29. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

This is another Emma bedtime story choice and she seemed to enjoy it. I think that I first experienced this book sometime in elementary school. One of my teachers read it to me and I remember really enjoying it. I think I might have read it one other time since. But this is the first time I've read it in a long time. I loved it. It's so complex, but on such a fun level with all the animals. Emma loved it, but so did Lily and Ruth. It's such an interesting story and makes you think about lots of ethical questions as an adult. It's the story of a group of rats who were experimented on in a science lab and then escaped. After their escape they tried to establish their own community. I loved it and think that it makes a great read-aloud. I would highly recommend it.

28.Mr. Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman

These books are some of my favorite Pride and Prejudice spin-offs. John told me after we went to see a Jane Austen play, that nothing ever happens in them. I think lots happens, but whatever. But I have to admit that this series is fun precisely because lots of things happen. Mr. Darcy gets trapped in a Turkish prison and Elizabeth has to rescue him. But it is not just the action that makes these books my favorites, it is that the characters are all likeable. I still like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, even though they have flaws and weaknesses. They're not unrealistically good, and thus, boring. Nor are they so crazy that they are unrecognizable as Jane Austen's original characters. These are just fun sequels and I really enjoy them. I think this is the third in the series and I've enjoyed them all and would recommend them.

27. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

I really have mixed feelings about this book. I picked this up because I had heard the name so often that I was curious about it. I have to say the book is much better than I expected. The characters are interesting and well-developed. I liked that there are lots of different personalities with lots of body types and stories. I liked that the stories showed that there are consequences to decisions. The part that makes me uncomfortable is that I felt ok reading it as an adult, but I'm not sure I would want Kate to read it, at least not for a long time. There is nothing graphic in it but it is definitely suggestive in a few parts. So there you go. My favorite part of the book though is that at the beginning of each chapter is a random quote. Some of them made me laugh super hard. My favorite is: "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes."--Frieda Norris. I just couldn't stop laughing when I read that. I know it's horrible, but so, so funny.

26. There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar

This is another book that has sat on my bookshelf for about 10 years. And again it is just the right shape to fit in my purse so I picked it up. Louis Sachar is a popular childrens and young adult author and is on lots of recommended reading lists for middle grade readers. I thought this would be just another funny book about kids in school. But I found this book really thought provoking. It's the story of a boy named Bradley Chalkers who is a supposed trouble maker and bully. Only the story is told from Bradley's point of view. I found the story really sad and disturbing in a lot of ways because everyone treats Bradley like he will always do the wrong thing and that he can never be different. And the kid is only in fifth grade. Luckily, a new counselor moves in and tries to treat him like a valued person, and he starts to change. It is such and interesting and uplifting book. I really like it and would recommend it to anyone.