Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

Activity: The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (LENSC) brought in two live owls. The guys got a special up-close and personal screening before the owls were taken out to the main floor of the library for everyone to see. Awesome!!

Gold Dust by Chris Lynch

In 1975, twelve-year-old Richard befriends Napolean, a Caribbean newcomer to his Catholic school, hoping that Napolean will learn to love baseball and the Red Sox, and will win acceptance in the racially polarized Boston school.

Activity: Played a baseball card game, but not just any baseball card game...

Tiger Rising, by Kate DiCamillo

Rob, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger.

Activity: The guys made unique soap carvings using tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, metal cookie cutters and more to hone their craft.