned trilogy.”

When he is wrongly accused of gravely injuring his baby half-sister, thirteen-year-old Branwell loses his power of speech and only his friend Connor is able to reach him and uncover the truth about what really happened.

Liz says:

“This is an exciting, well-written mystery filled with complex relationships. While many 6th graders do read this, i usually recommend it for 7th graders.”

Unhappy about his baby sister’s illness and the chaos of moving into a dilapidated old house, Michael retreats to the garage and fins a mysterious stranger who is something like a bird and something like an angel.

Liz says:

“This contemporary fantasy is both an accessible story of friendship and family and a mystical, poetic tale. This is David Almond’s first book and it’s a winner.”

“The adventures of Depereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.”

Liz says:

“This adventurous fairy tale has all the right ingredients: a castle, a king and a princess and good versus evil. Sprinkle this with a good sense of humor and an enticing narration and you have a winner.”

Twelve-year-old Paul, who lives in the shadow of his football hero brother Eric, fights for the right to play soccer despite his near blindness and slowy begins to remember the incident that damaged his eyesight.

Liz says:

“I have been accused of saying that every book is my favorite which is only marginally true. This, though, is my favorite. I finished this in one day almost 10 years ago and it remains permanently in my mind and heart. I CANNOT recommend this more highly, However, I would wait until the end of 6th grade or the beginning of 7th to read this. There is some dark stuff that younger kids don’t need to be exposed to.

In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis.

Liz says:

“What an amazing story. If you want your kids to know about the Holocaust, or if they already know a little, this is the perfect book. Told with sensitivity and hopefulness and filled with historical accuracy, Lowry gives us a true gem!”

Two suburban children run away from their Connecticut home and go to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where their ingenuity enables them to live in luxury.

Liz says:

“This book will leave a lasting impression. You will never think of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the same way. This story is filled with adventure and mystery. Don’t miss this one – great even for 4th graders but certainly a must for 5th graders!” (This title also appears on the Liz Loves List for Tween Readers.)