Doll Bones / by Holly Black

If you are like me, and you find dolls a little creepy, then this may not be the book for you!  Best friends Poppy, Zach, and Alice are all struggling with problems in their families, but using their imaginations to play "the game" brings them a lot of pleasure.  When Zach's dad ruins the game, Poppy reveals that the doll -- whom they call the Great Queen -- has been haunting her dreams.  Poppy is convinced this will continue until they travel to the birthplace of the doll and give her a proper burial.  So, the three set off on the quest to put the doll to rest.  What happens next makes a suspenseful, strange, and sometimes touching story.  This would be a great read-aloud before Halloween!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

While this books looks intimidating, it is actually a quick read.  Ivan is a gorilla raised in captivity and living in a shopping mall that has seen better days.  His best friends are an old elephant named Stella and a stray dog named Bob.  Life in the mall is not ideal, but Ivan copes as well as he can.  Then, one day, a new baby elephant named Ruby is brought to the mall, and Ivan's friend, Stella, makes him promise to provide a better life for her.  How he keeps his promise is a touching and heartbreaking story, especially knowing that it is based on a true story.  This is truly a great read; no wonder it won the Newbery Award.

The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford

The story occurs during one summer in the life of Minty, a ten-year-old girl.  Someone has been hiding in the woods, watching the people in the neighborhood, and Minty chases the mystery watcher one day.  That is the day she discovers the secret tree, a spooky tree where people keep dropping their secrets.  Secrets like: I put a curse on my enemy, and it is working.  Determined to figure out who each secret belongs to, Minty and her new friend, Raymond, start watching.  As they get deeper glimpses of their neighbors' lives, they discover they have some secrets of their own...and they will change everything.  The Secret Tree is a satisfying read that may be a bit challenging for some younger readers.