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How Oliver Olson Changed the World By: Claudia Mills

Summary:
Oliver is worried about how to conquer school projects and his over protective parents.  He seems to find his inner voice when a pushy classmates forces him to make a statement.

Follow-Up Questions:
1. What was Oliver's favorite part of the space sleepover?  Would that be your favorite part?  Why or Why not?
2.  What would write about to the senator?

Extenstion Activities:
1. Check out this fun quiz about this book:
http://www.quia.com/quiz/3099933.html
2. Work with a friend and make your own space visual aid.

Captain Nobody By: Dean Pitchford

Summary:
When Newt is left alone because his brother is in the hospital he comes up with a creative way to get noticed.  He decides to become Captain Nobody.  Well, he gets noticed alright.  Soon Newt, Captain Nobody, is really saving the day.  Can he keep up this act for long?  What will his parents do when they find out?  Read this very creative book to find out more!

Follow-Up Questions:
If you were going to create your “other” you costume.  What would you be and what would your costume look like?
What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Explain using a lot of details.

Extension Activities: 
Check out the Captain Nobody website for awesome audio files and reading guides, plus lots of cool stuff!
http://www.captainnobody.com/

The Sherlock Files: The 100-Year-Old Secret By: Tracy Barrett

Summary:
This fast paced book is great for anyone who loves a good mystery book.  When brother  and sister Xander and Xena are uprooted and moved from Florida to England they have to find new things to do with their time.  While playing outside their hotel one day they receive a mysterious note with disappearing ink.  They are soon involved in a real Sherlock Holmes, ‘Unsolved Mystery’.  Will they be able to solve the mystery?  Will their parents find out what they are up to?

Follow-Up Questions:
1. Xena and Xander have moved from Florida to London for one year. What are some similarities and differences between the two places? Think of climate, language, food, and landscape. Do you know anyone who has moved from another country? Find out what they found the easiest and the hardest things to adjust to.

Extension Activities:
Check out other cool mysteries for kids to solve:
http://kids.mysterynet.com/solveit/
Fill out this mystery cube to help your solve the crime:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/mystery_cube/

Flight of the Phoenix By: R.L. LaFevers

Summary:
Nathaniel is sent to live with his cousin after his parents are declared lost at sea. He never even knew he had this cousin and it turns out that she is a beastologist (someone who studies supposed mythological creatures). He gets swept away to witness the hatching of a phoenix egg.  Everything is going well until his cousin gets kidnapped.  What will Nathaniel do?  Can he save his cousin and help the phoenix egg hatch?

Follow-Up Questions:
How would you feel if someone told you that your family was in the beastologist business?  Why?
How would you have handled the situation differently? Use details!

Extension Activities:
You can read an excerpt from this book or any of the books in the Beastologist series at the link below:
http://www.rllafevers.com/books.html#b
Get a great reading and discussion guide here:
http://www.rllafevers.com/for_teachers.html

Dying to Meet You By: Kate Klise

Summary:
This book is about an author of ghost stories named I.B. Grumply.  He has rented out a summer home to finish writing his last book.  What he did not know is that when he signed the rental agreement he signed up to take care of a little boy. This little boy insists that there are ghosts living in the mansion.  Will I.B. Grumply get to the bottom of all this?  Will he give up and move to a new place for peace and quiet?  Is there really a ghost living in the old mansion?  Read more to find out.

Follow-Up Questions:
If you were Mr. Grumply what would you have done when you got to the house and realized that you had to take care of a little boy?
Do you think that you will read the next book in this series?  Why or why not?

Extension Activities:
Get some great writing and drawing tips here:
http://kateandsarahklise.com/teacherpage.htm
Watch an amazing book trailer for this book at the following link.  When it is over, create your own!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYPuZfnCrww

Umbrella Summer By: Lisa Graff

Summary:
This book will make you laugh, cry and every emotion in between.  Annie is terrified that she might have ebola and other various diseases after her brother's unexpected death.  She is always extra careful and because of this she has become a lot less fun.  Will her friends be able to help her out of this phase or will they grow sick of it and walk away from her?  Read this exceptional book and find out!

Follow-Up Questions:
If you were Annie’s friend would you be able to tolerate her change or would you make fun of her for being overly cautious?
Write the next chapter of this book.  What will Annie do?  What will Annie stop doing?  Be specific.

Follow-Up Activities:
Create an Umbrella bookmark at:
http://www.lisagraff.com/abouttemplate2.html
Hear some of the book read by the author here:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=4698&a=1