O’Haver, Tommy. (Director). (2004). Ella Enchanted [Motion picture]. United States: Miramax. Ages 9-14.

When Ella was born, she was given the gift of obedience by her fairy godmother. Now as a young girl, she finds that the gift has become more of a curse. For when her mean-spirited stepsister finds out about Ella’s “gift,” she tortures her for the fun of it. But even that is tolerable when she falls in love with Prince Char. Unfortunately, Char’s evil uncle has different plans for the two, and decides to use Ella’s unfortunate gift to secure his role as King once and for all. This modern retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale is based on the Newbery Honor book by Gail Carson Levine.

Kenan, Gil. (Director). (2008). City of Ember [Motion picture]. United States: Walden Media. Ages 9-14.

200 years ago, as the world was coming to an end, the lighted city of Ember was created deep within the Earth. The creators locked the instructions on how to one day return to the surface in a box, with the intention of populating the surface once it was safe. Now 200 years later, the box has been long forgotten and a young Messenger named Lina Mayfleet stumbles upon it. Growing up in a now-corrupt Ember full of ancient traditions and a failing generator, it is up to her and her new friend Doon to discover the meaning of the instructions and find a way out of the city of Ember. Based on the first book in the bestselling Books of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau.

Shriner, Wil. (Director). (2006). Hoot [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema. Ages 9-14.

As the new kid in town, Roy isn’t making any friends. So when he stumbles upon social outcast Mullet Fingers and his tough stepsister Beatrice, he is immediately intrigued by how different they are (despite the fact that they call him "Cowgirl"). And then he discovers that they are fighting to save the homes of some burrowing owls, and Roy quickly risks everything to join their cause. But can three kids make any difference against a big shot corporation, or will they have to resort to something more illegal? Based on the winner of the Newbery Honor Award by Carl Hiaasen.

Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. Little, Brown & Company, 2005. ISBN 031615556X. Ages 11-14.

Max is just a kid, but she’s a kid with a lot of responsibilities—five brothers and sisters to be exact. Oh, and she and her siblings can fly. After the mutant Erasers abduct their youngest sister Angel, the “bird kids,” who are the result of genetic experimentation, take off in pursuit. Throughout their adventurous journey, they also find themselves struggling to understand their own origins and purpose as they fight to keep the only family they’ve ever known together, no matter what the cost.

This story, as well as the others in Patterson’s bestselling series, is adventure-packed and the characters are well developed. The plot is fast-paced and visually dynamic, with short chapters perfect for keeping even the most reluctant reader’s attention. The story tells of a futuristic world when child mutants are created to fight man’s wars in hopes of gaining the most power, even at the expense of the child. Tweens will have an easy time relating to the recombinants’ feelings of not belonging and feeling different, as well as Max’s feelings of responsibility for her younger siblings.

Lasky, Kathryn. Chasing Orion. Candlewick Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0763639822. Ages 10-14.

In the summer of 1952, polio has spread throughout Indiana, causing a widespread panic. With pools closed and camps cancelled, Georgie is stuck at home all summer in a new neighborhood with nothing to do. That is, until she discovers that her next-door neighbor is a beautiful young teenage girl stuck in an iron lung. Fascinated by Phyllis’s eighty-seven cubic centimeters of air, Georgie vows to help Phyllis and works to bring her and her brother Emmett together. But Georgie realizes that Phyllis has other plans in store for Emmett, and soon Georgie must save Emmett from Phyllis's deception before it is too late.

In this coming-of-age story, Georgie is facing life in a new part of town, having to go to a new school and make all new friends. In addition, most of the things she loves to do that enable her to make friends are forbidden now due to the polio outbreak. Her only human contacts besides her family are Evelyn (the quirky girl she meets at the library) and Phyllis. Georgie first becomes entranced by the romanticism of Phyllis’s life in the iron lung, but her childlike innocence eventually enables her to see through all the lies and deception. There she finds a family who is determined to hang on to what little of their daughter they have left, and a daughter who wants so desperately to be freed from her iron prison, even if it means death. While Georgie’s situation is unique, the feelings she experiences are ones that tweens can relate to—trying to fit in, finding a purpose, living vicariously through older siblings, and wanting what she cannot have.

West, Jacqueline. The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010. ISBN 978-0803734401. Ages 9-12.

Olive is just an average girl (with above-average parents), but when her family moves into the old McMartin home she discovers a house full of mystery and adventure. After finding an old pair of spectacles, she soon realizes that they enable her to enter any painting in the house. But the fun does not last long as she begins to recognize a sinister darkness about the paintings, and a tragic tale for those trapped within them. With the help of the house’s guardians—three cats named Horatio, Leopold and Harvey—and a boy named Morton, Olive fights to release the paintings and their inhabitants from the evil clutches of old man McMartin.

Scott, Michael. The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. Delacorte Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0385733571. Ages 10-14.

Josh never expected so much excitement and adventure when he took a job at Nick Fleming’s bookshop. One minute he’s searching for a book on the shelves, and the next minute he discovers his boss is the famed Alchemyst Nicholas Flamel. Soon he and his twin sister Sophie are caught up in a whirlwind of magic, creatures and immortal beings, and follow Flamel on a dangerous path to rescue his wife from the clutches of the evil John Dee, as well as discover their true magical potential.

Cunningham, David L. (Director). (2007). The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising [Motion picture]. United States: Twentieth Century Fox. Ages 9-14.

The seventh son of a seventh son, Will Stanton finds out that he is The Seeker on his fourteenth birthday. Meant to restore the balance between light and dark, he is challenged to find six signs hidden throughout time. With these signs in his possession he will obtain the power to defeat the Rider, who is gaining the power necessary to destroy the Light. With the help of the Old Ones, Will takes on the Rider in a final battle of Light versus Dark, and consequently restores his family as well. Loosely based on the second book in Susan Cooper’s popular series.

Columbus, Chris. (Director). (2010). Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [Motion picture]. United States: Fox2000 Pictures. Ages 11-14.

Percy Jackson has always felt different—his ADHD and dyslexia keep him from ever feeling like anything but a failure. But after being attacked by a Fury looking for Zeus’s lightning bolt, he discovers that he is the son of Poseidon—a demi-god. Sent to Camp Half Blood to train, Percy soon embarks on a great adventure with Grover (his satyr protector) and Annabeth (daughter of Athena) to find the lightning bolt and stop the gods from waging an all-out war. Based on the first book in Rick Riordan’s bestselling series.

Burton, Tim. (Director). (2010). Alice In Wonderland [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Pictures. Ages 10-14.

Thirteen years after Alice first fell into Wonderland, she returns to find that she doesn’t remember her previous adventure. Convinced that she is only in a dream, she embarks on a similar journey as her previous one. Except this time, she discovers that it is her destiny to overthrow the Red Queen and restore the White Queen to the throne by slaying the Red Queen’s Jabberwocky. Based on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll—Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Softley, Iain. (Director). (2009). Inkheart [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema. Ages 9-14.

When Meggie finds out her father is a Silvertongue, her whole world becomes like a fairy tale adventure. A Silvertongue can bring characters off the page of a book just by reading the story out loud. But for every character that comes out of the book, another must take its place. Thus Meggie and her father, along with both real and fictional friends, must fight the evil Capricorn in order to rescue her mother from the pages of a book. Literature fans will recognize elements from great stories like The Wizard of Oz, Arabian Nights, and more. Based on the first book in the bestselling series by Cornelia Funke.

Harrison, John Kent. (Director). (2003). A Wrinkle In Time [Motion picture]. United States: Disney. Ages 9-14.

When their father goes missing, Meg and Charles Wallace are certain that he is somewhere and needs to be found. Together with a neighbor friend named Calvin, they embark on a magnificent journey through the universe and time in search of him, with the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. They find him on a distant planet controlled by IT, a pulsating brain-like creature living beneath the surface. But when Charles Wallace is taken under IT’s control, it is up to Meg to save Charles Wallace and bring her family back together again. Based on the Newbery medal-winning book by Madeleine L’Engle.

Selick, Henry. (Director). (2009). Coraline [Motion picture]. United States: Focus Features. Ages 9-14.

Coraline can’t believe her luck when she finds a secret door in her boring new house that leads to a world much like her own, but so much better. But things are not quite what they seem when Coraline’s “other mother” tells her that the only way she can stay in this world she loves is to sew buttons over her eyes like all the others there. Terrified, Coraline refuses, but when her “other mother” kidnaps her real parents in order to keep Coraline there forever, she must return to this frightening world to save them and defeat the evil woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Based on Neil Gaiman’s popular book for tweens.

Reynolds, Peter H., & Emerson, Sharon. Zebrafish. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. ISBN 978-1416995258. Ages 10-14.

After getting her very own guitar, Vita Escolar is determined to start a band. Too bad none of the people who try out—Walt, Tanya, Plinko and Jay—can play any kind of instrument. But what they lack in musical talent they make up for in virtual artistry. Together they decide to create the best virtual music video ever, and when Vita learns about Tanya’s secret, she knows just the cause to help benefit a friend in need.

Hiaasen, Carl. Scat. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. ISBN 978-0375834868. Ages 9-12.

When Bunny Starch, the most feared Biology teacher at school, goes missing during a school field trip to Black Vine Swamp, Nick and Marta aren’t sure whether to be elated or concerned. They’re pretty sure Smoke, the class delinquent who recently threatened her, had something to do with it. And they’re also sure that Mrs. Starch did not have a family emergency like the school told them. As they investigate further, Nick and Marta are dragged into a complex ecological mystery involving illegal oil drilling and an endangered panther, where nothing is as it seems but one wrong step could be the difference between life and death.

Clugston, Chynna. Queen Bee. Scholastic Graphix, 2005. ISBN 0439715725. Ages 10-14.

Haley Madison wishes she could just be a normal teenager, but her psychokinetic powers always seem to ruin her chances. So when her mom gets a new job and they have to move, Haley can’t wait to start classes at her new middle school where she intends to completely reinvent herself. She soon catches the attention of numerous people at school, including “The Hive,” only the most popular group of girls in school. But it is not long before a new queen bee dethrones her, and Haley must decide if popularity is worth all the trouble.

Boyce, Frank Cottrell. Cosmic. Walden Pond Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0061836831. Ages 9-12.

It’s not Liam’s fault he keeps getting mistaken for an adult—he’s abnormally tall for a twelve-year-old and already has facial hair. And he can’t act his age because everyone says, “He should know better.” So after being mistaken for the father of his friend Florida, Liam decides to try his hand at being an adult. Soon Liam and Florida are on their way to China after winning a father/child contest to be one of the first kids in space, only Liam isn’t a "kid" anymore. So when the dads get to compete to see who gets to join the children on the spaceship, Liam uses his inner child to win the final spot. But all goes wrong once they take off, and Liam finds himself stuck between two worlds once again.

Liam is the quintessential tween—no longer a child but not yet an adult. And even though he is not allowed to do adult things, he keeps getting mistaken for one anyway! Ironically, Liam finds himself viewing life and the world around him as an adult and a father when he chooses to play the role with Florida. And as he finds himself making more adult decisions, he soon comes to admire and appreciate the role that adults and parents play in their children’s lives. Stuck out in the middle of space, Liam manages to find a middle ground between being responsible and “adult-like,” while still allowing himself to embrace not growing up just yet.

Kwapis, Ken. (Director). (2005). The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants [Motion picture]. United States: Alcon Entertainment. Ages 11-14.

When a single pair of jeans fits four lifelong friends (who couldn’t be more different) perfectly, it must be magic. So the girls form their sisterhood on the eve of going their separate ways for the summer—the pants being the perfect way to keep in touch and chronicle each of their experiences. While Carmen faces a new stepfamily in the states, Lena travels to Greece to meet her extended family and finds love as well. And as Tibby witnesses a young girl’s brave fight with leukemia, Bridget battles her own demons while making trouble at soccer camp. But in the end, the pants bring them back together, where they are there for each other after a summer none of them will forget. Based on the first book in the bestselling series by Ann Brashares.

Herman, Mark. (Director). (2008). The Boy in the Striped Pajamas [Motion picture]. United States: Miramax Films. Ages 13-14.

After Bruno’s soldier father receives a promotion in Nazi Germany, Bruno and his family move to the country. Cooped up and bored, Bruno begins to explore the surrounding area where he sees farmers working in their pajamas, and befriends a young Jewish boy named Shmuel behind an electrified wire fence. Young and naïve, Bruno believes that the fence is up for Shmuel’s protection. Then one day Bruno decides to help Shmuel find his missing father by stealing into the camp disguised in a pair of Shmuel’s pajamas, with horrifyingly tragic results. Based on the bestselling young adult novel by John Boyne.

Davis, Andrew. (Director). (2003). Holes [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Pictures. Ages 10-14.

The Yelnats family has been subject to bad luck ever since an ancient family curse fell upon them, and Stanley Yelnats IV is no stranger to it. Wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake where he and his fellow campmates must each dig one hole a day. Though the staff says that digging holes builds character, Stanley believes that they are actually digging for something. And when he finds it, all the pieces of the puzzle start to come together and generations of history rights itself as Stanley breaks the Yelnats curse. Based on Louis Sachar's Newbery medal-winning book.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. ISBN 978-0375831003. Ages 12-14.

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young orphaned German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her foster family, their neighbors, and the Jewish man they are hiding in their basement in war-torn Munich. But when the Nazis close in on her Jewish friend, Liesel must witness one of the most heart-wrenching and terrifying experiences of the Holocaust.

Though Liesel begins the story as a nine-year-old and we follow her through her childhood, the content of the story is quite complex and full of adult content simplified through the eyes of a child. Tweens interested in learning about Nazi Germany and Holocaust history, as well as those who have ever experienced issues of abandonment and/or finding themselves will enjoy this story. It can be powerful and emotional at times, but extremely rewarding. Death's commentary and Max's drawings add a special touch to the story as a whole.

Marsh, Katherine. The Night Tourist. Hyperion Books for Children, 2007. ISBN 978-1423106890. Ages 9-14.

After getting hit by a car Jack Perdu starts seeing things, so his father sends him to a special doctor in New York City. There he meets Euri, a ghost girl his age who leads him down below Grand Central Station into the New York Underworld. Having left the city eight years before after his mother died, Jack realizes that this is the chance for him to see his mother again. So they travel through the ghostly world together, their mission unearthing both the truth about Euri’s intentions and the truth about Jack’s mother.

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Little, Brown and Company, 2007. ISBN 978-0316013680. Ages 12-14.

Amateur cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Though his intent is to get a better education, he endures prejudice and bullying both from the kids in the new school where he sticks out like a sore thumb and from the reservation he has chosen to abandon. Despite suffering through these circumstances as well as other personal tragedies, Junior finds solace and humor in his artwork, as well as basketball, and begins to make a life for himself. And in turn, he learns what it means to define his culture, instead of letting it define him.

Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. Simon Pulse, 2005. ISBN 978-0689865381. Ages 12-14.

In Tally’s world, no one wants to be an Ugly. So that’s why she can’t wait to turn sixteen so she can have the operation that will turn her into a Pretty. But then she meets Shay, an Ugly who would rather run away and rough it on the outside then be turned into a Pretty and move into their superficial world. Soon they meet a whole society of Uglies who inform them about the true intentions behind the Pretty operation. And when they get caught, Tally must make a life-changing decision—turn in her new friend or stay Ugly for the rest of her life.

The author's story provides a social commentary on the need to be flawless in today's society in the style of other dystopian works. Tween readers will initially be intrigued by the idea of becoming a Pretty, but will soon realize that there is more to life than image and that the power of the mind is more important and not something to be given up lightly.

Stead, Rebecca. When You Reach Me. Wendy Lamb Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0385737425. Ages 9-12.

Miranda is your average latchkey child growing up in 1978, and navigating the streets of New York City. But her world starts to turn upside down when her best friend refuses to talk to her, and then she begins receiving anonymous notes talking about things that haven’t even occurred yet. Suddenly, all the pieces begin to fall into place and Miranda sees the big picture. But is it too late to help her anonymous friend accomplish his mission?

Though the book is set in a time period that few tweens will identify with, they most certainly will identify with the central issues addressed by Stead. This remarkable story manages to keep you guessing to the very end, weaving in fantastic ideas of time travel with the everyday relationships of a tween girl. Each of these relationships are dynamic on their own—the partnership she shares with her mother, the curious bond that grows between her and Marcus, the budding friendship with Annemarie, and the seemingly bitter rivalry with Julia—but together they encompass what it truly means to be a tween. Tweens will no doubt identify with this story, traveling through time themselves as they discover the importance of making things right.

Brewer, Heather. The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites. Speak, 2007. ISBN 978-0525478119. Ages 12-14.

Three years after the mysterious fire that killed his parents, Vlad is still mourning their deaths. Then his favorite teacher goes missing and is replaced by Mr. Otis Otis. Vlad is convinced that his eccentric substitute had something to do with the disappearance of his teacher, and maybe even his parents’ deaths. And what’s worse, he also seems to know Vlad’s greatest secret—he is the son of a vampire, and half vampire himself. As Vlad learns more about the strange world of vampires known as Elysia, he also begins to learn more about himself and the monster he hope he never becomes.

Creech, Sharon. The Unfinished Angel. Joanna Cotler Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0061430954. Ages 9-12.

For as long as she (or he?) can remember, an angel has inhabited the stone tower of Casa Rosa and looked over the citizens of a small village in the Swiss Alps. But the angel’s purpose has never seemed important or clear until Zola Pomodoro arrives with her father and moves into Casa Rosa. Zola is a colorful character who can see the angel and instructs her to “do something” to help those in need—including a pack of orphans with no place to go. With Zola’s help, the unfinished angel helps to bring a village together and realizes that angels come in many forms.

Klise, Kate. 43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You. Harcourt, 2009. ISBN 978-0152057275. Ages 9-12.

Best-selling children’s author Ignatius B. Grumply has a serious case of writer’s block, so he’s hoping that the house he’s renting at 43 Old Cemetery Road will give him the peace and quiet he needs to finally write another book. What he doesn’t expect is that the ghost of its original owner, Olive C. Spence, already occupies the house. As does a young boy named Seymour and his cat Shadow. Now how will Grumply ever get his book written? Perhaps all he needs is a little help from the only family he’s got. Written in the form of notes, letters and newspaper articles, this book is sure to have you laughing in no time!

Kim, Young. Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1. Yen Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0759529434. Ages 12-14.

Bella meets and falls in love with Edward all over again in the first volume of this beautiful graphic novel adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. Her novel comes alive as Bella moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father and meets a coven of vampires who only hunt animals. Though she is forewarned, Bella cannot help falling for Edward, the brooding gentleman who can barely control his thirst for her blood. Together they begin to build a relationship that tests the very balance of both of their worlds.

Bosch, Pseudonymous. The Name of This Book is Secret. Little, Brown and Company, 2007. ISBN 978-0316113663. Ages 9-12.

Cass and Max-Ernest follow a trail of clues to discover what happened to a missing magician and his Symphony of Smells. Encountering danger and adventure everywhere they go, Cass and Max-Ernest must battle the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais as they infiltrate the Midnight Sun Sensorium and Spa and save their classmate from a horrible death. But their investigations turn up far more clues than expected, and many more adventures lie in store for them in Pseudonymous Bosch’s exciting, and quirky, new series.

Bloor, Edward. London Calling. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. ISBN 978-0375836350. Ages 10-14.

If anyone has something to be depressed about, it’s Martin Conway. His father is a drunk and a disgrace to the family. His family worships his late grandfather, whom he was named after. And his mother insists on making him attend All Souls Preparatory in order to live up to that namesake. But all Martin really wants to do is sleep. So when he receives his grandmother’s old radio and through it a young boy reaches out to him from the past, Martin is sure he’s going crazy. But fact by fact, every “dream” he experiences checks out. And as the story unfolds, he is asked the all-important question—What did you do to help?

This powerful and moving book not only chronicles a heartbreaking story set in WWII London, but also the story of a young boy who is battling his own demons on several fronts. Besides suffering through the everyday battles of being in middle school, he is dealing with real issues of alcoholism and depression in his family, and surviving a war in his dreams. Martin is a dynamic character, struggling to make sense of the world around him. Bloor does so by illustrating his struggles through vivid flashbacks, where you can almost feel the bombs dropping and smell the fires burning. Together with Martin, tweens will struggle to figure out his purpose, and perhaps walk away from the book wondering what they can do to help as well.