In Sherman's Path by J. F. Spieles 

In Sherman's Path is a compelling story of how young Henry Akinson's life has been affected by the war. After running away from an orphanage at the age of twelve, Henry joined the war efforts by carrying extra ammunition. However, when his regiment made it to the first lines, it was too much for Henry to bear and he became a deserter. Henry soon met up with Lewis Templeton, a rich southern on a big plantation, who has offered to protect him. Mr. Templeton has Henry carry out dangerous missions of collections valuables from neighboring houses to keep them safe from Sherman's looters and foragers, or so he thinks. While living on Templeton's plantation, Henry develops a relationship with the only slave family left on the plantation and his thoughts towards slaves is changes. A wonderful story of how life-changing events change one young mans life.

Do you ever feel like your parents just don't understand you? How did you get to be their kid? They are so different. Emma Burblee feels the same way. All her parents want to do is talk about themselves and how great they are. She would rather dig for treasure in a park. After embarrassing her parents at a dinner party her punishment is to spend the entire summer with Uncle Simon. Uncle Simon is an awful man with a huge appetite for food and get-rich-quick schemes.

Most of Emma's days are spent cooking and cleaning for Uncle Simon. The one good thing is that her uncle has a big sweet tooth and he sends Emma into town to visit Mr. Crackle's Cake Shop. Mr Crackle is a world-renowned baker and is as sweet as Uncle is vile. Emma discovers a plot that her Uncle has cooked up with an acquaintance of his to ruin Mr. Crackle. Emma must stop the evil plan. How will she do it? Will her parents change their behavior?

Read The Magic Cake Shop by first time author Meika Hashimoto to find out. It might even inspire you to start baking.

Sasha is proud to be a citizen of the Soviet Union. He idolizes his country's leader, Comrade Stalin. He is proud of his father who happens to be an officer in Stalin's secret police, searching out spies and enemies. And Sasha is excited about his initiation into the Soviet Young Pioneers so he can officially promote Communism. But one night, Sasha's faith in his country is greatly tested when his father is arrested and mysteriously taken to prison. Full of suspense, twists, and turns, Eugene Yelchin's first novel is based on his life in the Soviet Union (now called Russia).

Stink is waiting for the next book in the "Nightmare on Zombie Street" series to come out, but he doesn't have any money to buy the book. He comes up with a plan with his friend, Webster, to make money to buy the new book. Also, at Stink's school, there is a "One Million Minutes of Reading" contest going on. Will Stink's plan work to make money to buy the book? Will his school make their reading goal? Will Stink's sister, Judy, turn into a zombie? You can find out the answers to all these questions by reading "Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk". Ages 5-8.

If you like Stink, you can check out his other books: Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid, Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker, Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers, Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express, Stink: Solar System Superhero, and Stink and the Ultimate Thumb-Wresting Smackdown.

Ivan's beautiful story is told by the gorilla himself, and is loosely based on a true incident. I was deeply touched by Ivan's story, and you will be, too.

By Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Are you cold, have bit of a chill, need something snuggly and warm? Than you need to talk to Annabelle, she will knit you a snug as a bug sweater from her endless box of colorful yarn. In Extra Yarn, Annabelle finds a bottomless box of yarn and turns her gray snowy town into a colorful new place by knitting sweaters for her neighbors, local dogs and even pickup trucks. Check out this wonderful book to see the endless creations Annabelle knits up.

Story by Tony Townsley

On his fifth birthday, a boy receives the gift of three cups from his parents. One is for spending, one for saving, and the third for giving. That's where he is to keep his allowance; how much goes into each cup changes over time. At the book's end, the cycle begins again, with a new generation. This book is a great foundation to teach children the importance of managing their money in a responsible way. Three Cups will help teach children positive habits about money. The text includes a parents' guide.