THE HOUR OF THE BEES, by Lindsay Eager

The story: Carolina has to spend the summer stranded at her grandfather's sheep farm. He's got dementia, the farm is falling to ruin, and after all their work, the family's just going to put the place on the market and sell it. Then, contrary to all she expects, Carolina connects with her grandpa over the mystical history of the family's farm--the story of her ancestors, a 100-year drought, and the bees that stole a lake.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; adult themes (dementia, death of a family member) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Carolina's worries about absent friends, new school, and occasionally difficult family members melt together over the course of the summer and mix with grandpa's stories to help her find a whole new version of herself. Give this to patient 6th-7th grade readers, as the going is sometimes slow and the fantasy village where people live forever is pretty unexpected in what otherwise seems like a straight-up coming-of-age story.

THE BORDEN MURDERS, by Sarah Miller

The story: Here's the true story of the most famous murders of the 19th century. You know the rhyme: "Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks..." Now you can learn the facts about the crime, the investigation, and the reasons why this remains among the great unsolved crimes of all time.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder, gruesome content) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This well-researched work of non-fiction will appeal to fans of historical crime thrillers. It's not for the little kids, though--even most 8th grade readers will find it a bit too dense. Better for 9th-up.

THE SEVENTH MOST IMPORTANT THING, by Shelley Pearsall

The story: When he sees the Junk Man wearing his dead father's hat, Arthur reacts instinctively--he picks up a brick and throws it at the guy. Now sentenced to 120 hours of community service helping that very same old man, Arthur finds out what James Hampton is up to with all that junk--and it's more heavenly than he could ever have dreamed.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent, anger, poverty) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'd never heard of James Hampton's art before reading this book, and being able to follow the link mentioned in the afterword and go online to actually see what's in the Smithsonian made me like the story even more. With its less-than-stellar cover, I'm not sure how many kids would pick this one up on their own, but it's worth hand-selling to readers who like historical fiction.

CODE OF HONOR, by Alan Gratz

The story: Kamran's brother Darius is accused of being of a terrorist, and Kamran's family are detained by Homeland Security and questioned over and over. Kamran refuses to believe his brother is a traitor--and he thinks he can prove it by helping the authorities decode clues that Darius has been leaving in his video rants against the US. If Kamran's right, there's something big--and bad--about to come down right here in the US. His problem is getting anyone to believe the brother of a terrorist.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence R; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (racism, terriorism, covert operations) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Here's a high-suspense thriller that gives readers a look behind the scenes of the fight against terrorism here on home soil. Equally important, it also explores themes of racism against Muslims (and by extension, those of unpopular religions or affiliations). Boys especially will enjoy this high-octane read.

IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH, by Sara J. Schmitt

The story: Mean girl RJ Jones isn't supposed to be dead--the Grim Reaper got her by accident. You'd think it'd be easy to put her back into real life, but not so much. Eventually a Tribunal decides that she'll have to pass a series of tests to demonstrate that, if allowed to go back, she'd ultimately follow a better path that would improve the world. Now it's up to RJ--who's going to end up with a lot more (and a lot less) that she expected.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying and mean-girl behaviors) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: RJ is a pretty self-serving narrator at the beginning (although sassy and smart) but she undergoes a heavenly transformation that makes her a lot more likeable. An interesting concluding twist ties up all the loose ends and proves that You Just Never Know. This could actually get readers to think about their own lives' trajectories, and possibly about being a little nicer.

CONNECT THE STARS, by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

The story: Audrey and Aaron both end up at a desert camp because their parents think they need a change--Audrey because she's convinced everyone lies (Well! It's true!) and so they're just not worth the effort, and Aaron because although he has a photographic memory and is a fountain of facts, he can't figure out how to connect those facts to navigating social situations. When they find themselves in the desert at the mercy of a possibly psychotic camp director and the target of bullies on the other team, both have to figure out how to reach out to others--and maybe even make friends. Cuz in the desert, it really is do...or die.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Although this story is fine for grade 4-5, it's more a middle-school read than the rating might imply. Both Audrey and Aaron have significant social issues to overcome, and their tentative friendships with Kate and Lewis, the other kids on their team, are believable and even touching.

ISLE OF THE LOST, by Melissa De La Cruz

The story: All the villains from all the Disney movies have been defeated and banished to the Isle of the Lost, they're prevented from using magic. When Carlos De Vil (son of Cruella) accidentally makes a hole in the dome that keeps magic out, black magic comes back to life in the form of the Dragon's Eye, Maleficent's scepter. She sends her daughter, Mal, along with Carlos, Jay (Jafar's son) and Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White) to retrieve it. But the thing might really be cursed: could it be that the four teens might turn into....friends???

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (parental indifference) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I found this book tiresome, although I'm as thrilled about a good fantasy story as anyone. This didn't go anywhere for the first 100 pages, and even when it finally found a plot line, my overall impression was still...meh. However, since it's Disney, there will probably be an audience for it. Just not me. :P

OMEGA CITY, by Diana Peterfreund

The story: Everyone thinks Eric and Gillian's dad is a crank--and a bad researcher. But Gillian knows someone trashed their house and destroyed their dad's work...all to keep the truth from coming out about the crazy scientist Aloysius Underberg. When their dad teams up with young, attractive Fiona as his research assistant, the kids know something is up. But they never expected their search for clues to Underberg's disappearance to lead them to the biggest secret of their (or ANYBODY's) lives. Problem is, they might solve the mystery of Omega City right before they die there.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (violent actions by bad guys) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Both boys and girls with a head for sci-fi will like this one. Two thumbs up! (I personally think that rather than grades 3-6, this one is good through grade 8.)

INSERT COIN TO CONTINUE, by John David Anderson

The story: Bryan just knows there's a secret level to the video game he just beat for the 20th time. But he has no idea that when he wakes up the next morning, HE'LL be in the middle of a virtual reality game that looks a lot like his own life--except that the guys throwing dodgeballs are out for blood, and the teachers who bust him in their lounge are zombies who'll kill him to get that Twinkie. Can Bryan use his skills to overcome the bad guys--and maybe even get a date with the girl he's crushed on forever?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'm always looking for (1) funny stories, and (2) stories boys will like. This one is both! There are LOL moments even for middle-aged library ladies, and gamers especially will be drawn into the story even if they aren't great readers. This one is great for the MS library.

DOVE ARISING, by Karen Bao

The story: Phaet's family is already living on the edge when her mother gets sick...sick enough that her medical care will send the family to the homeless Shelter. Phaet desperately grabs her only chance to help: she signs up for the Lunar Militia, knowing she'll have to place near the top to get a salary that can pay to keep her family afloat. She never expected the cutthroat competition, the possibility that she might come out on top, the chance to fall in love--or the realization that no matter how well she does, the cards might be stacked against her anyway.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (corruption, conspiracy) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Although this story is pretty slow at the get-go, once Bao gets her world- and character-building accomplished, the pace picks up and the tension ratchets up nicely. Give this one to patient readers of dystopian or science fiction.

CONVICTION, by Kelly Loy GIlbert

The story: Star pitcher Braden is the only person who knows the truth about what happened that night. His dad claims it was an accident; the police say it was vehicular homicide. Braden loves his father and wants to believe in the God that Mart preaches, but when his estranged brother Trey comes to stay with him in the run-up to the trial, Braden has to face the truth about their dad--and even worse, decide what to say at a trial that could end up with his getting the death penalty. Dad always said you're never more alone than while on the pitcher's mound--but maybe that's because he's never been in the witness box.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (co-dependent behaviors; emotional abuse) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Boys who like Carl Deuker will enjoy this story, even though it's more gut-wrenching than Deuker generally goes. Braden is a kid who truly wants to believe in God, and in his dad, but he's compelled to admit the truth about his father's emotional abuse over the years, and especially as it pertains to his older brother. As his faith in his father crumbles, his faith in God also takes a hit. The reader is left to decide whether Braden will be able to make peace with God without condoning his father's behaviors--something that will speak to many who've run up against the conundrum of perfect God/imperfect believers.

THE EYE OF MIDNIGHT, by Andrew Brumbach

The story: Sent to spend the summer at Grandpa's, cousins Maxine and William expect to spend their time playing backgammon and bird-watching. But things take a turn for the wild when Grandpa gets a mysterious telegram and whisks them off to the city--and when he's kidnapped right before their eyes, they must follow the clues from the telegram in hopes of finding what Grandpa came looking for...in hopes it will lead them to him.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (kidnapping, murder, demonic beliefs) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comment: Two thumbs up! All it needs is Harrison Ford to play the grandpa, and you'd be all set.

THE TURN OF THE TIDE, by Rosanne Parry

The story: Jet nearly sank her family's treasured sailboat. Kai ran instead of saving his grandparents. Now the cousins are spending the summer at Jet's home in Oregon, trying to figure out how to deal with their shame, how to get along and (at least for Jet) how to win the Treasure Island Race just like their dads did years ago. But to do that, she'll have to convince Kai to get in the water again: a tall order for a kid who's just survived a killer wave while his grandparents drowned.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content G; adult themes (natural disasters, guilt and shame, PSTD-like symptoms) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: This story has a gripping ending to complement Jet and Kai's improving relationship. Encourage kids not to be put off by the sailing talk--this is a fun adventure story. Jet does a good job of learning from her mistakes, and Kai is able to move forward away from his nearly-paralyzing guilt over the death of his grandparents to make peace with himself.

AUDACITY, by Melanie Crowder

The story: Clara wants to be a doctor--but it's 1908, and she's Jewish. Even her father thinks she should keep her mouth shut and work hard to support the family without complaint--and without ever aspiring to anything more. But as Clara endures the dreadful working conditions in New York shirtwaist factories of the time, she gradually changes into a union sympathizer and organizer: beaten, kicked, and bullied, but unstoppable.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content G; adult themes (sweatshops, equality for women, racial and religious prejudice, mob violence) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: While I personally found this novel in verse a very interesting and even inspiring read, the average MS kid won't touch it. Best for HS readers--okay, girls--with an interest in historical fiction.

THE SUMMER WE SAVED THE BEES, by Robin Stevenson

The story: When Wolf's hippie parents drag the family on a summer-long trip across Canada to educate the world about the perils of worldwide bee death, he's pretty bummed. He's leaving all his friends behind, his mom's making him wear a dorky bee costume, and he feels like they're homeless. But when his older sister runs away and his younger sister stops talking completely, Wolf realizes he's going to have to do the hardest thing of all: stand up for himself.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G: Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (parental cluelessness) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Here's an engaging story about a 7th grade boy who gets better and better at figuring out what's important to him, and making his voice heard about it. Sadly, only available in paperback.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS, by J.B. Cheaney

The story: Since Father is away fighting in WWI France, Isobel's family makes a visit to sunny Los Angeles, where everyone is caught up in the brand-new art of movies--even Izzy's cousin Ranger. He and best buddy Sam have been bitten by the movie bug, and are "borrowing" a camera on the sly to make a movie of their own. Before the girls know it, Izzy and younger sister Sylvia have been roped into helping with the "picture"--a welcome distraction to their worries about their absent dad. One hair-raising scheme after another, and Father's unexpected return from France, make this a summer to remember (even if it WASN'T captured on film forever!).

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G: Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (the ravages of war; psychological distress of dealing with the war wounded; misleading parents) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: This is a charming, humorous, action-filled story. The author's sparking prose is as sunny as a California vacation all by itself! The fact that the kids can run around unsupervised as they do is a tribute to a less complicated time--although it's clear that movie-star adoration has been around since the very beginning. Hand this one to any kid willing to read historical fiction, especially to fan of Calpurnia Tate.