The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder 215 pages

This was one of those books I'd heard about, but had put way down on my list.  Only recently I read another book about challenged and banned books and it put The Egypt Game at the top of my to-read list.  It's no wonder this book is a classic and a past Newbery honor book.  It is a book that any kid can relate to, the desire to find the people who will understand you, the imagination and creativity that happen naturally when kids are left on their own for entertainment, and the excitement of creating your own world are all very engaging and inspiring.  Of course, there's a bit of mystery and suspense thrown in just for fun, too.  If you haven't read this one since you were a kid, or if you have a kid 4th grade or older, this should move to the top of your to-read list, too! 

Superheroes Don't Eat Veggie Burgers by Gretchen Kelley 266 pages

I was drawn to this book by the title.  Sadly, I was not wowed by the story.  The main character, Charlie Burger, is starting middle school and facing bullies, changing friendships, etc.  His science teacher gives the class a journal in which they are to write what they wish.  This frustrates Charlie initially, as he is a science nut, but he decides to start writing the adventures of Dude Explodius.  The journal entries have an odd way of sometimes entering the real world, but sometimes the results of the entries were completely disconnected to me.  I didn't really think the resolution of the story was entirely satisfying.  That being said, it did speak to some topics that middle graders will recognize.  I would still recommend it to some 4th and 5th grade kids, but ones who are looking for a specific type of read.