Feldman, Jody. The Gollywhopper Games. Greenwillow Books, 2008. ISBN 978-0061214509. Ages 10-14.

Gil Goodson wants more than anything to start over in a new town with his family, somewhere where they are not constantly reminded of the Incident that ruined everything. So when the town’s Golly Toy & Game Company announces its 50^th anniversary ultimate competition, Gil sees his chance to win enough to give them that new life. As one of thousands of kids competing in the competition, Gil must solve puzzles and master trivia, as well as complete physical stunts, better and faster than all the others. But will the attention he receives from the games be too much for his family after all the bad press? And does he have what it takes to win it all? Fans of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory won't want to miss this gollywhopper of a read!

Crutcher, Chris. Whale Talk. Greenwillow Books, 2001. ISBN 0688180191. Ages 12-14.

Intellectually and athletically gifted, TJ, a multiracial, adopted teenager, shuns organized sports and the gung-ho athletes at his high school until he agrees to form a swimming team and recruits some of the school's less popular students. TJ embodies many different aspects of everyday older tweens--he is multiracial, athletic, adopted, angry, and suffers from issues of abandonment. However, he takes all of these things with stride, and uses the best of them to try and save others. Many tweens will find aspects of his character that they can relate to, as well as the band of outcasts he forms his swim team with. Tweens will also be intrigued by the unconditional support of TJ's adopted, hippy parents.

Holm, Jennifer L., and Holm, Matthew. Babymouse: Our Hero. Random House, 2005. ISBN 978-0375832307. Ages 9-11.

Babymouse has quite the imagination, and dreams of being everyone’s hero. But when she must face Felicia Furrypaws in a game of dodgeball, it is up to Babymouse to save the day and win one for the team. Holm has created an incredibly normal and imaginative character in Babymouse. Set in the form of a graphic novel, younger tweens will delight in reading about Babymouse’s great adventures and delve willingly into her wild schemes and daydreams. Readers will cheer her on as she fights to stay alive in a game of dodgeball, and ends up surprising herself with what she can accomplish—finally becoming the hero she dreamed of.

Estes, Eleanor. The Hundred Dresses. Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1944. ISBN 978-0152052607. Ages 9-12.

Wanda Petronski is different—she has a different name, she is plain and poor, and she is shy and quiet. But Peggy, Maddie, and the other girls tease her because she claims she has one hundred dresses, even though she wears the same drab one every day. Maddie wishes they wouldn’t tease her, but does not speak up until it is too late and the Petronskis leave due to their poor treatment. Written for younger tweens, even reluctant readers with little experience reading chapter books will sail through this simple story. Girls may identify with the story more, and can learn about the cattiness and bullying that often occurs between them in real life. All readers will take away from the story the moral that just because someone is different does not make it right to tease and bully them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Phelan, Matt. The Storm in the Barn. Candlewick Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0763636180. Ages 10-14.

Being an eleven-year-old is tough, between dealing with bullies and failing to live up to other’s expectations. But Jack Clark is also facing even greater challenges as he and his family struggle to survive in 1937 Kansas during the Dust Bowl. With one sister sick from the dust and another he can barely keep out of trouble, Jack struggles to be strong for his family and yet hold onto the last fragments of his childhood. With the town fighting to survive and praying for rain, Jack comes face to face with the cause of their severe drought. But is there such a thing as the Storm King? Or has the dust gotten to him as well?

This striking graphic novel of little color and few words beautifully illustrates the role that tweens must play of being in between—in between the world of what is real and what is not, growing up and being a kid, and doing what you are told and following your heart. The story also perfectly melds images of tall tales with a historical thriller, making Jack’s character even more dynamic and unique. For Jack may be living in desperate times, but it is his choice to face adversity and be a hero that makes this story timeless.