The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

I love Peter Brown’s picture books with their excellent illustrations and subtle humor, so I was excited to read his first middle grade novel. Although I missed the humor of his other books, The Wild Robot has the same wonderful illustrations and a sweet story. It is my new recommendation for a second or third grade read aloud. When robot Roz is stranded on a remote island, her survival programming alerts her she is not where she belongs. The animals label her as a monster and life is difficult. However, as Roz begins to understand and help the animals, the island begins to feel like home. Can Roz be accepted and find her place as a wild robot or will her past and her programming ruin her peace? This light science fiction story is excellent for young readers with powerful messages about kindness and acceptance. Recommended ages--7-12 years

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

It’s a book. It’s a brain puzzle. It’s a scavenger hunt. Take your pick because Book Scavenger is all three. Twelve-year-old Emily and her family are moving again in their quest to live in all fifty states. Emily is delighted to be relocating to the home of Garrison Griswold, her favorite publisher and the creator of Book Scavenger, an online game where books are hidden all over the country. However, when Griswold is shot and sent to the hospital in a coma, Emily and her friend James stumble onto Griswold’s newest game and more danger than they expected. This engaging middle grade novel will appeal to book lovers and puzzle solvers alike. Readers follow Emily and James as they unravel ciphers, follow clues, and find hidden books. The best part of Book Scavenger is that you can play the game yourself. Go to www.bookscavenger.com and look for books hidden in your area or hide a book and leave a clue yourself. Try it as a summer activity for your family and start a trend in your community. Recommended ages--9 and up

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ten-year-old Ada Smith has spent her entire life in their tiny London apartment. Her abusive mother, ashamed of Ada's clubfoot, keeps Ada inside and tells the neighbors Ada is 'simple. With the beginning of World War II, school children are shipped to the countryside to protect them from bombing raids. Ada's younger brother Jamie is leaving and Ada sneaks out to join him. No one will take Ada and Jamie until Susan Smith, a single woman in town is forced to bring them in. All three are distrustful of each other, but soon life in Kent feels more like home than London ever did. Ada experiences kindness and gains self-confidence as she learns to ride a pony, knit, and even read. Knowing their place is temporary, Ada lives in fear of returning to her cruel mother and no freedom. But once Ada finds her place in the world, she won't give it up easily. This historical fiction novel provides a glimpse of wartime England. It also teaches about identity, loyalty and friendship. The war experiences are gentle enough for middle grade readers, but the story will also interest tweens. I struggled reading about the cruel mother with her verbal and emotional abuse, but it might open up some good discussion about the power of harsh words. Recommended ages--10-13 years old.