Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Jason Blake, age 12, isn't like most kids.  Jason has autism.  His senses work overtime and he has a difficult time communicating.  However, Jason loves computers and he enjoys writing stories.  When he is writing, he feels like he can connect with the world.  When he posts his story to a website called StoryBoard, he connects with PhoneixBird (Rebecca) and wonders if he has found his first true friend.  The only problem is that he is terrified to meet her at the StoryBoard convention.  Will she accept him for who he is?  Anything But Typical is on the 2013 Rebecca Caudill list.

Black Radishes by Susan Lynn Meyer

Black Radishes is a World War II story set in France.  Gustave and his friends live in Paris when the Germans begin attacking France.  Gustave's parents decide to move out to the country where they might be safer than in the big city.  They are lucky to be in the unoccupied zone, but they are not out of danger.  They still have to register as Jews, they don't have much food, and Gustave's father isn't allowed to work.  When the Germans move closer to their small town, they decide to leave for America, but first they try to locate the friends and family they left behind in Paris.  This story has a lot of adventure and suspense!  What does the title mean?  Read to find out!!  Black Radishes is on the 2013 Rebecca Caudill list.

Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari

Have you ever wanted to fly a plane?  Eleven-year-old Bird McGill has always loved flying with her dad.  When he is sent away to fight in the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bird feels her dream of becoming a pilot slip away.  Then one day, she and her friend Kenji (a Japanese American who some think might be a spy) go on a wild adventure to catch a REAL spy in their town.  This fun historical fiction story is on the 2013 Rebecca Caudill list.

Battle of the Books-Update!

Teams have been formed and students are busy reading books for the competition!  The first rounds will be on May 14th and the final battles will be on May 16th.  Good luck, Teams!!