Bellairs, John. The House With A Clock In Its Walls. Mystery/Scary-Lite

A boy goes to live with his magician uncle in a mansion that has a clock hidden in the walls which is ticking off the minutes until doomsday. A family favorite.

Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks. Siblings.

This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachu- setts.

Bradbury, Ray. The Halloween Tree. Halloween/Scary Lite.

This is a superb contemporary classic by American literary treasure Ray Bradbury, best known as the author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. The mysterious Mr. Moundshroud leads eight young boys on a journey back through time to discover the true meaning of Halloween.

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl. Fantasy/Mystery.

From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid of James Bond and the attitude of Attila the Hun. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy. This is followed by many wonderful sequels.

Dahl, Roald. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Fantasy/Humor.

Need we say more. One of the all time classics of children’s literature that not only has withstood the test of time, but set a standard for all times.

DiCamillo, Kate. Because Of Winn-Dixie. Girl And Her Dog/Fantasy/Humor

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie. DiCamillo’s breakthrough book and still one of her best.

Edmonds, Walter. Bert Breen’s Barn. Historical Fiction/Mystery.

A poor boy in rural upstate New York dreams of moving the widow Breen’s barn to his own land to help improve the life of his mother and sisters. Unfortunately, a rumor of hidden treasure in the barn brings competition from a pair of unsavory brothers.

Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot. Ecology/Preservation.

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy’s attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. Fantasy/Word Play.

When a mysterious tollbooth shows up in Milo’s apartment, Milo drives through it into a marvelous land where he meets the Spelling Bee, The Humbug and a wonderful cast of characters. All the while learning the importance of words and numbers, and finding a cure for his boredom.

Mckinley, Robin. Beauty. Fantasy/Fairy Tale.

An exquisite and rich retelling of Beauty and the Beast. A family favorite.