The Willoughby’s/ Lois Lowry
Everything about this book spells ‘old-fashioned,’ even the characters by their own admission. Even stranger is the fact that there is no love lost between the parents and the children. The story begins with the advent of a little baby deposited on the Willoughby’s doorstep. Children will love the humour, the twist and turn of events and the situations that the characters find themselves in.

Level: Primary Subject: Orphans, family life, humour.

There’s more to Life/ Rachael Billington
Ned arrives at Great Aunt Ellen’s Lilac Cottage for his two-week holiday by the sea, only to see her being driven away in an ambulance. Then the strangest things begin to happen. The sounds of footsteps around the house, an apparition, and the feeling of being watched sets the stage for this great little mystery.

Level: Primary. Intermediate Subject: Holidays, mystery.

Dog Diaries/ Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers
Members of the WOOF (Words of our Friends) Society have decided to meet and listen to stories about dogs from all over the world. They want to establish the fact that dogs can narrate stories too and do have a more prolific vocabulary than ‘sit’, ‘stand’, or ‘roll over’. A wide variety of short stories that are both engaging and entertaining.

Level: Primary Subject: Dogs, storytelling.

by Janice Rodrigues