A Corner of The Universe by Ann M. Martin

When I checked this book out at the library I didn't make the connection that this book was written by the same author of the Baby-sitter's Club series until I started reading it at home.  I enjoyed the Baby Sitter Club series as a child and Ann M. Martin did a very well job on this book as well.  It tells a story about a girl and the summer she met one of her uncles for the very first time.  This is a very touching story and I definitely recommend reading it.

The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine

These delightful books tell the traditional fairy tales with a whole new twist.  There are 6 books in this series and I enjoyed reading every one of them.  They are very short and entertaining.  They take place in the same kingdom and there is even a little map in the books so you can see where each story takes place.  Gail Carson Levine has become one of my favorite authors.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

When I first saw this movie in the theater I did not know it was a book.  I enjoyed the movie and wanted to read the book.  Of course the book was much better than the movie.  I really enjoyed this unique version of the traditional Cinderella story.  Gail Carson Levine does such a great job bringing this enchanted story to life.

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

This is a story about a prince and his whipping boy.  The whipping boy takes advantage of living in the castle with the prince and learns as much as he can, receiving a "free" education.  The prince takes advantage of his position to get out of anything he doesn't want to do, like learning.  One day the prince runs away and takes the whipping boy with him.  If it weren't for the whipping boy, the prince would have died on this journey.  I thought it was an enjoyable book to read.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar

I love this series, including the arithmetic books.  When I read them to my students, I always have a discussion about how it may be okay for students at that school to talk that way or to do those things because they are not at our school.  I want to make sure they know it is a fictional story because I don't want them to pick up some of the bad habits that the students display in this book.  The book is so obviously fiction, it is easy to help them see the distinction.  It is such a fun series to read.  The first one is my absolute favorite.