Dreamsleeves, Coleen Murtagh Paratore. Eighth grader, Aislinn, or "A" as she is called, has dreams. It is summer time and she takes care of her younger siblings: Beck, Callie, Dooley and Eddie while her mom works. Her mom is pregnant, so soon an "F" will be added to the family alphabet. Her loving Nana is away and not their to buffer the amount of drinking her father does. Maizey, her best friend is being pulled away from her by Sue-Ellen, the rich girl that can offer more than A can. The dream of living in a big house in the country seems to be less and less of a reality due to her dad spending so much of their money on booze. As his drinking increases, his voice gets more venomous. He does not allow her to spend time with friends, and especially not boys; yet, she is hoping to go to Sue-Ellen's pool party to see Mike and get her first kiss, but that dream is constantly being threatened by her dad's moods.

She decides to put a dream on her sleeve when they go to church, hoping her priest will see it and get her dad to stop drinking, He does notice, comes to the house for a visit, but things only get worse. She thinks that by wearing her dreams on her sleeves, she puts it out to the world for help in having her dreams met.

This is a lovely story for older readers, especially girls. The author even provides a page at the back for readers to to reflect on their own dreams, and perhaps put them on their own sleeves.

Spy School, Stuart Gibbs. Ben is a math whiz, but not a spy. Yet, he was recruited by Alexander Hale, to attend spy school as a ruse. His first night there, he gets attacked by ninjas, yet, able to defend himself with a tennis racket . . . not exactly spy equipment. He is not sure whom to trust: Chip Schacter, the bully that ridicules his lack of talents, Erica, the beautiful daughter of Alexander Hale, that attacks him while serving time in The Box, yet leads him to freedom, Alexander Hale, himself, who isn't much of a spy, or Murray Hill, the boy that rescued him from Chip. Being a first year student, he doesn't hold much credibility with the other students or professors. Learning he was a plant, he is determined to prove himself a capable and worthy spy for the CIA. His best friend, Mike, who thinks Ben is away at science school gets wrapped into the frenzy of finding the double agent that planted a bomb. When Ben finally discovers and confronts the guilty one. a bomb has been set with five minutes left before the bomb goes boom. How will Ben, along with an unconscious Erica, stop the explosion and find the dirty culprit?

Excitement, intrigue and curiosity await the reader. Readers who enjoyed Belly Up, Gibbs' first book, will be delighted with this next story.

Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Ally is dyslexic and in sixth grade. Her seventh teacher in seven years, Mrs. Hall, is expecting a baby and for her shower, Ally proudly presented her with a bright yellow sympathy card, thinking it was a baby shower card. Mrs. Hall was mortified, the principal confused and the kids in stitches laughing at yet, another Ally goof. Only when Mr. Daniel, the new teacher comes to the class, is she finally found unable to read. He admires her creativity and intelligence and with patience, understanding and after school tutoring, he gives her hope and focus. He reminds her that, "If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking that it's stupid."

With Keisha, the girl that speaks her mind, and Albert, the science geek, they form a friendship and stand together against the class bully, Shay and her sidekick, Jessica. This unusual trio slowly find their way to fit in and maybe, even come to be accepted.

The author of One For the Murphy's, Hunt crafts another treasure, one worth reading aloud to a class at any time of the year.