Caddy’s World (2011) by Hilary McKay
If it weren’t for Caddy’s friends, Caddy’s world might just fly off into little parts. With her friends, though, Caddy is happy, grounded, and “the bravest of the brave.” However, when a baby’s premature arrival sparks (even more) chaos at home and the friends each face new challenges at school or elsewhere, Caddy’s rock-solid quartet of “AlisonRubyanBethanme” may just come unraveled. This is the fifth book in McKay’s chronicles of the eccentric and charming Casson family, but don’t let that stop you if you haven’t read the others. Caddy’s World more than holds its own, and this could be the start of a beautiful new (reading) friendship.
The Fairy Ring: Or Elsie and Frances Fool the World (2012) by Mary Losure
When cousins Elsie and Frances fake photographs of themselves with fairies beside the stream behind their cottage, they don’t think it’s anything more than a joke on Elsie’s dad. The “fairies” were just paper cut-outs! But things spin out of control when other grown-ups find out about the pictures — and believe them. Amazingly, one of those duped adults is none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the great detective Sherlock Holmes. The Fairy Ring vividly recounts this surprising and true tale, and includes the actual photographs Elsie and Frances made. It’s a fascinating tale of imagination, belief, and how adults all too easily underestimate the creative powers and capabilities of young girls.
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World (2012) by Sy Montgomery
This engrossing biography follows the inspiring and unpredictable life of Temple Grandin. As a child, Temple wouldn’t speak; she didn’t want to hug or even look at her mother. She was autistic and her father wanted to send her away to an institution. But that’s not how it all worked out. Today, Temple is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University; a world-renowned author and speaker; and the visionary creator of systems that have vastly improved the lives of cows, pigs, chickens, and other livestock around the globe. Her story is one of hope and perseverance, of hard work and creativity, of a great love and respect for all animals; and of the potential that comes from embracing who you are.
A Black 
Hole Is Not a Hole (2012) by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano; illustrated by Michael Carroll
“If a black hole is not a hole, then what in the universe is it?” In this marvelous new science book, Carolyn DeCristofano poses and answers that question with humor and wonder. Through such features as a two-page spread on “getting to know a few black holes”; a timeline of human thought about these space whirlpools; and a chapter on the black hole’s beginnings, she ticks through all the basic points about these massive and mysterious spots way, way out there. Though illustrator Michael Carroll “used up all his black paint illustrating the book,” it was a sacrifice well worth it: the images are brilliant, swirling, and surprisingly colorful.
Plunked (2012) by Michael Northrop
Jack Mogens lives for baseball — and this is his year. He’s on the starting line-up of his Little League team, his best friend Andy is playing third, and they’ve got an ace pitcher on the mound. But after a wild pitch smashes into Jack’s batting helmet, he finds that everything changes — including his feelings about stepping up to the plate. Publisher’s Weekly calls this “an uncommonly thoughtful baseball novel.” It is. It’s also funny and true and grippingly exciting when Jack and his buddies take the field.
- Molly
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