The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

When twelve-year-old Gabe gets home after his first day of sixth grade, he finds his Uncle Vernon has passed away in the house that they share together. Afraid that he might be sent back into foster care, Gabe doesn't tell anyone. When he gets home from school the next day, he finds his uncle's body has been taken, a new pet dog waiting for him, and a note that says "Do not be afraid". When the authorities eventually find out, Gabe ends up learning a lot about his uncle's past and he finds out that he is not alone. The Mailbox is a 2011 Rebecca Caudill book.

All Shook Up by Shelley Pearsall

Have your parents ever done something that embarrasses you? If so, then you can relate to 13-year-old Josh! When Josh's mom has to go to Florida to take care of his grandmother, Josh is sent to live with his dad in Chicago. Soon after arriving, Josh learns that his dad has been working as an Elvis impersonator and he tries everything he can to keep it a secret. When his dad is invited to perform at Josh's school, Josh does everything he can to prevent it with surprising results! All Shook Up is a 2011 Rebecca Caudill book.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

If you could have a special power, what would it be? Everyone in Mibs family has a savvy (her grandfather can move mountains and her older brothers can create hurricanes and spark electricity) and Mibs hopes hers will be to awaken people. Two days before her thirteenth birthday, when her savvy is going to be revealed, Mibs finds out that her father has been severely injured in a car accident. Mibs thinks she that if she can just get to her dad in the hospital, she might be the one who can wake him up and make him better. However, getting to the hospital proves tougher than she thought, and her savvy might not be what she expected. Savvy is a 2011 Rebecca Caudill book.

Scat by Carl Hiassen

When Nick's teacher disappears on a field trip to Black Vine Swamp, Nick and his friend, Marta, decide to investigate what happened to her. Meanwhile, classmate Duane (AKA "Smoke") is blamed for a suspicious fire that was started in the swamp that he insists he didn't set. The kids soon realize that something strange is going on that could threaten the swamp and the endangered animals that live there. This is a great mystery story! Similar to Flush and Hoot, Hiaasen's latest book is also set in Florida with a strong endangered species/environmental theme. Scat is on the 2011 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Riordan's first book in his new series, The Red Pyramid, is filled with adventure, battle, quests, and gods/goddesses of Ancient Egypt. The father of brother and sister, Carter and Sadie, is missing! The siblings are on a quest to save him, and defeat the evil god named Set, before time runs out and chaos rules the world. Carter and Sadie learn that their family is no ordinary family and that they have powers they didn't even know about! Fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will not be disappointed by Riordan's latest book!