Best Book Club for 2004

When his beloved grandfather dies, eight-year-old Anu feels that his spirit is near and will stop at nothing to bring him back, including trying to become a Hindu holy man. Multicultural

Ted Hammond, the only sixth grader in his small Nebraska town's one-room schoolhouse, searches for clues to the disappearance of a homeless family. Mystery

Hunky Dory is an unconventional witch who would rather grant wishes than cast spells which gets her kicked out of charm school; so Hunky sets out to become the best fairy godmother she can be. Fantasy

Steven Carter, his friend Russell, and Zoopy the dog, members of the Flint Future Detective Club, investigates a suspicious quadrillion-dollar bill given to them by Mr. Chickee while evading Agent Fondoo. Mystery

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories. Adventure

Inconsolable at being separated from her older brother, eight-year-old Paris is apprehensive about her new foster family but just as she learns to trust them, she faces a life-changing decision. Foster Home, African American

Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments. Schools, cheating

Introduces young readers to the animals studied in crypto zoology, animals which may or may not be real. Nonfiction

The true story of the lives and travels of the circus elephant Modoc who traveled widely and experienced dangerous adventures with his owner and trainer Bram Gunterstein. Human-Animal relationships

During a summer at their great-uncle and aunt's castle in northern England, eleven-year-old Madlyn and her younger brother, Rollo, attempt, with the help of several ghosts, to save the rare cattle that live on the grounds. Ghosts, castles

Frustrated at her seeming lack of talent for anything, a young Taiwanese American girl sets out to apply the lessons of the Chinese Year of the Dog, those of making best friends and finding oneself, to her own life. Family life, multicultural

Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic. Autism, Newbery Honor Book 207

While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds. Foster care, dreams

Twelve-year-old Kevin Kim helps Chu-mong, a legendary king of ancient Korea, return to his own time. Korea, time-travel, magic

Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life. Interpersonal relations, Newbery Winner 2007

While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building. Friendship, school

Jenna learns that she is a princess found as a baby by the man she believed was her father and now she and Septimus, who was taken at birth by the midwife, are being threatened by the evil wizard, DomDaniel who intends to finish off the entire royal line. Wizards, fantasy, magic

Follows the life and career of a ballerina, detailing her dance school experiences, performances, and personal life. Presented in graphic novel format. Ballet

When their owner plans to sell one of them in 1802, twelve-year-old Sally and her family run away from their Georgia plantation to look for both freedom from slavery and a home in Florida with the Seminole Indians. Historical fiction, slavery