The Barnabus Project by Terry Fan; Eric Fan; Devin Fan

Barnabus was part mouse and part elephant.  He was a toy that didn't turn out quite right but he had lots of company.  They ate the food they were given and lived in their containers peaceably.  But then one day they marked them all with a red sticker that said "failed".  They were going to be remade...

Tundra Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on September 1st.

Barnabus says they need to escape.  They tell him it's impossible.  He hits the glass wall. smashes into it and kicks it with no results.  Then he sits down and lets a cry of frustration come out.  The glass at the top has cracked.  So he makes a really loud noise and he's free!

They work as a team to get off the shelves and head out for freedom.  But the humans are after them.  Will they get free? 

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell

Sophie was found floating in a cello case in the English channel after the ship has gone down.  She says she remembers her mother waving at her, but she was only one and no other female survivors were found.  Charlie tells her she's probably not really remembering but just wishing.  But Charlie has an interesting outlook on life:  Almost impossible means still possible...

Simon and Schuster's Books for Young Readers and Net Galley allowed me to download a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It was published at the end of September, so you can grab a copy now at your local bookstore.

This story has all the flavor of an old classic tale for young readers.  Charlie, her guardian, is not a normal dad.  He thinks it's OK to write on walls and since Sophie tends to break dishes, they eat off paper.  Sophie doesn't go to school, she reads all of Charlie's books and they discuss matters of the world and what she's read.  They eat what they like.  And they're happy.  But the welfare agency isn't.  As Sophie grows older, they are going to take her away for placement.

Charles and Sophie don't want to be separated, but Charlie knows he can't fight government.  When Sophie finds an address on her cello case, she suggests they go to France and see if they can locate her mother.  As Charlie looks at her in dismay, she reminds him that it's still possible.

Their time in Paris is the stuff of fairytales.  She meets a boy who lives on rooftops.  After she's proved herself, she meets more who live "above".  And while she's on the rooftop, she hears the tune that she can play on the cello; the one that reminds her of her mother.  Can it really be?

This is a grand adventure with two of the most adorable characters you can imagine.  Charlie was unmarried, not used to children and yet he took in Sophie.  Sophie loved him, he loved her, and he'd do anything for her.  Together, they accomplish the impossible.  

I highly recommend reading this one.  It's a heart-pleasing tale with lots of adventure.  Young or old should enjoy this story.

Happy reading.