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No one in her sixth-grade class knows quite what to make of Ms. Loupe, with her short hair, her taped square “stage” on the floor, and the interest in improvisational theatre. After all, their school is on an Air Force base–a place that values discipline more than improv. But her students soon come to love her fresh approach; and when her dear brother goes missing in Afghanistan, and Ms.

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade—the golden-armed quarterback of the football team and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves. These two boys may seem like an odd couple, but each has a secret that draws them together, and proves that the will to succeed is even more important than raw talent.

Our book to be discussed on March 21, 2010 will have great appeal to “horse-mad readers, girls like Lidie who have photos and drawings of horses tacked up on their bedroom walls,” writes Norah Piehl in her book review posted on Kidsreads.com.  Piehl goes on to say that WILD GIRL “shouldn’t be dismissed as merely another ‘horse book.’  It also provides an insightful glimpse into the immigrant experience, particularly for the la