The Poe Estate by Polly Shulman

Because of financial troubles, Sukie's family moves in with an elderly cousin who lives in a creepy old house. Sukie soon discovers that the house is haunted, but that is nothing new to Sukie. She has been haunted by her deceased sister since her death years earlier. The house ghosts tell of a lost treasure and soon Sukie and a new friend, Cole, are on a quest to discover the treasure and save her family from financial ruin.  But they can't do it alone.  They need the help of the New-York Circulating Material Repository and its mysterious archivist, Elizabeth Rew.

This is a companion book to The Grimm Legacy, and The Wells Bequest, but I didn't realize that when I read it.  I thought it was the first in the series, and it works just fine that way.  If I had read the first two books, I would have recognized Elizabeth Rew, who is the main character of Grimm Legacy as soon as she appeared in the story, but Shulman gives enough background that it was just fine to read this one first. The premise of all three books is interesting and original, but the book's real appeal comes from the strong and likeable characters. Sukie has a kind of "Harry Potter" feel as she gradually discovers her own powers and her place in her family history.(259 p.)

Minion by John David Anderson

Michael was raised in an orphanage, but was adopted at age 10 by a criminal mastermind.  His "father" is a technological genius who builds powerful gadgets for whomever can pay for them.  Michael is special as well.  He can do mind-bending and the book opens with him using his power to nonchalantly rob a bank. Although Michael and his father are certainly criminals, they have a good father/son relationship and live by their own set of ethics. One day a superhero shows up in their town, and Michael can't help but be impressed with how easily he dispatches the bad guys. His feelings about "The Comet" complicates his relationship with his father's customers, most of which are part of the local crime syndicate. Things get even more complicated when they find out about Michael's persuasive powers and try to use him to confront the Comet. This book is in the same world as Sidekicked but it is not really a sequel because it is about a different set of characters.  In a way it is a mirror image of the Sidekicked story because it is about a boy with a caring mentor who is on the wrong side of the law, while Sidekicked is about a boy with a superhero mentor who doesn't care about him at all. Both books are full of action and fun sprinkled with interesting ethical questions about right and wrong. (277p.)

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

Ben has grown up in the foster care system, never really having a home until he is adopted by Tess.  Tess gives him love and a home, and when a stray dog, Flip, enters the scene, and Flip leads Ben to a true friend, Halley, Ben’s life seems to be complete.  Things start to unravel when Tess passes away, and Halley’s cancer returns.  This is definitely a social issues book, but unlike some, it has as much heart as heartache.  The overall theme is one of hope and the importance of friendship, between child and dog, child and child, and child and adults. The Halley character is very endearing, but I am not sure any child is really that charming. Still it was fun to read about her and pretend a kid, with cancer or without, could be that wonderful. This is a good choice for kids who like Because of Winn Dixie and OK for Now.(247 p.)

Princess Posey and the Crazy Lazy Vacation by Stephanie Green

Here is my intermediate book of the week.  Posey is in first grade and the book starts the last day of school before a week long school break. Her friends talk about the exciting things they will do over the break, like visit grandparents in a different state, or go to Disney Land. When Posey talks with her mother, she finds out that they aren't going anywhere. Instead Posey's mom has taken the week off work and they are going to have a "stay-cation" at home. At first Posey is disappointed, but she ends up having a very good time playing with her mom and even learning to ride a bike. The reason the series is called "Princess Posey" is because when Posey is faced with something that is difficult, she puts on her favorite pink tutu and becomes "Princess Posey." Princes Posey has the courage to try hard things that were too scary for regular Posey, like getting back on the bike after her first crash.  The text is simple enough that it would make a good transition book from easy readers, and a bridge book to Junie B.Jones or Clementine.(84 p)

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen

Some of Gary Paulsen's books are serious, even heart rending and others are just funny.  This story fits into the second category. Six eighth-grade boys are stuck in a bathroom after school because of a storm warning. The boys fit very different stereotypes, one shy, one an over achiever, one a rocker, etc. Close proximity makes the boys interact in ways they probably would have never happened under normal circumstances, with funny results. I did think the end was a a little contrived, especially when two boys who have been enemies are suddenly best friends. Still, Paulsen's portrayal of how 14 year old boys interact is mostly spot on. As I was reading the book I kept thinking, this would make a fun play.  Then, when I got to the end of the book, sure enough, it is reprinted as a one act play. Paulsen, rather cleverly, gives each of the characters a gender neutral name, so the play could be performed by either six girls or six boys. It would be interesting to see it done by girls.  That would make it a very different story, even if the words are exactly the same. All in all it was a fun quick read. 138 p.

Woof by Spencer Quinn

Birdie lives with her grandmother in Louisiana. Her grandmother runs a bait and tackle shop near the bayou and does swamp tours on the side. Birdie's grandmother lets her adopt a pet dog for her 11th birthday and she names him Bowser. Together Bowser and Birdie try to figure out who stole the stuffed marlin that hung in her grandmother's shop. As they dig into the mystery they find out more about their town and Birdie's family history than they had bargained for. The story is told from Bowser's point of view, and he may be the most endearing dog character I have ever read in children's literature. He just loves Birdie more than anything, and though he often doesn't understand what is going on he is totally thrilled to be anywhere his little mistress is.  Birdie is a great character, too, sweet but with a lot of gumption and persistence. This book came out in 2015 and the sequel, Arf,  is already out.  I think I might just put it on hold right now. (293 p.)

Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot

Olivia's half sister, Princess Mia of Genovia, is getting married, and Olivia is excited and anxious about the wedding. She is also a new student at the Genovian Royal Academy, where she runs amuck of her spiteful cousin, Louisa. Olivia knows that a true princess is gracious and patient with everyone, but a new school, a sister's wedding, and a first crush, (on a real prince, no less) would unsettle anyone. And then there are the iguanas. Can Olivia hold it together, or is she on course for a real royal disaster?

This is the second in the Middle School Princess series by Meg Cabot.  I liked the first one, and I liked this one too.  It is light and fluffy, with a little drama, a little romance, and bit of fun.  One of the interesting relationships is between Mia and her grandmother.  The grandmother is not like the Julie Andrews character in the Princess Diaries movie.  She is more concerned with maintaining the right appearances, than necessarily doing the right thing.  She is conniving and controlling, in an endearing way, and Olivia thinks she is the greatest.  There are other fun differences from the movie, like the fact that Mia is marrying Michael Moscovitz, Lilly's brother, instead of the royal guy she marries in the sequel movie.  Anyway, this is a fun series for princess lovers. (282 p.)