Howe, Deborah, and Howe, James. Bunnicula. Atheneum, 1979. ISBN 978-0689307003. Ages 9-12.

Something is definitely different about that new bunny the Monroe’s brought home, according to Harold the dog and Chester the cat. He sleeps all day and escapes from his cage at night. He has pointy fangs and black fur that looks like a cape. He even hates garlic! But when all the vegetables start turning white, their juices completely sucked out, it’s up to Harold and Chester to determine once and for all if their furry friend is really a … vampire?! And when the Monroe’s won’t listen, Chester takes matters into his own hands, forcing Harold to come to the rescue of a cute little misunderstood bunny.

White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1952. ISBN 978-0060845940. Ages 9-12.

When Fern discovers that her father is going to kill the runt pig in a litter, she vows to nurse him herself. Naming him Wilbur, she forms a strong bond with the pig as he moves to live on her uncle’s farm. But Wilbur soon finds out that he is meant to be slaughtered later in the year. So with the help of his newfound friend Charlotte, a spider living in a web above his pen, they become determined to make him not just any ordinary pig. This beautiful story tells of the unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider, and how through much determination and sacrifice, anything can be accomplished. Reluctant readers will definitely want to pick this one up, as this story is a wonderful bridge from transitional fiction into chapter books with its simple story and use of sporadic and detailed illustrations. This is a must read for any child who is an animal lover.

Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. Alfred A. Knopf, 1996. ISBN 978-0679879244. Ages 10-14.

Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North. As Lyra is forced to grow up at a young age without a father or mother present, she takes on a motherly role when her best friend Roger is kidnapped. Selflessly attempting to save him and traveling to the ends of the world to bring him back safely, Lyra demonstrates that even in the most horrible of situations, sometimes love, compassion, and determination are all you need to find your place in the world.

Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. HarperCollins, 2001. ISBN 978-0060292874. Ages 9-12.

This story, written in freeform poetry by Jack, tells of his initial reluctance to write poetry, as well as his growing interest in and penchant for writing that which he thought he could not. Many loose elements eventually come together in his final poems, which are both insightful, as well as heart wrenching. A quick and easy read, the book’s freeform gives the reader a chance to see directly into Jack’s innermost thoughts and feelings. Though written as poetry, the poems as a collective tell a story, and each element of the story builds into one major story about a boy and the loss of his dog. Reluctant readers will enjoy this simple book, and perhaps may be inspired to write some poetry of their own, as the book gives a variety of examples of different styles and techniques.

Christopher, Matt. Miracle at the Plate. Little, Brown, 1967. ISBN 978-0316139267. Ages 9-12.

Skeeter is the best batter on the Milky Ways, but he’s hopeless at fielding. Tommy is a decent fielder, but has no talent for hitting. When Skeeter accidentally runs over Tommy’s dog with his bike, he takes the dog to the vet without telling Tommy. But when Tommy and the rest of the team find out, Skeeter becomes worried that Tommy will finally take his place. Fans of Matt Christopher’s sports chapter books will not be disappointed with this baseball story. The book offers both exciting representations of the baseball games, as well as a moral story sure to appeal to animal lovers. While the book is geared more towards boys, girls who love sports and animals will also enjoy the story.

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.

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.