Boston Jane Series by Jennifer L Holm

From Tomboy to a Proper Young Lady, Boston Jane is entertaining from cover to cover throughout the series. I found myself snickering then laughing out loud as I read how this spirited red head manages to head into scrapes and then recover. She matures through out the series, but never ceases to lose her girlish nature and remains "full of Spit". Just plain fun to read.

From Amazon: Readers will be charmed by teenage Jane's ironic tone and inner conflicts and will cheer her on as she sheds layer after layer of decorum. Granted, the budding romance between Jane and sailor Jehu, "hidden" beneath the surface love story of Jane and the more uppity William, is an at-least-twice-told tale; but young readers will get caught up in the excitement of it nonetheless. The intricate details of mid-19th century life on an untamed frontier--complete with carefully researched Chinook tribal history and real-life incidents of white settlers--are absolutely fascinating. A thrilling, entertaining read. (Ages 9 and older)

Shannon Hale

A new fan of Shannon Hale's fairy tale literature. I read Goose Girl in a single night - couldn't put it down. Enchanting entertaining, suspensful, and slightly romantic for youg adults. Engaging.

Next I read Princess Academy - loved the community language and all the main character learned. She had some significant "thinking errors" (What we call them at our house) and learned her own strength while exploring leadership, competition, and friendship.

Now beginning Book of A Thousand Days a fairy tale told by the maid locked in a tower with her lady for 7 years.
Great writing and loads of fun.

Then for any Jane Austen Fan try Austenland. A quirky and funny retelling of a popular favorite brought into modern day. Simiar to the movie Lost in Austen but not the same.

Scones and Sensibility by lindsay eland

Another library find for all you Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery. Polly Maddasa is a 12 year old girl obsessed with romance. She longs for Mr Darcy, and Gilbert Blythe. She loves her leather bound copy of Pride and Prejudice but she's reallya 12year old Emma.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.

Full of life and color, another great book for girls ages 9-12. Gianna is a terrible procrastinator who loves finish lines and hates deadlines. She has to complete a huge school project before she can be accepted for sectionals. Everything seems to get in her way whether it's a funeral hearse or a changing family member, or two determined rivals. Gianna really wants to get it done, in her own way.
Kate Messner has a terrrific website including what an author does in order to write a book. Check it out at http://www.katemessner.com/books.html

Kira - Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

When Katie was young her sister taught her to say Kira-Kira, the Japanese word for glitter when she was young. Kira-Kira is the word that best suits her as she struggles with her family to cope with life as a Japanese American family in the 1950's and terminal illness of a family member. The story is loving, full of lively characters and descriptions, and sad. A rewarding read.

The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes by Kelly Easton

A zany, fantastical story of fun and adventure. This is a fast paced fun read of a girl, held captive by her parents who plots her escape. The characters are vibrant, lively, and captivating. The making of a great family movie.

The Porcupine Year

The third book in a series, this one can stand alone. The story begins with Omakayas and her brother, Pinch, teasing one another on a late night hunt. As a result, Omakayas' brother discovers his medicine with a porcupine.
A gripping story - a celebration of life and coming of age. A story of adventure pain, joy, sacrifice, and family appreciation.
The book includes a glossary in back for understand Ojibwe terms. Enjoyable to listen on audiobook as well.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Sometimes the thing you wish for comes later than you hope. Zoe Elias has big dreams of being a musical prodigy playing a baby grand piano in Carnegie Hall. What she gets is The Perfectone D-60 and a performance in the annual Perform-O-Rama playing Forever in Blue Jeans. She has a mother who is always working, a father afraid to leave the house, a quirky boy that follows her home, and a few surprises. A light fun read.

Diamond Willow

http://www.helenfrost.net/item.php?postid=25

This is a book you must read. I listened to it and didn't find the "diamonds" it contained until I actually saw the book. The novel is written in poem form and each poem has words in bold that contain a hidden meaning. It's very clever.
The story is of a 12 year old girl who lives in a fictional town of 600 people in interior Alaska. Willow is a dog musher - one of the forms of transportation commonly used in interior Alaskan winters. Willow is not very popular, with a very popular best friend, and a dog that seems to understand her thoughts intimately.
Diamond Willow has adventure, mystery, and a mix of Native lore.
I would highly recommend it, even on recorded books without the print.

Love, Ruby Lavender

Ruby Lavender is a nine-year-old charmer, in love with life and her adoring grandmother. I love the letters they exchange back and forth and the mischief they get into.

The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts

I love childrens books!
This one was a pleasure to read. No vampires, no magic, no foul expressions, just good honest life and life experiences.
It's a story of twelve year old girl in the midwest who tries to fill the shoes of her older brother at the annual steer competition at the county fair. It addresses friendship, envy, jealous, motivation for success,personal integrity, and family relationships.
It's a first published work of Michelle Houts. I look forward to more like this.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Another turn of the century novel. I really debated about reading this book. I couldn't figure out if it was a pro-evolution novel or one about the evolution of a girl from childhood into womanhood. I've finished and I still haven't quite answered that question. The writing is fabulous, and the relationship Calle V has with her brothers and grandfather, along with how the mind of a nearly 12 year old girl works is very amusing. It brings back some memories, and generates new thoughts. Some girls grow up enthralled with the possibility of becoming a wife and mother. It is so natural to their being that they can't picture any other possibility. Other girls find the thought constricting and distasteful. I wonder which Calpurnia Tate adopts?

When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. When she receives a series of enigmatic notes that claim to want to save her life, she comes to believe that they are from someone who knows the future.

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

A wonderful turn-of-the-century novel of discovery of identity, wonders of nature, friendship, family trust, love, and the process of growing up in the magical shadow of the Limberlost.

Water Steps by A. LaFaye

The language is almost poetic with its use of sensory detail, alliteration, and precise word choices. A satisfying story of overcoming one's fears and discovering secrets.

Eleven-year-old Kyna must go to Lake Champlain with her adoptive parents, Mem and Pep, for summer vacation. But she is terrified of water because she witnessed the drowning of her family when she was a young child. Mem and Pep, who saved her, have helped her take "water steps" over the years to overcome her fear. This summer, they want her to take her final step. At the same time, they have a secret to reveal. Upset at the thought of spending the summer near water, Kyna sets out to make the best of it.

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Two girls in 7th grade participate in a two week exchange program in Tennesee. One girl is from a mining community and lives without electricity or indoor plumbing, the other from Lexington, attends private school and has four bathrooms in her house. The girls explore how thier lives are different and discover some surprising ways in which they are similar. Sometimes it's not easy to keep your word.