#28 Jeremy Cabbage

Jeremy is an orphaned eleven year old boy that lives in a home filled with stray animals and children. The owner of the home is cruel and Jeremy wants to get adopted so much so that he can leave this horrible place. Two people who are considered cloons (people that can turn into clowns)and live at the circus eventually adopt Jeremy. Find out what happens to this boy and his crazy circus family in this book.

Author: David Elliot
Genre: Fantasy
Interesting read for ages: 9-12.

#27 The Simpson TV Show

Is an American Animated Television show that broadcasted back in 1989. It still continues to be popular with kids, tweens, teens and adults. The Simpson family is made up of Homer- who works at the Nuclear Power Plant, Marge- wife and stay at home mom, and their three children: Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The shows airs on Fox Broadcasting Channel on Sunday nights. Homer always makes for a laugh and it is fun seeing his wife Marge try to keep him in line!

Genre: Comedy
Writer: Matt Groening
It is the winner of 27 Primetime Emmy Awards and even awarded a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
Great Website for all the news on your favorite episodes and characters!
http://www.thesimpsons.com/

for ages 9 and up!

#26 Hoot

This is the story about a boy named Roy who just recently moved to a new school in Coconut Grove, Florida. He isn't too fond of going to school since there is a bully named Dana there who is always pushing him around. He soon meets Beatrice who is considered to be another bully at the school but soon Roy is able to gain her trust. She soon shares with him information about these burrowing owls who will be losing their home since a Pancake House Restaurant wants to build on their habitat. It is decided that Roy and a few friends will do anything to stop the destruction of their home. Find out if they are able to save the owls in this Newbery Award Winning Book
by author Carl Hiassen.

A movie was released with the same title in 2006.

Other books by the same author:
Flush
Scat

Genre:Fiction
Great read for ages 9-14.

# 25 The Suite Life on Deck

This sitcom is the spinoff to the ever popular The Suite Life staring Zack and Cody.
The cast consists of real life twins Zack and Cody, as well as funny Mr. Moseby, Bailey Pickett and one of their fashion conscious friends London.
This time the twins live aboard a ship called the S.S. Tipton. On this ship they attend school just like any other kids except that it is aboard a boat. They are able to travel to many exotic and interesting places such as Italy, Tokyo and Greece just to name a few.

Check out this highly popular TV show on the Disney Channel.
Interested in other shows on this channel? Check out http://home.disney.go.com/tv/

Starring
Cole and Dylan Sprouse
Brenda Song
Debby Ryan
Phill Lewis

#24 Coraline- The Graphic Novel

This Graphic Novel is adapted from the book of the same name. Coraline is a young girl who is curious about the new house that her and her family moves into. She discovers a door that is flat and which she thinks leads to nowhere, however that is not the case. Upon entering this room she finds that it is full of interesting things and even a table with delicious foods is awaiting her. In this room she finds another mother that certainly looks (has button eyes)and acts a lot different than her own. Coraline parents are eventually kidnapped and it is up to her to save their lives.

Author: Neil Gaiman
Ages: 9 and up. (Some dark scenes- parents should preview before they let their tweens read/watch)
Coraline- the movie was released in February of 2009. The DVD is available to rent, purchase or check out from your local public library.

#23 The Tale of Desperaux

This is the story of a mouse named Desperaux who is on a mission to save a human princess. Desperaux is certainly not like other mice and he isn't afraid of humans, he doesn't like to scurry and would rather read a book than to eat one. This particular book is split up into 3 different parts.
Part 1 is about how Desperaux falls in love with Princess Pea and he must meet his fate.
Part 2 is about Desperaux meets a rat named Chiaroscuro who doesn't like living in the dark dungeon and ends up in the light in a bowl of the Princess' soup.
Part 3 is about a girl named Miggery who gets picked on about her cauliflower ears and would one day like to be a princess herself.

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Newbery Award Winner
Great for Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy

Other books by the same author:
Because of Winn Dixie - Winner of a Newbery Honor Award.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
The Magician's Elephant

#22 Percy Jackson & the Olympians- The Lightning Thief

The main character Percy has to deal with getting kicked out of school again, having a mean stepfather and his bouts with ADHD. He soon finds out that he is the offspring of the Greek God Poseidon -God of the Sea. He learns that these beings of mythology still exist and that some live in the 600th floor of the Empire State Building. Percy has to deal with being attacked by monsters because of the power of Poseidon. Along the way Percy meets other demigods that are his age that are discovering their background and learning about their powers.

Other books in the series:
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Great Read especially for boys 9-12.

Given the popularity of the book a movie was made with the same title and released in Feb.2010.

#21 Little House in the Big Woods

This story is based on the real life adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family who live in the Wisconsin Woods in 1870's. Many events take place in this story including surviving a Wisconsin Snowstorm, having to get maple syrup from a tree, and finding off a panther who was ready to attack.

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Genre: Historical Fiction
Perfect read for ages: 8-11
Learn all about what it was like to live in the Pioneer Days by reading this book and the rest in the series.


Little House on the Prairie
Farmer Boy
On the Banks of Plum Creek
By the Shores of Silver Lake
The Long Winter
Little Town on the Prairie
These Happy Golden Years
The First Four Years

#20 The Chocolate Touch

This book which was first published in 1952, tells the story of John Midas who loves to eat candy, especially chocolate. Similar in fashion to King Midas who can turn things into gold. John Midas gets thoroughly obsessed with chocolate and his parents want nothing more than for him to eat healthy meals. Even though John's doctor gives him strict orders to stop eating chocolate he still continues. One day John finds a coin that has the intials J.M. on one side and a picture of a fat boy on the other and soon everything that touches his mouth turns to chocolate.
Find out if he is able to break this transformation and stop being greedy in this great book for 9-12 year olds.
Author: Patrick Skene Catling
Genre: Fiction

# 19 Warriors Series- Book 1

Book 1: Into the Wild
This book tells the story of Rusty- a house cat that really wants to explore and be part of an adventure. A feral gang in the area known as ThunderClan wants him to join and so without hesitation he agrees. Here Rusty gets trained to become a warrior. Soon they are in a fight with another rival gang. Find out what happens next by picking up a copy of this book.
Author: Erin Hunter
Genre:Fantasy

Here are the rest of the books in the series:
Book 2:Fire and Ice
Book 3:Forest of Secrets
Book 4: Rising Storm
Book 5: A Dangerous Path
Book 6: The Darkest Hour

This series gained instant popularity and the author has written more books with cats as the main character.
Check these out:
Warriors: The New Prophecy Books 1-6
Warriors: Omen of the Stars Books 1-4
Warriors: Power of Three Books 1-6

# 18 The Karate Kid Movie - 2010

This is the remake of the 1984 film by the same name.
Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith)plays the main character Drek Parker and Jackie Chan plays Mr. Han his mentor.
The story tells of Drek Parker who has just moved to a new place and gets bullied by other kids his age. Considered to be a intense film at times it certainly shares the message that respect and having mastery of one's body is important.

Interesting facts....This film takes place in China unlike the original and kung fu is what is practiced in the film not Karate.

Director: Harald Zwart
Starring: Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith
Rated: PG
For ages: 8 and up!

Want to view the originals....
The first three films star the original main character- Ralph Macchio
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid II
The Karate Kid III
The Next Karate Kid- Starring Hillary Swank

#17 The Essential Calvin and Hobbes

For over twenty years Calvin and Hobbes comics have been delighting audiences with their witty and fun look at what happens when a young boy thinks that his toy tiger is real. In this particular comic book, which was created back in 1988 one will find out how these books were able to sell millions of copies. This particular book includes the comics where Calvin gets upset with his oatmeal, his obsession with monsters under his bed, and when he thinks that the lunch bag is attacking him.

Author: Bill Waterson

Other Calvin and Hobbes Comics you will enjoy!

Scientific Progress Goes Boink
The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes
Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Weirdos From Another Planet
It's a Magical World

#16 How to Eat Fried Worms

This story which was released in 1973 is about a boy named Billy who is challenged to eat 15 worms in 15 days. If he is able to accomplish this dare he will be awarded $50 for a new mini bike. Many of Billy's friends come up with some interesting ways to coat the worms to make them more appetizing including frying them in butter and cornmeal and even an ice cream worm cake.
Author: Thomas Rockwell
Fun book for ages 9-12.
Genre: Humor

The movie based on the book was released in 2006.

# 15 Little Big Planet Video Game

Little Big Planet is a unique game allowing one to create their own worlds. The main character named Sack Boy can be customizable with clothes, accessories and more. In this game you can play by yourself, with a team or compete with others.

Game System: Playstation 3
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

#14 Fairest

This story is about Aza who is considered awkward and homely but has a beautiful singing voice. She also has the ability to mimic any voice. When the new queen Ivi finds out that she can throw her voice she thinks it will be a great for protection and disguising her own talent. Aza must deceive the court and use her voice as the queen's in order to save her family. See what happens next in this modern day fairy tale by Gail Carson Levine.

For ages; 9-12
Genre: Fantasy

other books by the same author: Ever, Ella Enchanted

#13 Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

This blog certainly would not be complete without the mention of a Harry Potter Book.
The first book in the series titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is an ideal read for tweens ages 9-12. This story tells of Harry's whose parents died when he was just a baby and he is sent to live with the Dursleys. When he turns 11 is his sent to Hogwarts - a school for witchcraft and wizardry. He meets all sorts of fascinating people and becomes close friends with two other students, Ron and Hermione. Find out what happens by picking up this magical tale at your local public library.

Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy- (Magic)
Other books in the series:
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (more appropriate for older readers)
Book 6: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (more appropriate for older readers)

Movies have also been released for books 1-5.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released in 2 parts. Part 1 is being released on Nov. 19, 2010 and Part 2 is being released in July 2011.
Learn more about this awesome author @ http://www.jkrowling.com/

#12 Kiki's Delivery Service

Another cool find.... The movie Kiki's Delivery Service. Originally released in 1989.
This tells the story of a thirteen year old girl named Kiki who is currently an apprentice witch that must live on her own for a year before she can officially become a witch. While living in a new town she begins a delivery service to support herself with her beloved companion Jiji a black cat. Meet some fun characters and enjoy the adventure.

With the famous voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman and Debbie Reynolds.
Directed by:Hayao Miyazaki

If you like this film you may also want to check out the film by the same director titled: Spirited Away.