An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
Philadelphia is devastated in 1793 when it is struck by an incurable disease. Primary source material and a riveting narrative tell the story of a city under siege. (2004 Sibert Medal Book, 2004 Newbery Honor Book, 2004 National Book Award Finalist, ALA Notable Book).

The Amulet of Samarkan by Jonathan Stroud
Magicians, mystery, espionage, murder and rebellion combine in the exciting adventures of Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice. (ALA Notable Book).

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Twelve year old genius and super sleuth, Artemis Fowl, tries to restore his family's fortune. The first book of a series.

Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman's Life by Candace Fleming
Writen in the style of his own Poor Richard's Almanack, this unique biography captures Franklin's many accomplishments. (ALA Notable Book).

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter
When the fate of a small town depends on the outcome of a game of baseball, Tom Gallegher must come up with a plan to save the game and the town.

Colibri by Ann Cameron
Kidnapped by a man who has forced her to beg and lie, Rosa tries to return to the parents she barely remembers.(ALA Notable Book).

Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
Violet has just turned 15, an important milestone in the eyes of her Cuban grandmother. Fifteen is the age when a girl enters womanhood, traditionally celebrating the occasion with a quinceañero. But Violet, who is only half Cuban anyway, feels all American, and out of touch with her ancestral roots. (Delacorte Press Prize, Belpre Honor Book, AlA Notable Book)

East by Edith Pattou
A young woman travels to a distant land with a great white bear in this action packed retelling of East of the sun , West of the Moon. (ALA Notable Book).

Freedom Roads: Searching for the Underground Railroad by Joyce Hansen and Gary McGowan
A fascinating look at how archeological sleuths join historians in exploring the routes slaves took to freedom.

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
After loosing her family in a fire, 15 year old Green retreats to her ruined garden where she begins to recovers emotionally and physically with the help of a mysterious boy.

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights by Russell Freedman
Timely and valuable insights on our Nation's freedoms and what they mean. With stories of ordinary American's who have had the courage to challenge their government about injustices, this compelling book is an essential read for every citizen. (ALA Notable Book)

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
When Meggie’s father reads aloud, characters jump right out of the book into the real world. Funke creates an action packed adventure fantasy peopled with memorable characters and chilling villains. (ALA Notable Book)*

Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt
Isabel, a 13 year old girl living on the beautiful island of Gaum, tries to protect her family after her mother death. (ALA Notable Book).

Magic Steps by Tamara Pierce
Sandy and her student, Pasco, undertake a dangerous mission to entrap invisible killers after a series of murders in Summersea.

The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones
Told alternately by Roddy and Nick, this complex, riveting fantasy moves swiftly along as the characters combine their newfound magical powers and learn the actions in one world may have long reaching effects in other worlds. (ALA Notable Book)*

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
When 16 year old Mattie takes a job at a hotel in the Adirondecks, she discovers the truth about the death of a guest and the strength to follow her dream of becoming a writer. (2004 Printz Honor Book).

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
When 12 year old Martha receives a page from the diary of a classmate who has died in an accident, she gains perspective on her feelings about a boy, her relationship with her grandmother and the death of a girl who wanted to be her friend. (2004 Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book).

The River Between Us by Richard Peck
At the beginning of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young women from the south who have fled to Illinois. (ALA Notable Book).

Ruby Electric by Theresa Nelson
For 12 year old Ruby, movies are better than real life and the ones she writes are the best of all, because those stories always have happy endings. In her adventurous screen plays the Dad's always show up and Mom's don't hold secrets. (ALA Notable Book).

Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev
At the age of eight, Srulik is left alone in the Warsaw Ghetto, and must fend for himself, even forgetting his name, in order to survive the Holocaust. (2004 Batchelder Award Book, ALA Notable Book)*

Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
In 1893, the future of newly settled Florence, Oklahoma and its scrappy townspeople depends on getting the Red River Railroad to make a local stop. Colorful, eccentric characters, hair-raising escapades, and robust humor bring an unforgettable period of U.S. history to life. (Carnegie Medal, ALA Notable Book)*

Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems by Kristine O'Connell George
Short, accessible poems in a single voice--that of a new middle schooler--tell of the memorable moments of the school year, exploring situations and emotions that will be familiar to young teens.

Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen
Trouble arises when someone else removes the sword from the stone before the young King Arthur, since that is the test for the true king.

*starred annotations were reprinted with permission of the Association for Library Service to Children.