#7 New Super Mario Brothers Video Game

Join Mario and Luigi on an epic adventure across the mushroom kingdom in order to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Bowser. This game has multiplayer mode allowing one to assist another player or put them in the way of danger. One can choose to play Mario, Luigi or two toads.
With a colorful and fun setting tweens will have countless hours of fun playing this highly rated game.

Game System: Wii (Nintendo)
ESRB rating: E (Everyone)
Type: 2D Action Platformer
All ages!

#6: Charlotte's Web

One of my favorite books growing up was Charlotte's Web.
The story tells of a friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. Wilbur soon finds out that he will be slaughtered and starts getting worried. Determined to save her buddy Charlotte spins webs with different sayings to get the farmer to rethink his decision. She spins a web reading "Some Pig" convincing the farmer that Wilbur isn't some ordinary animal and deserves to be saved. Find out what happens by picking up a copy of the book at your local library.


Author: E.B. White
Perfect for Ages:9-12
Genre: Friendship

Two movies have since been released about the book one in 1973 and another in 2006.

#5: Aquamarine- the Movie

Aquamarine is about two girls named Claire and Hailey who are best friends. It is the end of summer and in just five days Hailey will be moving. They are praying for a miracle and hoping that Hailey will not have to move halfway around the world. A summer storm hits their town and a mermaid named Aquamarine washes up on shore. She will grant the girls one wish if they are able to help her fall in love. The two girls are then faced with trying to pair her up with a boy so that Hailey will get her wish of not moving.

Starring: Emma Roberts, Joanna Levesque, Sara Paxton, Jake McDorman, Arielle Kebbel

Great for Girl Tweens ages 9-12!

Year Released: 2006

The movie is based on the book by Alice Hoffman which was written in 2002.
Other mermaid books you may enjoy: The Tail of Emily Windsnap by:Liz Kessler and Sirena by: Donna Napoli

#4: The Sister's Grimm- Book 1

The Sister's Grimm- Book 1: The Fairy Tale Detectives
Author: Michael Buckley
Genre: Fantasy
Pictures by: Peter Ferguson
Ages- 9-12
Two abandoned sisters named Daphne and Sabrina Grimm are sent to live with their grandmother Relda and soon find out that they are descended from the famous storytelling Grimm brothers. The town in which they leave is considered magical and contains characters straight from Fairy Tales. In this first book in the series the sisters are searching for their grandmother that is missing. In doing the search for their grandmother they come across Prince Charming who poses as a corrupt politician, Snow White who is a teacher and The Three Little Pigs who are the policmen in the town.

Other Books in the Series:
Book 2: The Unusual Suspects
Book 3: The Problem Child
Book 4: Once Upon a Crime
Book 5: Magic and Other Misdemeanors
Book 6: Tales from the Hood
Book 7: The Everafter War

#3: Bone

Graphic Novels are another great way to continue the love of reading. Bone is a great graphic novel for tweens ages 9-12. Currently there are nine volumes in the series. The first volume titled Bone Vol. 1: Out From Boneville tells the story of three cousins who were thrown out of town. The cousins eventually get separated and are left to navigate new places and odd creatures.

Author: Jeff Smith
Volumes:
1 Out from Boneville
2 The Great Cow Race
3 Eyes of the Storm
4 The Dragon Slayer
5 Rock Jaw Master of the Eastern Border
6 Old Man's Cave
7 Ghost Circles
8 Treasure Hunters
9 Crown of Horns

#2: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

One of my favorite authors growing up was Judy Blume. I remember laughing about the character Fudge (the main character's younger brother) in these books.
It all starts with the book Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Here we are introduced to Peter Hatcher who utterly can't stand his younger brother whom they have nicknamed Fudge. Peter shares his experiences and hilarious stories about his younger brother... I vividly remember an incident involving a turtle.
The next book titled Sheila the Great talks about Peter's annoying neighbor.
Then the books Superfudge, Fudge-O-Mania and Double Fudge finish out the series.
Certainly a grade read for 3rd and 4th Graders.
Genre:Fiction
Ages: 9-12.

Do you love books by Judy Blume? Check out her personal website... It contains a personal bio, a list of her books and even writing tips for kids.
http://www.judyblume.com/

#1: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

This series geared for grades 5-8 tells the story of a boy named Greg who is an adolescent boy trying to gain social status and a better understanding for girls. The book style is unique and termed a "novel in cartoons". Greg's mother makes him keep a diary and there he includes accounts of the day and even cartoon drawings of his life.
This book would certainly be a good place to start for a reluctant reader.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
For ages: 9-12.
There are currently 4 books with a new book coming out in early November titled: The Ugly Truth.

The Series:
Book 1:Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Book 2:Rodrick Rules
Book 3:The Last Straw
Book 4:Dog Days

Interesting Fact: Prior to the book series the author created a web book with the same title located @ http://www.funbrain.com/ back in Spring of 2004.

With such a strong fan base and overwhelming popularity a movie of the same name -Diary of a Wimpy Kid was launched in the summer of 2010.